Archive
42RM Commando
There may be additional content elsewhere such as in our Photo Gallery and Forum.
Displaying 1 - 62 of 623 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations
Location
Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
Saturday, January 1, 1944
The reports at the foot of this page relate to the operations of the Commando Units attached to 3 Commando Brigade that took place after the 1st January 1944.
Link of interest
There were a large number of casualties in the Burma Campaigns, both battle and illness.
Lieutenant Colonel R. Wigglesworth, M.B., B.S. Lond., Royal Army Medical Corps, wrote an excellent article titled
42RM Cdo. Officers, Oct.'44
Extract from the Navy Lists
42RM Cdo. Roll of Honour
The Fallen from No. 42 Royal Marine Commando
42RM Commando
Formed as No. 42 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, on the 1st August 1943 from the disbanded 1st RM Battalion. Those not selected for the Commandos were posted primarily to Landing Craft duties. On the 5th October 1943 the unit attended the CBTC for Commando training.
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.
NB. If viewer does not load within 5 seconds refresh/reload this page, or click download above..
AMPHLETT, T.W.
Post war member of the original Commando Association.
ANDERSON, Hamish Alexander
Dr. Hamish Alexander Anderson was commissioned Lieutenant 4th September 1943 [1]. Attached from the R.A.M.C. to 42RM Commando and also served in 1/5 Commando [2]. Promoted Captain R.A.M.C. 3rd March 1949 with seniority from 4th Sept. 1944 [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 36222, page4715.
[2] Commando Association newsletter 78 issued March 1984.
[3] London Gazette Supp. 38648, page 3118.
BALLANTYNE, George
Lance Corporal George Ballantyne died during operations at Kangaw.
Notes
The CWGC show his unit as 43RM Commando who were not operating in this theatre of war. His name is however recorded on the ROH for 42RM Commando in Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.
BANGAY, Lionel Arthur
Marine Lionel Bangay died during operations at Kangaw.
Notes
His rank is shown as Lance Corporal in the ROH in the Third Jungle Book issue 9 below. This is likely to have been a temporary rank as the CWGC show Marine.
BARKS, Wilfred John
Marine Wilfred Barks, 'X' troop, was awarded the MM for his gallantry during operations at Kangaw, Burma [1].
BATEMAN, Walter
Marine Walter Bateman died during operations at Kangaw.
BAVIN, Richard Julian Ebblewhite
Lieut. Colonel Richard Bavin OBE was killed whilst on board a US Marine Corps transport plane that crashed into Mount Tobin, Nevada during a snowstorm. 18 US servicemen also died in the crash. He was serving as the UK Royal Marines representative at the Quantico Education and Development Centre.
He had previously served in 42RM Commando during WW2 *, and was a member of the Commando Association. On the 8th June 1963 the then Major Bavin had been appointed OBE.
BEAMAN, Thomas Edward
Marine Thomas Beaman died of wounds during operations at Kangaw.
BENNETT, Philip
Philip Bennett served in 'X' troop of 42 RM Commando and particpated in operations in the Far East including the battle for Hill 170.
Source
Documents and images from his son Chris Bennett.
BENT, James
Corporal James Bent died during operations at Kangaw.
BOSWELL, Thomas William
Marine Thomas Boswell died during operations at Kangaw.
BOURKE, Edward
Colour Sergeant (Acting Sgt. Maj.) Edward Bourke was awarded the British Empire Medal for distinguished service during the war in the Far East.
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 37603, page 2882 dated 11 June 1946.
Commando Association newsletter 17 issued September 1953.
BROWN, John Herbert
Marine John Brown is believed to have died of illness in the UK.
Sources
CWGC.
CARLYLE, Edmond
Marine Edmond Carlyle died during operations at Kangaw.
CHAPPELL, Aubrey Bertram
Marine Aubrey Chappell was awarded the M.M. for daring, initiative and resource whilst operating on the Japanese occupied Elizabeth Island in the Bay of Bengal in November, 1944.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp.37505, page 1440.
National Archives file WO 373/101/243.
CRACKNELL, Frederick George
Marine Frederick Cracknell died during operations at Kangaw.
CRILLEY, John Henry
Lance Corporal John Crilley died during operations at Kangaw.
CUTTING, Vincent
Colour Sergeant Vincent Cutting RM was from Little Hulton, Greater Manchester. He also served in 41 and 45RM Commando [1].
His son Gunner Robert Steven Cutting, 29 Commando Regiment RA, was killed on active service in Northern Ireland [View ROH entry] [2].
Sources [1] Commando Association newsletter 114 issued March 2002. [2] + [image] His daughter Sandra Kennedy.DELL, William Joseph
Corporal William Dell died during operations at Kangaw.
ELLIS, Raymond Frederick
Marine Raymond Ellis died during operations at Kangaw.
FELLOWES, Halford David
Captain (Brevet Major) (Acting Colonel) Halford David Fellowes was awarded the DSO [1] whilst officer in command of 42RM Commando in the Far East. He commanded them from May 1944 until wounded at Myebon [view], and relinquishing command on the13th January 1945.
