Commando News Magazine Edition 9 Jan 22

• Australian Service Medal 1939-45
• Returned from Active Service Badge No.291857
June 1945. Tom as a newly
commissioned Lieutenant
holding his first son, Gary,
aged 5 weeks.
Source: Gary Henry
Tom Henry receiving his SOA
plaque from Doug Knight,
President ACA Vic.
Source: Reichard Pelling
Public Inquiries and donations
Association members continue to be engaged in
responding to public enquiries regarding ancestor
records and individual service history within Australian
special operations units in World War II. There have
also been several donations by families of World War II
Commando veterans of items of historical significance
to the Historical Collection.
Support to 1 st Commando Regiment
Following on from my previous report, the following
is an update on actions in support of 2 Company and
301 Sig Sqn Det at Fort Gellibrand.
a. Planned for early 2022 is the handover of the
CSM’s Honour Board, OCs library and historical
displays of WW2 unconventional warfare activi -
ties. Unfortunately, there has been a significant
delay due to COVID restrictions and refur bish -
ment of the Drill Hall.
b. A significant quantity of 1 st Commando Regi -
ment lapel pins have been provided to the CSM
for distribution to current and future members of
the unit.
Lapel Pin and Card
c. The production of a coffee table type book
covering the history of Fort Gellibrand, and of its
occupancy by 2 Company and 301 Sig Sqn Det,
has been delayed and is expected to be
completed in early 2022.
d. The 1960’s era commando badge parquetry
floor has been lifted and is in temporary storage
at Fort Gellibrand pending a decision on a new
permanent location. This valuable piece of unit
history will be retained and restored with direct
Support from HQ SOCOMD.
e. 2 Company/301 Sig Sqn Det conducted its end
of year celebrations on Saturday, 11 December
and I was privileged to be asked to present the
Silver Badge Award to the Unit ‘Best Operator’
for the year - Sergeant M. The AATTV award for
the ‘Best Support Staff’ was also awarded. The
Silver Badge Award comprised a numbered 1 st
Commando Regiment beret badge, coloured
silver, and a framed ACA Certificate of the
Award. The event was a great success with
several fighting knives and a hatchet being
donated by the Association for the Xmas raffle.
The ACA National President and Honorary
Colonel, Major General Melik (Retired), the
Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant
Major of the 1 st Commando Regiment were also
in attendance.
The Silver Badge Award
Copy of Award Certificate
Brigadier Mac Grant Historical Memorabilia
In mid-2021, in one of the breaks between
Melbourne lockdowns, I received a phone message
from CSM 2 Company, 1 st Commando Regiment
regarding a strange phone call he had received
regarding a commando fighting knife belonging to the
late Brigadier Mac Grant (Former OC 1 Coy and first
Honorary Colonel of 1 st Commando Regiment). I was
intrigued and contacted with the holder of the knife
who turned out to be a former CMF Major whom I had
known earlier in my military career and had been the
Adjutant to Mac Grant in one of his CMF postings and
was also the Executor of Mac’s will. The knife had been
in the Major’s possession since Mac’s death and he now
thought it was time that it be returned to a more
appropriate location, particularly as ownership of a
double edged weapon is prohibited in Victoria.
The Major presumed the knife was a present from
Mac’s former comrades in either the 2/5 th or 2/12 th
Commando Squadron with whom Mac had served in
World War II. As soon as I saw the inscription, I knew it
had come from elsewhere later in Mac’s working life, as
in 1959 Mac transferred from the Regular Army to the
then the Citizen Military Forces (Army Reserve). He
subsequently joined the Department of Foreign Affairs
36 COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 9 I 2022