Archive
43RM Commando
There may be additional content elsewhere such as in our Photo Gallery and Forum.
Displaying 1 - 73 of 732 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.
43RM Cdo. Officers Oct.'44
Extract from the Navy Lists
43RM Cdo. Roll of Honour
The Fallen from No. 43 Royal Marine Commando
| Capt. J.P. BLAKE Capt. D.J.M. COTTON MINCHIN Capt. R.G. SCHOOLEY Lieut. F.H. HANCOCK Sgt. R.S. ABRAHAMS |
A breakdown of the Grohote raiding force
THE ATTACK ON THE GERMAN HELD VILLAGE OF GROHOTE IN THE ISLAND OF SOLTA, DALMATIA. SATURDAY 18TH MARCH 1944. SOMETIMES KNOWN AS "DETAINED 1".
A return by veterans to Yugoslavia
Written by Henry Brown OBE, Secretary of the Commando Association and first published in Commando Association newsletter 57 of September 1973. Image from our archive [view here] depicts Colonel Jack Churchill and his brother General Tom Churchill during the visit.
ABRAHAMS, Robert Sydney
Sergeant Robert Abrahams died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
BAILLIE, Archibald
The exact circumstances of the death of Marine Archibald Baillie are not known to this archive. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged on operations on the Dalmatian Islands.
BARNETT, David Soloman
Captain David Barnett received a Mention in Despatches for good services during operations in Italy.
Sources
London Gazette 36903, page 518.
BEALE, Frederick Vincent
Marine Frederick Beale died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
BLAKE, John Philip
Captain John Blake MC died [1] during operations against the enemy held island of Brac. He had earlier been awarded the Military Cross [2] for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in the capture of Mt. Ornito, Italy on the 3 Feb. 1944 [3].
BROOKES, James Alfred
Marine James Brookes died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
CAMPBELL, John
Marine John Campbell died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
CLARK, Desmond Birdwood
Captain Desmond Clark received a Mention in Despatches for good services during operations in Italy.
CLINTON, Reginald Arthur
Sergeant Reginald Clinton died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
COOPER, William George Albert
Marine William Cooper died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
COTTON MINCHIN, Douglas James Maurice
Captain Douglas Cotton Minchin was missing reported presumed killed after his patrol prior to the planned attack at Lake Comacchio, Italy, came under fire.
He had earlier served with 12 Commando on the Lofoten raid, and had also been Chief Instructor at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
DALY, Edward Stewart
The exact circumstances of the death of Marine Edward Daly are not known to this archive.
FOLWELL, Harvey Cecil
Marine Harvey Folwell died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
FRENCH, Richard Douglas
Sergeant Richard French, 'A' Troop, was awarded the MM for distinguished services in the field while operating with the Army [1].
It was announced on the 6th July 1945 that Sergeant King had been awarded a Bar to his Military Medal for outstanding courage, determination and devotion to duty in operations during the campaign in Italy [2].
Citation for the MM
Patrol ambush on Hvar Island 12 July 44GALLON, Thomas Christopher Dennison
Sergeant Thomas Gallon was awarded the MM for great courage and exemplary behaviour whilst carrying out commando operations under heavy enemy fire off the Yugoslavian coast.
Sources London Gazettes Supp. 36979, page 1386. National Archives file 373/47/55. Notes Middle names shown as in LG entry. The National Archives file records his middle names as Charles Dennis.GARSON, Andrew
Marine Andrew Garson died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
GARTSIDE, Stanley William
Marine Stanley Gartside received a Mention in Despatches for good services during operations in Italy [1][1A].
GOODRICH, Kenneth John
Marine Kenneth Goodrich died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
GOURLAY, Basil Ian Spencer
Acting Captain Basil Gourlay was awarded the Military Cross whilst serving with 43RM Commando in WW2.
Post war he served in 45 Commando Royal Marines 1945-1948, Brigade Major 3 Commando Bde Royal Marines 1955-1957; OC 42 Commando Royal Marines 1963-1965, ultimately being appointed Commandant General Royal Marines from 1971-75 after which he retired.
- M.C. (A/Captain 43RM Commando) for gallantry, zeal and skill during the attack on Sarande and the seizure of the Island of Solta. [1 +2].
GREGORY, Donald
Marine Donald Gregory died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
HANCOCK, Frank Holgate
Lieutenant Frank Hancock died during an air attack on Vis, their base of operations against enemy held Dalmatian Islands.
