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Operation Blackcock was a British amphibious landing to take Scaletta on the north-east coast of Sicily. Planned by Lieutenant General Sir Miles Dempsey’s XIII Corps, of General Sir Bernard Montgomery’s 8th Army, the operation was designed as one of a pair of Allied operations to cut off the last elements of the German forces trying to fall back to their evacuation point at Messina in north-eastern Sicily.
The first No.2 Commando was formed on the 22nd June 1940 for a parachuting role at Cambrai Barracks, Perham Down, near Tidworth, Hants. The Unit at the time consisted of four troops - 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'. Eventually 11 troops were raised. A nominal roll of 'C' and 'D' troops can be found in our documents album within the No 2 Commando gallery.
Commando operations on or from the Dalmatian islands.
Read more here in our No 2 Commando History section.
This history of No. 2 Commando was compiled at the request of The Commando Veterans Association, who wanted a record of the unit’s activities and first-hand recollections of its members as seen through the eyes of a No. 2 Commando veteran. There was a certain urgency about the request because this veteran, turned author, is old and just about one step away from the knacker’s yard. There is much to tell about the No. 2 Family and its Father, Charlie Newman.
Bob Bishop
Read more about each Commanding Officer below.
In 1946 the Army Council decided that the Army Commandos were to be disbanded and no provision was allowed or made for any depository or office which would have at least contained a complete Roster of Names of the men who served in the various units.
A document created by an officer of No 2 Commando with specifics relating to No 2 Commando casualties at Salerno, and locations of where they lay, or were first buried. It also includes details of three from the action at Scaletta, Sicily the previous month.
We also have a full Commando Roll of Honour for Salerno. [view].
nb. If the document below does not display, reload/refresh this page in your browser.
[Transcribed from the 2 Cdo.War Diary]
"It was on a day in late July, 1942 that the author noted the absence from the ranks of his troop of Capt. Graeme Black, Pte. Eric Curtis and Rfmn. Cyril Abram. At the same time, men of other troops recorded that Capt. Joe Houghton, Sgt. Richard O’Brien, L/Sgt. Bill Chudley, Pte. Reg Makeham, Cpl. John Fairclough, T.S.M. Miller Smith and Pte. Fred Trigg had also vanished. No member of No. 2 Commando had any inkling as to the significance of these disappearances, but as usual, no questions were asked.
"Remote from what was to be known as the ‘Battle of Lake Comacchio’, this author did not have a clue as to what was happening to his friends in No. 2 Commando. He had been inside Germany for some time and way out of touch.
It seems that No. 2 Commando had been joined by No. 9 Commando and Nos. 40 and 43 R.M. Commando to implement the task of grabbing a spit of land which extended from Lake Comacchio to the Adriatic Sea, with further exploitation northwards envisaged in the minds of the ‘planners’.
"No. 2 Commando started to arrive at Komiza on the Yugoslavian island of Vis on January 16th, 1944. They were to operate on Yugoslav soil for the next six months. The Commando was still much-depleted as a result of the battering it had taken at Salerno, and almost half the unit remaining in Italy consisted of the replacement men and those ‘old hands’ who formed the training cadres.
"As the No. 2 Commando War Diary states, the remnants of the unit, following the Salerno campaign, were redeployed to Catania, Sicily. For once they were not lodged in their usual dusty field. By some accident they had been given a roof over their heads in the shape of a former Italian barracks.
"If any reader of this attempt to record the history of No. 2 Commando has gotten this far, he or she will have noted that the pride of place, on Page 1, has been given to the remembrance of the men of the Commando who died in the course of No. 2 Commando operations, including the men who did not return from St. Nazaire.
"The frustrations of 1941 dragged on almost to the end. It had not been a good year from the offensive-action viewpoint of the men of No. 2 Commando. They had done nothing to speak of and were upset at being unemployed. However, the Vaagso raiding force announced the end to this inertia, commencing warfare on December 27th, 1941, landing on Maaloy Island and overrunning the place in less than ten minutes.
Rifleman Cyril Abram was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
This was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order.
Gnr. Walter Ainslie joined 5 troop mid 1942 and served with them for the remainder of the war.
Private Michael Aird, 4 troop, was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 268.
Lance Corporal Hugh Allan died during the action at Jaconti, near Vietri.
We have a document in our Gallery that outlines the precise details. He was originally buried "at the bottom of Jaconti village (East side). Map Ref. 601307."
