40RM Commando
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2 Commando Brigade, Dalmatian Islands Operations
Location
Vis, Yugoslavia
Croatia
43° 2' 41.298" N, 16° 6' 16.5024" E
Sunday, January 16, 1944
Commando operations on or from the Dalmatian islands.
Read more here in our No 2 Commando History section.
40RM Cdo. Officers, Oct.'44
Extract from the Navy Lists
40RM Cdo. Roll of Honour
40RM Commando
Formed 14th February 1942 as The RM Commando, it was briefly known as "A" RM Commando before being designated No. 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines. It was the only Royal Marine Commando formed entirely from volunteers as with the Army Commandos. Early training was on the Isle of Wight with the RM Commandos billeted in homes at Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor.
Their notable actions during WW2 are Dieppe [View the Dieppe ROH], St Benere, Termoli, Anzio, Dalmatian Islands, and Lake Comacchio.
40RM Commando at Dieppe
The role of 40RM Commando during the Combined Operations raid at Dieppe raid was to assault and secure the harbour area.
Follow this link for the ROH of all the Commando Fallen at Dieppe
40RM Commando casualties HMS Fidelity
HMS Fidelity was sunk by torpedoes during a U Boat attack (U435) on the 30th December 1942 off the Azores. The U-boat reported a large number of survivors on rafts and in the water. All drowned in the rough seas as the weather deteriorated. The only survivors were a few who had launched a motor boat from the ship before the attack. Among the casualties were 53 members of 'T' Company 40 RM Commando who were on board. The letter 'T' was never used again by 40RM Commando for a Company.
All Casualties are listed by the CWGC as dying on the 1st January 1943.
40RM Commando casualties HMS Queen Emma
On 17th July 1943 HMS Queen Emma was in Augusta Harbour Sicily with 40 Royal Marine Commando on board when there was a bombing raid on the harbour. This caused numerous casualties and damage on board when concussion and shrapnel from a bomb caused a box of grenades to go off on the mess deck.
Entry from the 40 RM Commando war diary
(Source: National Archive file ref ADM 202 / 87)15 July 1943
1300hrs -arrive SYRACUSE harbour40RM Commando Nominal Roll
Below is a nominal roll of those who served in 40RM Commando. It is listed by order of surname.
AINSWORTH, Richard Harold
Richard Ainsworth was awarded the B.E.M. whilst an Acting T/ Corporal in 40 RM Commando, for gallantry in helping the wounded, in spite of his own injuries, when the ship in which he was serving was attacked from the air.
The death of "Sgt. Richard Harry Ainsworth (40 & 47 RM Cdo) of Farlington, York", was announced in Commando Association newsletter 96 issued March 1993.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp 36259, page 5141.
Commando Association newsletter 96.
ALEXANDER, John Moir
Marine John Alexander died during operations at Dieppe.
ALTRINGHAM, Ronald Leslie
Mne. Altringham was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
ANDREWS, Charles
Mne. Andrews was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
ANGUS, David Charles
Captain David Angus was awarded the MC for gallantry, zeal and skill during the attack on Sarande and the seizure of the Island of Solta.
The death of Captain Angus MC of St. Ninian, Stirling, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 98 issued March 1994.
Source
London Gazettes Supp.37013, page 1791.
ANSON, Harry Raymond Joseph
Mne. Anson was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
APPLEBY, William Thompson
Mne. Appleby was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
AYLETT, Basil McGonigle
Acting Sergeant Basil Aylett was awarded the MM [1] for gallant and distinguished services in operations with 40RM Commando leading to the capture of Termoli.
BAIN, James Sydney
Sergeant Major James Bain died during operations at Sarande, Albania.
BALDOCK, Royce Edward Leonard
Marine Royce Baldock was killed during operations in Sicily whilst aboard the HMS Queen Emma during an enemy air attack on the vessel.
BARCLAY, David Lovat
Major David Barclay was killed during operations at Normandy on D Day [1].
Born in May 1920, Dave Barclay entered the Corps in September 1938. He served in H.M.S. Norfolk for over two years and was appointed to 40th RM Cdo., subsequently transferring to the 41st Cdo. [2].
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] Extract from the RM Globe and Laurel Nov. 1944 edition.
BARRINGTON, William Henry
Mne. Barrington died in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations at Termoli.
BASHAM, Cyril Edward
Mne. Basham was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
BATES, George Henry
Mne. Bates was killed during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
BEADLE, Jeffrey Charles
Temporary Lieutenant Jeffrey Charles Beadle was awarded the MC for gallantry, leadership and outstanding determination whilst serving in Commando operations in the Adriatic, June, 1944, and North West Europe, April, 1945.
Captain (Local Major) Jeffrey Charles Beadle, MC, was appointed MBE (Military Division) in the 1967 New Year's Honours.
Sources
MM - London Gazettes Supp. 37387, page 6085.
National Archives file WO 373/57/513.
BEAVEN, Harwood Frederick George
Troop Sergeant Major Harwood Beaven was awarded the MM for bravery and great devotion to duty whilst operating with the Allied Armies in North-West Europe.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 37127, page 3090.
