2 SAS 1943 - 1945

[Louise Burnell]

My Grandfather Charles Alfred William Mitchell and served in 2 SAS regiments.

Parent unit Army Air Corps
former Queen's Royal Regiment
2 SAS 1943-45 (Sgt - WOI)
NW Europe 1944-45

My Granfather's photo appears in this book three times including on the back page. He's also mentioned by name. Unfortunately, my Dad should have inherited my Grandfather's medals as the eldest son. But, his nephew (who was raised by my Dad's Grandmother) inherited the medals and sold them. This happened over 40 years ago and is still upsetting for my Dad. Is there a way to get duplicates for him and to find out exactly what medals he received. Also, did anyone else on this forum have relatives who served with my Grandfather?

Many thanks in advance

Louise Burnell

 

[killy]

Hi Louise,

You have not noted this in your message, but your grandfather won the Military Medal (MM) in 1943 whilst serving in Italy, London Gazette and MM citation attached.

You can get copies, but I suggest if you know what WW2 medals he was awarded getting originals (which are all un-named would be a better option. The only problem would be his MM, you would have to get a copy of that. Alternatively buy an original but they are expensive.

Hope this is of help, and if I can be of further help please give me a message.


Best wishes,

Ian

 

[Louise Burnell]

Hi Louise,

You have not noted this in your message, but your grandfather won the Military Medal (MM) in 1943 whilst serving in Italy, London Gazette and MM citation attached.

You can get copies, but I suggest if you know what WW2 medals he was awarded getting originals (which are all un-named would be a better option. The only problem would be his MM, you would have to get a copy of that. Alternatively buy an original but they are expensive.

Hope this is of help, and if I can be of further help please give me a message.


Best wishes,

Ian

Many thanks Ian,
This is really helpful and I will look in to obtaining this medal for my Dad.
Warmest regards
Louise

 

[killy]

Hi Louise,

You're welcome.

Other than the Military Medal, your grandfather would certainly have been entitled to a 1939/45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star and WW2 War Medal. He would possibly have been also entitled to an Africa Star and Defence Medal. If you have your grandfathers service book or record his medal entitlement will be recorded in them.


Best wsiehs,

Ian

 

[Louise Burnell]

Hi Louise,

You're welcome.

Other than the Military Medal, your grandfather would certainly have been entitled to a 1939/45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star and WW2 War Medal. He would possibly have been also entitled to an Africa Star and Defence Medal. If you have your grandfathers service book or record his medal entitlement will be recorded in them.


Best wsiehs,

Ian

Thanks so much Ian,
I have some time off work in a couple of weeks so will spend some time looking at buying a replica medal/s for my Dad, which he will be delighted with. Can I ask how you're so knowledgeable? Did you have a relative who served in the SAS?
Kind regards
Louise

 

[Louise Burnell]

Hi Louise,

You're welcome.

Other than the Military Medal, your grandfather would certainly have been entitled to a 1939/45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star and WW2 War Medal. He would possibly have been also entitled to an Africa Star and Defence Medal. If you have your grandfathers service book or record his medal entitlement will be recorded in them.


Best wsiehs,

Ian

I have quite a few more good quality photos to post if these would be of interest to you Ian. Both individual and group photos. Natural and posed.

 

[killy]

Hi Louise,

Thanks for your replies. No I never had a relative who served in the SAS, just an interest in the SAS during World War Two. I would love to see the photos you have.

I would get originals of the WW2 campaign medals the campaign medals your grandfather was entitled to rather than replicas. But you would have to get a replica of his MM.