Click here to view the document: Casualties and Missing.
Corporal Alfred Amesbury, 3 Troop, was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.
Source London Gazettes Supp. 36349, page 519. Notes On the National Archives file WO/373/4/320 his rank is shown as TrooperCorporal John Anchor, 6 Troop, was awarded the MM for his gallantry during Operation Healing 2 at Spilje Albania.
The citation for his award is on our report on the Operation. [view report.]
The death of Cpl. John Robert Anchor MM, from Chelmsford, Essex, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 56 issued March 1973.
Medal Source London Gazettes Supp. 36730, page 4570. CVA Gallery.
L/Cpl Ashcroft was wounded and taken POW at St Nazaire.
Posted 25/4/40 to 'X' Company 1st Liverpool Scottish before volunteering for the Independent Companies. He was attached to No 4 (Liverpool Scottish) Platoon of No 4 Independent Company based at the time in Paignton. Then joined No 2 Commando 5 troop on its formation in Feb.1941. He was injured and captured during Operation Chariot - St Nazaire on the 28/29th March 1942.
Post war Norman Aukett emigrated to Australia. He is in a photo of 2 troop here.
Sergeant Stephen Bampton was killed during the short period when No 2 Commando were placed "in the line" near Ravenna.
Padre of No 2 Commando. Captain Reverend Gareth Banting was killed in action at Sarande.
From the No 2 Commando War Diary " Revd. Banting takes party from 3 Tp. to bury Capt. Parsons, Lieut. Coyle, Gnr. Clarke, and Pte. Lyons. After burial he moved fwd. to bury German dead in the same posn., but is blown up on a mine. Stretcher party finds he has died of wounds - carried back to Sarande by M.O. before nightfall."
Jack served in 6 troop and also in the Intel Section of No.2 Commando.
The following is from his daughter Jennie Barlow. Click on his name for photos.
Private John Barry died of wounds inflicted during the action at Salerno.
We have a document in our Gallery that outlines these details. He died of wounds that he "received at Dragone Hill, Salerno, on the 13th September 1943 " and that he "died at 67 General Hospital CMF".*
Click here to view the document: Casualties and Missing.
Bernard James Barton was commissioned Second Lieutenant in The Buffs on the 22nd June 1940 (1).
On the 30th January 1941 he was transferred to the Recce Corps. (2)
LSgt Bellringer served with 1 troop and took part in the raid at St Nazaire. He was on board ML 446 and was evacuated back to the UK. In July 1942 he was part of the No 2 Commando Boxing Team. We have numerous photos in the gallery of him both before and after St Nazaire, and in an image of the boxing team.
He then left No 2 Commando to become an NCO Instructor at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. He was part of the PT Team alongside CSMI Frickleton and Sgt Bissell.*
Rifleman Norman Benner is buried in the UK. At the time of his death No 2 Cdo were overseas. Fuller details are not known at this time.
Private Derick Bennett, 6 troop, died during operations at Salerno.
We have a document in our Gallery that outlines these details. He was killed in action "on the 13th September 1943 at Dragone Hill, Salerno", and that he was originally buried by house at the top of the steps on the West side of Hill. Religious ceremony. Map ref. 606307." He was buried in a communal grave with Capt. Mason and LCpl Formoy.
Captain Graeme Black DSO, MC, was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He was one of the seven Commandos of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
He was awarded the MC in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations, against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy.
He was awarded the DSO in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
In October 1939 Alun Blackwell enlisted with the South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). When Independent Companies were raised he went with them as part of Scissorforce to Norway. He volunteered for the new No.2 Commando. Later he was handpicked from No.2 Commando for an SOE operation in Tunisa in 1941.
Private Alfred Blower, 4 troop, died of wounds after the action at Salerno. [1]+[2]
We have a document in our Gallery that outlines these details. He died of wounds that he "received at Dragone Hill, Salerno, on the 13th September 1943 " and that he "died at 67 General Hospital CMF". [2]+[see notes]
Driver Theodor Bondy was awarded the BEM (Military Divison) in 1943 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.
Sources London Gazettes Supp 36209, page 4543 CVA Gallery No 2 Commando images
Gunner Peter Boon, 1 troop, was killed during the action at Splije, Albania.
Private Lionel Bowman, 5 troop, died during operations at Salerno.
Sergeant Eric Bradley was killed during the period when No 2 were a Para Commando unit.
