100-year-old commando inspires the next generation
John Eskdale from Lydney, Gloucestershire, visited the base in Lympstone to attend the pass out parade of 366 Troop.
Recruit Sean Brennen described the veteran as an "unbelievable gentleman" who was "so inspiring".
Mr Eskdale spoke to the recruits and told them they would have "good times and awful times," advising them to "take it as it comes".
The 100-year-old saw combat with HMS Charybdis in the Mediterranean on the Malta Convoys in 1942 and was involved in the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943.
He survived the sinking of Charybdis and went on to see action in Normandy and the Far East.
In his speech to the recruits at Lympstone, he said: "The Royal Marines is a family, whilst you are serving, and more so afterwards, it can go on forever."
During his visit Mr Eskdale presented the Commando Medal to James Barback.
The marine was recognised for demonstrating unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage and determination throughout his training.
Recruit Sean Brennen said he took time to listen to the commando veteran.
"An unbelievable gentleman, so inspiring and a real honour to chat with and find out what he did during the Second World War, quite remarkable," he said.
"The stories about his service in the Far East just kept on coming and were very funny. Hearing first-hand accounts of his generation's experience are so important to us, we stand on the shoulders of these men who are real heroes."
Mr Eskdale earned his Green Beret in 1942 at the height of World War Two.
He initially tried to join the armed forces in 1940 but was too young so volunteered with the fire service in the heavily bombed city of Bristol. He finally joined the marines two years later.
Mr Eskdale told how HMS Charybdis was torpedoed off the Channel Islands in late 1943.
He said he spent five hours in the water on a Carley float before rescue by a destroyer took him back to Plymouth to recover. Of the crew of 533, only 107 were rescued.
Following the sinking, he volunteered for hazardous service and after Commando training at Dalditch Camp on Woodbury Common in Devon was drafted to 30 Assault Unit.
He saw action again, in Normandy and the Far East, taking part in operations to clear Japanese forces from Hong Kong, as well as peacekeeping operations.
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
'A woman will be a Royal Marine, it's just when'
King revisits Devon commando base where he trained
Ex-Royal Marines musician donates rare statue
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Eight World War One pillboxes are Grade II listed
A rare semi-circular bunker-like structure is among eight World War One pillboxes in Norfolk that have been granted Grade II listed status. The concrete buildings were built in Norfolk between 1916 and 1918, designed to protect a stretch of English coast from a potential German sea invasion, including the semi-circular one at Bacton Wood. They still have their original steel doors, gun loop shutters and white-painted interiors, according to Historic England. Its East of England regional director Tony Calladine said they were "a reminder of a time when determined communities prepared to defend Britain during the Great War". Listed buildings are buildings of special architectural or historic interest with legal protection. All but one of the newly-listed pillboxes are in the North Walsham area and they are: Two defending the Common Road and Bradfield Beck crossing point at Bradfield Common A rare semi-circular pillbox at Bacton Wood, guarding a canal bridge Two circular pillboxes at White Horse Common at the Edbridge Mill crossing Two either side of Bacton Road, Little London, defending the canal bridge The final pillbox is another circular one at Wayford Bridge, near Stalham. The pillboxes were positioned along the River Ant and the North Walsham & Dilham Canal - waterways that could provided further defence in The Broads. They are all slightly inland and were part of a network of pillboxes which were designed to "provide a barrier to invading enemy troops", said Mr Calladine. Pillboxes were generally camouflaged against the landscape to hide the occupants from enemy view. Most were installed with small holes in the walls called loopholes where weapons could be fired from. The first pillboxes were built by the German army on the Western Front, but as the threat of invasion increased in Britain, they began appearing along the east coast of. "The listing of these pillboxes recognises their historic significance and exceptional durability," Mr Calladine added. Historic England hopes people will add their photographs and drawings of the pillboxes and share their stories to its Missing Pieces Project. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story D-Day training pillbox converted into home for bats Former helter-skelter among new listed buildings Storms unearth sand-filled World War Two pillbox World War Two defences emerge from UK beach Related internet links Historic England
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
World War Two veteran celebrates 100th birthday
A decorated World War Two veteran who carried out covert missions behind enemy lines has celebrated his 100th birthday. Henry Charles Francis, known affectionately as 'H', served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines after joining up aged 16. At his birthday party, Mr Francis was presented with a personal letter from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, acknowledging his extraordinary service. His daughter, Teresa Betton, said: "What he gave for this country, all the friends that he lost… I'm so proud of him. He tells the stories, but not all of them. He signed the secrets act and has stuck by it." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Mr Francis' family said the day was deeply emotional as they recalled stories of his daring missions. One tale involved being dropped into the wrong location in what was then Yugoslavia and spending five days finding his way out before being greeted by General Josip Broz Tito, who later became president of the country. Mr Francis, who lives in South Gloucestershire, was awarded the Yugoslavian military medal, which is one of many honours he earned over the years. In his letter, Gen Jenkins paid tribute to the "truly courageous" covert operations carried out by Mr Francis. He also referenced an incident in Burma when Mr Francis was injured by a bayonet before returning to the UK for a time to recover. Gen Jenkins said: "You are an incredible individual with an abundance of character, and you and all your generation are an inspiration to today's sailors and Royal Marines. "I am delighted to be able to send you the Royal Navy's best wishes for your 100th birthday." Asked for the secret to a long life, Mr Francis replied: "Before you argue with a man, make sure you can handle him." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Stories similar to this Celebrations for WW2 RAF veteran's 100th birthday Veteran appointed MBE days before 100th birthday 100th birthday tribute to AA veteran
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Yahoo
How a wall in Surrey helped the Allies on D-Day
Just a short drive from the Surrey town of Farnham lies the Hankley Common woodland, which hides a fascinating piece of World War Two history. Dozens stroll past the huge wall that runs through the wood each day, but few will know of the key role it played in the D-Day landings. By the end of 1942, German-occupied Europe stretched from the Atlantic coast of France in the west to the Russian Ural Mountains in the east. But Hitler felt the coastline to the west was vulnerable to invasion, so ordered forts be built on 2,000 miles (3,218km) of shoreline along France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and the northern tip of Norway. The defence system would inevitably fail, thanks in part to the tests carried out hundreds of miles away in Surrey in 1943. Royal Canadian Engineers based in the area built a replica section of wall in the woodland using plans smuggled from France, which showed how the real wall was built. The Army then began blowing the wall to pieces using two new armoured test vehicles. One of the vehicles was the AVRE mortar-firing tank, which was then used to break through the real Atlantic Wall during the D-Day landings. "It was about creating new armoured vehicles, vehicles that would be able to breach this wall," said military historian Paul McCue. "The people who built this went ashore during the invasion of France and many lost their lives. "There's a plaque on it but it's quite a modest one and it's tucked away, so people will walk past it and not see it." Today, it is clear to see the chasms that were blown out of the wall during tests, with metal rods still poking from moss-covered rubble. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook or X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story D-Day veteran says friends' sacrifice a 'waste of life' Why has a knitted tank rolled into Llandudno?
