No 5 Commando
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3 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations
Location
Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
Saturday, January 1, 1944
The following reports relate to the operations of the Commando Units attached to 3 Commando Brigade that took place after the 1st January 1944.
5 Commando
History of the Unit
5 Commando Nominal Roll
In 1946 the Army Council decided that the Army Commandos were to be disbanded and no provision was allowed or made for any depository or office which would have at least contained a complete Roster of Names of the men who served in the various units.
5 Commando, Formation in 1940
scan of letters documenting the formation of No5 Commando in 1940
5 Commando, Officers in 1940
Scan of original document listing the first Commanding Officer and Troop Leaders of No5 Commando on its formation in 1940. Listed are prospective subalterns for each troop.
ADDINGTON, Raymond Thomas Casamajor
Raymond Thomas Casamajor Addington, the third son of the 6th Viscount Sidmouth, joined No 5 Commando as a 2/Lieutenant upon their formation in July 1940 [1] [3]. He was promoted Lieutenant on the 1st January 1941 [2]. Lieutenant Addington took part with No 5 Commando in Operation Ironclad at Madagascar [3].
BEECH, James Frederick
Private James Beech, HQ 3 Special Service (Commando) Bde., reported initially by the War Office to have died a prisoner of war in Japanese hands, died in Poona Hospital, India, a victim of infantile paralysis. [1+2]
On the 31st January 1945 he is listed as being wounded whilst with No 5 Commando. [3]
BETTS, Arthur
Private Arthur Betts, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
BEVAN, William James
Private William Bevan, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
BEVERIDGE, Robert
Sergeant Robert Beveridge died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
BISHOP, John Franklin
Private John Bishop, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
BLAKEMORE, John
Sergeant John Blakemore died during operations in Madagascar.
BRADFORD, Alan Charles
Private Alan Bradford, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
BROTHWOOD, John T.V.W.
The ful circumstances of the death of Driver John Brothwood are not known by this archive.
Sources
CWGC.
Operation Claymore: CVA gallery entry.
BROWN, Frederick Harold
Lance Sergeant Frederick Brown died in the UK by gunshot wound at Sandown.
The War Diary for No 5 Commando in June 1943 has the following entry:
3 June: The death occurred by gunshot of L/Sgt FH Brown 833166 at Sandown.
BROWN, James
Private James Brown was awarded the MM for gallant and distinguished services in the field relating to his successful escape in October 1943 after being captured during the raid at St Nazaire in March 1942 [1] . He was one of the Commando contingent on board HMS Campbeltown [2].
BRYANT, Sydney
Lieutenant Sydney Bryant died during operations in Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC
BUDD, Lionel
Gunner Lionel Budd, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
BURTINSHAW, Robert James Glover
Lieutenant Robert Burtinshaw died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and OIC of a demolition team. He received a posthumous MiD for his "gallant and distinguished services in action against the enemy during the raid."
Sources
CWGC
London Gazettes Supp. 37162; Page: 3494 and Supp. 37629; Page: 3273 (errata).
CARR, Francis Arthur
Sgt. Carr was awarded the DCM for his gallantry during the raid at St Nazaire. He was the senior NCO in the demolition party led by Lieut Burtinshaw on board HMS Campbeltown.
[Source; London Gazettes Supp. 37162, page 3493.]
CHAMBERS, Philip Arthur John
Gunner Philip Chambers, 2 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
CHURCHILL, John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming (Lt Col)
After a brief spell as 2i/c No 5 Commando, the then Major John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming Churchill (later affectionately known by some as Mad Jack) moved to 2i/c No 3 Commando. Shortly after Lt Col Newman was taken prisoner at St Nazaire in 1942, Major Churchill was promoted Lt Col. to replace him as OC No 2 Commando. Lt Col Churchill remained OC until he was also taken prisoner in 1944.
An account by Bob Bishop No 2 Commando from his history of No 2:
CLIFFORD, Frederick Henry
The full circumstances of the death of Private Frederick Clifford are not known by this archive.
COLE, H.J.T.
Former Driver H. J. T. Cole of No. 5 Commando, later a Sergeant in the Royal Australian Army, died in 1955. [Source: Commando Association newsletter 23].
COLLINS, Michael Vincent
Mick Collins, 5 troop, met his good friend and Commando Pal, Geoff Hill, at the King's Royal Rifle Corps recruiting office as they were enlisting. They later volunteered for special service in the Commandos together, trained at Achnacarry together and were paired up as Commando Pals. They fought side by side in Burma where they were both WIA on 23 March 1944. Post WWII they remained in close friends and stayed in contact until Mick sadly died in February 1956.
