BBC film on Achnacarry

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 06/12/2011 11:31:12

Hello. BBC Scotland are looking to make a documentary to mark the 70th anniversary of Achnacarry becoming army commando training HQ. The film is for transmission in 2012.

We're keen to build a colourful and accurate picture. We have access to the usual archives and published accounts, but we're interested in any personal stories, letters, pictures or testimonies that might bring an extra dimension to the story.

Thank you for your time. Andy.

Note from forum moderator: Filming is now complete - no further information, photos, or accounts are required by the BBC. See below for scheduled date and time of programme transmission..... Pete R.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 10/02/2011 14:08:24

Hi Andy,
Welcome to the CVA.
It's great to hear that the BBC are making a documentry about Achnacarry and the Commandos - I'm already excited and can't wait to see it...

To be honest, most of the members on the CVA Forum are the children and grandchildren of Commando Veterans and I'd guess that you'd especially like to make contact with the Veterans themselves. I would, therefore, recommend meeting up with us at the CVA Summer Service and/or at the Annual Commando Gathering for Remembrance Sunday.

The Summer Service is held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffs - this year it will be 25 & 26 June 2011 - always a good turn out and relaxed get together.

The Annual Gathering is held in November at Fort William during Remembrance Week - usually starting mid-week and culminating in the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Fort William and, later that day, at the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge.

In the meantime please browse through the very personal collections of photos and documents we are proud to display in our gallery and, if you do see anything you'd like to use, please contact Pete Rogers our Gallery Co-ordinator.

regards,
Nick

For the information of members I have been in touch with Geoff Murray and Andy Twaddle from the BBC. Geoff is making the London Branch veterans aware and I have put Eric Buckmaster in touch with Andy. If anyone knows of other veterans who may be interested please ask them. Andy advises me of this :

Regards contacting veterans, I had imagined that we'd do this initially at least by telephone. Our researcher would normally speak to the people concerned and try to get a flavour of their time at Achnacarry, try to get some good stories and anecdotes about daily life at the camp. We'd then see how this raw material could all be put together as a larger story and we'd look at going back to some of the veterans for a proper television interview. This might happen at their home or nearby. If veterans felt that they could manage the trip back to Achnacarry we might also look at that. We would normally negociate a fee for television interviews

Pete

Jimmy Dunning told me very recently that the BBC had taken him back to Achnacarry to play a part in the filming - and that he was treated very graciously by Lochiel! The plan remains to televise the programme next year to coincide with the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of CBTC there.

Thanks for the info John.
I am looking forward to seeing the programme. What a pity they didn't make a few years ago when there were many more veterans to interview.

I am having a bit of correspondance with Jimmy Dunning and in his last letter he mentioned that he did make a visit to Achnacarry last May. Courtesy of the BBC television for the programme on the war time training to be screened next year.

Jimmy will not be at Fort William this year because his health precludes him from many active functions including ceremonies. In his letter he asked me: "please give my regards to any mutual friends."

Jimmy sent me these 2 photos of his trip with the BBC to Achnacarry in May.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/events/jimmy+dunning+at+the+memorial.jpg.html

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/events/jimmy+and+the+Lochiel.jpg.html

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 06/12/2011 11:30:16

Filming is now complete - no further information, photos, or accounts are required by the BBC.

Update from Andy Twaddle at the BBC :

The BBC Scotland Commando doc is now scheduled for first transmission on 31st January 2012 at 9pm. This transmission will be Scotland only, we are hopeful a UK transmission will follow. I'll send you more details if and when. It's called "Castle Commando" - the same as Donald Gilchrist's book.

For anyone interested, the programme should also be available on the iplayer. BBC2 Scotland also appears as channel 990 on the SKY system.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 06/12/2011 12:48:56

Sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to contact us and to the forum administrators for their very kind assistance.

The completed film is narrated by Rory Bremner with original music by Duncan Chisholm.

We had far too much source material to squeeze into an hour of television ! So many great stories to choose from.

I hope you all enjoy the film.

Fantastic, I've made a note in my diary...

It's good to hear that you received so much source material - maybe you've got enough to make a second hour...

I'm really looking forward to watching this when it comes out.

Nick