2nd SAS North Africa 1944

[IMBER]

Thank you, Jan - yes, I have my grandfather's service record from them. I'm not next of kin in this case, so doubt I can get personal files.

Some 2nd SAS operations and missing persons files are with the National Archives - but none seem to cover the dates I'm after - then again, I probably need an expert opinion (or a visit myself - not easy) to verify that.

eg.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=2nd+sas
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=2+sas
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=2nd+special+air+service

You don't have to be next of kin if the death was more than 25 years ago.

Imber

[Garen]

Ah, yes - I didn't realise that - you're right:

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

Thank you, Imber.

- G

[Regorian]

Click on Operation Maple and read down to end re drownings, capture and executions.

[Garen]

Click on Operation Maple and read down to end re drownings, capture and executions.

Which link are we talking about here, Regorian? There's the Wikipedia one or the ww2talk one, or ..?

Cheers - Garen.

[Garen]

Ah sorry - I see now, on the Wikipedia page.

But from this link, which details men involved in Maple, I don't think Holmes (or others I listed) was involved:

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/operation-maple-thistledown-driftwood.34263/

I'll take a closer look though.

[Garen]

As the Wikipedia entry on Operation Maple says:

Driftwood consisted of two four man teams intended to cut the lines between Urbino and Fabriano, and Ancona and Rimini. Their fate is unknown, but they were surmised to be drowned, or captured and executed.

The report on that (helpfully transcribed at the link above) lists the eight men as Gunston, Pugh, Dodds, Loosemore, Benson, Glen, Lockeridge and Evans. Also their operations were on the eastern coast of Italy (Gunston's party were said to have put to sea at Porto San Giorgio).

So, with those names and the geographical location, I think Maple can be discounted as a possibility for my enquiry.

Many thanks for the suggestion though, Regorian, it's been helpful giving it a proper look-over.

- Garen