The 43RM Cdo. War Diary entry for 28th March 1944 states " Enemy aircraft attacked Vis town , and bombs also fell in Podselje . A direct hit was scored on the Cdo Orderly room,resulting in the death of Ty. Lt. F.H. Hancock and two marines."
Sources
CWGC
National Archives War Diary DEFE 2/49.
Notes
HEY, Richard
Marine Richard Hey died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
HIRST, Leslie
Marine Leslie Hirst died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
HOOPER, Arthur William George
Marine Arthur Hooper died during operations on the enemy held island of Miljet.
HOVERD, Robert Henry
Marine Robert Hovered died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
HUDSPITH, John Charles Dumoutier
Captain John Hudspith was awarded the Military Cross [1] for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty on 22/23 March 1944 during the attack on Jelsa, Hvar Island. [2].
HUNTER, Cpl. Thomas Peck, VC
Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Citation
Admiralty Whitehall 12th June 1945.
HURST, Cecil
Marine Cecil Hurst died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
INGRAM, Richard George
Marine Richard Ingram died during operations at Lake Comacchio.
IVENS, Frederick Charles
Marine Frederick Ivens died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
JEAL, Percy William
Marine Percy Jeal died during an air attack on Vis, their base of operations against enemy held Dalmatian Islands.
The 43RM Cdo. War Diary entry for 28th March 1944 states " Enemy aircraft attacked Vis town , and bombs also fell in Podselje . A direct hit was scored on the Cdo Orderly room,resulting in the death of Ty Lt. F.H. Hancock and two marines."
Sources
CWGC.
National Archives War Diary DEFE 2/49.
Notes
JENKINS, William Glyn
Lieutenant William Jenkins was awarded the MC 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.
KEANE, Leonard Henry Hugh
Marine Leonard Keane died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
LASKEY, Cyril
Corporal Cyril Laskey, 'A' Troop, died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
Sources
CWGC.
'A' Troop image in Gallery.
Image: Christine Partington.
MacLEAN, Alexander
Marine Alexander MacLean died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
MAISEY, Jack Ernest William
The exact circumstances of the death of Marine Jack Maisey are not known to this archive. At the time of his death his Commando had just been involved in operations on Solta - Operation Detained 111.
MCCAUGHEY, Henry
Corporal Henry McCaughey died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy. He received a Mention in Despatches for "outstanding service while operating with the Allied Armies in Italy."
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazettes Supp. 36903, page 518.
MCVEIGH, Charles
Marine Charles McVeigh died during operations on the enemy held island of Miljet.
MUNRO, Neil Gordon Macleven
Major Neil Munro received a Mention in Despatches for good services during operations in Italy [1].
- October 1944 second in command of the Commando [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36903, page 518 dated 23 January 1945.
[1] London Gazette 36903, page 518 dated 23 January 1945.
[2] Navy Lists - see linked content below.
NEVIN, James Davidson
Marine James Nevin died in service of illness.
James Davidson Nevin was born and brought up in Newburn in Northumberland and worked as a lorry driver for Walkers in Leamington on Tyne not long before the start of the war. On return to the UK from active service with 43RM Commando in Yugoslavia and Italy, Marine Nevin was diagnosed with cancer from which he died in November 1945. He received a full military funeral.
Sources
CWGC
His nephew Martin Routledge.
NICHOLLS, Charles
Marine Charles Nicholls was awarded the MM for great courage and exemplary behaviour whilst carrying out commando operations under heavy enemy fire off the Yugoslavian coast.
NUNNS, Malcolm Reeve
Captain Malcolm Nunns, 'B' troop Commander, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order 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.
ODENDAAL, Jacobus Russell
Acting Sergeant Jacobus Odendaal was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for bravery in saving the life of two airmen when an aircraft crashed in a wood [1].
- 23 July 1943 listed as Lieutenant [2].
- October 1944 listed as serving with 43RM Commando [3].
- 21 May 1946 (Lieutenant) promoted Acting Captain [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 36001, page 2004.
OLIPHANT, Arthur M.
Marine Arthur Oliphant died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
Sources
CWGC.
Forename: Naval-History website.
Operation Detained 111
Location
Solta
Dalmatian Islands
43° 23' 13.1748" N, 16° 17' 15.0756" E
Sunday, September 17, 1944
Formerly part of Yugoslavia.
