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3 Special Service / Commando Brigade
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Displaying 1 - 33 of 33'3 Cdo Bde leave Far East 1971'
3 Commando Brigade RM leave the Far East
The following signal was received on April 2, 1971
'Operation Bean'
Operation 'Bean' report which took place on 23 November 1944.
Apart from No 1 Cdo this operation included elements of No 5 Cdo/ 8th Fd Regt/' V' Force .
All abbreviations have been transcribed as written to maintain the integrity of the original document.
OPERATION “BEAN” SECRET
Copy of Original document supplied by John Mewett
Transcribed by Elaine Southworth-Davies
NA Document Ref:- WO218/63
Location
Maungdaw
Myanmar
20° 49' 26.7852" N, 92° 22' 8.4792" E
'Operation Screwdriver'
Location
Alethangyaw
Myanmar
20° 41' 26.9988" N, 92° 24' 20.0016" E
Saturday, March 11, 1944
Screwdriver 1 - 11th to 15th March 1944
A raid from the sea on the the village of Alethangyaw and the surrounding areas near to Maungdaw to harrass the enemy. 44 RM Commando were relieved by No.5 Commando.
Screwdriver 2 - 21st March to 12th April 1944.
44RM Commando again returned to this operation in the area to relieve No. 5 Commando and operate in front of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade.
'Operation Silchar'
Location
Assam
India
26° 5' 4.5024" N, 91° 36' 36.1404" E
Saturday, April 15, 1944
April - July 1944. Assam
A series of patrols.
'Special Service Roll of Honour'
The Fallen from Independent Coys. and Special Service Group.
No. 1 Independent Company
1 Commando, War Diary of Hill 170
Location
Formerly Burma
Myanmar
17° 49' 37.722" N, 95° 4' 52.2372" E
Wednesday, January 31, 1945
Source:
War Diaries of No 1 Cdo. ref. National Archives WO 203/ 1792. Transcribed with the help of John Mewett and Elaine Southworth-Davies from a copy typed on a ribbon type writer which was very hard to decipher. ***** refers to a word that could not be made out.Report by Lt. Col Peter Young on the Battle of Hill 170
1 Commando, Order of the Day by Lt Col Trevor 2nd Feb'45
Order of the day Serial No 8
2nd February 1945
Author: Lt.Col. K.R.S. Trevor, Cheshire Regiment
Commanding, No. 1 Commando
Copy of original document supplied by: John Mewett
Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow
Gentlemen, I can't say how proud I am of the unit, and honoured to command you. During the whole time at Hill 170, every man in every Troop and in every department worked and fought magnificently. There was not a weak link anywhere. No. 1 was a perfect fighting machine.
1 Commando, Report on the Maungdaw Hill Patrol 20th Nov'44
No. 1 Commando - Patrol Report No.10
Maungdaw Hills Sheet 3: 20 Nov 44
Author: Cpl. H. Winch, No. 1 Cdo, No. 2 Troop
(Original document supplied by: John Mewett via Harry Winch)
(Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow)
Unit: No. 1 Commando.
Patrol: 20 Nov 44.
1 Commando, Roll of Wounded Hill 170 Kangaw
Type: Nominal Roll
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: Wounded Roll No1 Commando Hill 170 Kangaw Burma 1945
This document is in the No 1 Commando War Diary held at the National Archives. It contains the names of soldiers wounded in the battle and they are are alloted into their troop numbers. Through research this list has been found to contain omissions but it was the list read out at the service held after the action by the troop leaders.
Original document is held in the National Archives.
3 Cdo Bde Map of Myebon and Kangaw Jan/Feb 1945
This is a map showing a general view of all the key areas of 3 Commando Brigades action in the Myebon and Kangaw area of Burma during January and Febuary 1945
3 Cdo Bde Map of the Kangaw Blockade Jan 1945
Map of the Kangaw Blockade of 3 Commando Brigade January/Febuary 1945 with coded areas marked.
3 Cdo Bde report Ops Nov 1944-Jan 45
INTERIM REPORT OPS - 3 CDO BDE NOV 1944 - JAN 1945
Author: Major D.B. Drysdale, BM, 3 Cdo Bde [view].
Copy of original document supplied by: John Mewett
Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow
3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 3
Type: Files
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando, jungle book
One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. This copy from Nick Collins.
In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."
3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 4
Type: Booklet
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando, jungle book
One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. This copy from Andy Maines.
In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."
3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 8
Type: Files
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: jungle book, commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando
One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. This copy from Julie Warren.
In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."
3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 9
Type: Booklet
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: jungle book, 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando
One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade.
In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."
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3 Cdo Bde, timeline of the Hill 170 battle
Account of the action fought by Nos. 1 and 5 Army Commandos and 42 RM Commando on Hill 170 on the 31st January 1945.
National Archives Document number WO218/81
Copy of Original document: John Mewett
Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow
Ref. Map Sheet BURMA 84 [? over 8] 1" to 1 mile.
