Benbecula - was it used for training early in the war?

My mum is now remembering lots of bits my Grandfather mentioned over the years and she said he had been in Benbecula at some point. We know he was involved in at least 1 raid on Norway (only just started looking into all this so not got his record yet so very sketchy details) and I would assume from what has been said and the fact all this was before he met my Grandmother in 1942 he was perhaps one of the earlier groups trained.

thanks

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 10/11/2012 16:40:57

Hi Anniek, I've not heard of Benbecula before until you mentioned it, but then I'm also learning.

Benbecula is an island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benbecula

It seems it was home to RAF Benbecula
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/BenbeculaBattleHQ

Take a look at the isle from Google maps, you can see the current airport. Even better use street view to see what it looks like now. Not a tree in sight.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=212647079952702144603.00043c2920abc8b22a1f0&msa=0&ll=57.446335,-7.289085&spn=0.09006,0.264187

Given the location of the island next to the Atlantic, I would imagine the RAF base played a vital role in trying to protect shipping.

I suppose they may have done training in different places, obviously some of it will have to have been coastal training so perhaps there. Mum would be right with the island name I should think because she has visited quite a lot of the Scottish Islands and I do remember her mentioning Uist and Benbecula years ago. I haven't been to either but I know she went about 10 years ago when I was based up in Ullapool doing geology.

I found something a few minutes ago saying that SOE used Benbecula for training people to be used on the ground in Norway and had sleeping shelters there for that reason.

hmm

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/nov+43+panoram/Z5-Copy+of+Z2-No_4+Commando+panorama-stage+6.jpg.html

I found a reference to Commandos and Benbecula on this site in relation to William (Billy) Blundell of No. 4 Commando. In what capacity he went to Benbecula is not given.

My brother and I went up to Benbecula last year to visit the place our Dad called "the most God forsaken hole in the world.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/nov+43+panoram/Z5-Copy+of+Z2-No_4+Commando+panorama-stage+6.jpg.html

Some local knowledge perhaps

Commando training took place over at a area called Cheese bay, practising landings on small rocky islets etc

http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/forum/m-946684800/

The island still has a military presence to this day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Benbecula

This thread relates to http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/3671.page

thanks Mark