He is not listed as a Commando on the CWGC database, however his name is on the Wesminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour.
Lance Sergeant Richard Bradley, 1 troop, was awarded the MM for gallant and distinguished services in the field relating to his successful escape in October 1943 after being wounded and captured during the raid at St Nazaire in March 1942. He was one of the Commando contingent on board ML 457.
Lance Corporal John Brighty, 2 troop, died during Operation Healing 11, the action at Spilje Albania.
Lance Corporal Harold Briscoe, 1 troop, was killed during operatios at Lake Comacchio.
Captain Richard Broome, OC 5 troop, died during operations at Salerno.
Richard Broome volunteered from the South Lancs for the Independent Companies when they were raised. He joined No 4 Independent Company as a Lieutenant and saw action during an operation in Norway. Later he embarked with a contingent from No 2 as part of Force X sailing for Gibraltar and Malta.
Lieutenant Arthur Brunswick died during operations at Salerno
Lance Corporal Edward Bryan, 4 troop, was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 267.
Lance Sergeant Raymond Buckby, 1 troop, was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
Eric served in No 2 Commando 5 troop from mid 1942 until the Commando was disbanded in 1946. During the Salerno operations Eric was wounded and sent for medical treatment to North Africa. He returned to the unit in November 1943.
Eric, aged 96, is still an active member of the CVA. Follow this link to read more of his Recollections.
His older brother Stanley Buckmaster also served in 5 troop, joining them when the Commando was reinforced after Salerno.
Stanley served in No 2 Commando 5 troop joining them whilst they were overseas after the Salerno raid.
His younger brother Eric Buckmaster also served in 5 troop.
When Stanley died the President of the Commando Association, Henry Brown, wrote this obituary which was published in Commando Association newsletter 110 of March 2000.
Trooper Norman Bunn, 2 troop, died of wounds in 11 Casualty Clearing Station, Brindisi, Italy.
Edward 'Tiny' Burke enlisted into the 1st Bn Liverpool Scots TA (QOCH ) and volunteered for the Independent Companies. He was posted to No 4 Independent Company on the 23rd April 1940 and took part in the landings at Bodo Norway as part of Scissor Force. In February 1941 he joined the newly raised No 2 Commando and served as a Sergeant in 5 troop until it was disbanded at the end of the war.
Gunner Charles Burns, 6 troop, died during operations at Salerno.
We have a document in our gallery with more details. He was "killed in action at Dragone Hill, Salerno." It goes on to say that he was "buried as far as is known by the 6th Yorks and Lancs on the forward slope of hill." In the same document against the death and burial of Fus W. Davies it adds " (see 1612571 Pte. Burns. C. ) "
Rifleman Ronald Burns, 6 troop, was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 268.
Corporal John Cameron died whilst No 2 Commando were based on the island of Vis in June 1944 and were taking part in operations against Brac, and other German held islands.
Lance Sergeant Norman Campbell was killed during the 6 week period in February/March when No 2 Commando were placed "in the line" in Italy under 5 Corps.
He is referred to in the diary entry for February 1945 of Victor Miller of No 2 Commando, "Mon 26th Thing are pretty sticky, my mates in 3 troop are catching it, Bob, Brampton, Bill, Campbell, Jocko, Timber ...all dead."
Cpl Cant was in 4 troop of No.2 Commando.
He attended Achnacarry as part of one of the Police Intakes being a member of Essex Police Force. There is a more about him in the No.2 Commando history section - The Men. His last known rank in the Commando was Corporal. From London Gazettes we know he was later posted to OCTU and commissioned as 2/Lt. on the 7th April 1945. It is not known if he was still with the Commando at this point. Source: London Gazettes 11 May 1945; Supplement: 37077; Page: 2506
Corporal Hugh Carter died in a training accident at Ringway during a parachute jump.
He was in the original No 2 (Parachute) Commando. More can be read about him on this link to the ParaData website.
Lived in Gillingham post war
Lance Bombardier William Chudley was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
After a brief spell as 2i/c No 5 Commando, the then Major John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill (later affectionately known by some as Mad Jack) moved to 2i/c No 3 Commando. Shortly after Lt Col Newman was taken prisoner at St Nazaire in 1942, Major Churchill was promoted Lt Col. to replace him as OC No 2 Commando. Lt Col Churchill remained OC until he was also taken prisoner in 1944.
