50ME Commando
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Displaying 1 - 132 of 132'Depot Commando Training and Holding Unit'
'Kastellorizo - Operation Abstention'
Location
Allied operation from 25 to 28 February 1941 on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo (or Castellorizo).
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'Layforce'
Three UK based Army Commando units, Nos. 7, 8, and 11 Commandos, were initially combined within 'Force Z' for operations initially envisaged against Rhodes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Other elements of the Force included a number of men from No.3 Commando and the Canoe section of No.8 (Guards) Commando. They sailed from the Isle of Arran on the 31st January 1941, and arrived at Suez on the 7th March.
'ME Cdo. Roll of Honour'
'Rearguard action on Crete'
Location
26th - 31st May 1941. The Commandos were No.7 Commando, and 'D' Bn Layforce which was formed by the amalgamation of No. 50 and 52 (M.E.) Commandos.
'Spanish Volunteers D Bn. Layforce - PoW'
1st Special Service Regiment Officers Jul'42
Surname | Initials |
Rank
|
Regt.
|
---|---|---|---|
50ME Commando
ADDICOTT, H.L.
ALBALADEJO, Alexander
ALVAREZ, Jose
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..
Prisoners of War Lists, Second World War, 1943-1945. / National Archives file WO392/20.
ANDREWS, William
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
ARCHER, C.D.
Sources
Casualty Lists WO417/23.
BARNETT, William Henry
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
BARROSO, Montiano
Lance Sergeant Montiano Barroso, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..
BATE, James Howard
BEEDELL, Lawrence Henry
BENTLEY, W
Lance Corporal Bentley was was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war
BLACKBURN, Thomas
BOAST, E.A.
Corporal Boast was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
BORWICK, Michael George
- Mentioned In Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [2].
BOYLE, Peter, J.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
BRITTAIN, E.
Private Brittain, attached to 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/26 and WO417/91.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.
BROWN, J.
- 1944 reported no longer a prisoner of war [2].
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists WO417/23.
BULLEN, John
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
BUSBY, John Henry
Corporal John Busby from Hull was reported in the Casualty Lists as attached to 'D' Bn Layforce [1] at the time of his death through illness in the Middle East [2][3].
CHAPMAN, Alfred James
CHIVERS, Frederick, J.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).
COCHRANE, Archibald Leman
- 1 November 1945 appoined M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service whilst a Prisoner of War.
COLLINS, R.
Sources
Casualty Lists WO417/23.
COOK, Frank, B.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 (army no. amended in WO417/29.)
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
CORDA, Francisco
CROSSAN, William George
DAWES, Ernest William
Private Ernest Dawes died during operations on the Greek island of Kastellorizo.
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/23.
50 Me Cdo Casualty List 25th-28th Feb. 1941 in Crete - Ref. GRO2E/1188/69C / National Archives WO361/124.
The Middle East Commandos, author Charles Messenger.
DENNIS, V.L.
- 21 November 1941 (1st Bn. Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment) wounded Western Desert [3].
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/23.
DREWITT, Glanville
Private Glanville Drewitt, 52 Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. He also served in 50 Middle East Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association, London Branch.
EDWARDS, Harry
Fusilier Harry Edwards was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
ENGLAND, Leslie Frank
Trooper Leslie England was reported missing later presumed killed in action during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave [1][1a][1b].
26 October 1932 attested into the Royal Tank Corps [2].
5 November 1939 transferred to the Royal Household Cavalry [2].
FAJARDO, Joaquin
Private Joaquin Fajardo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C. Liberated in 1945.
FARMER, H.
Private Farmer was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo (Operation Abstention), later found to be a prisoner of war.
FELLOWES, Hubert, H.
FILMER, Ronald
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
FOX-DAVIES, Harley Edmond Fitzroy
- Second in Command of No.50 Middle East Commando July 1940*.
- Commanding Officer No.52 Middle East Commando November 1940. Left the Commando shortly afterwards due to illness*.
FROST, Terence Ernest Manitou
GALERA, Enrique
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War Lists, Second World War, 1943-1945. / National Archives file WO392/10 and 20 (Stalag 8C).
GREENWOOD, Jack
HACKETT, Harry
-
Enlisted RA 1937 [3].
-
23 March 1943 (64 Medium Regiment RA) wounded Tunisia [4].
HAMPER, Arthur Ernest Stephenson
Private Arthur Hamper was shot and killed when attempting to escape from Stalag 4F whilst a prisoner of war in German hands. He was awarded a posthumous Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service.
HARDING, John Aubrey, D.H.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
HARRISON, Charles, F.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
HARVEY, C.
Lance Corporal C. Harvey was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands [1][1a].
1943 unit and rank amended to Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals [2][2a].
1944 reported no longer a prisoner of war [3].
HERAS, Bravlio

