Edward James Geear, No3 Cdo - Vaagso

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 31/10/2010 01:37:56

I'm looking to track down (some finer) details for my Great Uncle Edward James Geear.

I been fairly thorough with my internet searches, managed to talk to some people and have read "The Vaagso Raid" by Josph H Devins so I'll outline what I know and then what I'd like to find out

My Nan is reluctant to talk about her brother and the family story has always been "a relative went on a secret mission to Norway but was killed there, we don't know much else................". My Nan is also now well into her eighties and will not travel to Norway to see the grave. This year I'll go to Vaagso and Trondheim to see the places for myself and visit the memorials and grave and bring back photos for my Nan. (I may also make a small film about Op Archery whilst I'm there)

Anyway onto what I know

L/Sgt EJ Geear was attached to 3 Commando from the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He was KIA on Operation Archery (Vaagso). He is now buried at Stavne, Trondheim (I've seen the CWGC entry) and his name is on the memorial on Maaloy Island (Seen a picture). The regimental history (1920-1950) lists him on their roll of honour but there is no further mention of him.

It's long shot but I'd like to know what troop he was in on the raid. This would give me a much better idea of what his role was (each troop was assigned a specific task on landing) and also possibly how/where he died.

I'd also be interested in getting in touch with any survivors (I believe there a still a few out there). They should have known him

Thanks in advance

Andy

Andy,
Hi and welcome to the CVA forum.

Could I suggest that you make contact with Caroline (a registered member of this forum) who is the daughter of another Op Archery Veteran - Sniper Charles Stacey

OPERATION ARCHERY VETERANS - a photograph of the 7 veterans who attended a commemorative trip to Vaagso and Maaloy in 2005.

Left to right - Charles Stacey, Arthur Ashby, Tom Sherman, Paddy (laurence) Murphy, Paddy (Patrick) Habron, Dusty (Osmond) Miller, Henry Brown (Commando Association)

Caroline posted an interesting anecdote about Charles when he returned to Vaasgo in 2005. (see link below)

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/345.page

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 19/01/2009 11:31:20

Andy,

Ive found that the answer to almost any question regarding No.3 Commando is found in the War Diary held at the National Archives in London. From what I have seen of the diary it is very precise in regards to casaulties. Your relative should be listed at the end of the entry on that day and will include the troop number and even the reason why he died.

It is an incredibly vaulable tool for this people wishing to identify the heroes of the greatest raids, not only those who died but also those who lived.

The good news is that there are private researchers who will look in the diary for you if you cannot get to London. One researcher who advertises would do all the work for a mere 12 pounds.

Nic,

Thanks for highlighting the other thread and suggesting contacting Caroline. I will do that

Unknowncommandos,

Thanks for the pointers. Very helpful.

Andy, I have a friend whose Father was KIA in the same raid, who has been on a lifetime mission to find out what happened to him, to no avail. Maybe they could answer a lot of your questions. I shall pm their details. Please keep us informed if you find anything out. Regards

Geoff

My research has been intermittant but I thought I should share what I've found out so far.
Firstly the War diary for 3Cdo at the National Archives was little more than a record of training (interesting in itself) with an entry for Operation Archery listed as "see attached appendix". Sadly no attached appendix and time constraints haven't allowed for further research

I have had the pleasure of exchanging emails with Joseph Devins, author of The Vaagso Raid. He's given me the names of some other people I need to talk to but was able to share the following with me.
Edited extract from email below

"The documents.....show that (he), was a member of that unit's 4 Troop under Captain H.W.L. "Algy" Forrester. They were a part of Group 2 of the raiding force and landed just at the south end of the town. They came to Vaagso on the steamer H.M.S. Prince Charles. 4 Troop's assignment was to sweep northward along the waterfront with other 3 Commando elements on their left.

....and a detailed map.....shows your great uncle having been killed not very far north of the Group 2 landing place, in an open space between two buildings opposite the Ulvesund Hotel, apparently shot by a German sniper on the hillside above. Given the location, I would guess that this happened near the very beginning of the push northward into the town"

Good to hear that you are, at last, finding out a bit more about your G/Uncle.

Keep us posted.

Nick