Cdo. Assoc. Newsletter 65 issued Sept 1977.
Image: A Plain Russet Coated Captain author Capt. John Day
BEESLEY, Jack
Sgt. Beesley was killed during operations at Dieppe.
BENNETT, Henry
Company Sergeant Major Henry Bennett was awarded the MM for gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe whilst serving with 45RM Commando.
The death of "CSM. Henry (affectionately known as 'Wiggie') Bennett, MM. (40 & 45 RM Cdos) of Matlock, Derbyshire", was announced in Commando Association newsletter 82 issued March 1986.
Sources
BEVAN, George Reginald
Marine George Reginald Bevan was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe.
Citation for Mne. G.R. Bevan
BLAKE, Albert Henry
Mne. Blake died of wounds in Italy.
(Source: CWGC/Naval History website.)
Bari War Cemetery
BLUCK, John Arthur
Mne. Bluck was killed during operations at Anzio.
BONE, Percy James
Mne. Bone was killed during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
BOOTHROYD, Geoffrey
Mne. Boothroyd was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
BOSTOCK, Stanley
Staff Sergeant Stanley Bostock was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) in the 1946 New Years Honours [1]. He had previously been attached to 40RM Commando [2].
He also received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy [3].
The death of "S/Sgt. Stanley Bostock, BEM. (40 RM Cdo) of Wollaton, Nottingham" was announced in Commando Association newsletter 66 issued March 1978 [2].
Sources
BRADLEY, John William Evance
Captain John Bradley was awarded the MC for gallant and distinguished services in operations leading to the capture of Termoli.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 36367, page 687.
National Archives file WO 373/47/146.
BRADLEY, William Joseph
Mne. Bradley was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
BRADSHAW, Leslie Charles
Marine Leslie Bradshaw was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe.
His death was announced in Commando Association newsletter 108 issued March 1999.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp 35729, page 4328.
Commando Association newsletter 108.
BREEN, Terence Edward
Marine Terence Breen was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe. [Source: London Gazettes Supp.
BREMNER, Alexander
Mne. Bremner was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
BROCKBANK, Maurice Chester
Captain Maurice Brockbank, 'C' troop, died during operations at the River Aller in the vicinity of the village of Hademstorf. He had previously received a MiD whilst with 40RM Commando for "outstanding service while operating with the Allied Armies in Italy."
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 36903, page 518
RM Officers 1939-45 www.unithistories.com
The book A Plain Russet-Coated Captain by Capt. John Day 45RM Cdo.
BROWN, Jack
Mne. Brown was killed during operations at Anzio.
(Source: Naval History website)
BROWN, Stephen Thomas Frederick
Mne. Brown died of wounds in North Africa.
Originally buried in Borgel Cemetery (Military Plot), he was re buried at Medjez-el-Bab Cemetery on August 17, 1944.
(Source: CWGC/Naval History website.)
BROWNBRIDGE, Robert William
Marine Robert Brownbridge was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
In 1940 he received a MiD " for courage and devotion to duty during the withdrawals from Boulogne and Calais."
Sources
CWGC
London Gazettes Supp. 34941, page 5441.
BRYCE, William
Mne. Bryce was killed during operations on the Dalmatian Islands.
The Naval history website record him as dying of wounds. 7 days before his death his Commando were engaged in Operation Flounced, an attack on the enemy held island of Brac.
BURFITT, Henry Thomas
Mne. Burfitt was killed during operations at Termoli.
BURGESS, Francis Edward Gualbert
Mne. Burgess was killed during operations at Anzio.
BUSTARD, Leslie Mears
Marine Leslie Bustard was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
CALDER, Harry Watt
Private Harry Calder, RAMC attached to 40 RM Commando, was awarded the DCM for his outstanding gallantry during operations at Lake Comacchio. [1]
CALLOW, Arthur John
Mne. Callow was killed during operations at Dieppe.
Escalles Churchyard
Escalles is a village and commune on the coast road (N.40) from Calais to Boulogne, 8 miles (14 kilometres) south-west of Calais, whence there is a bus service. The British grave is in the southern part of the churchyard, some 20 yards south of the main path. (Source: CWGC.)CAPES, Edward Albert
LCpl. Capes died in Italy.
Bari War Cemetery
CATTERALL, John
Mne. Catterall was killed during operations at Dieppe.
CHAPMAN, Charles Clarence
Mne. Chapman was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
CHIVERALL, Richard Sydney
Lieutenant Richard Chiverall was killed during operations in Italy.
At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in Operation Ferdy at Vibo Valentia, known at the time as Porto San Venere.
COCKITT, Herbert
Mne. Cockitt was killed during operations at Anzio.
COLBY, Gordon David
LCpl. Colby was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
COMYN, Alan Douglas
Captain Alan Comyn was killed during operations at Dieppe.
CONVERY, John James
Sergeant John Convery, 'Q' Troop, was awarded the DCM [1] for gallant and distinguished services in operations leading to the capture of Termoli.
Citation
Termoli 3/10/43.
COOMBER, Arthur William George
Mne. Coomber was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
COOMBES, Peter Lonsdale
Mne. Coombes was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
COOPER, Brian Arthur
Lieutenant Brian Cooper was killed during operations at Termoli, Italy.
