NAM.2021-10-6-5-3

Gilmour’s manuscript ink reply to letter of 4 June 1989 from Stephen Snelling dated June 1989. The reply covers the training and movements of 101 Troop No 6 Commando from June 1940 to March 1942 when No 2 SBS was formed. It goes on to give his assessment of several officers and men as requested by Snelling and records inter alia that while in Oran after the French surrendered he was sent to St Philippe (?) barracks, by then deserted apart from a French officer. They had a cup of coffee then the officer took him to where a group of survivors of the harbour assault who had been taken prisoner were sitting around a bed playing cards. Gilmour instructed them to report in down at the jetty. The letter also describes in more detail than does Courtney’s book what happened on the beach in Sardinia (Operation Marigold). From the Collection of Sgt John Gilmour, Army Commandos and SBS, 1939-1999 (c).

TORCH, Operation, 1942 (World War Two, North Africa 1940-1945)