HEWITT, W.
Sergeant Hewitt, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
HILL, Francis William Amey
Private Francis Hill was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941 and later found to be a prisoner of war at Stalag 3D.
HODGSON, Albert
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and 11.
HOEBE, L.T.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Holland.
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 93.
HOLLINGSHEAD, Robert, W.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A) and WO392/11 (Stalag 11B).
IMPERATO, Robert Tony
Corporal Robert Imperato was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941.
IRWIN, Thomas
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).
JARY, James, W.
Sources
Casualty Lists WO417/23 and WO417/94.
JOHNSON, William Edward
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4D).
JOHNSTONE, Robert
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).
JONES, Albert, G.W.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).
JONES, William
Trooper William Jones was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war.
KNOTT, Harry Leonard
LAKER, Jesse, A.
Trooper Jesse Laker was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in the Middle East, later found to be a prisoner of war. On this date his Commando were engaged in operations in Crete.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National archives files WO417/42, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and WO392/11 (Stalag 4G).
LEWIS, John Thomas
Private John Lewis was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941.
LINSDELL, R.
Private R. Linsdell was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later reported no longer missing.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/34.
LLEWELLYN, Frederick, J.
Private Frederick Llewellyn was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete , later found to be a prisoner of war.
LOCKINGTON, Arthur
Trooper Arthur Lockington died whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.
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LOWENTHAL, M.J., or N.
Private Lowenthal was wounded between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo.
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists WO417/23.
[2] 50 Me Cdo Casualty List 25th-28th Feb. 1941 in Crete - Ref. GRO2E/1188/69C / National Archives WO361/124.
LUMBRERA, Francisco

LYONS, John, G.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4C) and WO392/21 (Campo 78).
MALONE, Terence
Corporal Terence Malone, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
MARINO, Angel
Private Angel Marino, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete 2 June 1941 later found to be a prisoner of war.
MARSON, Kenneth
Private Kenneth Marson, 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34 and WO417/94
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1 (Stalag 3D) and WO392/11 (Stalag 4G).
MARTINEY, Aurelio
Private Aurelio Martiney, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war
MATHER, James Henry

