30 Commando Assault Unit

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'30 Commando Assault Unit'

nb. The following history is from different named sources and should not be taken as the "Official" history. 

In Sep 1942, the Director of Naval Intelligence authorised the formation of the Special Intelligence Unit, composed of 33 (Royal Marines) Troop, 34 (Army) Troop, 35 (RAF) Troop and 36 (Royal Navy) Troop. The Special Intelligence Unit was later renamed 30 RN Commando (Special Engineering Unit), and was redesignated 30 Assault Unit in December 1943 **.

'30 Commando IX Group'

30 Commando Information Exploitation Group
 
30 Commando was formed in WW2 and serves today as the ‘eyes and ears’ of 3 Commando Brigade.
 
30 Commando is a diverse, ever-evolving unit, made up of the best and the brightest Britain has to offer. Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron deploys ahead of the main force for reconnaissance behind enemy lines. A team of Royal Marines Mountain Leaders in the main, they operate in small groups, providing the initial battle picture to 3 Commando Brigade.
 

'The Asti Seven 30AU'

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 85 issued September 1987

 
Peter Jemmet (30 Cdo) writes: -" The Asti Seven ".
 
These seven members of No. 2 Section, 30 Commando (Special Operations), parachuted into the Asti area of N.W. Italy, ending the war in Turin (1945). They were:-
 
  • Major Strachan,
  • Lieut. Paterson,
  • Sgt. Eddie Smith, MM.,
  • Sgt. John Fairey
  • Pte. Denman
  • Pte. Anderson
  • Pte. Dan Whitcombe.

ALEXANDER, John Moir

Marine John Moir Alexander 40 Commando
Marine
40RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
 Marine John Alexander was reported missing presumed killed during operations at Dieppe, France. Son of Margaret Alexander he has no known grave [1][1a].
Extract from the Dundee Courier

ALLMARK, A.

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Last known address: Swinton, Lancs. Post war member of the original Commando Association. [Source: CA Lost Legion 1]
 

ASHTON, Colin William

Fusilier
30 Commando Assault Unit
Lancashire Fusiliers
Lancashire Constabulary
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Colin Ashton, 34 Army Troop, died during operations in the Aegean when his unit was attacked on Leros and bombed by enemy aircraft. He has no known grave.

AYLEN, Ian Gerald

Known as: 
Jan Aylen
Commander (later Rear Admiral)
30 Commando Assault Unit
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Post war member of the Commando Association from Honiton, Devon.

BAILEY, George, H.E.

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Captain Bailey was the Intelligence Officer RM Section. Post war member of the Commando Association from Onchan, Isle of Man.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 99 (1994).
Linked Content below.
 

BELCHER, Thomas Eaton

Captain
30 Commando Assault Unit
South Staffordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Thomas Belcher, 34 Army Troop, was killed in action during operations in the Aegean when his unit was attacked on Leros and bombed by enemy aircraft. He has no known grave.

BENTLEY, Lennard

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Lennard Bentley died during operations at Normandy, France. He died when anti personnel bombs were dropped from enemy aircraft. Also killed were Lieutenant Ionides and Corporal Wright. 

BESANT, James, P.

Known as: 
Jim
Lieutenant
30 Commando Assault Unit
Naval Wing.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Harrogate, Yorkshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 111 (2000).
 

BRADSHAW, Leslie Charles

Marine Les Bradshaw
Marine
40RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Marine Leslie Bradshaw, 10 Platoon, 'X' Coy, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe. He later served in 30 Commando.
Recommendation
Operation Jubilee (Dieppe Area) 19th August 1942.

BUCKLAND, R.A.

Fusilier
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Fusiliers
??
Fusilier R.A. Buckland was wounded during operations in Italy (date not reported). 
 
Source: Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/81.
Notes: His Service number is within a batch allocated to volunteers for the Commandos from the Metropolitan Police in 1942. Awaits verification of any Police Service.
 

BURNS, James

Corporal
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from South Shields, Tyne and Wear.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 (2003).

