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17/01/2013 18:56:36
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4655
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It is with much sadness that James Dorrian advises us of the recent death of Robert Ernest Wright who was a member of A Troop, 12 Commando. Bob Wright took part in Operation Anklet, the raid on Lofoten Islands, and also on Operation Chariot at St Nazaire. It was during the latter that he was wounded and taken prisoner of war. Jim adds
"Those who knew Bob will remember him as a real gentleman, kind, helpful and self-effacing."
Jim has written more about Bob Wright on his Facebook page and adds these words
You were a brave man Bob, and you will be missed.
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https://www.facebook.com/thegreatestraid
Rest in peace Bob
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 16/11/2019 13:11:31
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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17/01/2013 21:06:40
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markh
Forum Member
Joined: 01/08/2012 18:17:44
Messages: 349
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Rest in peace Bob .
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The more I learn about the Commandos, the less I realise I know.
Grandson of George Norton Barnes
PLY/X 107640 Royal Marines
14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Royal Marines 8 BN, Royal Marines No. 40 and No. 41 Commando, LST 320, The 9th Buffs, Army No. 5 Commando and X Lists.
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18/01/2013 00:18:49
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4655
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Bob's funeral is to take place at the Oakley Wood Crematorium, Salford Priors, near Evesham on Tuesday 22nd January at 12.15
Jim Dorrian has written the following on his Facebook link above and sent us a copy. He has also sent me a copy of an individual photo taken by Scott Van Osdol who has a website with photos from Turn towards the Sun, the story of the life of Micky Burn MC, No.2 Commando: http://www.vanosdol.com/gallery/_turned_towards_the_sun/micky_burn_mc_stnazaire01
Sad news today that Bob Wright, who I was privileged to interview on two occasions, has passed away. He is shown centre image below on the occasion of our last shoot with him. Those who knew Bob will remember him as a real gentleman, kind, helpful and self-effacing. For those new to Bob's story, here is an all-too-brief bio: his story in the raid is covered in full in 'Storming St Nazaire'.
Sapper Corporal Robert Earnest Wright was a member of A Troop, 12 Commando, having been originally with No. 267 Field Company R.E. He was born in Binton, Staffordshire, on December 24th 1918 and was therefore a mere 23 when he sailed up the Loire on board HMS Campbeltown. A chargehand joiner prior to the war, Bob was a keen sportsman, having ridden in motorcycle trials and played cricket and soccer for the village teams. Perhaps less predictably, he had also played piano accordion with a Latin-American dance band!
Bob was serving in Northern Ireland when he volunteered for Special Service, mustering in the City Hotel Londonderry (Stroke-City to those familiar with Ulsterese). 12 Commando then moved to the UK where, during a Snow and Mountain Warfare Course in Glencoe, Bob first met Gerard Brett, who would be his Party officer at Saint-Nazaire. He took part in Operation 'ANKLET', the Christmas 1941 raid on the Lofoten Islands, before being hand-picked to train in dock demolitions prior to embarking for Saint-Nazaire.
On the run-in to ramming, Bob was in the Wardroom with the others of his demolition party, making his way up to the main deck immediately after the ship hit the dock caisson. Bob was hit almost immediately, a chunk of enemy steel embedding itself in his knee. Where lesser men might have thought enough was enough, Bob - in spite of a serious wound - nevertheless got himself down onto the caisson and, carrying a dead weight of explosives in his pack, remained with Brett's party all the way through the attempted demolition of the inner dock caisson, all the time under enemy fire.
During the withdrawal Bob found refuge in a cellar with TSM Haines, Lance-Sergeant Challinton, Lance-Corporals Howarth and Douglas, and Private Harding, all of who were determined to escape the tightening German cordon. Realising that he would only hold the others up, Bob allowed himself to be taken prisoner. He was eventually incarcerated in the notorious Lamsdorf PoW Camp, whose occupants were marched west late in the war to escape the Russian advance. He was eventually liberated by General George Patton's troops.
You were a brave man Bob, and you will be missed.
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Bob Wright No.12 Commando.jpg |
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Photo © Scott Van Osdol - www.vanosdol.com |
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This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 09/01/2014 15:20:21
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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