1 Special Service / Commando Brigade

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1 Cdo Bde HQ War Diary Jan-Mar 1945

This section contains a transcript taken from the War Diary covering specific periods. It is a basic transcript for private research and educational use only. Whilst we always endeavour to achieve accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be dates and/or entries missing, and other possible errors, The actual War Diaries can be found at the National Archives in Kew.

1 Special Service Bde Signals Troop War Diary June-Sept 1944

This section contains a transcript taken from the War Diary covering specific periods. It is a basic transcript for private research and educational use only. Whilst we always endeavour to achieve accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be dates and/or entries missing, and other possible errors, The actual War Diaries can be found at the National Archives in Kew.

BAILEY, Arthur Charles

Gunner Arthur Bailey was found dead on Westhampnett Lane Chichester, a road leading to Goodwood.  Ambulance men at the scene found that he had fractured his skull and it was later ascertained that he had fallen from a lorry in which he was a passenger.

BLISSETT, Harry Harold

Maj. Blissett 2 commando
Major Harry Harold Blissett served as a Captain in No 4 Independent Company and No 2 Commando. He was appointed Brigade Major in the 1st Special Service Bde in preparation for DDay.  In 1945 he received a MiD for gallant and distinguished services in NW Europe[1].
 
Source
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 36994, page 1558.
 

CHRISTIE, Thomas John

Lieutenant Thomas Christie, Lines Officer 1st Commando Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the M.C. [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations in NW Europe, specifically whilst laying out a communications line over a demolished railway bridge across the River Rhine at Wesel [2].
 
  • Commissioned at OCTU from the ranks 20 December 1944 [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 37302, page 4999.

DONNELLY, Terence Alfred

Captain Terence Donnelly, General Staff Officer (GSO 111) 1st Special Service/Commando Brigade HQ [1], was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [2] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the allied crossing of the River Rhine to capture Wesel. Captain Donnelly was in sole charge of beach control, including loading and launching of waves of buffaloes and storm boats, and was under constant enemy mortar fire [3].
 

FUSSELL, Peter Lincoln

Peter Fussell 1 Special Service Brigade
Private Peter Fussell served in No 4 Commando, 'F' troop, and took part in operations at Dieppe on 19 August 1942. Later that year he moved to 1 Special Service Brigade HQ (Clerks) [1] and [2].
 
Post war he was commissioned and retired as a Major in the R.A.O.C. 
 
His award of the B.E.M., was for his service as a Staff Sergeant during the period 23 February 1949 to February 1951. He was the confidential short hand writer to Field Marshall Sir William Slim.
 

GLASER, Kurt Joachim

Grave of Lt Griffith 10 Commando

Kurt Joachim Glaser served in 3 troop, also known as  'X' troop, under the name of Keith James Griffith.  He was shot and killed by a sniper during operations with 1 Special Service Bde. to cross a railway bridge over the River Aller near the town of Essel.

HOPSON, Donald Charles

Donald Charles Hopson
Second Lieutenant Donald Hopson was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers which later converted to an armoured unit of the Royal Armoured Corps. He served in No 3 Commando and 1 Commando Brigade in both Italy and NW Europe . His last rank whilst in the Commando was Temporary Major.
 
Post war he had a distinguished career in the Diplomatic Service. He held posts of Ambassador to countries such as Laos, China, Venezuela, and Argentina. He was subsequently knighted.
 

LOVAT, Lord

Lord Lovat first enlisted in the Scots Guards in 1932, leaving the army in 1937.  Two years later at the outbreak of war he rejoined the Army in the Lovat Scouts.  Lord Lovat was part of a small but elite group of men who formed the idea of a Special Training Centre, agreed on the location, and devised and implemented a course of training once it was approved. This became the first  of many Special Training Centres, STC Lochailort.

The training took place in and around the camp at Lochailort, Lord Lovat's role being Fieldcraft instruction.

MILLS-ROBERTS, Derek (Brig)

Born in 1908; educated at Liverpool College and Oxford University; worked for his father's firm of solicitors, 1935; joined Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Irish Guards, 1936; joined 1 Bn, Irish Guards, 1939-1942, and served in Norway; transferred to special services No 4 Commando, 1942; took part in Dieppe Raid, Aug 1942; Lt Col, 1943; Commanding Officer, No 6 Commando, North Africa, 1943; Brig, 1944; commanded 1 Special Service Bde (later 1 Commando Bde), North West Europe, 1944-1945; accepted the surrender of FM Erhard Milch at Neustadt, May 1945; retired from Army, 1945; commanded 12

NEALE, Peter Walter James

Captain Peter Neale
Captain (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Peter Neale RM, 1st RM Engineer Commando attached to 1 Commando Brigade [1+3], was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and great devotion to duty whilst operating with the allied army in North West Europe [2].
 
  • February 1944 A/Captain Neale was 2nd in command 1st RM Engineer Commando [3].
Sources
[1] Commando Association newsletter107 (obituaries).
[2] London Gazette supp. 37137, page 3090.

SMITH, Anthony, D.C.

Lieutenant Anthony Smith was the Intelligence Officer for No. 4 Commando at Dieppe, and later Brigade Intelligence Officer, rank Acting Captain, 1st Special Service Brigade HQ at Normandy.
 
Sources
The Fighting Fourth, author Major James Dunning.
1st Special Service Brigade HQ War Diary 1st July 1944.
 

SUMMERHAYES, Arthur James

Sergeant Arthur Summerhayes died whilst attached to 1 Commando Brigade HQ.  At the time of his death 1 Commando Brigade were engaged in operations at the River Aller near Issel. 
 
Notes
The CWGC database entry shows only RM Commando. Their Grave Concentration Report shows HQ 1 Cdo Bde.
 

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