No.9 Commandos - Ronald (Ken) Young, Eddie Smith, and others

This message was edited 17 times. Last update was at 05/04/2013 18:26:17

Marc and Kate Bridger have been caring for Ronald Young for 11 years now. Ron is known as Ken to everyone. During the last 2 years he has been living with them. Marc contacted the CVA about Ron (Ken) who, although now bedridden, is mentally very alert. He has kindly given permission for information and photos of his Commando days with No.9 Cdo, and in 1945 with No.4 Cdo. They have recorded a chat with him and are going to send a copy. Here is what Marc sent me by email
" Hello Pete

We sat down with Ken last night and asked him about his ww2 days So here goes. He told us he joined the army in 1939.He was in the royal army service corps. He tried to enter the commandos but was refused due to him being married.He was trained in the army at the scottish borders near gretna and also he remembers Cockermouth in the lakes.He started the war in north Africa with the army.In 1942 he joined the commandos.He said in the army he was a corporal but in the commandos he was a private.He said his commando training took place in the desert. From north Africa after becoming a commando he was sent to Sicily and from there he went to Itay.Whilst fighting there he was hit by a (he thinks German)mortar.he was with 2 other commandos.the one to his left was killed and Paddy moore to his right got shrapnel in his shin bone.Ken got hit between his bottom and his leg.Somehow Ken dragged Paddy into a ditch.He recalls bullets flying over head and him dropping the field dressing whilst trying to patch Paddy up.After that Ken was out of action for several weeks.This happened at lake Commachio(not sure how to spell it)
He was injured april 1st 1945.After recovering he was on a couple of raids in Yugoslavia and then to Greece.He says they were more peace keepers there because of the friction between royalists and communists.He recalls having to go to a town in greece to stop fighting between royalists and communists but there was only 33 commandos so they first drove in wearing helmets.later that day they drove out and come back to the town all wearing berets so people would think more commandos had arrived.They done it a third time wearing another type of head gear!.(i cant remember what type he said).He has so much to talk about its hard to remember it all.After the war ended he was lucky enough to be allowed into 4 commando.He says he was very happy there because the commandos were in his eyes "the best".They went as 4 commando to Germany.To start with they were not allowed to talk with any Germans but as time passed they became friendly with the locals.He says they used to organise childrens partys when they could at a pub run by the yanks.When they left he said the German people of the town lined the streets and clapped and cheered as they left.He left the commandos in1946.Other commandos he remembers are - Norman ramsey - Bob cullen -Bill heath -Bill biddel - Jock mills - Eddy smith - wally warwicker -Paddy moore.These names may be spelt wrong as i wrote them down as i heard them.His commanding officer was Ronny todd.We recorded last nights conversation with Ken for the record.We asked him about permission to send his photos to you and he had no problem with it.Its all on the video.We will get it copied onto dvd and send it to you.Some of the photos will have the names of the commandos with ken.I hope you find this imformation helpfull.I have tried to be as accurate as i can."

I look forward to viewing the video and will speak to Geoff as to how best to archive it. I will create a gallery entry in due course of his photos. I also hope Ron (Ken) will accept the offer of membership to the CVA, and perhaps Marc and Kate will join him as associate members

I have begun to update the galleries with some of the photos of Ron Young, or Ken as his friends call him. I have created a sub album for his individual pictures on this link
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/9/ron+young/

I will add some other pictures to the main 9 Cdo album in due course.

I am pleased to say that he has accepted our invitation to join us as a member of the CVA, along with Kate and Marc Bridger, his carers.

Hi Pete,

As you know I did a little bit of research on No 9, and I have sent you a 'mail' with a short synopsis of the unit. It might help mapping Ken's movements.

Harryj

Thanks for the help Harry

It's a pleasure Pete.