COATES, John Gordon

Captain (later Temporary Major)
No 10 Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Intelligence Corps
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
1942 Intelligence Officer No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando.
1943 Operations Officer 30 Commando AU Italy and Corsica
1944 Special Operations Executive.
Captain John Coates, attached SOE, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field.
Recommendation

CONNELL, Brian Reginald

Temporary Sub-Lieutenant
30 Commando Assault Unit
Mentioned in Despatches
Sub-Lieutenant Brian Connell R.N.V.R. received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service during the war in Europe. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bungay, Suffolk.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 109 (1999).
 

COWAN, Kenneth

Marine Kenneth Cowan
Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine Kenneth Cowan, from Belfast, died in an accident.
 
Extract from the Belfast Telegraph Monday 29 January 1945

CUFF, Kenneth

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Also served 48RM Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Portchester, Hampshire.

Sources
Commando Association newsletters 93 and 108.
List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (Secretary CA and CBF).

DALZEL-JOB, Patrick

Lieutenant Commander
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. Officer, 1st Class.
1943 Temporary Lieutenant R.N.V.R. honoured by King Haakon of Norway for valuable service during the Norwegian Campaign.
1944/45 served in 30 Assault Unit.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Ross and Cromarty.
 
Sources
Award - London Gazette 35887. page 605.

FINLAYSON, Kenneth

Marine
40RM Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Glasgow.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 98 (1994).
List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (CA Secretary and CBF).
 

GRAY, Harry Richardson

Surgeon Commander
30 Commando Assault Unit
Volunteer Reserve Decoration (VRD)
Mentioned in Despatches
Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant Harry Richardson Gray, MB., ChB., RNVR., received a Mention in Despatches for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy. Post war member of the Commando Association from Gravesend, Kent.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36858, page 5916.

HARRIS, Sidney Bertram

Known as: 
Red
Corporal
40RM Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from Cranham, Essex.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 110 (2000).

List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (Secretary CA and CBF).

HODSON, John

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Preston, Lancashire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 (2004).
 

HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY, Herbert Oliver

Herbert Oliver Huntington-Whiteley.
Captain
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Herbert Huntington-Whiteley died during operations at Le Havre, France. Also died on this day from his unit and buried at Sanvic was Marine Geoffrey Shaw.
  • May 1944 Mentioned in Despatches for "good services in operations in the Mediterranean".
Sources
CWGC.

IZZARD, Ralph William Burdick

Lieutenant Commander
30 Commando Assault Unit
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Mentioned in Despatches for good service in operations leading to the liberation of France [1].
1 January 1946 appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
Post war member of the Commando Association from Tunbridge Wells, Kent [3].
 
Sources

KRUTHOFFER, John Frederick Peter

Sergeant (later Lieutenant)
40RM Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Sergeant John Kruthoffer, 40RM Commando and a veteran of the Dieppe raid [1], received a Mention in Despatches for good service in operations in the Mediterranean in 1944 [2].
  • Commissioned and posted to 30 Commando Assault Unit towards the end of 1944  [3].

LINCOLN, Fredman Ashe

Captain
30 Commando Assault Unit
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Fredman Ashe Lincoln QC was a mine warfare expert in WW2, a commando in the Mediterranean and Germany, and one of the country’s senior lawyers after the war [1]. A member of the Bar Council,  the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the World Jewish Congress, and the World Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists [1a].

LLOYD-JONES, Herbert Michael

Corporal
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 65 (1977).

List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (CA Secretary and CBF).

Notes
May also have served in 45 Commando (3 Commando Bde. RM).
 

LUND, Harry

Acting Temporary Colour Sergeant
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Colour Sergeant Harry Lund RM was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service during the war in Europe. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Queensland, Australia.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37380, page 5990.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 98 (1994).

MARTIN, Sydney

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from Reading, Berkshire. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120 (2005).

MARTIN-SMITH, Patrick Geoffrey Brian

Captain
No 12 Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Worcestershire Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
War Service
18 May 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant.
1940 - 1943 No.12 Commando.
1943 - 1944 No.30 Commando.
July 1944 - May 1945 No.1 Special Force, SOE.
1945 awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service.
26 Sept 1967 retired from military service.

MASON, Anthony

Known as: 
Tony
Corporal
30 Commando Assault Unit

Post war member of the Commando Association from Barrow in Furness. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 96 (1993).

