44RM Commando

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3 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations

Saturday, January 1, 1944

Location

Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
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

44RM Commando

Formed as No. 44 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, on the 1st August 1943 from the disbanded 3rd Battalion, Royal Marines.  Their specialist training from the 1st August to the the 6th September 1943 began at Ashurst. This was to prepare them for the arduous training to come at Achnacarry. Their first CO was Lt Col. F.C. Horton RM.

44RM Commando Nominal Roll

For historical & research purposes, we have tried to compile the names of all who served in No.44 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Lists of Casualties, the No.44 Royal Marine Commando War Diary Jan to Dec 1945 (NA ref ADM/202/96), papers from the National Archives and further research by members of the CVA and various other resources.  In preparing this list, we acknowledge that it is very likely there are omissions, Therefore, this is not a definitive list by any means, nor is it meant to be an official list, but it is the best w

ANDREWS, William Andy

Known as: 
Bill
Corporal (Acting Sergeant)
47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association residing Milngavie, Glasgow. Also served in 41RM and 44RM Commandos.

Sources
Commando Association newsletter 120.
CA List of WW2 RM Commando members.

ASHWORTH, John Mark

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Ashworth died during operations at Kangaw.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
 

BEACH, George Edgar

George Beach 44 Commando
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine George Beach died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
Extract from Service Record
23.10.39 enlisted Royal Marines.
07.11.39 date of service reckons from.
07.06.40 3rd Bn. RM Brigade.
30.08.40 embarked for Dakar and Freetown.
22.02.41 returned to UK.

BEDFORD, John Robert

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal John Bedford died during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
Register of Births Oct, Nov, Dec. 1919 / General Register Office UK.

BOLAM, Edward Charles

Edward Bolam 44 Royal Marine Commando
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Edward Bolam, from Low Fell in Gateshead, died during operations at Kangaw.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/128.

BOWEN, Albert Victor

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Albert Bowen died in India.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/128.
[3] ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

BURTON, Harold Rex

Temporary Captain (Acting Temporary Major)
46RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Major Harold Burton, commanding  'A' Troop 46RM Commando, received a Mention in Despatches for good services whilst operating with the 21st Army Group in NW Europe [1][1a][1b].
  • October 1944 Second in Command 46RM Commando [2].
  • April 1945 3 Commando Brigade HQ [3].

DOOLEY, Arthur

Acting T/Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Arthur Dooley, 'C' Troop, died in a training accident at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland. 
Extract from the  No. 44RM Commando War Diary
19th September 1943.
p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop.  

DRYSDALE, Douglas Burns

Colonel
41 Ind. Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Silver Star (USA)
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Drysdale assumed command of 44RM Commando on the 23rd April 1945. Formerly the Brigade Major he replaced Lt. Colonel Stockley who had been appointed to a position within Brigade HQ.*

EDWARDS, Vincent

Marine Vincent Edwards 44RM
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Vincent Edwards died at 61 Indian Field Ambulance during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.
[Image] Chris Davis (nephew) via CVA Forum.
 

FARRELL, William Henry

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Marine William Farrell died at the Military Hospital, Onich from a bullet wound accidentally received during training at the Commando Basic Training Centre. The cause of death was recorded as a "gunshot wound to the neck." 
 
Sources
CWGC.

FLEMING, Robert Frew

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Robert Fleming died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.
 

FOOT, Frank

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Frank Foot, 'X' troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.
44RM Commando War Diary 22 January 1945.

FOUCHE, Stefanus Louis

Stefanus Fouche
Lieutenant
48RM Commando
44RM Commando
South African Union Defence Force
Lieutenant Stefanus Fouche, South African Forces attached to 48RM Commando 'Y' Troop, was wounded on 6 June 1944 during the Normandy landings and evacuated back to the UK. He rejoined the Commando in August and in November took part in the attack at Walcheren [1].
  • June 1945 Lieutenant Fouche joined 44RM Commando 'A' Troop in the Far East [2].

GIBSON, Eric Hookway

Eric Hookway Gibson as a child
Sergeant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Sergeant Eric Gibson died in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland.
Extract from the 44RM Commando War Diary
"p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop". 
Extract from the Kilmallie Death Registers

GIGG, George Thomas

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal George Gigg was reported missing at sea presumed died during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma. He has no known grave.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.
Births registered in Hammersmith, July, Aug, Sept 1923.

GRANT, Ronald Douglas

Sergeant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Ronald Grant was reported missing presumed died at sea during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.
 

HAW, Charles Walter

Marine Charles Haw 44RM Commando
Grave at Akyab of Marine Charles Haw
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine Charles Haw died in Burma from accidental gunshot wounds [1][1a]. This occurred at Fakir Point near Akyab as his section of 'A' troop prepared to carry out a patrol to the Baronga Islands [2].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.

HEATH, Alfred

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Alfred Heath died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.
 

HESP, George Taylor

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal George Hesp, 'X' troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.

Sources
CWGC.

44RM Commando War Diary 22 January 1945.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.

HODNETT, Walter Herbert

Sergeant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Walter Hodnett died during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.
ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

KEMSLEY, George William

Temporary Company Sergeant Major
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Company Sergeant Major George Kemsley was awarded the MM distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma.
 
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 36925, page 757.
3 Cdo. Bde. Third Jungle Book No.9. [view].

KILLINGBECK, E.W.

Sergeant
47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served in 44RM Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Kingsbury, London.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 issued Sept.2004.
CA List of WW2 RM Commando members.