An account by Bob Bishop No 2 Commando from his history of No 2:
Gunner James Clark was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
Sources London Gazettes Supp. 36983, page 1427.Gunner Alfred Clarke was killed in action at Sarande.
No 2 Commando War Diary entry: " 9th Oct'44. Sarande - 3 troop moving round left flank come upon enemy positions suddenly. Heavy spandau and rifle grenade fire. Capt. Parsons MC is hit. Lt Coyle takes over but is hit in the leg. Moves forward again but is killed by grenade."
Victor Cobley served in the Heavy Weapons Troop of No 2 Commando. See this image : HWT Gibraltar 1943.
Private Stanley Connor died during operations at Salerno.
His name is written in the diary of Victor 'Dusty' Miller No 2 Cdo
Fusilier Dudley Cooper was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 37162, page 3495.
National Archives file WO 373/13/59.
Post war George Cooper lived in Jersey, Channel Islands.
Major Copland was 2 i/c No 2 Commando. He served with No 4 Independent Company and then with the newly formed No 2 Cdo. He took part in Operation Chariot and was awarded the DSO for his gallantry on the raid. He was taken Prisoner after the raid.
Lance Corporal John Coughlan, 4 troop, was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 267.
Corporal Cecil Cox, 1 troop, died of wounds he received during a raid on the village of Grohote in the island of Solta [1+2].
The No 2 Commando War Diary dated 23rd March 1944 states "Cpl. Cox, wounded in the Solta raid and who died of his wounds the previous evening, was buried in the British Naval Cemetery, Vis." [2].
Private Hugh Cox, 5 Troop, was one of the commando contingent on board HMS Campbeltown during the raid at St Nazaire in March 1942
Lieutenant James Coyle was killed in action at Sarande.
No 2 Commando War Diary entry: " 9th Oct'44. Sarande - 3 troop moving round left flank come upon enemy positions suddenly. Heavy spandau and rifle grenade fire. Capt. Parsons MC is hit. Lt Coyle takes over but is hit in the leg. Moves forward again but is killed by grenade."
Private Robinson Craig died during operations at Salerno.
We have a document in our Gallery with details that relate to his death. The document states he "was killed in action on the 11th September at Dragon La Hill, near Vietri, and buried at Dragon La Hill on the 12th September." It states the grave was marked with a cross, however there is no known grave for Pte Craig and he is remembered with honour on the Cassino Memorial.
Rifleman Arthur Cripps, 1 troop, was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
Private Henry Cunningham, 4 troop, was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 267.
Private Eric Curtis was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
Lance Sergeant Raymond Davies, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
Cpl Davies was killed in a training accident.
The No 2 Commando War Diary dated 27th March 1944 states "Cpl. R.J. Davies (No 2 troop) accidentally killed from a rifle shot whilst instructing a Squad."
His brother 3909503 Private Douglas James Davie, aged 22 and serving in the Welch Regiment, died on the 25th December 1943 and is buried at Ancona War Cemetery.
Fusilier Wyndam Davies, 6 troop, died during operations at Salerno.
We have a document in our gallery that gives details of his death. He was "killed in action at Dragone Hill Salerno. " It goes on to state" Buried as far as is known by the 6th Yorks and Lancs Regt., on the forward slope of hill. " It also adds " ( see 1612571 Pte Burns. C.) "
Private Arthur Day died during operations at Salerno.
We have a document in our Gallery with details that relate to his death. The document states he "was killed in action on the 17th September at Piegolelle (aka Piegolette), Italy." It also states he was buried there with 2 others.
Click here to view the document: Casualties and Missing.
Sgt. Derek De Nobriga, No 2 Commando, was awarded the DCM [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field. He was one of the Commando contingent that took part in operations from HMS Triumph against the Palermo and Messina railway on the 29/30 August 1941. His party could not be re-embarked and were subsequently captured. He was imprisoned at Stalag 344 Lamsdorf and his prisoner of war number was 220792. [2]
Lance Bombardier George Deaker, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
George Deaker joined No 2 Commando during the period in Italy when they sought replacements from those serving in units in North Africa. George volunteered from the Royal Artillery. His Commando training after selection would have taken place in Italy. (Source: Eric Buckmaster 2 Cdo.5tp)
Joe Rogers MM
No 2 Commando
Bob Mewett
No 12 & No 1 Commando
Mick Collins
No 5 Commando
