Search results

Hello Craig, after a long while I re-activated my interest in the website and was really sorry to learn that your father, John had passed away. The website is a great testimony to him. Regards, William

Update David Leigh's widow - Ethel Cormack (known as Estelle) never re-married. She died in February 2010 in Ayr. In the following year, with the co-operation of the Commonwealth War Graves and Mayor of Epoisses her ashes were interred in David Leigh's grave. There was a service the day after...

I moved permanently to Scotland in February 2012. My mail address is fwoakes@gmail.com My home address is 23, Mount Pleasant Avenue, Kirkcudbright DG6 4HF

My father Freddie Oakes - back row.

Photo taken by my father Freddy Oakes 2nd SAS Signaller

Operation Wallace and/or Hardy - I think the SAS soldier at the back is Fred Rhodes - 2nd SAS William Oakes - son Freddy Oakes signaller with 2nd SAS

The driver is Chips Carpendale 2nd SAS

This is a photograph taken during the War Crimes investigations in France. The man to the left is Chips Carpendale. William Oakes 20-6-2019

I am more than happy to accept the correction in identity of the soldier to the far right. In fact, having re-read the comments I recall meeting in 1997 at Sorn Cemetery and later in Kilmarnock Dean Castle, the provost's 'aide-de-camp' who identified the man as his father although I did not...

In the background to the right with the tents behind him appearing over the left shoulder of the driver is Roy Farran - this was taken at the start of Operation Archway.

I do not think it is David Danger as he was in 1st SAS. It may be Grant Hibbert who had similar glasses. The 6th in from the left on the front row is Lord John Manners, brother of the Duke of Rutland

Freddie Oakes is behind John Alcock.

Thanks - will look out for that possibility but this may require a search @ National Archives. I checked the Termoli but could not immediately find his name but the earlier operational reports appear to be a bit remiss in listing participants. It could be that he was using a pseudonym as he was...

Thanks for your two comments - will check the Termoli operation. Yes, as in the words of the report I have seen when he was first enlisted from an Internment Camp ( Berrouaghia ) the Intelligence Officer wrote - "speaking German like a native". He was born in Berlin of a Polish father and German...

I would like to do further research into Jo Kalkstein (details so far appear under 'Roll of Honour' on this website). In Roy Farran's book 'Winged Dagger' he states that Jo served 'on several operations' with him. I suspect these are Italian raids and may be North African. I have Jo's Army...

Alex was with David Leigh when he was mortally wounded during an ambush by retreating members of the Afrika Corps in the nearby village of Villaines-les-Prevotes. Alex took him by jeep to Epoisses to see a Maquis doctor in the Berthaut household but sadly David died shortly thereafter.

Have a look at his Obituary: The Rev Halsey Colchester by ROBIN DENNISTON - Wednesday, 1 February 1995 in the Independent (their website). Fascinating!

I think the officer on the right is Chips Carpendale - I have a similar photo which was taken on Operation Archway. William Oakes

With my father Freddie Oakes (ex-2nd SAS) we met Keith MacLellan is the Special Forces Club in London (circa 1995/6) and discovered that he knew the town of Kirkcudbright in SW Scotland Dumfries & Galloway very well as his family the Clan MacLellan came from the region - MacLellan Castle is the...

Could the SAS man on the far right be Roy Farran?