Patch Trader Andy

Robert Blair Mayne was one of the greatest soldiers of the Second World War and a founding member of the Special Air Service.

He was born on 11th January 1915 at the family home, "Mount Pleasant" in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland.

After attending Regent House Grammar School he went to Queens University, Belfast where he read Law before qualifying as a Solicitor and joining McLaine And Sons Solicitors in Belfast.

Blair was an excellent sportsman and when at Queens became the Irish Universities Boxing Champion. He was also a Rugby player with 6 caps for Ireland and 1938 he was chosen for the British Lions tour of South Africa.

In February 1939 Blair was commissioned as a Second-Lieutenant in the 5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Movilla Road Camp in Newtownards and when war was declared on 3rd September 1939 the regiment was dispatched to North Africa however Blair remained and moved through a number of Regiments such as the Royal Ulster Rifles, The Cameronians and then the 11th (Scottish) Commando.

In January 1941 the Commando was part of "Layforce" and headed to the Middle East under the command of Brigadier Laycock. It was during the Litani River Raid in Lebanon that Blair was "Mentioned in Dispatches" for his actions in leading his men against Vichy French Forces. The raid had resulted in approx 130 soldiers being killed. This equated to around one third of the Commando.

A Scots Guard officer, Captain David Stirling, had meanwhile proposed a small highly trained Unit of men who were to operate behind enemy lines. After facing much opposition from the High Command Stirling was finally able to present his idea to the Commander In Chief. Stirling won the day and was permitted to form a Unit of 60 men. Having heard of Paddy's actions at Litani River Stirling recruited him into his new Unit.

These men were to be known as L Detachment Special Air Service.

L Detachment's first raid resulted in failure however things improved when they teamed up with the Long Range Desert Group and the "Colonel Paddy" legend began on 8th December 1941 with attacks on Tamit and Sirte.

Mayne along with 7 soldiers attacked and destroyed about 25 enemy aircraft on the ground as well as fuel and ammunition dumps. This action resulted in him being awarded his first Distinguished Service Order.

He returned to Tamet with 5 men on 27th December 1941 and destroyed a further 27 aircraft and other vehicles. Having used all his explosives he was seen to destroy some of the aircraft with his bare hands by ripping out the electrical equipment from the cockpits!!

Following this action he was promoted to Second In Charge of L Detachment S.A.S.

In early July 1942 L Detachment had been equipped with Willys Jeeps which were fitted with Vickers K machine guns and the first jeep raid took place on Kufra. Further such raids took place resulting in numerous enemy aircraft being destroyed on the ground at places like El Daba, Fuka and Sidi Haneish.

L Detachment became the 1st Special Air Service Regiment on 21st September 1942 and following David Sterling's capture at the start of the year Robert Blair Mayne became Lieutenant Colonel Mayne in charge of the Special Air Service.

On 10th - 11th July 1943 Blair Mayne led his men to Sicily where they landed at Capo Murro Di Porco capturing 2 gun positions and hundreds of Italian soldiers. The action continued the following day with a landing at Augusta where the town was soon captured and Blair Mayne received the 1st bar to his D.S.O.

On 9th - 10th August 1944 Blair parachuted into France behind enemy lines. He was operating for a few days before driving back through the lines at Normandy and returned to England. With the recce completed he was again parachured into France on 19th August with the drop-zone near Orleans. With 20 air dropped Jeeps he pushed back and forward through enemy lines using the vehicle mounted machine guns to kill numerous german soldiers.

For these actions he was awarded the second Bar to his Distinguished Service Order.

On 10th April 1945 1st S.A.S. were involved in "Operation Howard" and near the village of Borgerwald the Special Air Service men were ambushed resulting in their Commanding Officer being killed.  Blair took over and manned the guns on their jeep. With an officer driving they made several attachs up and down the road firing the guns until he was able to rescue the wounded and recover the dead. Blairs actions resulted in a german retreat!!

For his amazing actions Blair Mayne was recommended for a Victoria Cross, the highest military honour, however he was to receive a 3rd Bar to his Distinguished Service Order.

As with other "Special Forces" Soldiers Blair Mayne had difficulty adjusting to life after the war. This was not helped by the back pain he suffered from connected to parachute drops. He went to the Falkland Islands withLord Hunts expedition of 1945 however continuing pain forced his return to Northern Ireland.

Sadly "Colonel Paddy" was killed in a road traffic accident whilst driving the red Riley car he referred to as his "Big Red Fire Engine". The accident took place at Mill Street, Newtownards where his car struck a telegraph pole.

Blair's funeral was on 16th December 1955 and took place with thousands of mourners. He is buried at Movilla Cemetry, Newtownards in the family plot.

PADDY'S MEDALS

Shown above from left to right :-

Distinguished Service Order with 3 Bars,  1939 - 1945 Star, The Africa Star with 8th Army bar, The Italy Star, The France and germany Star, The Defence Medal, The 1939 - 1945 Victory Medal with "Mentioned in Dispatches" Oak Leaf, The Legion De Honneur, The Croix De Gurre.

 

If You Are A Visitor To Newtownards, County Down Please Take The Time To Visit Places Relevant To "Colonel Paddy" Blair Mayne

 

From Left To Right

1)The Mayne home "Mount Pleasant" on Scrabo Road which is currently being renovated.

2) A view along Scrabo Road from Mount Pleasant towards the scene of the road traffic accident which claimed Maynes life. This scene can be seen in a picture of the fineral.

3) The scene of the accident at Mill Street, Newtownards.

4) Regent House school at Regent Street which Mayne attended.         

 

1) The Mayne family headstone at Movilla Cemetry in Nowtownards which includes the final resting place of Colonel Paddy Mayne.

2) A mural depicting Colonel Paddy in North Africa which is painted on the side of a house at Queens Square, Newtownards. 

3) The bronze statue of Colonel Paddy which is in Conway Square in Newtownards Town Centre and also copied to Special Air Service Headquarters in England.    

 

 

We are the Pilgrims, master. We shall go always a little further. It may be beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea, White on a throne or guarded in a cave there lives a prophet who can understand.