Harry

This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 09/10/2009 15:31:05

Marc and Kate Bridger have now provided me with a copy of their recorded chat with Ken about his days in the Commandos. What a memory Ken has. To watch him being so precise in his answers was quite amazing. As I said previously Ken is now bedridden but it was obvious from the recording that he is being very well cared for by Marc and Kate. Marc's earlier transcript of some of what was discussed is accurate. I will just add a bit of what Ken said about how he joined 9 Commando. Whilst he was with the 8th Army in Alexandria volunteers were asked to apply for the Commandos. Ken said the interview was very strict. He said that when he was accepted all the training was done in that area . He said the training was strict and severe and many did not make the grade. (This bit about the Commandos recruiting from the 8th Army was challenged in a private message to me once a long while back when I mentioned No.2 Cdo did this. Bob Bishop had told me about it. It all began when Nos. 2 and 9 were in Sicily and Italy. I am glad to say that the memories of our Bob and Ken go to back up what I have since seen in the War Diaries). Once his training was complete he went to Sicily and joined up with No.9 Cdo. Ken mentioned that he was number 2 on the Bren Gun team. He mentioned the rather basic but effective way they set up a field of fire. They would place two sticks in the ground either side of the gun barrel. When firing they would sweep left then back right and vice versa as the barrel of the gun hit the left or right stick. As Marc said Ken was injured by shrapnel from mortar fire at Lake Commachio on the 1st April. He chuckled on the tape when he commented that Jerry had tried to get him on April Fool's Day. Whilst he was in hospital recovering for several weeks, Padre Birkbeck of 9 Cdo, visited to say that he and the other injured Cdos had better get out of there and to the dock as all their mates were going home. So they all did. Managed to get to the port and find a hospital ship. Ken said that Padre Birkbeck was known as the Black Padre and there was a rumour that Jerry had put a price on his head. Apparently when he saw his fellow Commandos under heavy fire he charged forward and assisted them. He does say a bit more but for the forum its suffice to say he helped them. Ken said he was a "Good Scotsman". Back in blighty Ken was initially billeted under canvas on Goodwood Racecourse before being given some leave and then posted to Germany after VE day. He joined No.4 Cdo but says that they kept all their No.9 Cdo badges and patches. He ended up at Recklinghausen in Germany. Initially he says fraternisation with the German population was completely forbidden and dealt with severely. However the conditions were so appaling for the children and families that Commandos and regular army soldiers would not stand for it and the rule was rescinded. he then was part of a group of Commandos who organised parties for children. The kids used to come from miles around to attend. After 6 months in Germany Ken was sent back to the Uk and demobbed.

Watching Ken sipping from a glass of wine with a pipe in his other hand vividly recalling his Commando days was a privilege and I thank him for sharing his memories, and allowing Kate and Marc to record it. In line with their requests the video recording will not be shown publicly.

..updated 8/10/09...Padre Birkbeck was 9 Cdo and not no.4 Cdo as previously stated. Text amended

Hi Pete,

this is a brilliant piece of research. It's a pity we couldn't capture Ken on video for posterity.

harryj.

This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 16/10/2009 10:08:25

I am pleased to say that Doug Smith contacted me today to say that his father Eddie (smudger) Smith of No.9 Cdo is in the information and photos provided by Ken. From a previous forum message here are the details known by Doug about his father's service :
Edward Smith, 6711580, Black Watch, posted to 9 commando 23/4/42. sent overseas 28/10/42 to 14/3/43
home 15/3/43 to 10/9/43
North Africa 11/9/43 to 25/6/45
home 26/6/45 to 15/8/45
NW Europe 16/8/45 to 24/10/45
Doug also adds that "Eddie was wounded at Anzio on 3/3/44 which would mean that he was in Italy and not North Africa" and he " Would like to know if the other periods when he was sent abroad coincide with known commando deployments." Certainly the dates shown above as "sent overseas" appear to coincide with when No.9 Cdo was sent to reinforce Gibraltar. Further information can be found in the CVA History section for No.9 Cdo. on this link :
http://www.commandoveterans.org/site/mambots/editors/fckeditor/editor/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=

