Archive
52ME Commando
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19'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'
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."
'Rearguard action on Crete'
Location
Suda Bay
Island of Crete
Greece
35° 29' 13.0272" N, 24° 5' 7.6704" E
Monday, May 26, 1941
26th - 31st May 1941. The Commandos were No. 7 (U.K.), and Middle East Commando, formed by the amalgamation of No. 50 and 52 (M.E.) Commandos.
52 ME Commando
To be updated.
BEAUMONT, William Blair
The circumstances of the death of Private William Beaumont are not known to this archive.
Notes - Berlin 1939-1945 Cemetery
COUTTS, John Davie
Corporal John Coutts Was awarded the M.M. [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during his escape from a Prisoner of War Camp at Salonika, Greece [2].
CROOK, Roy Joseph
Sergeant Roy Joseph Crook * was awarded the D.C.M., in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [1].
Recommendation
Crete
FLOOD, Joseph Patrick
Private Joseph Flood died during operations in Eritrea.
HARRISON, Ronnie
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
HILL, Francis John
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
HOWARTH, George
Guardsman George Howarth died during operations in Eritrea.
HUMPHREY, Bert
The circumstances of the death of Private Bert Humphrey are not known to this archive.
KELLY, Peter
The circumstances of the death of Lance Corporal Peter Kelly are not known to this archive.
NICHOLAS, John Harry
Trooper John Harry Nicholas died of malaria during an escape from a prisoner of war camp in Greece.
SHORTEN, Raymond Herbert
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.
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.
STOTT, Charles Henry
The circumstances of the death of Trooper Charles Stott are not known to this archive.
THOMAS, Leslie
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.
Tank Museum archives re Cdo service and cause of death.
WHITELAW, John
The circumstances of the death of Private John Whitelaw are not known to this archive
WILLCOCKS, William Arthur
Trooper William Willcocks died during the period that his Commando were engaged as part of 'D' Bn. Layforce in the rearguard action covering the evacuation of allied forces from Crete.
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