1st pattern "FS" Fighting knife with known history.
Hi Guys, I though that you might like to see this knife from my collection? I bought this direct from the Veteran who was issued it, Frank Barton. He only ever took it on one raid to Norway. The rest of the time the knife stayed in his billet in Scotland. He was frightened that being captured with the knife would mean a bullet in the back of the neck...
Frank joined the Fusiliers then volunteered for the Army Commandos. He fought in North Africa, where he landed dressed in American uniform as it was thought the Vichy French would be less likely to shoot at "US" troops. He wanted to keep the US M1 Garand rifle. He was later taken POW by the Afrika Korps with about 30 other men after being surrounded and cut off and being low on ammo. Shipped to Italy. His brother was also in POW in Italy: their Mother wrote to the Pope and asked him to arrange for them to be reunited in the same camp. They escaped after the Italians surrended in 1943. He then re-joined No.6 Commando where he was brought before the CO and told he was a total disgrace to the unit for not fighting "until the last man and the last round!". As punishment he had to do his training all over again! Landed on D-Day in Normandy and fought all the way through until VE Day. Frank carried an MP40 during most of the campaign in NW Europe. He kindly gave me an ammo pouch with two mags and loader. When he found that the Army Commandos were to be disbanded and he would be sent back to his old Regiment, he then volunteered for the Parachute Regiment. Got his wings in Palestine and then served a few more years with the Paras until he left the Army. I also have his 1937 pattern cut down "Tankers" web holster in my collection which he used in Palestine. I bought the knife from him in 1993 for £300.
Frank is still alive.
It is believed around 1,200 of these knives were produced.
Cheers, Ade.
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by Adrian Stevenson
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