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

BEACH, George Edgar

44RM Commando
Marine George Beach died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
ROH in 44RM Commando Achnacarry to the Arakan , author Tony Mackenzie.
 

BEDFORD, John Robert

44RM Commando
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
44RM Commando
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.
[Image] Newcastle Evening Chronicle - Wednesday 14 February 1945,  © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.
 

BOWEN, Albert Victor

44RM Commando
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

46RM Commando
44RM Commando
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].
  • June 1945 Second in Command of 44RM Commando in the Far East [4]][4a][4b].
Sources
[1]  London Gazette 36979, page 1386.

DOOLEY, Arthur

44RM Commando
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.  
Extracts from personal Service Record 
See this Forum message for more:  RM44 Arthur Dooley

EDWARDS, Vincent

Marine Vincent Edwards 44RM
44RM Commando
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

44RM Commando
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.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.
Register of Deaths in the district of Ballachulish via website scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
 

FOOT, Frank

44RM Commando
Lance Corporal Frank Foot died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.
[Image] John Fryatt (nephew).
 

FOUCHE, Stefanus Louis

Stefanus Fouche
48RM Commando
44RM Commando
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].
  • 6 August 1945 Kharakvasla, India, wounded by grenade shrapnel during practise assault landings and night exercises [2].

GIBSON, Eric Hookway

Eric Hookway Gibson as a child
44RM Commando
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
Former occupation - assistant golf professional.
Cause of death - multiple injuries head, neck, and chest.
Seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer CBTC.  
 

GIGG, George Thomas

44RM Commando
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.
 

HAW, Charles Walter

Marine Charles Haw 44RM Commando
Grave at Akyab of Marine Charles Haw
44RM Commando
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.
[1a] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.
[2] '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.

HEATH, Alfred

44RM Commando
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.
 

HODNETT, Walter Herbert

44RM Commando
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.
 

KILLINGBECK, E.W.

47RM Commando

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

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

LEWIS, Frank Gordon

44RM Commando
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

44RM Commando
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

44RM Commando
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.
[3] London Gazette Supp. 36925, page 756.
 
Notes

MARSHALL, Arthur Allan

Corporal Arthur Marshall 44 Commando
44RM Commando
Corporal Arthur Marshall died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.
Image © Trinity Mirror. Published in the Lichfield Mercury - Friday 09 March 1945. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.

MARTIN, Arthur

44RM Commando
Captain Arthur Martin, Signals Troop, and one of the original 3rd RM Bn., officers, was killed during operations at Kangaw. 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​
London Gazette 36925,page 757.
44RM Commando Achnacarry to the Arakan by Tony Mackenzie.
 

MCDONALD, Dennis

44RM Commando
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.
 

MUSTOW, Joseph

44RM Commando
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

44RM Commando
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. conducted his funeral service. The escort, firing party, and pallbearers, were all from his troop. [3].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.

O'REILLY, John

44RM Commando
Marine John O'Reilly died in India as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.
 

OWEN, Alan Roger

44RM Commando
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.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.

OWEN, John Ivor Headon

45 Cdo. RM
44RM Commando
Captain John Owen served with 44RM Commando during operations in the Far East [1]. Post war he served with 42 Commando RM in Borneo and commanded 45 Commando RM in Aden [2]. 
  • 1st January 1963 (Major) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [3].
  • 1968 (Lieutenant Colonel) received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in Aden [4].
Sources
[1] Commando Association (WW2) newsletter 109 issued Sept. 1999.

PINKNEY, James

44RM Commando
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

44RM Commando
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.
[3] ROH in the 3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 9 (below).
 

RICHARDSON, James Walker Freer

44RM Commando
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]. 

Post war he served as senior resident medical officer at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, and then general practice at Guildford. He took the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons at the end of 1950 [3].

SCOTT, Douglas

Marine Douglas Scott 44 Commando
44RM Commando
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.
Newcastle Journal - Monday 12 March 1945 - via The British Newspaper Archive. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of The British Library Board.
 

SHORE, Donald

44RM Commando
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

Royal Marines
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Stockley died whilst serving at RMB Eastney.
 
He had previously served as officer commanding 44 RM Commando from December 1944 to June 1945.  In 1945 the then Captain ( acting Lieut. Colonel)  Stockwell received a mention in despatches for gallant and distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Land Forces, South East Asia.
[Sources: London Gazettes supp. 37318, page 5181 & rank amended in supp. 37346 page 5532.]
 

STOCKWELL, John Neville

Brigade Signals
44RM Commando
Marine John Stockwell, 3 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
In the Third Jungle Book Issue 9 page 57 at the end of an article on the Brigade Signal Troop (BST) the following is written, "To complete this story of the B.S.T. it is well to remember the BEM and three MiD's that have been awarded the troop, and to deplore the loss in action of an old member - Jack Stockwell. To his wife go the troop's deepest sympathy and sincerest wishes for the future."
 
Sources

STURGES, Edward Murray

44RM Commando
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
[1] London Gazette 36925, page 757 published February 1945.
[2] London Gazette 34782, page 604.
 

WATKINS, William John

William Watkins 44 Commando
44RM Commando
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).
 

WHITE, Augustus Ronald

44RM Commando

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].
He was wounded during the Commando's first operation at Alethangyaw rejoining and becoming 'D' Troop leader in June 1944 [2].

WILLIAMS, Albert Edward

44RM Commando
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
Source at [2] records he died in India.
Source at [3] records he died at Kangaw, Burma.
 

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