The Real James Bond Is Gone
Patrick Dalzel-Job, a British war hero who was apparently the inspiration for the character of James Bond (Bond creator Ian Fleming was his commander during part of World War Two), died yesterday at the age of 90.
This guy was apparently the real deal:
In one of most daring exploits in 1940, he disobeyed orders to rescue all the women, children and elderly residents from the Norwegian town of Narvik in local boats just before it was destroyed in a German bombing raid.
He only avoided a court martial after the King of Norway sent his personal thanks and awarded him the Knight’s Cross of St Olav.
I’d never heard of him until today. What a shame! His memoir of his wartime experiences with Fleming’s secret unit 30AU, entitled Arctic Snow to Dust of Normandy: The Extraordinary Wartime Exploits of a Naval Special Agent, is apparently still in print; I’m gonna have to check it out.
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Comments
Allan Farrin
January 18, 2006
2:07 pm
My Grandfather, Roland Guy, recently deceased, always spoke very highy of 30 AU commanding officer Patrick Dalzel-Job.
He too met his future wife while on duty, D+30 in Vanne Brittany while in 30 Assault Unit RN Royal Marine Commando.
I’d be very interested to hear from anyone who knows more about the unit or it’s members.
Jon Parlour
July 19, 2006
4:11 pm
I am currently researching the wartime activities of my father-in-law, William James McKelvey, a Royal Marine Commando who served in 30AU. I have been fortunate in making contact with Reg Rush (30AU Association) but he has not been able to tell me anything very specific. Still digging, if you have anything I would be interested. I have done the RM Museum at Eastney and others,I think my next stop is Cambridge.
regards, Jon
Pete Hollis
September 7, 2006
4:11 pm
Allan and Jon, My farther Sid ‘Tubby’ Hollis served with 30AU as well. He met my mother on ops while the unit were laid up in Gennappe, Belgium. I have also met Reg and found him most helpful. Through the association I have met a chap who was with dad in Williamshaven in 45, Bill Damsel and found one of his old friends Henry ‘Blondie’ Jarvis.
Dad was a driver mechanic with HQ TAC. I am looking for Mne andrews who was billeted with Dad in Gennappe. Leave a reply here so we can make contact. Pete H
Allan Farrin
September 16, 2006
3:16 am
I’ve started to put together website for 30AU, please take a look. http://www.30AU.co.uk Long way to go before all information is avaliable but any help would be greatfully accepted with regard to photo’s names and info. Thanks.
Mandy Roberts
September 30, 2011
5:21 pm
My grandad was a Royal Marine Commando who served in 30AU. He passed away a few years ago. He was from Belfast, Ireland and ended up living in Littlehampton where he married my grandmother. She passed away too a fews years ago. Grandad used to tell a lot of good stories, and was always excited to go to the memorials every year in Littlehampton. Does anyone know him? His nickname was Paddy.
Mandy
October 1, 2011
11:36 am
Forgot to mention his name is George Andrews.