Best wishes,

Ian

 

[galcock]

You would be on safer ground to request his service record from Army Records at Glasgow - it will take a year for these to come through to you, so you have to be patient. these will tell you everything -dates, units and promotions plus medals. My father was a senior NCO in 2 SAS and I have heard of your grandfather.
Graham Alcock

 

[Louise Burnell]

You would be on safer ground to request his service record from Army Records at Glasgow - it will take a year for these to come through to you, so you have to be patient. these will tell you everything -dates, units and promotions plus medals. My father was a senior NCO in 2 SAS and I have heard of your grandfather.
Graham Alcock

Hi Graham,
Thank you for your message and helpful advice. Just wondering what you mean by safer ground? Following your advice I have just submitted an online request for my Grandfather's service record. I will also post an application form to request a medal entitlement from the MOD in Gloucestershire this week.
That's interesting you've heard of my Grandfather. I'm assuming you've heard about him from your Dad? This is something my Dad missed out on. There's very little he knows, which is why I'm trying to find out what ever I can.
The book I've uploaded in this thread was a case of being in the right place at the right time. My Dad struck up a conversation with a stranger who conincidentally knew my Grandfather and had a copy of the book. He gave my Dad details of the book and I found it on Amazon. Had it not been for the random conversation about 5 years ago my Dad wouldn't have been aware that the book existed.
I will upload some more photos today.
Kind regards
Louise

 

[Louise Burnell]

You would be on safer ground to request his service record from Army Records at Glasgow - it will take a year for these to come through to you, so you have to be patient. these will tell you everything -dates, units and promotions plus medals. My father was a senior NCO in 2 SAS and I have heard of your grandfather.
Graham Alcock

Hi Graham,
Thank you for your message and helpful advice. Just wondering what you mean by safer ground? Following your advice I have just submitted an online request for my Grandfather's service record. I will also post an application form to request a medal entitlement from the MOD in Gloucestershire this week.
That's interesting you've heard of my Grandfather. I'm assuming you've heard about him from your Dad? This is something my Dad missed out on. There's very little he knows, which is why I'm trying to find out what ever I can.
The book I've uploaded in this thread was a case of being in the right place at the right time. My Dad struck up a conversation with a stranger who conincidentally knew my Grandfather and had a copy of the book. He gave my Dad details of the book and I found it on Amazon. Had it not been for the random conversation about 5 years ago my Dad wouldn't have been aware that the book existed.
I will upload some more photos today.
Kind regards

My Grandfather Charles Alfred William Mitchell and served in 2 SAS regiments.

Parent unit Army Air Corps
former Queen's Royal Regiment
2 SAS 1943-45 (Sgt - WOI)
NW Europe 1944-45

My Granfather's photo appears in this book three times including on the back page. He's also mentioned by name. Unfortunately, my Dad should have inherited my Grandfather's medals (including two Victoria Cross medals) as the eldest son. But, his nephew (who was raised by my Dad's Grandmother) inherited the medals and has sold them. This happened over 40 years ago and is still very upsetting for my Dad. Is there a way to get duplicates for him and to find out exactly what medals he received. Also, did anyone else on this forum have relatives who served with my Grandfather?

Many thanks in advance

Louise BurnellView attachment 38954

 

[Louise Burnell]

My Grandfather Charles Alfred William Mitchell and served in 2 SAS regiments.

Parent unit Army Air Corps
former Queen's Royal Regiment
2 SAS 1943-45 (Sgt - WOI)
NW Europe 1944-45

My Granfather's photo appears in this book three times including on the back page. He's also mentioned by name. Unfortunately, my Dad should have inherited my Grandfather's medals (including two Victoria Cross medals) as the eldest son. But, his nephew (who was raised by my Dad's Grandmother) inherited the medals and has sold them. This happened over 40 years ago and is still very upsetting for my Dad. Is there a way to get duplicates for him and to find out exactly what medals he received. Also, did anyone else on this forum have relatives who served with my Grandfather?

Many thanks in advance

Louise BurnellView attachment 38954

 

[Louise Burnell]

Photos

 

[killy]

Hi Louise,

Many thanks for posting the photos, absolutely superb.

I think Graham is suggesting that when you get your grandfather’s service record it will record his exact medal entitlment. This will enable you to source the correct medals.


Best wishes,

Ian

 

[Louise Burnell]

I was a bit wary about uploading photos with swastikas in them but I'm assuming the members of this group will understand the context of them.

 

[Louise Burnell]

This is a book my Dad showed me yesterday. My Grandfather C A Mitchell is seated in the middle near the front of the 1946 reunion photo. My Dad (also called Charles Mitchell) said that my Grandfather is in the last two photos on the left hand side.