'Special Service Roll of Honour'
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."
1 Special Service/Commando Brigade
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1 Brigade War Diaries
Transcripts of some War Diary entries.
1 Cdo Bde HQ War Diary 1st - 9th April 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 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
Major 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."
(Source: London Gazettes Supp. 36994, page 1558.)
CASSEY, Norman Walter
LCpl. Cassey, 1 Special Service Bde. Signals, was killed during operations at Le Plein Normandy when the HQ was heavily shelled and mortared.
(Source: War Diary 1 Special Service Brigade Signals.)
CHRISTIE, Thomas John
Commissioned as 2/Lieut. with the Royal Signals on the 29th November 1944 Thomas John Christie was awarded the MC for gallant and distinguished services in NW Europe.
Citation
DAVIES, Norman
Sig. Davies was killed during operations in Germany. At the time of his death his Bde. were engaged in operations near Wesel.
GLASER, Kurt Joachim
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.
GOW, Sidney
Syd served in 1 Cdo Bde Sigs.
(Image source: CVA Gallery Bde Sigs reunion 16th July 1988.)
HOPSON, Donald Charles
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 T/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
PHILLOTT, Albert William Kenneth
Albert William Kenneth Phillott, then a Private and known as Ken, was one of the early volunteers to join No 4 Commando in 1940 aged 20. He was amongst a group of eight from the Glosters who served in 'G' (later 'B') troop of No 4. There is an image of this group in our gallery [view here].
SUMMERHAYES, Arthur James
Sgt. Summerhayes was killed 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. The CWGC database entry shows only RM Commando. Their Grave Concentration Report shows HQ 1 Cdo Bde.
WHEELER, George Russell
A pupil of Godolphin School, Wiltshire, George Wheeler graduated as a BSc from Exeter University. He married in 1941. After enlistment he volunteered for the Commandos and was posted to No 2 Commando
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