No 3 Commando

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3 Commando Nominal Roll

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. 

3 Commando

History of the Unit

3 Commando
Many of the original members of this Commando had served with the British Expeditionary force in France and had been evacuated from Dunkirk.
 

ALDERSON, John

Captain John Alderson MC, OC 6 troop,  died during the fighting at Leese, Germany. He had rejoined No.3 Commando after being wounded in the knee at Amfreville during the Normandy landings. He was awarded the Military Cross "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Normandy."
 
Citation

ALLEN, John Duncan

John Duncan Allen 3 Commando
On the 9th July 1943 the then Sergeant John Duncan Allen was awarded the George Medal in recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. This was awarded for "saving a life in a rock climbing accident in Gibraltar." [1]
 
He had previously received a MiD whilst a Lance Sergeant for "gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy." [2]
 

BAKER, Fred

Lance Corporal Fred Baker, 1 troop,  died during operations at Agnone and 3 Commando Bridge.

Sources
CWGC
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.
 

BANKS, Ronald Douglas

Private Ronald Banks, attached to Commando Group,  was awarded the M.M., in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field [1]. 
 
On the 3rd November 1946 he was commissioned 2/Lieutenant [2].
 
The death of Private (later Lieut.) R.D. Banks M.M., (3 Cdo.) of of Auckland, New Zealand, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 62 issued March 1976.
 
Sources

BARTHOLOMEW, Peter Ian (Lt Col)

Peter Ian Bartholomew No 3 Commando
Peter Ian Bartholomew served in No 12 Commando until their disbandment when he moved to No 3 Commando. He participated in the D Day landings as Captain of 2 troop.  On the Commando's return to NW Europe from the UK in 1945, he took command of No 3 Commando with the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel. 
 
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe, the award being published in June 1945.
(Source: London Gazettes Supp. 37138, page 3231.)

BOYLE, Francis

Corporal Francis Boyle died during operations at Agnone and the Punta dei Malati Bridge.

Sources
CWGC
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

BROWN, Robert, F.

Lance Corporal Robert F. Brown received a MiD in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
 
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 377787, page 5606 & Supp. 39355, page 5284 (errata).
 

BUTLER, Brian Dear

Major Brian Butler MC died [1] at Chateau d'Amfreville during severe mortaring of their HQ. Five others also died. Lt T.N. Skelly and three others were wounded [2]. He had previously been awarded the Military Cross [3] whilst a Troop Captain for gallant and distinguished services on the 4th October 1943 at Termoli, Italy [4].
 
Sources:
[1] CWGC
[2] No 3 Commando War Diary dated 11th June 1944.

CHAPMAN, Kenneth Harold

Private Kenneth Chapman was awarded the MM [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations at Termoli, Italy, between the 3rd and 6th October 1943 [2].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 36349, page 519.
[2] National Archives file WO 373/4/313.
 

CHILLINGWORTH, Albert Edward

Private Albert Chillingworth died in the UK of wounds inflicted during operations at Normandy.
 
  • Enlisted 4 November 1940.
  • Posted Commando Depot 12 October 1942. 
  • Joined No 3 Commando 11 November 1942.
Sources
CWGC
Extract from service record in gallery entry.
[Image] His nephew Alf Austin.
 

CHURCHILL, John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming (Lt Col)

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 [more...] 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 during Operation Flounced [more...] in 1944. 

CLARKE, Hilary Laurence

Fusilier Hilary Clarke died during operations at Agnone and the Punta dei Malati Bridge.

Sources
CWGC
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

Notes
His brother also died. P/MX 78180 Wireman Stanley William Clarke, RN, HMS Hood, 24th May 1941 aged 19yrs. Portsmouth War Memorial.

CLARKE, Roy

Roy Clarke No 3 Commando
Private Roy Clarke enlisted aged 18  with the Loyal Regiment on the 20th May 1943.  On the 21st Sept 1943 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Loyal Regiment. From there on the 14th Feb 1944 he was posted to the Holding Commando. After his commando training he was attached to No 3 Commando with effect from 24th May 1944..
 

CLELLAND, John McDonald

Gunner John Clelland died during operations at Agnone and the Punta dei Malati Bridge.

Sources
CWGC
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

Notes
There is a 1942 photo of 4 troop with a Commando surname M'Clelland in the 3 Commando gallery but we cannot say as yet if this man is identical.