COOK, Henry John
Rifleman Henry Cook , No 5 Commando HQ, died in Hong Kong.
COOKE, Charles Harry
Private Charles Cooke died during operations in Madagascar.
DICKSON, Alexander
Trooper Alexander Dickson, 5troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
EATON, Frank
Sapper Frank Eaton 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
EDWARDS, Henry E.
The full circumstances of the death of Lance Corporal Henry Edwards are not known by this archive.
EDWARDS, Ronald
Corporal Ronald Edwards died after Nos 5 and 1 Commando had merged to form 1/5 Commando.
FERGUSON, James Mclntosh McLaren
Troop Sergeant Major James Ferguson was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma.
The death of TSM Ferguson MM (5 Cdo) of Falmouth, Cornwall, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 102 issued March 1996.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 37040, page 2080.
National Archives file WO 373/36/72.
Notes
FERGUSON, William
Sergeant William Ferguson died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
FLEMING, James Cameron Grant
Private James Fleming died as a result of a fall from a train. [1] and [2]
FLOWERS, Charles William Thomas
Rifleman Charles Flowers died during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
GIBSON, George MacDonald
Private George Gibson was awarded the MM in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.
His details are in Commando Association - Lost Legion List No. 5 ( those they had lost contact with). There they show his final rank as Corporal and his last known address as Perthshire.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 36574, page 2963.
National Archives file WO 373/32/117.
GODDEN, Frederic
The circumstances of the death of Private Frederic Godden are not as yet known by this archive.
GREEN, Anthony Lovering
Driver Anthony Green, 1 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
GRIFFITHS, T.H.
Private Griffiths died on active service in Hong Kong.
HALDANE, Frederick Henry Miller
Sergeant Frederick Haldane, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
HAMBRIDGE, Alfred
Private Alfred Hambridge, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
HARRIS, Thomas Leslie
Private Thomas Harris, 4 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
HODGES, James Reginald
Private James Hodges, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
HULMES, George
Private George Hulmes died during operations in Madagascar.
HURLEY, Philip
Private Philip Hurley, 2 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
IDE, George Edward
Sergeant George Ide died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
JOHNSON, Bertie Lawrence
Lance Sergeant Bertie Johnson died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
JOHNSON, Douglas Edward
The full circumstances of the death of Company Sergeant Major Douglas Johnson are not known by this archive.
JONES, Sydney
Lance Corporal Sydney Jones died of wounds inflicted during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
KELLY, George William
Sergeant George Kelly, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
KERR, Joseph Robert
The death of Sergeant Joseph Robert Kerr (14 & 5 Cdos) of Hensingham, Whitehawn, Cumbria, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 68 issued March 1979.
LINSEY, Cyril William Frederick
Rifleman Cyril Linsey, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
LYCETT, Robert Arthur
The full circumstances of the death of Lance Corporal Robert Lycett are not as yet known by this archive.
LYNN, Sidney Frank
Private Sidney Lynn died of wounds received in action on the 23rd March 1944 at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
CVA Gallery.
MACGOWAN, Sydney James Watt
Private Sydney Macgowan, 2 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.
MANFORD, Francis Stanley
Captain Francis Stanley Manford served in No 5 Commando until 1942. He then left the Commando and joined Mission 204. From there he became an instructor to 77 Brigade – the Chindits.. In 1944 having now joined the S.O.E. he contracted Malaria whilst on leave in India and took his own life. A handwritten letter from Colonel Gardiner to Mrs Manford states "I hasten to make it clear that in my opinion he was suffering from the effects of malaria and was not responsible for his actions at the time."
Sources
CWGC
MASON, Dennis Cook
Lance Bombardier Dennis Mason died during operations in Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
MCNIFF, Jack
Private Jack McNiff died during the period when No 5 Commando were involved in operations in Madagascar.
MEEK, William
Craftsman William Meek, 2 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book [view]
Photo credit Toni Holmes.
MILES, Charles George
The full circumstances of the death of Rifleman Charles Miles are not known by this archive.
NELSON, William Andrew
Bombardier William Nelson died during the period his Commando were engaged in operations in the Maungdaw and Ramree area.
ORMESHER, George
Corporal George Ormesher died during operations in Madagascar.
PARKER, James Frankland
Private James Parker was mortally wounded by a premature explosion of a no.
PEACH, Leslie Alfred Brandon
Private Leslie Peach, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
PEEBLES, John Alan Laing
Captain John Peebles MC was mortally wounded by a premature explosion of a no. 68 grenade on a field firing exercise at Cheverton Down, nr Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
PETERS, David Robert
Trooper David Robert Peters, a Cadet from the 102nd Officer Cadet Training Unit, was commissioned 2nd Lieut. on the 9th March 1940. [1]
He was attached to No 2 Commando from at least January 1943. [2]
On the 15th March 1945 it was announced that T/Captain Peters had been awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field. [3]
PHILLIPS, William James Augustus
Private William Phillips died on active service in Hong Kong.