FENTON, Ernest
Corporal Ernest Fenton was awarded the MM for his gallantry during operations in Burma.
FOUNTAIN, Joseph Walter
Marine Joseph Fountain died during operations at Kangaw.
FOWKE, Roger M.
Marine Roger Fowke is reported to have died in a road accident.
[Source: CWGC / Naval History.net]
GOWER, Herbert George
The exact circumstances of the death of Marine Herbert Gower only 3 weeks after the formation of the Commando are not known to this archive.
GROVES, John
Marine John Groves died during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
[Image] Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press - Friday 01 February 1946 / British Newspaper Archive. © Johnston Press plc. created courtesy of The British Library Board.
HALL, Roger
Lieutenant Roger Hall died during operations at Kangaw.
HERBERT, Thomas Henry
Lance Corporal Thomas Herbert, 'X' troop, was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma.
JACQUES, Henry
Sergeant Henry Jacques died of wounds inflicted on the 31st January during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.
JONES, Jack Garner
Lieutenant Jack Jones died during operations at Kangaw. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service.
Sources
CWGC
London Gazettes Supp. 37318, page 5181 and 37338, page 5402 [errata]
KING, Herbert Richard
Marine Herbert King died during operations at Kangaw.
LANGLEY, Eric
Captain Eric Langley was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service at Myebon [1].
Recommendation
LOGAN, John
Sergeant John Logan died during operations in Burma.
Sources
CWGC.
LUCAS, William Frederick
Sergeant Major William Lucas was awarded the MM for distinguished services during the war in the Far East.
Sources London Gazettes Supp. 37636, page 3390. National Archives file WO 373/47/111.MELLOR, Peter Joseph
Marine Peter Mellor was awarded the MM for distinguished services during the war in the Far East.
MILLS, Henry Richard
Marine Henry Mills died on active service at Maungdaw, Burma.
PEGRUM, John David George
Lieutenant John Pegrum died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
Notes
The Navy Lists show a Lieut. J.D.G. Pegrum on the roll of Officers of 42RM Commando in 1944. [view].
PHILPOTT, Ronald Henry
Marine Ronald Philpott died during operations at Kangaw.
PICKERILL, William
The exact circumstances of the death of Sergeant William Pickerill are not known by this archive.
RADLEY, Charles Wilfred Robert
Marine Charles Radley died during operations at Kangaw.
RAWLINSON, James
Corporal James Rawlinson died during operations at Kangaw.
ROSSER, Albert
Marine Albert Rosser died on active service at Maungdaw, Burma.
RUSSELL, Ronald Frank
Corporal Ronald Russell was awarded the MM in recognition of distinguished service in Burma.
SCOTT, Thomas Veitch
Marine Thomas Scott died during operations at Myebon, Burma.
The 42 RM Commando War Diary and the CWGC both record only one commando from 42 as dying on this day. The entry in the War Diary reads as follows:
“Date 12 Jan 1945.
Place - Akyab Island Myebon
0830 hrs, Unit landed at Myebon Peninsular after Air strike and Naval bombardment. Slight opposition encountered during landing from mortar, 37 mm and rifle fire. A tp's landing craft hit by enemy arty, A tp Comd injured, one marine killed, one SNCO wounded.”
SHERMAN, George
Marine George Sherman died of wounds inflicted during operations at Kangaw.
SHUTTLEWORTH, Charles Denis
Marine Charles Shuttleworth died during operations at Kangaw.
SNOW, Henry Thomas
Lance Corporal Henry Snow, RAMC attached to 42RM Commando, was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 37040, page 20180.
SNOW, Henry Thomas
Lance Corporal Henry Thomas Snow [see notes], R.A.M.C., attached to 42 RM Commando, was awarded the M.M.[2] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services at Myebon, Burma, on the 15th January 1945 [1].
Citation
THOMPSON, Thomas Robert
Marine Thomas Thompson is reported to have died in a road accident *.
Sources
CWGC.
*Naval History.net
THORNEYCROFT, Eric William
Lance Corporal Eric Thorneycroft died during operations at Kangaw.
TYRIE, Ernest Campbell
Corporal Ernest Tyrie is reported to have died of illness*.
Sources
CWGC.
*Naval History.net
WATSON, Maurice
Marine Maurice Watson is reported to have died in a road accident*.
Sources
CWGC.
*Naval History.net
WELSH, Albert James
Company Sergeant Major Albert Welsh, 'X' troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery and undaunted devotion to duty during operations in Burma.
WHITEHEAD, John
Corporal John Whitehead died during operations at Kangaw.
YEOMANS, Geoffrey Richard
Lieutenant Geoffrey Yeomans is believed to have died in a road accident.
Sources
CWGC
Notes
His brother, Rifleman Bernard George Yeomans, 7th (1st Bn. The London Rifle Brigade) Bn., died on the 8th May 1943.
Ask questions / Add information
Use our Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now].
Your message will then be seen by our Research Group and the many knowledgeable members of our Forum. Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.
