3 Cdo Bde Operations in Burma
Location
Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
The following reports relate to the operations of the Commando Units attached to 3 Commando Brigade.
No 5 Commando
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5 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."
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
Pte. Betts, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
BEVAN, William James
Pte Bevan, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
BEVERIDGE, Robert
Sgt Beveridge was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
BISHOP, John Franklin
Pte Bishop, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
BLAKEMORE, John
Sgt Blakemore was killed during operations in Madagascar
BRADFORD, Alan Charles
Pte Bradford, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
Read this Letter from the War Office to his Family and view other Correspondence.
BROTHWOOD, John T.V.W.
The circumstances of the death of Dvr. Brothwood are not as yet known by this archive.
(Source for Operation Claymore: CVA gallery.)
BROWN, Frederick Harold
LSgt Brown was killed in the UK by gunshot wound.
The War Diary for No 5 Commando in June 1943 has the following entries:
2 June: Troop training - street fighting practice - minefield clearing - map reading and compass work.
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
Lt Bryant was killed during operations in Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
BUDD, Lionel
Gnr Budd, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
BURTINSHAW, Robert James Glover
Lt Burtinshaw was killed 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: 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
Gnr Chambers, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
CHURCHILL, John Malcolm Thorpe Fleming (Lt Col)
After a brief spell as 2i/c No 5 Commando, the then Major Churchill 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:
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
Rfn Cook , No 5 Commando HQ, died in Hong Kong.
COOKE, Charles Harry
Pte Cooke was killed during operations in Madagascar.
DICKSON, Alexander
Tpr Dickson, 5troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
EATON, Frank
Spr Eaton 5troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
EDWARDS, Henry E.
The circumstances of the death of LCpl Edwards are not known as yet by this archive.
EDWARDS, Ronald
Cpl. Ronald Edwards was killed after Nos 5 and 1 Commando had merged to form 1/5 Commando.
"The funeral was of one of our colleagues whose life came to a tragic end when he fell from quarters in Kowloon. I am not sure whether it was Mody Road but it was thereabouts. He was buried at Happy Valley Ceremony with full honours. I did attend and am somewhere amongst the others in the picture at the cemetery."
(Source: Dougie Neish of No 1 and 1/5 Cdo. in a message to the CVA, 2010.)
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
Sgt Ferguson was killed 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
Rfn Flowers was killed during operations at Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
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 Pte Godden are not as yet known by this archive.
GREEN, Anthony Lovering
Dvr Green, 1 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
GRIFFITHS, T.H.
Pte Griffiths was killed on active service in Hong Kong.
HALDANE, Frederick Henry Miller
Sgt Haldane, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
HAMBRIDGE, Alfred
Pte Hambridge, 5troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
HARRIS, Thomas Leslie
Pte Harris, 4 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
HODGES, James Reginald
Pte Hodges, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
HULMES, George
Pte Hulmes was killed during operations in Madagascar.
HURLEY, Philip
Pte Hurley, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
IDE, George Edward
Sgt Ide was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
JOHNSON, Bertie Lawrence
LSgt Johnson was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.
JOHNSON, Douglas Edward
The circumstances of the death of TSM Johnson are not as yet known by this archive.
JONES, Sydney
LCpl Jones died of wounds received in action at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
KELLY, George William
Sgt Kelly, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
LINSEY, Cyril William Frederick
Rfn Linsey, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
LYCETT, Robert Arthur
The circumstances of the death of LCpl Lycett are not as yet known by this archive.
LYNN, Sidney Frank
Pte. Lynn died of wounds received in action on the 23rd March 1944 at Maungdaw.
[Source: CVA Gallery and Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
MACGOWAN, Sydney James Watt
Pte. Macgowan, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
MASON, Dennis Cook
LBdr Mason was killed during operations in Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
MCNIFF, Jack
Pte McNiff was killed during the period when No 5 Commando were involved in operations in Madagascar.
MEEK, William
Craftsman William Meek, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
Sources
CWGC
Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book [view]
Photo credit Toni Holmes.
MILES, Charles George
The circumstances of the death of Rfn. Miles are not as yet known by this archive.
NELSON, William Andrew
Bdr Nelson was kiled during operations in the Maungdaw and Ramree area.
ORMESHER, George
Cpl Ormesher was killed during operations in Madagascar.
PARKER, James Frankland
Private James Parker was mortally wounded by a premature explosion of a no.
PEACH, Leslie Alfred Brandon
Pte Peach, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
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
Fus Reeve was killed during operations at Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
SANSOM, Samuel Jack
Pte Sansom, 6 troop, died of wounds received in action at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
SCOBBIE, John Ross
Pte Scobbie died of wounds received in action at Myebon.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
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 he was awarded the MC for his gallantry whilst a Captain (A/Major) in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Citation for the MC.
SKEATES, Albert Charles
LCpl Skeates, 6 Troop, was killed late afternoon on the 1st November 1940 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.
(Source: No 5 Commando War Diary)
SMALLEY, Christopher John
Lt Smalley was killed during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and OIC of a demolition team.
He was awarded a posthumous MiD for "gallant and distinguished services in action against the enemy during the raid."
(Source: LG Publication date: 3 July 1945; Supplement: 37162; Page: 3494.)
SMITH, Ronald James
Pte Smith was killed during operations at Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
STAPLETON, Alfred William
Rfn Stapleton was killed during operations at Kangaw.
STEDMAN, Ernest Harold
Pte Stedman, 5 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
STOKES, George Stanley
LCpl Stokes was killed 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
LCpl Sylvester, 5 troop, died of wounds received on the 23rd March 1944 at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
TAYLOR, Reginald George
Cpl Taylor was killed during operations in Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
TOMS, Frederick John
LCpl Toms was killed during operations in Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
TOOTH, Eric Roger
Pte. Tooth died of wounds received in action at Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
TORDOFF, Kenneth
Pte Tordoff , No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
TUNGATT, Leonard Frederick
Fus Tungatt was killed during operations at Kangaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
WALTERS, Haydn
Pte Walters died of illness in Kedgeon, near Poona, India,
WHEELER, Bert
Pte Wheeler, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
WILLIAMS, John
Gnr Williams, No 5 Commando HQ, was killed during operations at Maungdaw.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
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
Pte Wright was killed during operations in Madagascar.
YEOMAN, Robert
Rfn Robert Yeoman died on active service at Cocanada.
[Source: Issue 9 of the Third Jungle Book.]
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