COAKER, Vernon

Vernon Coaker 3 Commando
Company Sergeant Major Vernon Coaker, 3 troop, died during operations on D Day. 
 
Sources
CWGC
No 3 Cdo War Diary.
Storm from the Sea by Peter Young.
Fighting with the Commandos by Stan Scott No. 3 Cdo. 3 troop.

COLBERT, Thomas

Lance Corporal Thomas Colbert died during operations at Linne, Germany.
 
An entry in the War Diary states "1502 hrs; 10 shells (88mm) on Area LINNE from brg 40 degrees 749861  LCpl COLBERT wounded in 6 tp area when delivering mail - died on way to hospital."
 
Sources
CWGC
No. 3 Cdo War Diary 8th Feb. 1945. National Archives file ref WO 218/83.
 

CORRY, Samuel David

Captain Samuel Corry died during operations at Dieppe.
 
He had been Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy.
 
Sources
CWGC
London Gazettes Supp. 35510, page 1506.
 

COX, Anthony Francis

Rifleman Anthony Cox died during operations at Agnone and 3 Commando Bridge.
 
Sources
CWGC.
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.
 
Notes
In the book Storm from the Sea, the author, Brig Peter Young, describes a Commando named Cox as being batman to Major Walter Skrine, and both being severely wounded during the landings at Agnone.
 

CUNNINGHAM, James

Driver James Cunningham was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe [1].  In May 1944 he was serving in the No. 3 Commando MT section (Motor Transport) [2].
 
The death of James Cunningham from Stanion Northants  was announced in Commando Association newsletter 98 issued March 1994 where it showed his last rank as Sgt.
 

DAVISON, John Cyril

Corporal John Davison, No 3 Commando, was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Italy. [1] 
 
  • Selected for officer training.  Officer Cadet John Cyril Davison was commissioned to be 2nd Lt., with the East Lancashire Regiment on the 28th July 1944 [2].
  • New service no. 326323.
  • The death of Lieut. John Cyril (Jack) Davison MM, of Birkinhead, Wirral, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 78 issued March 1984.

DENHAM, Joah Selwyn

Lieutenant Denham MM

Corporal Joah Selwyn Denham was awarded the MM [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations at Cape Spartivento, Italy, between 27 August and 5 September 1943 [2]. 

On the 30th August 1944 Cpl. Denham, M.M. was granted an Immediate Emergency Commission from the ranks in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant [3].

Post war his death was announced in Commando Association newsletter 106 issued March 1998. He is listed there as Capt. Joseph Selwyn Denham (1 Bde HQ. & 3 Cdo)  of Birchwood, Lincs.

DICKASON, Samuel Edgar

Company Sergeant Major Samuel Dickason served in No. 8 and No.3 Commando [1].
 
  • 13 June 1970 appointed M.B.E. (Civil Division) whilst Chief Office Clerk, House of Commons Library [2].
Sources
[1] Commando Association newsletters 83, 87, 108.
[2] London Gazettes Supp. 45117, page 6378.
 

DIX, James Frederick

Jimmy Dix 3 Commando
Lance Sergeant James Dix served in 4 Troop. He stayed on in the Army after the war. On 9 June 1949 he was a Sergeant in the Beds and Herts., and was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) in H.M. Birthday Honours list.
 
The death of L/Sgt (later CQMS) James Dix, B.E.M., of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 115.
 
Source
London Gazettes Supp. 38628, page 2819.
 

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].
 

EVANS, Arthur Walter

Lance Sergeant Arthur Evans was awarded the M.M. in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations at Normandy on 8th June 1944.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 36961, page 1181.
National Archives file WO373/52/238.
 

EVANS, Gwilyn

Private Gwilyn Evans died during operations at Agnone and 3 Commando Bridge.

Sources
CWGC.
ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

FERGUSON, Bryan Gratney

The circumstances of the death of Private Bryan Ferguson are not known to this archive.
 
Notes
At the time of his death No 3 Commando were back in the UK and billeted in Worthing. They were engaged in training for the invasion in June, and spent time away at other places such as CTC Dorlin for this.
 

FLYNN, John

Lance Corporal John Flynn, a radio operator, was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe on 19 August 1942 [1].
 
Citation

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