Ronald P. Winter

Royal Navy Commando Combined Operations 

At the outbreak of World War II Ron was a lorry driver for Bristol Haulage Company. After the fall of France joined Mobile Division of Gloucester Division of Home Guard. Then joined R.N. until January 1943 — was transferred to R.N. Special Services. (Combined Operations). Did several ops on French & Belgium Channel Islands.

As crew member of LCI(S) 511. Nov 1943 on Operation Starkey to Boulogne. Attached to No. 4 Commando. Left Dover for attempted landing nr mouth of Somme. Operation aborted. Returned to Dover. Several more ops on French coast & LCI(S) 511 lost. Redrafted after survivors leave to Hayling Island then “Tormentor” “Vernon” “Attack” “Troon”. “Point 3” at Bickleigh then back to “Tormentor” to join LCI(S) 504. Several ops preparing for D-Day. Landed in Winchester Hospital for 6 weeks. Back to “Tormentor” at Warsash for LCI(S) 254.

After much training for beaching etc, took on troops for D-Day. Landed with E. Yorks & Engineers & Lord Lovat’s Commandos. Ship immobilised on beach. Crew left with troops & went up beach with Commandoes and reported to Beachmaster for orders, and was promptly told to get off the beach in no uncertain manner so joined up with some Royal Marines clearing mines & obstacles. After several weeks fighting with various troops around Ouistreham & Caen areas, was drafted back to RN proper on HMS “Frobisher” — treated like heroes, given a bath etc & promptly put back on board 2504 that shore wallahs had repaired & patched up. After ferrying troops from troopships to Mulberry Harbour & Yankee beaches, returned to Warsash & took on troops for Wolchershan and West Kepale with No. 30 Commando  Special Eng. Commando. After service clearing mines etc at various ports returned to “Tormentor” then back to “Drake” for Gen. Service again. (Soft number on Admiral’s Barge). Then back to Bickleigh & St. Budeaux for service in Far East but not required owing to dropping of atom bombs. So back to civvy street — lorry driving again.

Then improved situation — got work for British Overseas Airways at Whitchurch Airport and travelled all over the country. Left for Merchant Navy, travelling from Avonmouth to America, Canada & other places. Left Merchant Navy, returned as driver/mechanic on long distance transport. Kept in touch with R.N. by joining R.N.X.S.

(Royal Navy Auxiliary Service): as engineer on MFVs, inshore minesweepers, & fleet tenders. Total service with Auxiliaries 11 yrs. Left to go into hospital. In 1981 formed Bristol Branch of “Normandy Veterans’ Association.” Total service altogether in R.N., M.N. & R.N.X.S. — too long!