42RM Commando

Formed as No. 42 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, on the 1st August 1943 from the disbanded 1st RM Battalion. Those from the Battalion 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

Author: Philip Bennett 42RM Commando

Year of Publishing: 2019

Keywords: kangaw, hill 170,42 commando, 3 commando brigade, royal marines, burma

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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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BALLANTYNE, George

LCpl Ballantyne was killed during operations at Kangaw.

BANGAY, Lionel Arthur

Mne. Bangay was killed during operations at Kangaw.

BARKS, Wilfred John

Marine Wilfred Barks, 'X' troop, was awarded the MM for his gallantry during operations at Kangaw, Burma [1].

BATEMAN, Walter

Mne. Bateman was killed 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

Mne. Beaman was killed 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

Cpl. Bent was killed during operations at Kangaw.

BOSWELL, Thomas William

Mne. Boswell was killed during operations at Kangaw.

BROWN, John Herbert

Mne. Brown is believed to have died of illness in the UK.

^{(Source: Naval History website.)}

CARLYLE, Edmond

Mne. Carlyle was killed 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

Mne. Cracknell was killed during operations at Kangaw.

CRILLEY, John Henry

LCpl. Crilley was killed 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

Cpl. Dell was killed during operations at Kangaw.

ELLIS, Raymond Frederick

Mne. Ellis was killed 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

Mne. Fountain was killed during operations at Kangaw.

GOWER, Herbert George

The exact circumstances of the death of Mne. Gower, only 3 weeks after the formation of the Commando, are not known.

GROVES, John

Mne. Groves was killed during operations at Kangaw.

HALL, Roger

Lieut. Hall was killed 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

Sgt. Jacques died of wounds inflicted on the 31st January during operations at Kangaw.

^{[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]}

JONES, Jack Garner

Lieutenant Jack Jones was killed during operations at Kangaw. He received a posthumous MiD for gallant and distinguished service.

Sources

CWGC

London Gazettes Supp. 37318, page 5181 and 37338, page 5402 [errata]

KING, Herbert Richard

Mne. King was killed during operations at Kangaw.

LOGAN, John

Sgt. Logan was killed during operations in Burma.

Source

Westminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour file ref. National Archives DEFE/2/843.

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

Mne. Mills died during operations in Burma.

[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]

PEGRUM, John David George

Lieutenant John Pegrum was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio.

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

Mne. Philpott was killed 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

Mne. Radley was killed during operations at Kangaw.

RAWLINSON, James

Cpl. Rawlinson was killed during operations at Kangaw.

ROSSER, Albert

Mne. Rosser died during operations in Burma.

[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]

RUSSELL, Ronald Frank

Corporal Ronald Russell was awarded the MM in recognition of distinguished service in Burma.

SCOTT, Thomas Veitch

Marine Thomas Scott was killed during operations at Myebon.

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

SHERMAN, George

Mne. Sherman was killed during operations at Kangaw.

SHUTTLEWORTH, Charles Denis

Charles Denis Shuttleworth 42RM Commando

Mne Shuttleworth was killed 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

THORNEYCROFT, Eric William

LCpl Thorneycroft was killed during operations at Kangaw.

WELSH, Albert James

Company Sergeant Major Albert Welsh, 'X' troop, was awarded the DCM for bravery and undaunted devotion to duty during operations in Burma.

WHITEHEAD, John

Cpl. Whitehead was killed during operations at Kangaw.

YEOMANS, Geoffrey Richard

Lieut. Yeomans is believed to have died in a road accident.

^(Source:^{Naval History website}^.)

His brother, Rifleman Bernard George Yeomans, 7th (1st Bn. The London Rifle Brigade) Bn., died on the 8th May 1943.

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42RM Commando

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Extract from the Navy Lists

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