Editing this post, as I have now uploaded some items of information pertaining to my uncle (Sgt. Charles Sidney Cattell of 1st SAS 1941 - 46) to my website at: SAS Originals Cheers, Dan
Sorry Phil no more than what I posted here mate;- http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/17053-sas-ops-3.html cannot find a mention of him in earlier operations.Sorry. Jim / All our other SAS knowledable members. I now have some more information regarding Bombadier / Corporal Caton, which I have copied below. Based on this information does this shed any further light on the operations that he served in? Weekly News Friday August 13th 1943 - KILLED IN SICILY - Widnes Parachutist Information has been received that Corporal Geoffrey Caton, S.A.S. has been killed in action in Sicily, bringing to a close a brilliant and successful career. He was 22 years of age, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Caton, 37 Stewards Avenue and formerly of Eleanor Street. He was an old boy of Simms Cross and the Central schools. After leaving the latter he was apprentice woodworking machinist at Messrs. Evans Timber Works, and attended Manchester University for trade tuition. He excelled in all kinds of sport, boxing being his favourite. His boxing was developed in his father’s club under Tommy Burns, his clubmates being Jack Stanner and Bert Chambers. He won a silver cup in the championships at Manchester. In February, 1939, Sergt. Caton joined the Widnes Territorials (South Lancs Regiment). His adventurous spirit was not satisfied with home service, however, and volunteered for transfer to the Commandos when they were first formed. He serve overseas with the late Lt.-Colonel Keyes, V.C., and in the Syrian campaign was wounded in the raid on Latani River, along with the only two Widnes pals, Dick Myler and Tommy Carter. He spent six weeks in hospital in Jerusalem, and on being discharged, volunteered for service with the special raiding squadron. He was in the vanguard of all the major engagements in Cyprus, Crete, Tunisia and Egypt, many of the exploits being at present a military secret. He successfully passed the ski-ing course on Mount Lebanon, and was awarded parachute wings for special operations. He was in the first 200 paratroops who made the bridgehead in the first landing in Sicily, and an officer, Lieut. J.M. Wiseman, writing to the bereaved parents, gives an account of Corporal Caton’s gallant death. He writes; “It is with very real and personal regret that I have to offer you my sympathy on the death in action of your son, Geoffrey. Your son was one of my sub-section leaders, and I had great admiration both for his personal Courage and abilities as a leader. He took part in the first landing on European soil and was one of those who made the original bridgehead through which our armies are advancing. He fought extremely well all day, until an unexpected burst of fire caught him. We did all we could to make him comfortable, and he suffered his wounds bravely, before passing peacefully away. He is buried on Cape Murro di Porco, about eight miles south-east of Syracuse. Believe me, I feel his loss very much, and I offer you my very, very sincere sympathy.” His pal, Sergt. William M. McNinch, has written the following to his mother in Glasgow who has forwarded it on to Mr. and Mrs. Caton; “I’m sorry to say I have lost my best friend in this lot. We’ve been together now for three years, and have been the greatest of friends, and I’ll miss him more than I can say.” Mr. Pat Sinnott writes; “With the deepest regret I saw the sad news in the Weekly News, and offer my deepest sympathy to Geoffrey’s mother, father and family in their great sorrow. In the hey-day of Jack Stanner, young Geoff. Caton was one of his chief sparring partners. Only a boy in those days, he was my favourite boy boxer. I feel as if I have lost a son. I liked Geoffrey not only as a promising boxer, but because his manners and conduct in the ring and out, were exemplary. Geoffrey’s eldest brother, Thomas, is serving overseas as meteorologist with the Fleet Air Arm; his younger brother, Ronald, is in the Royal Navy; and his sister, Joan, is a Nurse. Widnes Weekly News Friday October 29th. 1943 - PARACHUTIST PRAISED - OFFICER’S TRIBUTE Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Caton, 37 Stewards Avenue, Widnes, have received another letter from overseas paying further tribute to the heroism of their son, Corporal Geoffrey Caton, who was killed in Sicily in August this year. The letter is from Squadron Sergt. Major G. Rose, M.M., who is in the special raiding squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment, C.M.F., and is as follows; “Sincerely hoping that I shall not cause any further sorrow, I