Pete’s Photos

Peter McAleese left behind a treasure trove of photos, a large number of which have been published in his book “No Mean Soldier”, and the 2020 documentary “Killing Escobar”. However, there were even more than were otherwise not published elsewhere or shared. Thanks to the efforts of his long-time friend Joe Lockey, a large number of these photographs were digitized for posterity. Below, you will find photos that were meticulously digitized by the former webmaster Joe Lockey, with some minor restoration and resizing courtesy of the current webmaster.

A young Peter McAleese, circa. 1956.

A young Peter McAleese, circa. 1956.

A very young "Pete" (right), hanging out in Aberdeen, 1962. At the time, he was a young Paratrooper, about to join the Special Air Service and embark on an adventure that would last a lifetime.

A very young "Pete" (right), hanging out in Aberdeen, 1962. At the time, he was a young Paratrooper, about to join the Special Air Service and embark on an adventure that would last a lifetime.

Peter and his younger brother Terry, circa. 1960s.

Peter and his younger brother Terry, circa. 1960s.

Peter (right) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during a unit exchange with United States Special Forces, 1962.

Peter (right) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during a unit exchange with United States Special Forces, 1962.

Peter preparing for a jump in Fort Bragg, on a Special Forces exchange, 1962.

Peter preparing for a jump in Fort Bragg, on a Special Forces exchange, 1962.

Peter kitted up for a jump in Yemen, with fellow "D" Squadron man Dave Gregory in the background, 1966.

Peter kitted up for a jump in Yemen, with fellow "D" Squadron man Dave Gregory in the background, 1966.

Peter (top row, second from the right) with the 16 Troop, D Squadron, Special Air Service, in Aden, 1962.

Peter (top row, second from the right) with the 16 Troop, D Squadron, Special Air Service, in Aden, 1962.

Portrait resigning from the British Army in 1969. He had been expelled from the Special Air Service after a fight with another serviceman in 1968, and had served out the remainder of his time as an instructor with the rank of Sergeant. It was a sad d

Portrait resigning from the British Army in 1969. He had been expelled from the Special Air Service after a fight with another serviceman in 1968, and had served out the remainder of his time as an instructor with the rank of Sergeant. It was a sad day for Peter.

Peter's Identity Card from 1976, while employed as an FNLA "volunteer" under the command of the notorious "Colonel Tony Callan". Few photos of Peter exist during this time, due to the chaotic nature of this mercenary service.

Peter's Identity Card from 1976, while employed as an FNLA "volunteer" under the command of the notorious "Colonel Tony Callan". Few photos of Peter exist during this time, due to the chaotic nature of this mercenary service.

Rhodesian Special Air Service Basic Parachutist Course, 1977 - As Peter had enlisted in the Rhodesian Army and directly entered into Special Air Service selection, he wears a Rhodesian "General Service" beret and cap badge.

Rhodesian Special Air Service Basic Parachutist Course, 1977 - As Peter had enlisted in the Rhodesian Army and directly entered into Special Air Service selection, he wears a Rhodesian "General Service" beret and cap badge.

Peter while serving in the Rhodesian British South Africa Police Special Branch, circa. 1979, pictured with another Special Branch member and various Security Force Auxillaries. Peter's transfer from the RhSAS to Special Branch was tricky, and requir

Peter while serving in the Rhodesian British South Africa Police Special Branch, circa. 1979, pictured with another Special Branch member and various Security Force Auxillaries. Peter's transfer from the RhSAS to Special Branch was tricky, and required the assistance of a fellow Brit - the legendary Jock Hutton.

Peter qualifying as a paratrooper - again! Bloemfontein South African Defence Force Parachute Course, 1980.

Peter qualifying as a paratrooper - again! Bloemfontein South African Defence Force Parachute Course, 1980.

Angola, 1983, stopping on the side of the road with other South African paratroopers, Peter and his comrades show off a local newspaper.

Angola, 1983, stopping on the side of the road with other South African paratroopers, Peter and his comrades show off a local newspaper.

Peter , wearing an unusual jump smock and having a Coca-Cola (luckily, not laced with valium - a prank played on him earlier by his fellow Parabat Pathfinders). This photograph was taken during a road move from Pretoria, to the heart of "terr" territ

Peter , wearing an unusual jump smock and having a Coca-Cola (luckily, not laced with valium - a prank played on him earlier by his fellow Parabat Pathfinders). This photograph was taken during a road move from Pretoria, to the heart of "terr" territory in Angola, circa. 1981.

Peter McAleese and his fellow "Phillistines", the elite South African Parabat Pathfinders. The bulk of these men were foreigners, hailing from the United Kingdom, Rhodesia, the United States, and beyond. Photographed circa 1981-1982.

Peter McAleese and his fellow "Phillistines", the elite South African Parabat Pathfinders. The bulk of these men were foreigners, hailing from the United Kingdom, Rhodesia, the United States, and beyond. Photographed circa 1981-1982.

