Firstly to say what a great site, many thanks.
I found it by putting my Uncles service number into Google. I got the number from another fascinating site:http://www.naval-history.net whilst researching my Uncles war record.I have also learnt alot from the combined ops site.
O'CONNOR, Desmond G A, Able Seaman, P/JX 608040, was killed on Operation Brassard. He was mentioned in despatches in a record dated 19th August 1944 issued from H.M.S Royal Scotsman by Captain Allen for Rear Admiral commanding FORCE 'N'. It referred to Desmond G. O'Connor as an A.2. R.N. Beach Commando. He had earlier transferred from the Indian Army in Ceylon where he had been an officer. The citation was forwarded to, and approved by the Admiral, Commander in Chief, Mediterranean. The citation reads;
On June 17th 1944 showed great gallantry and devotion to duty by pressing home the attack on the German "F" Lighter and later fiercely engaging enemy snipers at close range in an exposed position. When a heap of sacking at the end of the Mole caught fire, O'Connor and Able Seaman Parsons trampled it out despite being fully illuminated only fifty yards or so from enemy snipers. Killed in action.
Victor Parsons, whose award is mentioned here,had a similar citation saying that he assisted my Uncle. His son Tony Parsons went on to write an acclaimed novel "Man and Boy" about his father who survived the war.
Desmond was my father's only sibling and his loss was deeply felt. Although my father knew Desmond died at Elba, and was buried there, he never knew the full story. He knew he had been mentioned in dispatches but not why. He had always hoped someone from Desmond's past might be able to let him know, alas time is running out.
I cannot overstate the importance of these discoveries to my father and my family. Personally I have only recently learned of the bravery and significance of the commando units and I had no idea my Uncle was one of them! I would be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers him personally or better still has any photos of him or the unit.My father last saw him as a 19yr old.
Many thanks.
I found it by putting my Uncles service number into Google. I got the number from another fascinating site:http://www.naval-history.net whilst researching my Uncles war record.I have also learnt alot from the combined ops site.
O'CONNOR, Desmond G A, Able Seaman, P/JX 608040, was killed on Operation Brassard. He was mentioned in despatches in a record dated 19th August 1944 issued from H.M.S Royal Scotsman by Captain Allen for Rear Admiral commanding FORCE 'N'. It referred to Desmond G. O'Connor as an A.2. R.N. Beach Commando. He had earlier transferred from the Indian Army in Ceylon where he had been an officer. The citation was forwarded to, and approved by the Admiral, Commander in Chief, Mediterranean. The citation reads;
On June 17th 1944 showed great gallantry and devotion to duty by pressing home the attack on the German "F" Lighter and later fiercely engaging enemy snipers at close range in an exposed position. When a heap of sacking at the end of the Mole caught fire, O'Connor and Able Seaman Parsons trampled it out despite being fully illuminated only fifty yards or so from enemy snipers. Killed in action.
Victor Parsons, whose award is mentioned here,had a similar citation saying that he assisted my Uncle. His son Tony Parsons went on to write an acclaimed novel "Man and Boy" about his father who survived the war.
Desmond was my father's only sibling and his loss was deeply felt. Although my father knew Desmond died at Elba, and was buried there, he never knew the full story. He knew he had been mentioned in dispatches but not why. He had always hoped someone from Desmond's past might be able to let him know, alas time is running out.
I cannot overstate the importance of these discoveries to my father and my family. Personally I have only recently learned of the bravery and significance of the commando units and I had no idea my Uncle was one of them! I would be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers him personally or better still has any photos of him or the unit.My father last saw him as a 19yr old.
Many thanks.