take this opportunity of offering you my deepest sympathy in your recent bereavement caused by the death in action of your son Geoffrey. As his squadron sergeant major, I feel it is my duty to write and tell you of his activities in the unit, of how he met his death, and how he is missed by all his comrades. Geoff, as he was known to us all, joined us in June, 1942, he completed hi parachute course shortly afterwards and then played a great part in the unit’s activities in the Western Desert. Our operations consisted solely of sabotage work behind the enemy lines, and your son played a ***** and noble? part in many of them, which resulted in his being promoted to corporal. These operations are too numerous to mention here, but at a later date you will hear of them, and you son’s name will be coupled with many of them. For the part he played, his commanding officer awarded him operational wings, an honour unique in the British Army, and one which only members of this unit can obtain, namely that of wearing his parachute wings on his left breast. On the 10th July, 1943, this squadron took part in the invasion of Sicily, and it was during this operation that Geoff met his untimely end. He was in the thick of the battle and won praise from all sides for his coolness and courage. I was the last person to speak to him before he died and we buried him beneath an olive tree, the squadron paying silent homage while the padre read the last rites. I knew Geoff very well, and I felt his passing very keenly. He leaves a gap in our ranks which can never be filled. I shall forward his wings to you along with his badge, on which is inscribed “Who dares-wins.” I pass on to you the condolences and sympathy of the whole of the squadron in this hour of your great bereavement. We salute the memory of a great and gallant soldier.” Corporal Caton was 22 years of age, and at one time served with the famous “Layforce Commandos” under the late Lieut. Col. Keyes V.C. and Major General Laycock. He was wounded, and it was after leaving hospital that he volunteered for service with the special raiding squadron.
Jim / All our other SAS knowledable members. I now have some more information regarding Bombadier / Corporal Caton, which I have copied below. Based on this information does this shed any further light on the operations that he served in? Weekly News Friday August 13th 1943 - KILLED IN SICILY - Widnes Parachutist Information has been received that Corporal Geoffrey Caton, S.A.S. has been killed in action in Sicily, bringing to a close a brilliant and successful career. He was 22 years of age, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Caton, 37 Stewards Avenue and formerly of Eleanor Street. He was an old boy of Simms Cross and the Central schools. After leaving the latter he was apprentice woodworking machinist at Messrs. Evans Timber Works, and attended Manchester University for trade tuition. He excelled in all kinds of sport, boxing being his favourite. His boxing was developed in his father’s club under Tommy Burns, his clubmates being Jack Stanner and Bert Chambers. He won a silver cup in the championships at Manchester. In February, 1939, Sergt. Caton joined the Widnes Territorials (South Lancs Regiment). His adventurous spirit was not satisfied with home service, however, and volunteered for transfer to the Commandos when they were first formed. He serve overseas with the late Lt.-Colonel Keyes, V.C., and in the Syrian campaign was wounded in the raid on Latani River, along with the only two Widnes pals, Dick Myler and Tommy Carter. He spent six weeks in hospital in Jerusalem, and on being discharged, volunteered for service with the special raiding squadron. He was in the vanguard of all the major engagements in Cyprus, Crete, Tunisia and Egypt, many of the exploits being at present a military secret. He successfully passed the ski-ing course on Mount Lebanon, and was awarded parachute wings for special operations. He was in the first 200 paratroops who made the bridgehead in the first landing in Sicily, and an officer, Lieut. J.M. Wiseman, writing to the bereaved parents, gives an account of Corporal Caton’s gallant death. He writes; “It is with very real and personal regret that I have to offer you my sympathy on the death in action of your son, Geoffrey. Your son was one of my sub-section leaders, and I had great admiration both for his personal Courage and abilities as a leader. He took part in the first landing on European soil and was one of those who made the original bridgehead through which our armies are advancing. He fought extremely well all day, until an unexpected burst of fire caught him. We did all we could to make him comfortable, and he suffered his wounds bravely, before