The legendary Peter, and the mysterious Giraffe smock, circa. 1981. Worn exclusively by members of the elite South African Parabats, Peter's wearing his personal Slangvel smock in the pattern has become the most iconic photo of the pattern - and one

The legendary Peter, and the mysterious Giraffe smock, circa. 1981. Worn exclusively by members of the elite South African Parabats, Peter's wearing his personal Slangvel smock in the pattern has become the most iconic photo of the pattern - and one of the few to show it in use. It was ultimately never worn operational as far as Peter was aware, the Pathfinders ultimately continued to use Nutria Brown Slangvel smocks on operations.

Peter in his office, while serving as the founding senior NCO of the South African Parabat Pathfinders, circa. 1981.

Peter in his office, while serving as the founding senior NCO of the South African Parabat Pathfinders, circa. 1981.

Peter sporting a distinctive look, while serving as a Sergeant Major with 44 Parachute Battalion in Southwest Africa (now Namibia), 1981.

Peter sporting a distinctive look, while serving as a Sergeant Major with 44 Parachute Battalion in Southwest Africa (now Namibia), 1981.

Peter (far left) at a parachute wing ceremony in South Africa, circa. 1981. A proud moment for the few who have earned the Maroon beret, and wings on their chest.

Peter (far left) at a parachute wing ceremony in South Africa, circa. 1981. A proud moment for the few who have earned the Maroon beret, and wings on their chest.

Peter and members of the South African Parabats prior to a "race jump", in 1983. This would be one of Peter's last jumps. The following year, a catastrophic parachute failure occurred while Peter was jumping for a charity demonstration. He would neve

Peter and members of the South African Parabats prior to a "race jump", in 1983. This would be one of Peter's last jumps. The following year, a catastrophic parachute failure occurred while Peter was jumping for a charity demonstration. He would never paradrop again.

"Like f*ckin' Christmas" - Peter zeroes an M16 rifle, prior to Operation Phoenix, 1989. The amount of munitions and weaponry courtesy of the Cali Cartel to take out Pablo Escobar with exceptional, and the American made M16 was a small piece of that.

"Like f*ckin' Christmas" - Peter zeroes an M16 rifle, prior to Operation Phoenix, 1989. The amount of munitions and weaponry courtesy of the Cali Cartel to take out Pablo Escobar with exceptional, and the American made M16 was a small piece of that.

Dressed to kill - Peter in US jungle fatigues, during the final planning and preparation phases of Operation Phoenix in Colombia, 1989. The mission was ultimately a failure when the helicopter carrying Peter crashed into the jungle. Badly injured, Pe

Dressed to kill - Peter in US jungle fatigues, during the final planning and preparation phases of Operation Phoenix in Colombia, 1989. The mission was ultimately a failure when the helicopter carrying Peter crashed into the jungle. Badly injured, Peter crawled through under the jungle canopy and evaded capture, before being recovered.

Peter in his post-military years, training men in hand-to-hand combat, circa. 1993. It was around this time that Peter first published his memoirs in the book "No Mean Soldier".

Peter in his post-military years, training men in hand-to-hand combat, circa. 1993. It was around this time that Peter first published his memoirs in the book "No Mean Soldier".

Peter in Russia, featured on the cover of Russia's equivalent to Soldier of Fortune Magazine, 1995.

Peter in Russia, featured on the cover of Russia's equivalent to Soldier of Fortune Magazine, 1995.

Peter with another pilgrim, Rusty Firmin (also formerly of the Special Air Service), at Maryport, Cumbria, in 2021. Peter had mobility issues and used a cane in his later years - a fact not surprising considering the extensive injuries he incurred th

Peter with another pilgrim, Rusty Firmin (also formerly of the Special Air Service), at Maryport, Cumbria, in 2021. Peter had mobility issues and used a cane in his later years - a fact not surprising considering the extensive injuries he incurred throughout his career.

Official portrait of Peter, taken for the documentary "Killing Escobar" in 2021. Peter sports a Swiss-made Bell & Ross wristwatch. He would later remark that it was a significant upgrade from the "cheap" field watches worn during his time as a profes

Official portrait of Peter, taken for the documentary "Killing Escobar" in 2021. Peter sports a Swiss-made Bell & Ross wristwatch. He would later remark that it was a significant upgrade from the "cheap" field watches worn during his time as a professional soldier.

Facebook profile photo, 2022. Peter was a cheeky bugger, with an exceptional sense of humour, and could seldom hold back on making faces when presented with a smartphone camera. Both the webmaster, and longtime friend Joe Lockey can attest to this.

Facebook profile photo, 2022. Peter was a cheeky bugger, with an exceptional sense of humour, and could seldom hold back on making faces when presented with a smartphone camera. Both the webmaster, and longtime friend Joe Lockey can attest to this.

Speaking in Stockton, January 2022. Peter was extremely active in giving talks about his exceptional life and military career right up until his final days.

Speaking in Stockton, January 2022. Peter was extremely active in giving talks about his exceptional life and military career right up until his final days.

Peter presenting a rather unique bottle of "Peter McAleese Special Air Service" wine, 2022. This photo would be used for his final Christmas greeting and one of his final public social media posts, in 2023.

Peter presenting a rather unique bottle of "Peter McAleese Special Air Service" wine, 2022. This photo would be used for his final Christmas greeting and one of his final public social media posts, in 2023.

Peter McAleese - 7 September 1942 – 18 March 2024

Peter McAleese - 7 September 1942 – 18 March 2024