Private James Mather was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete and later found to be a prisoner of war [1]. He had been imprisoned at Stalag 4C, a prisoner of war camp at Wistritz bei Teplitz, Sudetenland ( part of former Czechoslovakia) [2a]. He died shortly after his release in 1945 due to ill treatment whilst a prisoner [3].
MCALLISTER, H.
Private McAllister was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Repatriated to the UK in 1943.
MCCORMICK, John
Sources
CWGC.
McEWAN, Alexander
MCGILL, Arthur, T.
Private Arthur McGill was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
MEALOR, Joseph
MENA, J
Private J. Mena, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported as a prisoner of war in German hands (in Germany) after operations in Crete 1941. In 1943 he is reported as repatriated to the UK.
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/35 and WO417/69.
MILLER, Ean Creighton
MOTHERSOLE, H.
Source: 50 Me Cdo Casualty List 25th-28th Feb. 1941 in Crete - Ref. GRO2E/1188/69C / National Archives WO361/124.
MUNRO, George
MURPHY, P.
- 2 June 1941 Crete reported missing, later found to be a prisoner of war [3][4].
MURRAY, Alfred
Sergeant Alfred Murray was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/29 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/266/462 (Stalag 3D).
NOBLE, Arthur Frederick
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4F).
NUNN, Robert Richard
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 344).
PATRICK, G.A., or J.
Private Patrick was wounded between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo.
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists WO417/23.
[2] 50 Me Cdo Casualty List 25th-28th Feb. 1941 in Crete (War Office Oct 1941) Ref. GRO2E/1188/69C.
Notes
Source [1] initials G.A. Source [2] initial J.
PEMBERTON, Hugh
Private Hugh Pemberton was reported killed in action in the Western Desert.
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.
POLLARD, Jack Kenneth Verdon
POSTELLO, Rafael
Sources
Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/20.
British Army Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
POUCHER, William
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
ROBINSON, George Edgar
Report by Trooper Weston
ROUGH, T.
Private Rough, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4C.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
SADD, Albert Norman
SHARMAN, Richard
SHEEHY, Richard, W.
Sources
Casualty Lists WO417/23 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1, WO392/11, WO392/21.
SHELTON, L.
Lance Corporal Shelton was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941 and later found to be a prisoner of war at Stalag 4B.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 and WO417/49.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO3921/1.
SIMMONDS, Frederick John
SLADE, William Henry
SMITH, Alexander
- 5 June 1942 (2nd Bn. Cheshire Regt.) reported prisoner of war Western Desert [3][4].
SMITH, J.
Lance Corporal J. Smith, 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28, WO417/32, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1 and WO392/11.
SMITH, Michael Arnold
SQUIER, H.G.
Corporal Squier was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. He was later found to have been taken prisoner and transported to Stalag 8A.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/29 and WO417/31.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
STEVENS, A.K.
Fusilier Stevens was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4F.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
STEVENSON, Joseph
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
STEVENSON, Joseph

Commando Association newsletter 59
STEWART, W.S.
SUMMERFIELD, J.
- 2 June 1941 Crete reported missing later found be a prisoner of war [3][4].
SWINBURN, Arthur

TALBOT, D.G.
Signalman Talbot was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. He was later found to have been taken prisoner and transported to Stalag 8B in Poland.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/29.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
TAYLOR, Alfred George
TAYLOR, George
- 5 January 1929 attested into the Royal Tank Corps serving additionally with the 8th Hussars and 9th Lancers.
Casualty Lists WO417/23 and WO417/94.
TAYLOR, Graham Cecil Gordon
- 1 April to 30 July 1939 (Second Lieutenant) (2nd Bn. The Leicestershire Regiment) awarded the Military Cross for distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with operations in Palestine.
TAYLOR, Stanley Benjamin
Sergeant Stanley Taylor was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383 in Germany.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
THOMAS, P.
Private Thomas was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later reported prisoner of war.
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists WO417/23, WO417/89, and WO417/94.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/21.
TOWNSEND, Charles
Post war member of the Commando Association from Kings Norton, Birmingham.
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 65 (1977).
TRUSTY, R.
Private Trusty, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
TUNSTALL, Francis Barnard
TURNER, Edward
Corporal Turner was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 344.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
VAUGHAN, John Henry
Trooper John Henry 'Jack' Vaughan, 'D' Batallion Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
WALDOCK, H.F.
Corporal Waldock was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4F.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
WALKER, J.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Great Bowden.
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 93.
WESTON, Richard John
WILLIAMS, G.J.
Fusilier Williams was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 344.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
WILLIAMSON, C.E.F.
Lance Corporal Williamson, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
WILSON, A.
Trooper Wilson was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/31, WO417/32, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1.
YOUNG, George Alan Dawson
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