passing peacefully away. He is buried on Cape Murro di Porco, about eight miles south-east of Syracuse. Believe me, I feel his loss very much, and I offer you my very, very sincere sympathy.” His pal, Sergt. William M. McNinch, has written the following to his mother in Glasgow who has forwarded it on to Mr. and Mrs. Caton; “I’m sorry to say I have lost my best friend in this lot. We’ve been together now for three years, and have been the greatest of friends, and I’ll miss him more than I can say.” Mr. Pat Sinnott writes; “With the deepest regret I saw the sad news in the Weekly News, and offer my deepest sympathy to Geoffrey’s mother, father and family in their great sorrow. In the hey-day of Jack Stanner, young Geoff. Caton was one of his chief sparring partners. Only a boy in those days, he was my favourite boy boxer. I feel as if I have lost a son. I liked Geoffrey not only as a promising boxer, but because his manners and conduct in the ring and out, were exemplary. Geoffrey’s eldest brother, Thomas, is serving overseas as meteorologist with the Fleet Air Arm; his younger brother, Ronald, is in the Royal Navy; and his sister, Joan, is a Nurse. Widnes Weekly News Friday October 29th. 1943 - PARACHUTIST PRAISED - OFFICER’S TRIBUTE Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Caton, 37 Stewards Avenue, Widnes, have received another letter from overseas paying further tribute to the heroism of their son, Corporal Geoffrey Caton, who was killed in Sicily in August this year. The letter is from Squadron Sergt. Major G. Rose, M.M., who is in the special raiding squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment, C.M.F., and is as follows; “Sincerely hoping that I shall not cause any further sorrow, I take this opportunity of offering you my deepest sympathy in your recent bereavement caused by the death in action of your son Geoffrey. As his squadron sergeant major, I feel it is my duty to write and tell you of his activities in the unit, of how he met his death, and how he is missed by all his comrades. Geoff, as he was known to us all, joined us in June, 1942, he completed hi parachute course shortly afterwards and then played a great part in the unit’s activities in the Western Desert. Our operations consisted solely of sabotage work behind the enemy lines, and your son played a ***** and noble? part in many of them, which resulted in his being promoted to corporal. These operations are too numerous to mention here, but at a later date you will hear of them, and you son’s name will be coupled with many of them. For the part he played, his commanding officer awarded him operational wings, an honour unique in the British Army, and one which only members of this unit can obtain, namely that of wearing his parachute wings on his left breast. On the 10th July, 1943, this squadron took part in the invasion of Sicily, and it was during this operation that Geoff met his untimely end. He was in the thick of the battle and won praise from all sides for his coolness and courage. I was the last person to speak to him before he died and we buried him beneath an olive tree, the squadron paying silent homage while the padre read the last rites. I knew Geoff very well, and I felt his passing very keenly. He leaves a gap in our ranks which can never be filled. I shall forward his wings to you along with his badge, on which is inscribed “Who dares-wins.” I pass on to you the condolences and sympathy of the whole of the squadron in this hour of your great bereavement. We salute the memory of a great and gallant soldier.” Corporal Caton was 22 years of age, and at one time served with the famous “Layforce Commandos” under the late Lieut. Col. Keyes V.C. and Major General Laycock. He was wounded, and it was after leaving hospital that he volunteered for service with the special raiding squadron. Phil, are you looking at what ops he was on with 11 commando/Layforce ....... and thought this would be a nice addition to his post. Geoffrey Caton - SAS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour EDIT. I just found this quote by Mayne in the Hamish Ross book Paddy Mayne, in July he referred to the death of Geff Caton who had been killed in the assault on the second battery at Cape Murro di Purco:'and he, poor chap had been with me right since the time we started as commando in Galashiels. I was very fond of him'.
Phil, are you looking at what ops he was on with 11 commando/Layforce Jason, any info woud be greatly appreciated, on any of the missions mentioned above. Phil
Jason, any info woud be greatly appreciated, on any of the missions mentioned above. Phil Phil, my edit in my post above confirms the early connection with Mayne so may give a more easier trail to follow.
