Last night, Jon and I finished watching the spectacular second series of SAS Rogue Heroes, Steven "Peaky Blinders" Knight's adrenaline-fuelled creation, based on the book by Ben Macintyre, of the origins of the fearless and reckless Special Forces unit, whose legend was forced amid the mayhem of WW2.
We f*cking loved it!!! Roll on series three!
During WW2, Alf served as a Commando. The Commandos, like the SAS, were a special operations unit specialising in unconventional military action, the main difference being that the Commandos were known for their large scale offensives and the SAS for their small-team operations.
Like most of his generation, Alf never spoke of his exploits but being a keen amateur photographer, the years he spent serving as a Commando live on in his albums and fortunately for us, he even went to the trouble of labelling them so we know he was based in both Camp Fayid & Camp Tahag in Egypt and spent time in Valetta, Fanara, Nahariya, Gibraltar, Jerusalem, Hebron, Hadera, Port Said, Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Gaza and Lebanon.
Alf's discharge papers describe him as a Quiet, sober and hard-working man, proving himself to be efficient and capable. His commanding officer writes that He would prove a useful employee in any trade requiring a steady worker. Alf worked as a gardener for Walsall Council for the rest of his life.
Thanks for reading!
What a handsome man he was. Jon looks like his dad! What fun adventures he had. Cali
ReplyDeleteI was amazed when I first saw those photos, the likeness is so strong. I'm glad those men had fun inbetween the horrors. xxx
DeleteI actually thought of you as I was watching 'SA RH's '' and forgot to ask you whether you'd been watching too. Handsome chap was Jon's dad. I bet he loved his gardening job after what he must have experienced in action. My Dad did National Service in Port Said. Hated the heat! Jack O'Connell is another handsome chap!!(not forgetting His Lordship of course! Couldn't leave him out!).
ReplyDelete*SAS!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful photographs Vix - Lord Jon and yourself must feel so proud of his Father - and they look so alike too xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous photographs. Looked like they also had fun.. What an opportunity too.
ReplyDeleteHe's a looker!!! What an exciting piece of historical evidence to be in possession of! It must have been such a thrilling contrast to life in Walsall although maybe , a bit overwhelming at times perhaps? Kx
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome guy! There seems to be a code from that time, things were not talked about and these brave guys just got on with their lives. I don't know if that's good or bad, but there must have been some heads filled with horror. Reading Spike Milligans war memories really opened my eyes to how ordinary men were treated. Total respect to them all.
ReplyDeleteWe watched it too - brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI grew up surrounded by men like that. A lot of the SAS who were discharged at the end either went to the US or Africa to train soldiers there. 'Our' SAS in Southern Africa were called Selous Scouts and looked just like the ones portrayed in the tv series and my dad in his youth looked very like William Stirling ( Gwilym Lee) and the uniforms were familar too.
Wow, that is so special and to have all the pictures and memorabilia is wonderful! I think Jon looks like his dad.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! You are so lucky to have them! Jon and his Dad are so alike.
ReplyDeleteWe love SAS Rogue Heroes too. We're savouring the episodes, because we don't want it to end! I'd love to know if Paddy was as charismatic in real life! xxx
When you look at Jon, you also see Alf.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the eyes most of all.
This is a very nice post today, touching.
xxx