POLLITT, Charles Jordan Bellingham (Lt Col)
Charles Pollitt, then a Captain, embarked with No 10 Independent Company on their deployment to Freetown in April 1940. At the end of the year after No 10 Independent Company was disbanded he volunteered for and was posted to the Holding and Training Wing at what was then STC Achnacarry. [1].
REEVE, Stanley Richardson
Fusilier Stanley Reeve died during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
SANSOM, Samuel Jack
Private Samuel Sansom, 6 troop, died of wounds received in action at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
SCOBBIE, John Ross
Private John Scobbie died of wounds received during operations at Myebon.
Sources
CWGC.
SERRICK, Daniel
Pte Serrick was born in Nova Scotia. He was one of a group of young Canadians who were recruited into the Manchester Regiment by a Col R B Willis DSO - a retired officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment who had also served in 'The Manchesters'. This group of Canadian volunteers became known as the 'Halifax Hundred'.
SHAW, David Mackenzie (Lt Col)
Commanding Officer No 5 Commando when they sailed to India in November 1943 until the 12th September 1944 when he relinquished his command to Lt Col Pollitt and rejoined his Regiment, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
In 1940 the then Captain (Acting Major) David Mackenzie Shaw was awarded the MC for his gallantry serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Citation for the MC.
SHEDDON, Richard Graham
In 1942 the then Lieutenant Richard Sheddon was awarded the M.C. in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations in Madagascar.
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 35740, page 4431.
National Archives file WO 373/29/135.
Notes
Surname spelt as SHEDDON on N.A. file, and CA Newsletter 105; SHEDDEN on L.G. record.
SKEATES, Albert Charles
Lance Corporal Albert Skeates, 6 Troop, died late afternoon on the 1st November 1940 when hit by shrapnel from an exploding shell whilst walking along the Dover-Deal road. He was given a military funeral at St. James' Cemetery in Dover at 15:00 on the 4th November.
Sources
CWGC.
No 5 Commando War Diary.
SMALLEY, Christopher John
Lieutenant Christopher Smalley died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and OIC of a demolition team. He received a posthumous MiD for "gallant and distinguished services in action against the enemy during the raid."
Sources
CWGC.
LG Publication date: 3 July 1945; Supplement: 37162; Page: 3494.
SMITH, Ronald James
Private Ronald Smith died during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
STAPLETON, Alfred William
Rifleman Alfred Stapleton died during operations at Kangaw.
STEDMAN, Ernest Harold
Private Ernest Stedman, 5 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
STOKES, George Stanley
Lance Corporal George Stokes died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and part of Lt Burtinshaw's demolition party.
STUART, Ted, Memories of 5 Commando and Mission 204
A personal account of the memories of Ted Stuart, No 5 Commando, who volunteered for Mission 204.
SYLVESTER, George
Lance Corporal George Sylvester, 5 troop, died of wounds received on the 23rd March 1944 at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
TAYLOR, Reginald George
Corporal Reginald Taylor died during operations in Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
TOMS, Frederick John
Lance Corporal Frederick Toms died during operations in Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC
TOOTH, Eric Roger
Private Eric Tooth died of wounds received during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC
TORDOFF, Kenneth
Private Kenneth Tordoff , No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
TUNGATT, Leonard Frederick
Fusilier Leonard Tungatt died during operations at Kangaw.
Sources
CWGC.
WALTERS, Haydn
Private Haydn Walters died of illness in Kedgeon, near Poona, India,
WARD, John James
Former Sergeant John James 'Paddy' Ward (5 Cdo) died whilst at sea and was buried in New Jersey. (Source: Commando Association newsletter 35.)
WHEELER, Bert
Private Bert Wheeler, 2 troop, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
WILLIAMS, John
Gunner John Williams, No 5 Commando HQ, died during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC.
WOOD, Steven Patrick (Lt Col)
Lt Col (Temporary) Wood was the first Commanding Officer of No 5 Commando when it was formed at Bridlington in July 1940 remaining in post unitil the 8th November 1940 when he relinquished command. (Sources: No 5 Cdo War Diary + click on highlighted links above.)
WRIGHT, Douglas Thomas
Private Douglas Wright died during operations in Madagascar.
YEOMAN, Robert
Rifleman Robert Yeoman died on active service at Cocanada.
Sources
CWGC.
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