SAS originals

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by sas jeep pilot, Jan 7, 2011.

  1. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    I very much hope the drama gets off the ground and proves to be worthwhile. And, whilst understanding producer's liking for signing "stars" to attract funding for proposed projects (and as much as I like Tom Hardy as an actor - which is a lot) casting him as Paddy Mayne? What the heck! Too short, too old, by a long chalk!

    The age thing I appreciate they can readily get past with modern make-up techniques, but the height difference?
    I have visions of behind the scenes Alan Ladd-esque Tom stood on boxes whilst other cast members are positioned in ditches (unless of course the other members are cast to Tom Hardy scale)

    Apologies if this seems overly harsh, corns are giving me gyp today.
     
  2. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

  3. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    I feel honoured to have attended this auction in Stafford yesterday.

    The Fred "Killer" Casey lots consisted of eleven items and it was a privilege to have handled them.

    The photo album was indeed exceptional, and in the time I had to examine it I found photographs of Bill Fraser and John Tonkin that I had never seen before, anywhere.

    I very much hope that some, if not all, of the items will find there way to the Regimental museum one day.

    For me, the items were a priceless archive of original SAS pieces. I hope, without appearing crass, that the total price of said eleven lots (as the hammer fell) may be of interest to the good folks here.

    11 lots, £21,420.

    Fred's sand coloured beret alone went for £4000, and his signed photo of Paddy Mayne for £1900.

    Good fortune to the folks that purchased the items. I'll scan and post up my scrawlings from the sale catalogue when I get home tonight.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
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  4. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    For all interested, the late Fred Casey's items (from catalogue).

    Prices at hammer (and comments from viewing) in green (my scrawling).

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.

    Fred Casey 1 Medal Group.jpg

    Fred Casey 2 3 4 Certificate Album Paddy Mayne.jpg





    Fred Casey 5 Beret.jpg

    Fred Casey 6 7 8 9 Knife Map Shoulder Wings A.jpg


    Fred Casey 10 11 Wings B C.jpg
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks for the update Jim. I think given the choice I would have wanted the photos. I have just yesterday handled a handwritten diary which survived the rigours of the first Chindit campaign. These items are just so priceless when they turn up.
     
  6. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Absolutely! Unfortunately they were well beyond my budget for the day.

    And, with you and High Wood in mind I had a go at lot 245 (described as WW2 "Chindit" Issue Silk Escape Map Printed Orange "Central Burma", accompanied by a silk escape map of Upper Burma and Assam (2 items).

    Estimate was £100 - £200, but it went beyond that and finished at £280. This was likely for the better as if I'd been fortunate enough to get it I would have been torn as to which one of you two to donate it to!

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
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  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Dont tear it - cut in two instead that way each could have had a bit :unsure::lol:

    TD
     
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  8. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thank you King Solomon
     
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  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    That is quite a price Jim. Did it have a name against it?
     
  10. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Not that I could make out through the plastic display pouch they were in. Appeared to be in quite a friable state so erred on side of caution and didn't take them out.

    No picture in catalogue but description also stated "One section of border removed not effecting print of map".

    There may still be an image of same on Bosleys web site.

    I was saving my funds for the later lots of NW Europe and Norway selection which for me were closer to home (in every sense).

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks I’ll take a look.
     
  12. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    The original original SAS men were the Tobruk Four, Jim Almonds, Bob Lilley, Pat Riley and James Blakeney.

    Sadly James (Jim) Blakeney has become the forgotten member, as unfortunately he was captured in the very first jump over Libya, spent several years in POW camps in Italy, and when Italy capitulated, he and three others walked for 14 days all the way to a safe house in Switzerland. Their escape back to Blighty was organised and after crossing France and Spain into North Africa, they sailed from Algiers to the UK, and a week later all 4 of the SAS men walked through the gates of their training camp in Scotland.
    What was even more unfortunate for him was the very next raid that he took part in, he was killed in a German ambush and now lays buried in Hanover War Cemetery.
    I watched the recent series on the SAS and was really disappointed that there was no mention at all of Jim Blakeney, even though the other 3 all had plenty of storyline.
     
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  13. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    From a while ago in this very thread.

    2660354 James BLAKENEY, Coldstream Guards & SAS Original (The 'Tobruk Four')

    Always remember, never forget,

    Jim.
     
  14. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Noted today that in the initial planning for CRUSADER, another jump by L Detachment was planned, this time on Agedabia airfield. That obvs never happened.

    All the best

    Andreas
     

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