The narrative has been kept true to the original with abbreviations etc.
3 Cdo Bde. order of the day by Lt.Gen.Sir AF Phillip Christison
Appendix to HQ 3 Cdo Bde War Diary for Feb 45
15 Indian Corps: Special Order of the Day
Field 17 Feb 45
Author: Lieut. Gen. Sir A.F. Philip Christison, KBE, CB, MC, Comd 15 Indian Corp
Copy of original document supplied by: John Mewett
Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow
To: 3 Commando Brigade
3 Cdo Bde. order of the day by Maj.Gen.Wood
Appendix to HQ 3 Cdo Bde War Diary for Feb 45
25 Indian Division: Special Order of the Day
Field 3 Feb 45
Author: Major-General G.N. Wood, OBE, MC, Comd.
Copy of original document supplied by: John Mewett
Transcribed by: Jennie Barlow
3rd SS Bde. Officers, Oct'44
Extract from the Navy Lists
A Marine writes home after Hill 170
Type: Letters
Year of Publishing: 2019
Keywords: kangaw, hill 170,42 commando, 3 commando brigade, royal marines, burma
This is a transcript of a letter sent by LCpl. Philip Bennett 42RM Commando to his wife recounting recent actions at the battle of Hill 170 at Kangaw. Courtesy of his son Chris Bennett who also provided the photo which has been added to the letter.
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ANDERSON, J.H.B.
Lieutenant J.H.B. Anderson served in 3 Commando Brigade and No.1/5 Commando.
[Source: Commando Association list of Royal Marine Commando members.]
ANDERTON, E.F.
Marine 'Andy' Anderton, 3 Brigade Signals, of Christchurch, Hants., was a member of the original Commando Association.
[Source: Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.]
BEECH, James Frederick
Private James Beech, HQ 3 Special Service (Commando) Bde., reported initially by the War Office to have died a prisoner of war in Japanese hands, died in Poona Hospital, India, a victim of infantile paralysis. [1+2]
On the 31st January 1945 he is listed as being wounded whilst with No 5 Commando. [3]
CHRISTOPHER, Robert William
Corporal Robert Christopher, HQ 1 Commando Brigade, was awarded the M.M. (Periodic) [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services over a prolonged period during operations at Agnone in Sicily, Bova Marina and Termoli in Italy, and at Amfreville, Normandy [2].
HARDY, Campbell Richard
Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, commanded the 9th RM Bn., until it was redesignated as 46 RM Commando on 1 August 1943. He remained as Commanding Officer 46RM Commando until the end November 1944 when he left to take up the post of Brigade Commander 3rd Special Service Brigade which was operating in the Far East.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order, during the Normandy campaign, and later a Second Bar to the Distinguished Service Order during operations in Burma [1] [2] [3] [4].
MERCER, F.J.
Served in 3 Commando Brigade.
Last known address Musselburgh.
Source
Commando Association newsletter 88 March 1989.
NONWEILER, Wilfrid Ivan
Brigadier Wilfrid Nonweiler RM was the first Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Service Brigade when it was formed in1943 [1].
- November 1944 returns to the UK [2].
- 9 June 1949 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].
- Maj. General W. I. Nonweiler, C.B.E., R.M., ( 3 Bde.) died in hospital in Deal on the 12th January, 1953 [4].
Sources
[1] Navy Lists (see linked content below).
[2] Third Jungle Book issue 9.
PIRIE, Alexander Beverley
Sergeant Alexander Pirie , 3 RM Engineer Commando, was awarded the MM in recognition of his gallantry during operations at Myebon.
Citation
In Burma on 12th January 1945 Sgt Pirie was engaged in mine clearing operations on the landing beach at Myebon Peninsula. Assisted by two NCOs he cleared fields of mines of a type hitherto unencountered in this theatre of war and unknown to them, with great coolness, devotion to duty, and disregard for his own personal safety. By his efforts many casualties were undoubtedly averted.RICHARDSON, Sam Scruton
Captain Sam Richardson, 3 Commando Brigade HQ Signal Officer, received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.
Sources
STOCKWELL, John Neville
Marine John Stockwell, 3 Cdo Bde Signal Troop, died during operations at Kangaw.
In the Third Jungle Book Issue 9 page 57 at the end of an article on the Brigade Signal Troop (BST) the following is written, "To complete this story of the B.S.T. it is well to remember the BEM and three MiD's that have been awarded the troop, and to deplore the loss in action of an old member - Jack Stockwell. To his wife go the troop's deepest sympathy and sincerest wishes for the future."
Sources
CWGC.
YOUNG, Peter
Peter Young was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1939. He served in France with the British Expeditionary Force before being wounded and evacuated back to the UK at Dunkirk. Joining No 3 Commando in the first selction of officers after its formation, the next few years would see Peter Young rise to the temporary rank of Lieut. Colonel and assume command of No 3 Commando in late 1943. He took part in the early raids on Lofoten and Vaagso, being awarded his first MC for his "gallant and distinguished services" during the latter.
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