52ME Commando

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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.

ABDALE, Edward

52ME Commando
Private Edward Abdale was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been wounded and taken prisoner of war. He was transported to Stalag 383 in Germany. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/54.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
Enlistment Registers Coldstream Guards / Army Book 358.
 

ADAMSON, Alexander Naismith

Middle East Commando
Lance Corporal Alexander Adamson, Depot M.E. Commando, was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/96
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

[3] Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 101.

ALBALADEJO, A.

Layforce
Private A. Albaladejo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been wounded, captured and later transported to Stalag 344.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/30; WO417/34; and WO417/92.
Prisoners of War Lists, Second World War, 1943-1945. / National Archives file WO392/20.
 

BEAUMONT, William Blair

52ME Commando
Private William Beaumont was reported missing on 1st June 1941 during operations in Crete. He was later found to have died in Germany whilst a prisoner of war [2].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/30, WO417/39, and WO417/34.
 
Notes - Berlin 1939-1945 Cemetery

BRADLEY, John Stanton

52ME Commando
Guardsman John Bradley, a Journalist born in Margate Kent, was attested into the Coldstream Guards on 23 October 1939 aged 26.  Reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been taken prisoner of war and transported to Stalag 344 in Poland. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
Coldstream Guards Registers / Army Book 303 and 358.
 

COLEMAN, Nicholas John

52ME Commando
Lance Corporal Nicholas Coleman, M.M.,  was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4B in Germany [1][2]. 
  • A Labourer from West Hartlepool he was attested on 21 October 1933 aged 18 years 11 months [3]. 
  • 1940 awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 3rd Bn., Coldstream Guards, in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on 3 September 1940 in the Western Desert [4].
Sources

COOK, G.M.

52ME Commando

Lance Corporal G.M. Cook was reported missing on 1st June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

CORDA, F.

'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Spanish volunteer who served in 'D' Bn., Layforce. Reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been taken prisoner of war and transported to Stalag 21A at Thorn, Poland.
 
Notes/Sources
Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/10 shows surname as CORDA.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28 shows surname as JORDA.

HARRISON, Ronnie

52ME Commando
Lance Sergeant Ronnie Harrison, 'C' Company, died during operations in Eritrea to disrupt enemy communications between Kohr Kumar and Khor Abder.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Charles Messenger's book The Middle East Commandos.
 
Notes

HAYE, J.

52ME Commando

Private J. Haye was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

HILL, Francis John

52ME Commando
Trooper Francis Hill died during the period of the evacuation of allied forces from Crete. Elements of Layforce were engaged in a rearguard action whilst the evacuation took place. He was attached to the Commando on the 13th January 1941.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Tank Museum archives re Cdo service

HINDMARSH, George Peel

52ME Commando

Lance Corporal George Hindmarsh was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 and WO417/31..
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

HUMPHREY, Bert

52ME Commando
Private Bert Humphrey was reported missing during operations in Crete on 2nd June 1941 and died on 25th July 1941.
 
Sources
CWGC.
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45 National Archives file WO417/27.
 

IVERS, H.A.

52ME Commando

Sergeant H.A. Ivers was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag Luft 3 in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

KENNEDY, J.

52ME Commando

Private J. Kennedy was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.

LYNCH-GARDNER, Hugh

52ME Commando

2 November 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade [1].
Served in 52 ME Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association. Emigrated to Australia [2].
10 April 1942 (Captain) (Rifle Brigade) wounded in Burma [3].
30 May 1953 granted honorary rank of Captain [4].

Sources
[1] London Gazette 34995, page 6627.
[2] Commando Association newsletter 62 issued March 1976.
[3] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/3.
[4] London Gazette 39874, page 3027.

MARTIN, H.

52ME Commando

Private H. Martin was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3A in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

MATTHEWS, D.

52ME Commando

Private D. Matthews was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 18A in Austria.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

MENA, J

Layforce

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. 

MILES, Hugh Logan

52ME Commando

Lance Corporal Hugh Miles was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4G in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/31.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

MORRIS, Reginald

52ME Commando
Lance Corporal Reginald Morris was reported wounded during operations in the Middle East on 27 January 1941 [1].
  • 2 June 1941 reported missing during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4F in Germany [2][3]. 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/22.
[2] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/35.
[3] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
 

NAPIER, A. McG.

52ME Commando

Lance Corporal A. McG. Napier was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

PATERSON, J.A.

52ME Commando

Private J.A. Paterson was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

SAINT, Reginald George

52ME Commando

Guardsman Reginald Saint 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 WO417/31.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

SHORTEN, Raymond Herbert

52ME Commando
'Layforce'
SAS
Lieutenant Raymond Shorten left the Commando in July 1942 to join 'L' Detachment SAS. He  died in October during operations with the SAS at Sidi Barrani.
 
 Nov 40, enlisted General List
 Dec 40, 52 ME Cdo
 Jan 41, wounded
 Mar 41, merged into D Bn,Layforce
 Apr 42, merged into ME Cdo C Sqn
 July 42, joins L Det, SAS Bde.
 
Sources
CWGC.

STARLING, R.E.

52ME Commando

Private R.E. Starling was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4B in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

STOTT, Charles Henry

52ME Commando
Trooper Charles Stott was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete but later found to have been taken prisoner. He died whilst a prisoner of war, cause of death not known to this archive.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/27, 31, and 44.
 

TAYLOR, J.A.

52ME Commando

Private J.A. Taylor was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

THOMAS, Leslie

52ME Commando
'Layforce'
Trooper Leslie Thomas died during the evacuation of allied forces from Crete. No 52 ME Commando (as part of 'D' Bn Layforce) were engaged in a rearguard action whilst the evacuation took place. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/30.
Tank Museum archives. 
 

WAINWRIGHT, T.

52ME Commando

Lance Corporal T. Wainwright was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4G in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

WALSH, S.G.

52ME Commando

Private S.G. Walsh was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4G in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

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