h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Mark

Sadly George died a few months back. George got in touch with me when the Commando Association Newsletter asked commando veterans willing to give their stories to contact me. George's first letter was brief and blunt and showed understandable mistrust concerning my motives. "What do you want - blood and guts?". I wrote back giving my reasons and then heard nothing from George for about 3 months. When I opened his letter I was amazed to find a vivid 30 page account of George's wartime experiences and D Day in particular. In the interim he'd decided to put pen to paper and the result was an astoundingly vivid account. George sent me his story on diskettes and I attempted to correct it but ended up leaving it intact apart from punctuation. It was too good to modify. I think it would be an excellent idea to publish his story on your site. I also have many other accounts from his fellow commandos - 8 who travelled on the same landing craft. I also have a few unpublished photos of the landings which were taken from the bridge of George's boat. I miss George and his amazing dry sense of humour and his letters always signed "George 'The Joker'". George was also one of the very first commandos to cross Pegasus Bridge, well ahead of Lord Lovat.
Best Regards
Colin

Dear Colin
Many thanks for your note. Although I no longer work on this particular website, you might like to drop a message to Penelope, who is still working away on WW2PW.

She can be found here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/U225852

I'm still a member of the site, of course, and although I don't get on as much as I would like, I still find it very stimulating.

With very best wishes, Mark

PS - I don't suppose any of the Commando accounts relate to Walcheren, do they?

I can't believe I didn't say - I'm very sorry to hear about George.

Mark

Mark

Thank you for your reply.
I will get in touch with Penelope.

As regards Walcheren I mainly have accounts sent to me by officers and men serving on the composite LCI(s) Flotilla. I also have copies of the action reports written up by the COs of the LCI(s) just after Walcheren. These were sent to me by the late Jack Barker, CO of LCI(s) 503. I could obtain other accounts from commandos who took part as well. There are number of official photos and films on Walcheren in which commandos feature. I have the IWM references if you need them.

All the best

Colin

Dear Colin
Thank you very much for the information.
I'd certainly be most interested to read the action reports - please do let me know if/when you write them up for the website.

I'd also be interested to know the IWM references if you have them to hand, as I'm sure they would be of help. I must try and get to the reading room sometime soon.

Thank you for your troubles, and best wishes
Mark

Mark

I won't be writing something up on Walcheren until I've finished with D Day so perhaps the best would be for me to send you the photocopies of the action reports by post. That way I could also send you some extracts of George Jowett's story and a few others as well. I've finished a complete chapter on 6 Commando landing which includes about 30 individual stories and 50 or so photos and maps. Idem for 3 and 45 RM Commando which is practically finished. The next chapter will be on the march inland from Sword to Pegasus Bridge and beyond.

Best wishes

Colin

Hi Colin
Understandable! Perhaps we should take this to email - I can be reached on [email protected]

best, Mark