KIRBY, Peter

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Peter Kirby died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.
 

LAVENDER, William Edwin

Acting T/Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal William Lavender received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.
 
Source
London Gazette 36925, page 757.
 

LEWIS, Frank Gordon

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Frank Lewis died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.
ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

MACKINNON, James

Second Lieutenant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant James Mackinnon died during operations at Alethengyaw.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

MANGER, Harold Charles Walter

Chaplain
44RM Commando
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Mentioned in Despatches
Died on active service
Reverend Harold Manger died during operations in Kangaw. He received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service in the Far East.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] The book 44RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan, author Tony Mackenzie.

MARSHALL, Arthur Allan

Corporal Arthur Marshall 44 Commando
Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Arthur Marshall died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.

MARTIN, Arthur

Captain
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Arthur Martin, Signals Officer, and one of the original 3rd RM Bn., officers, died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma. He received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.
 
Sources
CWGC​.

MCDONALD, Dennis

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Dennis McDonald died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.
ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

MORRISON, James

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine James Morrison died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/134.
 

MUSTOW, Joseph

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Joseph Mustow died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/134.
 

NELSON, Desmond

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine Desmond Nelson, 'A' troop, died [1] at Jhansi India after contracting cerebral malaria [2]. This was the first fatality brought about by disease. Rev. F.W. Cornwall R.N.V.R.

O'BRIEN, Albert Peter

Lieutenant
47RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)

Lieutenant Albert Peter O'Brien, 47RM Commando, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in operations in North-West Europe in July 1944 [1].
Recommendation

O'REILLY, John

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine John O'Reilly died in India as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds. Son of Patrick and Annie Kate O'Reilly, of Kilglass, Co. Sligo, Irish Republic.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.
 

OWEN, Alan Roger

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine Alan Owen, X troop, died from injuries received in a car accident which happenned between Ashurst and Lyndhurst, Hampshire. 
The Commando were based at Ashurst after their redesignation as a Commando unit, and this occurred the day before the whole Commando moved to Achnacarry for Commando training. He was hit by a jeep driven by an American serviceman.
 

OWEN, John Ivor Headon

Major General
45 Cdo. RM
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
John Ivor Headon Owen was Captain of 'C' Troop' 44RM Commando in Burma January 1945 [1][1a]. Post war he served in 42 Commando RM in Borneo and he commanded 45 Commando RM in Aden [2]. 
1 January 1963 (Major) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

PALMER, Charles Francis

Charles Palmer 44 Royal Marine Commando
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Charles Palmer from Newcastle died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.

PAYNE, Leonard William

LCpl Leonard Payne 44RM Commando
Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Leonard Payne died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.
[Image] Susan Moore (great niece).
 

PEMBERTON, Thomas William

Acting Temporary Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal Thomas Pemberton received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36925, page 757.
[2] Commando Association newsletter 62.
 

PINKNEY, James

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine James Pinkney died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.
 

POLKINGHORNE, Eric

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine Eric Polkinghorne died [1] on active service during operations in Burma [1a][2][3]. 
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[1a] Registers of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.
[2] ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.

RICHARDSON, James Walker Freer

Captain
44RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Doctor James Richardson, M.R.C.S., was commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, on 12 September 1942 [1].  He later became Medical Officer of 44RM Commando and received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma [2][2a]. 

RICHARDSON, Leon

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Leon Richardson died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.
 

SCOTT, Douglas

Marine Douglas Scott 44 Commando
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Douglas Scott, from Hexham, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.

SHEATHER, Allan Cecil

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Allan Sheather died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.
 

SHORE, Donald

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Donald Shore died from enemy shell fire during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.
No.44RM Commando War Diary entry.
 

STOCKLEY, Gordon Herbert

Lieutenant Colonel
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Died in service
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Stockley, former Commanding Officer of 44RM Commando, died in 1951 whilst serving at RMB Eastney.
  • October 1944 Acting Major, Holding Operational Commando
  • December 1944 Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer 44 RM Commando. 

STURGES, Edward Murray

Temporary Lieutenant, Acting Temporary Captain
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Edward Sturges received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1].
  • 1 December 1939 commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant, Royal Marines [2].
Sources

TERNENT, John White

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Ternent died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.
 

WALTERS, H.J.

Lance Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps

Lance Corporal Walters, R.A.M.C. attached 44 RM Commando, was wounded 28 January 1945 during operations in Burma.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.
 

WALTERS, Stanley Kenneth

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Stanley Walters died from enemy shell fire during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
 
Sources
CWGC
No.44 RM Commando War Diary entry.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/138.
 

WATKINS, William John

William Watkins 44 Commando
Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine William Watkins died at Jhansi, India, of cerebral malaria contracted during operations in the Far East.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/138.
[Image] Daniel Stevenson, (great great nephew).
 

WATTS, Ernest John

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died in service

Marine Ernest Watts died of acute meningitis at the 28th Indian General Hospital, Hong Kong.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/138.

WHITE, Augustus Ronald

Temporary Lieutenant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Lieutenant Augustus White received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1][1a].
He was wounded during the Commando's first operation at Alethangyaw rejoining and becoming 'D' Troop leader in June 1944 [2].

WILLIAMS, Albert Edward

Corporal
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Albert Williams died during operations in the Far East.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/138.
[3] 3 Cdo Bde. Third Jungle Book issue 9.
 
Notes

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