Phil, This may be helpful as it contains quite a bit of info on 11 commando and while Caton, is mentioned as a addition to the nominal roll of 11 commando......... and also in another that states who went where, after they disbanded he is not shown on other rolls that deal with Litani river, although im not sure those rolls are complete......... it might be an idea to put some feelers out via the commando veterans forum that this info is on. No 11 Commando Nominal Roll (390+ names)
Hi Jason, I have the headstones of the ones murder in Germany at Durnbeck, also the ones in France as well.. Cheers Tom
I recently ventured to this website and discovered my grandfather's boxing name Jack Stanner who resided in Widnes. His real name was John H Stanner. He trained under Tommy Burns. He also joined the Royal Army during WWII. Cheers, Viv
I recently ventured to this website and discovered my grandfather's boxing name Jack Stanner who resided in Widnes. His real name was John H Stanner. He trained under Tommy Burns. He also joined the Royal Army during WWII. Cheers, Viv Viv, by all accounts he was a good boxer himself, and spent many years coaching local Widnes lads, sadly a number of the including Geoff Caton. His boxing record can be seen here Jack Stanner - Boxer A biography that I have attached below states that he was Bomb Disposal expert during WW2. During the war, he became a bomb disposal expert with the Royal Engineers in Britain, India and Burma. He later recalled: 'I have been in the three loneliest places in the world - the boxing ring, at the bottom of the ocean as a deep-sea diver (defusing mines) and at the bottom of an 8ft hole defusing a 1,000lb bomb - and survived to tell the tale.' He remained in the army reserves until 1964 and retired from British Steel after 20 years' service following a stroke. He died three years later in 1984, aged 65. icLiverpool - Stanner's trophy will hit the auction room
Hi all, This is my first time on here and would like some help if possible, my grandad was called James Murphy and i have been told he was in the SAS and was supposedly dropped in Italy, I remember when i was younger seeing an article in print about my grandad James "spud" murphy, but after trawling the interweb i have had no luck in tracking anything down about him, unfortunately he has now passed away and i have no idea how to track down info on him. Any help you people ould give would be amazing, he was also a member of he royal lancashire fusiliers. Kind reagrds james
Hello James and welcome to the forum The first thing you should do is apply for his service records Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel and Home Guard records They cost 30 pounds and make sure you apply for the FULL records. There is a wait of about 12 months. Have you any photos you can post at all? Lesley
Pat Riley's just been sold for £98,400 Story and pics here. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/fens_sas_man_s_medals_fetch_98_400_at_auction_1_3031075
This would interest me if you still have these available. My grandpas was in L Det SAS BDE and 1 SAS. From 24.04.42 to 10.03.43 George Gemmell - private. Thanks Alex ford
I notice that this person is no longer a member, thought I would reply anyway. The NCO White, is Cpl George White from Dalkeith in MIdlothian. He was a former Royal Scots and was captured on a raid near Tripoli on 2nd January, 1942 according to a newspaper clipping I have. Can anyone supply more details of this action please? Thanks
Delta Green - Campaign - Order of Battle - Special Air Service L Detachment returned to raiding in January 1942 starting with a raid on shipping and fuel dumps at Bouerat port. Two men from the Special Boat Section [link to sbs.htm] accompanied the SAS team for the first time. Stirling had been promoted to major and given permission to enlarge L Detachment by recruiting six officers and up to forty other ranks. One of the officers recruited was Fitzroy Maclean who would go on to have a 'colourful' war and may have been the inspiration behind James Bond. The SAS was slowly growing by absorbing other units. In January 1942 a company of Free French paratroopers led by Commandant Bergé joined L Detachment. Tripoli would have been a long way behind enemy lines at that time of the war, might be an idea to post the clipping TD Would this be the George White you speak of ?? UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: G White Rank: Corporal Army Number: 3056528 Regiment: Royal Scots POW Number: 31018 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: VIII-B Camp Location: Cieszyn, Poland Record Office: Infantry Record Office, Perth Record Office Number: 16
Hi from Germany, last week, we were staying in Arisaig House by chance as part of of our Scotland trip. This is where I read the first time about SAS and their very courageous members. And now I am in contact with a guy called David Harrison. I guess you know him. Stefan.
Hi there, I am new to this site and have tried to post a reply a couple of times, but it doesn't look as though I was successful, hopefully it will work this time! I just wanted to thank all of you who have posted information on my Uncle Geoff Caton. I have learned so much about him from the post below, that I didn't know. He sounds as though he was passionate in fighting for his country and a courageous and well liked young man. So sad he passed away at the tender age of 22, like so many others. My family is grateful for those who bravely fought in the wars so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today. Sincerely, Suzanne Sou (nee Caton) Alberta, Canada
Seems to be a planned drama series. Tom Hardy as Blair Mayne, Peaky Blinders writer. If so, a solid start. Television Drama To Tell Story Of SAS