Firstly, let me explain that I only joined this morning so please forgive any errors I may make! After reading an article on Operation Frankton, better known as The Cockleshell Hero raid, in an edition of the "Britain at War" magazine, I was surprised to learn that one of the raiders, Marine William Mills, came from the town where I now live - Kettering in Northamptonshire. I was also surprised to discover that there is nothing to commemorate Marine Mills and his contribution on the raid. Marine Mills was a crewman on one of only two boats to reach the target and plant their mines in Bordeaux harbour. Both he and his colleague on "Crayfish", Cpl Laver were captured by the Germans during their escape and executed. I have approached the local Council seeking their help to recognise his participation in this famous raid, but as he is listed on the War Memorial, they don't feel any more is necessary. Has anybody conducted a similar campaign to get an individual or group of individuals recognised in this way? Any advice on who to contact, permissions needed, funding etc would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Welcome to the forum - Is this your man? Name: MILLS, WILLIAM HENRY Initials: W H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Marine Regiment/Service: Royal Marines Unit Text: R.M. Boom Patrol Detachment Age: 21 Date of Death: 23/03/1943 Service No: PLY/X108159 Awards: Mentioned in Despatches Additional information: Son of William Henry and Mary Ellen Mills, of Kettering, Northamptonshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 103. Column 1. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Hi and welcome to the forum Thought you might like to read the following describing Mills, its taken from..... 'Cockleshell Heroes' - C E. Lucas Phillips. Mills was No.2 of the boat 'Crayfish'. "Marine W H. Mills was Laver's No.2 and an excellent foil to him in every way. For whereas Laver was quiet and reserved, Mills was full of fun and high spirits. Evryone liked him and he kept them all amused. He was of stocky figure with crisp, brown hair, clean, smart and well turned out, and kept himself extremely fit, being a good swimmer and footballer. Better educated than most, he came from Kettering, where he went to the parish church school and afterwards was employed at the Kettering Sports and Rubber Stores, and he had served in Civil Defence before joining the Corps. 'Bill,' says Mr Edward Collett, and older man who was a great friend of the family, 'was a boy of extremely lovable character, full of life and always ready to some one a good turn.' Mills was a fortnight short of his twenty-first birthday when they all sailed, leaving behind a sweetheart, he was never married"
Thank you both for your replies and some background info. Its a shame that Mills and Laver didn't get decorated (other than MiDs) for their part - after all, they did reach the target and plant their mines. I would love to see the town of Kettering make some gesture to recognise Mills - its just setting about it in the correct way and drumming up the support. Perhaps writing to the local paper, British Legion etc...?
Heatherwood, Hello and welcome to the forum. You may like to look at a post by David seymour with a link to the War Memorials New Website. War Memorials Trust If they can help you, I am sure they will, or at least point you in the right direction. Hope that you are successful in your quest. Tom
Again - thanks for your suggestions. I have emailed both the War Memorials Trust and the British Legion. Fingers crossed!
The British Legion suggested I contacted the War Memorials Trust, and they have replied with a document giving some very handy tips. I have also emailed my local MP this evening - can only be good to have a politician behind you! Updates to follow.....
Although I cannot find the thread , this poor gentleman has since passed away . From the main article , a photgrapogh of ther place were Sgt Wallace and Marine Ewart were executed following capture. The article is by Brigadier Tony Hunter-Choat OBE and Major Mark Bentinck.
I would like to clarify a misconception that a number of web sites make when referring to the Cockleshell Heroes. Many tend to refer to them as Commando's, as such giving the impression that they were trained as the Commando units at that time and as such wore the Green Beret. Well no, they were Royal Marines. As such in my eyes only adds to the esteem in which they are held. As one observer at the time stated, after observing the training and knowledge each man was required to master; "These men should be Officers". Each year around the time of Operation Frankton, a Ceremony of Remembrance is held in Bordeaux. In the Spring of 2011 a fitting memorial is to be unveiled at a point close to where the men launched from HMS Tuna. Ruhmen
I've just seen an article on BBC1's 'The One Show' describing the Cockleshell raid and the fact that a memorial is to be unveilled tomorrow in France. I was somewhat surprised when I heard the individuals that took part in the raid described as 'ordinary Royal Marines'. i didn't think that there was such a thing as an 'ordinary' Royal Marine! Roxy
The original Commandos were raised by the Army. In late 1941, the first two RM Commandos were raised by taking volunteers from RM units. In July 1943 the 'ordinary' RM Divisions were disbanded and the remainder of the RM Cdos were formed, a role they carried on after the war. The likelihood is that if the RM hadn't taken up the commando role, there wouldn't have been any RM after the war...
I've just seen an article on BBC1's 'The One Show' describing the Cockleshell raid and the fact that a memorial is to be unveilled tomorrow in France. I was somewhat surprised when I heard the individuals that took part in the raid described as 'ordinary Royal Marines'. i didn't think that there was such a thing as an 'ordinary' Royal Marine! Roxy I saw it as well and unless im much mistaken the guy they spoke to Quentin Rees, is a forum member......http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/search.php?searchid=869016
BBC News - Remembering the secret mission of Cockleshell Heroes A memorial to the Royal Marines who canoed almost 100 miles behind enemy lines to blow up ships in a daring World War II raid has been unveiled in France. But what did the secret mission entail, and why was it so important? For 10 marines in December 1942, their secret mission was so daring and dramatic they were hailed as the Cockleshell Heroes and in 1955, immortalised in film. Unbeknown to them when they signed up for "hazardous service", their job was to the attack enemy German ships moored at the port of Bordeaux in occupied France from their canoes.
how did you get on with the War Memorial Trust? I am trying to discover the origins of the Op Frankton memorial at St George de Didonne. Have you got a link please?
Thank you both for your replies and some background info. Its a shame that Mills and Laver didn't get decorated (other than MiDs) for their part - after all, they did reach the target and plant their mines. I would love to see the town of Kettering make some gesture to recognise Mills - its just setting about it in the correct way and drumming up the support. Perhaps writing to the local paper, British Legion etc...? Hi Heather, During WW2 the only awards that could be given to a member of the British Armed Forces that was killed was either a Victoria Cross or a Mention in Despatches. MiD's are played down a lot but on many occassions they were a near miss for a VC only awarded because the act of bravery was not witnessed by enough people. Cheers Andy
Hi Heather, During WW2 the only awards that could be given to a member of the British Armed Forces that was killed was either a Victoria Cross or a Mention in Despatches. MiD's are played down a lot but on many occassions they were a near miss for a VC only awarded because the act of bravery was not witnessed by enough people. Cheers Andy Oh no, the MID is not true at all. My Dad was Mentioned for starters and he wasn't killed, It was a way of giving recognition to a (small) act of bravery that didn't/doesn't necessarily deserve (or isn't considered to be!) worthy of a gallantry medal. We Brits don't hand out medals willy-nilly, unlike the Yanks...
In many cases people were awarded a posthumouse MID because the rules for awarding Gallantry Medals are very strict and many would not be awarded posthumously - as Drew states many people who deserved much higher awards ended up with a MID.
