Snooks,
The best way to do this would be to contact appropriate military
organizations in the United Kingdom.
One of the largest groups of British commandos in WWII was the
Parachute Regiment:
Parachute Regiment Home Page
http://www.parachute-regiment.com/Default.htm
During World war II, various units of the Parachute Regiment were sent
on missions in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, North Africa, and
Sicily. During one famous raid in February 1942 -- "Operation Biting"
near the coastal town of Bruneval, France -- 120 British paratroops
("paras") were dropped near a German cliffside radar station, secured
it after heavy fighting, dismantled the radar equipment, and returned
it to Britain by boat. Several thousand British airborne troops also
took part in major glider assaults during the invasion of Normandy in
June 1944.
The Parachute Regiment's "History" page appears blank at first until
you click on the History links ("Formation" through "Rhine Crossing")
down the left side of the page):
Parachute Regiment History
http://www.parachute-regiment.com/history/index.htm
Their veterans' association has over 100 branches throughout the U.K.
Here is their contact information:
The Parachute Regimental Association
Regimental Headquarters, The Parachute Regiment
Browning Barracks
Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2BU
England
Tel: 01252 323568
Fax: 01252 349203
Email: airborne@globalnet.co.uk
In particular, you should try to get in touch with "Mrs. Tina Pittock"
at the above address. She is the curator for the The Parachute
Regiment And Airborne Forces Museum
(http://www.army.mod.uk/para/miscellaneous.htm).
Additional information about the Parachute Regiment can be found at
the British Army's official Web site:
The Parachute Regiment
http://www.army.mod.uk/para/index.html
"The Pegasus Journal" is a newsletter about British airborne forces
that is frequently used to gather information about veterans:
Airborne Contact Information
http://freespace.virgin.net/j.dingwall/contacts.htm
You can contact the editor at:
The Editor, Pegasus Journal
Browning Barracks
Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2BU
England
Tel: 01252-349624
Email: editor@pegasusjournal.in2home.co.uk
For information about Royal Marines commandos, contact:
The Royal Marines Museum
Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PX
England
Tel: 023 9281 9385
Fax: 023 9283 8420
E-mail: info@royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk
Web: http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/
Or try:
The Green Beret Association
Royal Marines Commando Association
http://www.geocities.com/green_beret_association/
Here is an association of Royal Navy Commandos:
Royal Naval Commando Association
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Keith_Oakley/rnchome.htm
"...for veterans of the Royal Naval Commando Beach Parties who did so
much to ensure the success of amphibious landings in World War II"
One organization in the United States that may be able to help you is:
3rd Parachute Brigade
WWII British & Canadian Reenactors
http://www.6th-airborne.org/index.html
"The primary goal of our unit is to explore the history of the
Parachute forces of WWII. Below are a list of our pages relating to
aspects of this history."
The "History" link down the left side of their home page has several
interviews with para veterans of WWII and other historical
information.
You can contact the 3rd Parachute Brigade by emailing them at:
contact@6th-airborne.org
Another group of reenactors in the United States is:
British 1st Airborne Division
Living History Division
http://www.britishairborne.org/
"We are an organization of re-enactors and living historians based in
Southern California dedicated to preserving the rich history of the
British 1st Airborne Division and honoring the veterans who served
Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations."
They have an online feedback form at:
http://www.britishairborne.org/feedback.html
Thank you,
Huntsman
References -
Britannica Online
Normandy 1944 - Commando
http://search.eb.com/normandy/articles/commando.html
Search Terms & Google Results -
british commandos WWII
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british commando units WWII
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british veterans associations
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=british+veterans+associations
british veterans associations commandos
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