VI COMMANDO

Prt. John “Jack” Keith, formerly of the Royal Scots, served in No.5 Special Services Battalion from 17^th December 1940 until its reorganisation as No.6 Commando on 5^th May 1941 .

He was attached to No.4 Commando from 7^th May 1941 until 7^th June 1941 , when he rejoined No.6 Commando once more. Serving with No.6 Commando through the aborted Operation: Kitbag raid on Florø ( Norway ) and Operation: Torch invasion of North Africa , Prt. John “Jack” Keith was hit by German rifle fire which, whilst protected by his American-made steel helmet, had knocked him unconscious and leaving him open to be captured during the Battle for Steamroller Farm on 26^th February 1943.

The captive Prt. John “Jack” Keith was incarcerated as a PoW firstly in the Italian PoW Camp PG66 in Capua ( Italy ), then Camp CC53 Ancona Set II before being moved to Germany and incarcerated in Stalag VIIIb E714 (renamed later as Lamsdorf 344). Later he escaped from Lamsdorf 344, making his way to Czechoslovakia and becoming involved with the uprising against Nazi rule.

Prt. John “Jack” Keith was repatriated back to the UK on 9^th May 1945 and was attached to the Royal Ulster Rifles from 17^th August 1945 .

He passed away on 17^th June 1976 , aged 64 years.

Picture courtesy of Mr. Alan Keith.