Hopefully Doug will have more pictures for us in due course and I am arranging with him for some of his pictures and questions to be put to Ken direct.Here is one of the pictures of Doug's dad that Ken gave us. They are in the No.9 Commando Album. Ken says Eddy was an excellent horseman.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 24/10/2009 10:24:57

Eddie Smith's son Doug has sent me a number of photos of No. 9 Commando individuals. I forwarded them onto Ken Young. With the help of his carers Marc and Kate, Ken has managed to identify almost all of them. The No.9 Commando gallery is taking strength now with some excellent individual photos.
I would like to add this for the benefit of Doug Smith . Marc and Kate(Ken's carers) said in their email to me " Ken has much to say about Eddie Smith.In fact Eddy saved Kens life when a German was about to throw a hand grenade at Ken.As ken went to open fire his gun jammed.Ken shouted to Eddy"Get him Edddy!".With that Eddy shot him with his rifle whilst his gun was still down by his waist.Ken says the shot killed him instantly.Then the grenade went off as the german dropped it.
Quite some guy.
I have created a sub album for the different troop photos of 9 Cdo we now have - nine in all. The No.9 Commando album can be viewed here:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/9/

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 18/09/2010 11:33:58

Marc and Kate Bridger have again recorded a chat with Ken and sent me the tape. I had given them a series of questions from Doug Smith and myself hoping that Ken would recall a few things. Ken has once again come up trumps and provided some excellent information, some sad, some serious, and some humerous. Here is a breakdown of what he said whilst sitting in bed supping from a glass of wine:
Just before being asked the questions about Doug's dad Eddie, Kate showed Ken a picture of Doug telling him it was Eddie's son. She reminded Ken that Doug had found some old photos of Eddie's. Ken immediately replied, "He didn't find a Colt 45 in amongst it all did he. Eddie nicked one". So Doug if you find one the army would like it back ! Kate then asked Ken about Eddie's injuries. Ken replied, " Eddie got shot across the knees from a machine gun, horrendous wound. This was at Anzio" Ken later went onto confirm Eddie's injuries occuring at Monte Ornito. He recalls Eddie being involved in the actions at Monte Ornito and the River Gargliano but does not recall the reference Doug had heard of an incident at Monte Ornito called Callf's charge. He recalled Eddie as being "the greatest of characters" and described the incident I briefly mentioned before where he saved Ken's life. Ken said, " After landing at Lake Commachio I was on the bren gun when I saw a german who was about to throw a grenade at us. My gun jammed and I shouted Get Him Eddy. Eddy fired his rifle whilst he was holding it low. He fell down dead and the grenade went off in front of him". Ken was shown a picture of a Commando and he identified him as Bobby Urquhart. He said " Eddie particularly liked him. I think they came from the same regiment. Eddie used to say that Bobby had an enormous capacity for winkling the Germans out wherever they were. Bobby got badly wounded at Gargliano or Monte Ornito. He was shipped off but later pleaded to be allowed to rejoin the Commando after his injuries had been dealt with. He came back and joined them only to be killed at Lake Commachio". Eddie was again shown the picture of US Rangers meeting the Commandos in Anzio and onbce again identified the 3 Commandos as before. However he added the following " Pedro Teasdale who has his hand stretched out was a lovely fellow. He was killed at Commachio. A mortar bomb hit him" It was at this point that a bit of Commando humour came in to play. Ken recalled the time Eddie was Orderly Corporal and it was his duty to record the names in the morning of those sick or injured. Eddie, suffering from the effects of an alcohol find the night before, couldnt find any pen or paper so scratched the names onto the only thing he could find - the leathery skin of a used melon. He mentions how Brig. Ronnie Tod arranged a Derby day whilst they were in Greece and this is how the photo of Eddie on the pony came about. Apparently Tod knew that Eddie was a former Cavalryman and fine horseman and decided that he would use him for himself and that is how Eddie became Tod's jockey for the day. Another good 9 Cdo. friend