Operation Floxo
Location
Dubrovnik
Croatia
42° 39' 2.376" N, 18° 5' 39.912" E
Saturday, October 28, 1944
Operation lasted into November.
PARKINSON-CUMINE, Ralph Nicholas
Captain Ralph Parkinson-Cumine MC, 'B' troop, was reported missing presumed killed during operations in Korea.
PICKERING, Kenneth Richard
Sergeant Kenneth Pickering was awarded the MM for great courage and exemplary behaviour whilst carrying out commando operations under heavy enemy fire off the Yugoslavian coast.
POLLARD, William George
Marine William Pollard died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
PROCTOR, Bert
Corporal Bert Proctor died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
RAVEN, Henry Hollies
Marine Henry Raven died during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy.
ROBERTS, David Lister
Captain David Roberts received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service whilst serving with 43RM Commando in the Mediterranean during the period 1st January to 31st March, 1945 [1] [2].
- 27 April 1951 (Captain) (40 Commando RM) Mentioned in Desptaches for distinguished service in operations in Malaya [3] [4].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 37394, page 6157.
[2] Commando Subaltern at War, author Lieut. W.G. Jenkins DSO, 43RM Cdo.
ROBSON, Thomas
Marine Thomas Robson died in an accident whilst deployed to Hong Kong. He had previously received a Mention in Despatches for "outstanding service while operating with the Allied Armies in Italy."
Sources
CWGC.
Royal Marines Association.
Naval History website.
London Gazettes Supp. 36903, page 518.
ROYLE, Frank
Corporal Frank Royle died during operations against the enemy held island of Brac.
SAUNDERS, Samuel John Albert
Marine Samuel Saunders died during an air attack on Vis, their base of operations against enemy held Dalmatian Islands.
The 43RM Cdo. War Diary entry for 28th March 1944 states " Enemy aircraft attacked Vis town , and bombs also fell in Podselje . A direct hit was scored on the Cdo Orderly room resulting in the death of Ty Lt. F.H. Hancock and two marines."
Sources
CWGC.
National Archives War Diary DEFE 2/49.
Notes
SCHOOLEY, Ralph Gerald
Captain Ralph Schooley, 'B' troop, died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia. He received a Mention in Despatches for "outstanding service whilst operating with the Allied Armies in Italy."
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazettes Supp. 36903, page 518.
Commando Subaltern at War, author Lt. W.G. Jenkins DSO.
SIMISTER, Charles Arnold
Corporal Charles Simister, attached to No 2 Commando from the RAMC, was one of the Commando contingent on board ML 307 during the raid at St Nazaire in March 1942. He was one of those evacuated back to the UK after the raid. [1]
SMITH, Roy Montague
Corporal Roy Smith, 'A' troop, died in the blast from two enemy 88mm shells whilst leading his section during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
Roy Smith left school at about 14 and served an apprenticeship as a market gardener before joining the Royal Marines and the Commandos in 1943. Read some of his letters provided by his nephew in our gallery entry here Cpl. Roy Montague Smith.
SNOWDEN, Fred
Marine Fred Snowden died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
Extract from the Stirling Observer Thursday 22 June 1944.
SQUIRE, John Robert
Marine John Squire 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 373/47/80.TAYLOR, George
Marine George Taylor died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
In a letter home L/Cpl. Roy Montague Smith*, 43RM Commando, wrote the following,
"George Taylor, one of the three of us, is finished, heard tonight that he was to have had the MM but he was killed so guess he will only be in despatches at least thats what it looks like to me. George did some very good work Tony, a fine chap, I'd had him with me since Ramsgate".
TAYLOR, Thomas Archer Smith
Lieutenant Thomas Taylor received a Mention in Despatches for good services during operations in Italy.
TUGWELL, Arthur
Corporal Arthur Tugwell died during operations in Italy.
At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy. He received a Mention in Despatches for "outstanding service whilst operating with the Allied Armies in Italy."
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazettes Supp. 36903, page 518.
WARD, Reginald Foster
Marine Reginald Ward died during operations in Italy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, Italy.
WEBB, Edward Norman
Marine Edward Webb died during operations at Lake Comacchio and Argenta, Italy.
WILLIAMSON, Fred
Marine Fred Williamson died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia.
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.