COOPER, Charles
Marine (Temporary Corporal) Charles Cooper received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service while operating with the Army in Italy in 1944 [1].
The following year, now a Sergeant, Charles Cooper was awarded the M.M. [2], for gallant and distinguished service displayed in the Italian campaign when taking part in the operations in April, 1945, north of the Reno and west of Argenta [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 36676, page 4010.
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 36676, page 4010.
COPE, Herbert James
Mne. Cope died in Italy.
CORCORAN, James Ernest Bertram
Cpl. Corcoran was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
CORNISH, Arthur Henry
Colour Sergeant Arthur Cornish died during operations in Sicily.
CRADDOCK, William Herbert Charles
Cpl. Craddock was killed during operations in Italy.
CRAIG, John Henry
Mne. Craig was killed during operations at Anzio.
CROSS, Leonard
Lieutenant Leonard Cross was killed during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
DAY, Albert Ernest
Mne. Day was killed during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations to cross the River Garigliano.
DAY, Reginald
Mne. Day was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
DELAP, Peter
Captain Peter Delap, M.B. (R.A.M.C.), attached to 40RM Commando [1], was awarded the MC in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field [2].
Sources
[1] Commando Association newsletter 118.
[2] London Gazettes Supp. 36983, page 1427 published 15March 1945.
DENMARK, Robert Mclelland
Mne. Denmark was killed during operations in Sicily.
He is buried in a collective grave with Mnes. Albert Wise, Ernest William Porter, and Frank Spencer, all from 40RM Commando.
DIMARCO, Paul
CSgt. DiMarco was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
DIXON, David George
Cpl. Dixon was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
DOWSON, Harry
Mne. Dowson was killed during operations in Sicily.
DUERDEN, Alfred
Cpl. Duerden was killed during operations at Dieppe.
DUTTON, Charles Llewellyn
Lieutenant Charles Dutton was killed during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
His brother Lieutenant Derek Alan Dutton, No 6 Commando, also died in service 14 days later.
ECREPONT, Edward William
Captain Edward Ecrepont was awarded the M.C. [1] for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty on the 22nd January 1944 when, after the crossing of the River Gargliano, Italy, he led two troops in seizing and successfully holding the essential feature to the North of Mount Castellucio [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 36583, page 3040.
[2] National Archives file WO 373/47/159.
EDWARDS, Maurice Albert
Mne. Edwards was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
EPHRAUMS, Michael Jarvis
Captain Michael Ephraums MC died during operations at Termoli, Italy. He had previously been awarded the M.C. [2] for gallant and distinguished service whilst commander of 'A' troop at the Pachino Peninsula on the 10th July 1943 [3].
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] London Gazettes Supp. 36229; Page: 4812.
[3] National Archives file WO373/47/133.
EVANS, George Albert
Mne. Evans died of wounds inflicted during operations in Italy.
Naples War Cemetery
The 65th and 92nd General Hospitals were in Naples from late in 1943 until the end of the war, also the 67th General Hospital for the greater part of that time. The site for the war cemetery was chosen in November 1943 and burials were made in it from the hospitals and garrison. Later graves were brought in from a number of small cemeteries in the immediate vicinity. SourcesEVERALL, Henry John
Cpl. Everall was killed during operations at Dieppe.
FANTHAM, Maurice
Marine Maurice Fantham died in Italy on the 13th October 1943 of wounds received on the 10th October.
Extract from the Leamington Spa Courier - Friday 03 November 1944
FARRELL, Robert
Mne. Farrell was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
FINCH, Ernest Edward
Sgt. Finch was killed during operations in Italy.
FISHER, James
Cpl. Fisher was killed during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations to cross the River Garigliano.
FISHER, John Charles
Corporal John Fisher was killed during operations in Sicily whilst aboard the HMS Queen
FISK, George Ernest
Mne. Fisk was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
FOSTER, Ronald Thomas
LCpl. Foster was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.
FRANKLIN, Leslie Herbert
Mne. Franklin died during operations in Sicily. His cause of death is recorded as illness on the Naval History website.
GANNER, James Maurice
Mne. Ganner was killed during operations at Anzio.
GEE, Donald Percy
Mne. Gee was killed during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
GOODYER-KETTLEY, Frederick Rex
Mne. Goodyer-Kettley was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
GORMAN, James John Thomas
Corporal James Gorman was awarded the MM for courage, leadership and resource in operations which led to the crossing of the Garigliano River in the face of determined opposition from the enemy.
Sources London Gazettes Supp. 36474, page 1777. National Archives file WO 373/47/155.GORRIE, William Young
Mne. Gorrie was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
GOTTS, Eric William
Mne. Gotts was killed during operations at Dieppe.
GRANT-DALTON, Harry Were Foster
Captain Harry Grant-Dalton was killed along with the rest of 'T' Company 40RM Commando, when the ship they were on board, HMS Fidelity, was torpedoed and sunk.
GREY, Thomas Patrick
Mne. Grey was killed during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations to cross the River Garigliano.
GRIFFIN, Patrick
Mne. Griffin was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
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