MCDAID, Francis

Trooper
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Francis McDaid, 34 Army Troop, was killed in action during operations in the Aegean when his unit was attacked on Leros and bombed by enemy aircraft. He has no known grave.

MORGAN, Albert Stuart

Albert Morgan 30 Commando
Marine (Acting Lance Corporal)
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Wallasey Police
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Marine (Acting Lance Corporal) Albert Morgan was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for good services in operations leading to the liberation of France. He enlisted from the Wallasey Constabulary and served with 30 Commando in the Mediterranean, and as a photographer in 'X' Troop on D Day. Post war he resumed his role as a Police Constable in Wallasey.

NORTHERN, Samuel Bernard

Known as: 
Ginger
Marine
40RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Samuel Northern died during operations at Dieppe.
 
The CWGC shows his unit as HMS Locust.  This was the name of the ship that carried about 200 Royal Marine Commandos on the raid at Dieppe.
 

O'CALLAGHAN, Frank John

Marine
40RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Frank O'Callaghan was killed [1] by a sniper while attached to 30 Commando AU during operations at Normandy. He had previously served with 40RM Commando [2].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] The book Attain by Surprise edited by David Nutting.

PIKE, Geoffrey

Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Temporary Captain )
45RM Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Captain Geoffrey Pike was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for distinguished service during the war in Europe. Post war member of the Commando Association from Canterbury, Kent.

QUILL, Raymond Humphrey

Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill
Colonel
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Legion of Merit (USA)
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill was the Commanding Officer of 30 Assault Unit from November 1944. A veteran of World War 1 he had served with the RM Brigade at the Dardanelles 1914/15 and on board HMS Lord Nelson from October 1916 to November 1918 [1]. 
  • 28 March 1935 (Major) appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order [2].

REED, G.

-
30 Commando Assault Unit
-

Post war member of the Commando Association residing Bishops Stortford, Herts.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 (2003).

REEVES, A.

Known as: 
Danny
Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Bracknell, Berkshire, formerly residing Guildford.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 93.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120 ((2005).
Commando Association list of RM Commandos.
 

RYDER, Sydney Arthur

Lieutenant (Acting Temporary Captain)
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Ross on Wye.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 97 (1993).
The Royal Marine Forces - Navy Lists, Quarterly, 1945, July, Vol.2.
Linked Content below.
 

SMEE, C.R.

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Served in HQ Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Birmingham.

Sources
Commando Association newsletter 93.
Commando Association list of RM Commandos.

SWADLING, Leonard, R.

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Langley, Buckinghamshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 issued Feb.2003.
Commando Association - RM List.
 

TOWNSEND, Charles, W.

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Harlow, Essex.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 104 (1997).
Commando Association Lost Legion List 11.
List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (CA Secretary and CBF).
 

TURNER, Arthur, T.

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Also served in Commando Group.

Post war member of the Commando Association from Windermere, Cumbria.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 102 (1996).

WARDEN, Thomas

Petty Officer
30 Commando Assault Unit

Post war member of the Commando Association from Billington, Lancashire.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 109 (1999).

WILDES, James Walter

Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from Liverpool.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 99 (1994).
List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (Secretary CA and CBF).
Deaths registered Liverpool, Register no. J4D, entry 075, date entered July 1994.
 

WOOLLEY, Arthur Rupert

Lieutenant Colonel
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Arthur Woolley joined the Royal Marines on 1 December 1939 and after his basic training was posted to the 5th Batallion Royal Marines Brigade.
  • Promoted Temporary Captain April 1940, Acting Temporary Major November 1941, and Second in Command of 5RM in June 1942.

WRIGHT, Leo Arthur Philip

Corporal
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Leo Wright died during operations at Normandy, France, when anti personnel bombs were dropped from enemy aircraft. Also killed were Lieutenant Ionides and Marine Bentley.  

WRIGHT, William Henry James

Known as: 
Bill
Marine
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Bristol.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 96 (1993).
List of RM Commandos provided by Ron Youngman (CA Secretary and CBF).
Records of deaths registered in Bristol, March 1992 Register no.392, Vol.22.,page 1054.

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