of Eddie's was Jimmy Hanley who was an actor and starred in films such as The Blue Lamp. Ken mentions a young Commando called David Ward " Major Callf called him out on parade 1 day to sing his praises. He was one of the youngest". Ken recalls an incident at Lake Commachio with David. He was pinned down with others out in the open taking cover beside little mounds of soil. Amidst all of this David became in desperate need of the toilet. Eventually not being able to wait any longer, and not wanting to do it beside him and the others, he stood up in full view of Jerry. He walked back in the open , dropped his trousers, did what he had to do, pulled up his trousers and walked back up and re took his position. Not one shot was fired at him during this. Ken believes that Jerry must have either admired his bravery or were just in a state of shock at what they had just seen. Another humerous incident occured when they were landing in Greece and the CO's jeep was being offloaded by crane from the ship. This was all happening in the dead of night. The ship was the Prince David, an American ship crewed by Canadians. It had all his gear in there, weapons, uniform, dress suit, the lot. The Canadians hitched it up, but the crane rig slipped and the jeep and everything in it went crashing into the sea much to the amusemnt of all but the CO. Ken recalls one very embarrassing moment for him when the Greeks decided that there was to be a grand parade in Athens for the British Troops. Only half of 9 Commando had arrived by then "Whilst marching away from the parade all the people were out shaking our hands and applauding. Suddenly a Greek Orthodox priest with a big beard and large hat on came running out of the crowd, grabs me and pulls me from the ranks. He began smothering me with kisses and I remember he had a bloody great beard. The rest of the troop just kept marching on. By the time I managed to get away I had to run to catch up with them". Ken mentions a Lieutenant Donald Long who was the youngest officer in 5 troop B section and was awarded the MC. He also mentions a Lieutenant Robinson in A Section who was promoted Captain. He describes Donald Long as an extremely brave man, or in his own words "brave as ar--holes". Doug Smith had mentioned that in his Dad's service book he appears to have been put forward for the award of the MM. Ken didn't know about this but did say that there were only a limited number of medals available to be awarded. Finally Ken asked if any one knew what had happenned to a TSM Frank Walsh formerly of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders before joining No.9 Cdo. He was badly injured at Commachio when a flame thrower hit an ammunition dump which exploded. He survived the war and was awarded the MM. Ken would like to know if anyone knows of him. He describes him as " a bloody fine troop sergeant major"

Well that's it .. my thanks to Ken for once again sharing his memories with us, and to his carers Kate and Marc for their help in keeping this record. Marc has told me that the original applications forms for them to join the CVA did not arrive so I have sent some more.

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the tip off, I've been rather busy of late. I am absolutely intrigued by Ken's stories. they seem to piece together so much of the history and research that I have read. I particularly like the Commando humour - something that you will find prevalent at small reunions. Brilliant bit of 'living' history. Well done, Pete. I have sent you some more photos for the 95 Cdo gallery. They are on your 'Sky' mail. Enjoy the 'Spean Bridge Experience'. Can't make it because of work. Pity, it would have been nice to meet up.

Harry.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 21/12/2009 00:24:27

Ronald 'ken' Young, No.9 Commando and No.4 Commando, sadly passed away on Saturday 19th December 2009. A separate message regarding this is on the forum where details of his funeral will be posted when known. All messages regarding his passing should be placed on that one:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/1290.page

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 22/12/2009 17:12:23

Dear Pete and 'Kens' Carers,

I was motified to read of Ken's demise. I offer my sad condolences. Rest in Peace Ken.

Harryj

Marc Bridger has sent me these photos of Ronald 'ken' Young's green beret showing clearly the black hackle

Thank you, Pete. Hope you are well.

Harry