40RM Commando

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'RM Commando Officers Aug.1943.'

Type: Nominal Roll

Author: Content Admin/Commando Veterans Archive

Year of Publishing: 2018

Keywords: Royal Marine Commandos

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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. Roll of Honour

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

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 harbour

40RM 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

Mne Alexander was killed during operations at Dieppe.

The CWGC shows his unit as 40RM Commando which is technically correct at the time of the raid. However it should be pointed out that we have an Image of a Signals Intelligence Unit formed for the raid at Dieppe which operated covertly on on this raid as a platoon of 40RM Commando. On that image Mne Alexander is named as a member of the unit.

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

Sgt. Maj. Bain was killed 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.

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

BISHOP, Arthur

Marine Arthur Bishop was killed during operations in Sicily whilst aboard the HMS Queen Emma during an enemy air attack on the vessel.

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. He had previously been attached to 40RM Commando.

The death of "S/Sgt. Stanley Bostock, BEM. (40 RM Cdo) of Wollaton, Nottingham" was announced in Commando Association newsletter 66 issued March 1978.

Sources

London Gazettes Supp. 37412, page 308.

Comando Association newsletter 66.

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

Capt. Brockbank, 'C' troop was killed 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

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

Mne. 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."

^{(Source: 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

Harry Calder report in Dundee Courier 16th October 1953

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

Acting T/Sgt. John Convery was awarded the DCM for gallant and distinguished services in operations leading to the capture of Termoli.

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

Sergeant Charles Cooper was awarded the MM 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.

Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 37220, page 4129.
National Archives file WO 373/47/79.

COPE, Herbert James

Mne. Cope died in Italy.

CORCORAN, James Ernest Bertram

Cpl. Corcoran was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.

CORNISH, Arthur Henry

C/Sgt. 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

Graves of Marines Wise, Porter, Denmark and Spencer

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.

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 was killed during the action at Termoli, Italy. He had previously been awarded the MC for "gallant and distinguished services in Sicily."

Sources

CWGC

London Gazettes Supp. 36229; Page: 4812,

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.}

Sources

EVERALL, Henry John

Cpl. Everall was killed during operations at Dieppe.

FALLAS, Robert Scott

Lance Corporal Robert Fallas was killed during operations in Sicily whilst aboard the HMS Queen Emma during an enemy air attack on the vessel.

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.

FORD, Francis Orme

Captain Francis Ford was killed during operations in Sicily whilst aboard the HMS Queen Emma during an enemy air attack on the vessel.

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.

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40RM Commando

Location

Extract from the Navy Lists

Entry from the 40 RM Commando war diary

15 July 1943

Citation for Mne. G.R. Bevan

Bari War Cemetery

Escalles Churchyard

Bari War Cemetery

Naples War Cemetery

Extract from the Leamington Spa Courier - Friday 03 November 1944

Bari War Cemetery

Pages

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