Brigade Signals

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1 Special Service Bde Signals Troop War Diary June-Sept 1944

This section contains a transcript taken from the War Diary covering specific periods. It is a basic transcript for private research and educational use only. Whilst we always endeavour to achieve accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be dates and/or entries missing, and other possible errors, The actual War Diaries can be found at the National Archives in Kew.

ANDERTON, E.F.

Marine 'Andy' Anderton, 3 Brigade Signals, of Christchurch, Hants., was a member of the original Commando Association.
[Source: Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.]
 

ARMSTRONG, Robert

Robert enlisted on the 12th June 1941 and then volunteered for the Commandos. After his commando training he served with the Special Service Brigade Signals Troop and 2 Commando Brigade Signals. 

AUSTEN, Alexander Fred

Company Quartermaster Sergeant Alexander Austen, 1st Special Service Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his exemplary service [1].
 
Recommendation including Record of Service
1929 enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals.

BECKETT, John Arthur

Lance Sergeant John Beckett, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
 
All three men died as a result of a truck crash in Dundee. The truck in which they were travelling came down the hill on Law Street, crashed through railings and hit a tree in Dudhope Park. Signalman Arthur Brian Burns died at the scene, Sergeant John Arthur Beckett and Lance Corporal Andrew Gray Paterson died later that evening at Dundee Royal Infirmary. Four other men were injured and detained in hospital.
 

BURNS, Arthur Brian

Signalman Arthur Burns, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
 
All three men died as a result of a truck crash in Dundee. The truck in which they were travelling came down the hill on Law Street, crashed through railings and hit a tree in Dudhope Park. Signalman Arthur Brian Burns died at the scene, Sergeant John Arthur Beckett and Lance Corporal Andrew Gray Paterson died later that evening at Dundee Royal Infirmary. Four other men were injured and detained in hospital. [1]
 

CHRISTIE, Thomas John

Lieutenant Thomas Christie, Lines Officer 1st Commando Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the M.C. [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations in NW Europe, specifically whilst laying out a communications line over a demolished railway bridge across the River Rhine at Wesel [2].
 
  • Commissioned at OCTU from the ranks 20 December 1944 [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 37302, page 4999.

HERRING, David Warren

Signalman David Herring, Royal Corps of Signals, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of distinguished services in the field. The National Archives file records his award under Escape and Evasion Reports [1].

JAMES, Clifford Vizetelly

Lieutenant Clifford James, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals Officer, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Salerno between 9-16 September 1943 [1][1A].
  • January 1945 received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished services in Italy. [2]
The death of Major Clifford James, 2 Brigade Signals, of Bristol, Avon., was announced in Commando Association newsletter 112 issued March 2001.
 
Sources

JONES, Harold

Harold Jones RM

Marine (Acting Temororary Corporal) Harold Jones, 4 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the MM for "gallantry, determination and great devotion to duty during assault operations at  Walcheren and Flushing whilst attached to No 4 Commando. "

KIRKHOPE, William Adamson Forbes

Signalman William Kirkhope, 2 Special Service Bde. Signals, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on the 13th September 1943 at Salerno when he volunteered to repair a vital line of communications that had been cut on the Vietri to Salerno road, an area that was under heavy enemy mortar and M.G. fire [2]. 
 

KNIGHT, John E.

Jack Knight served in Brigade Signals. Post war he was secretary of the Birmingham Branch of the Commando Association.
(Image source: CVA Gallery Bde Sigs reunion 16th July 1988.)
 

LEAHY, Arthur John

John Leahy Brigade Signals
Officer Commanding the Special Service Brigade Signal troop. 
 
Service History
5 Commando - July 1940 to November 1940 
3 Commando (raising Special Service Brigade Signal Section) - Nov 1940 to Dec 1940 
Special Service Brigade Signals - Dec 1940 to October 1943. 

Jan 1944 to Dec 1944, Major Leahy was D.C.S.O. SS Group (Deputy Chief Signals Officer, Special Service Group) and, according to War Diaries, visited 1 SS Brigade Signals Troop at Le Plein, 16th July 1944. 
 

PATERSON, Andrew Gray

Lance Corporal Andrew Paterson, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
 
All three men died as a result of a truck crash in Dundee. The truck in which they were travelling came down the hill on Law Street, crashed through railings and hit a tree in Dudhope Park. Signalman Arthur Brian Burns died at the scene, Sergeant John Arthur Beckett and Lance Corporal Andrew Gray Paterson died later that evening at Dundee Royal Infirmary. Four other men were injured and detained in hospital.
 

STOCKWELL, John Neville

Marine John Stockwell, 3 Cdo Bde Signal Troop, died during operations at Kangaw.
 
In the Third Jungle Book Issue 9 page 57 at the end of an article on the Brigade Signal Troop (BST) the following is written, "To complete this story of the B.S.T. it is well to remember the BEM and three MiD's that have been awarded the troop, and to deplore the loss in action of an old member - Jack Stockwell. To his wife go the troop's deepest sympathy and sincerest wishes for the future."
 
Sources
CWGC.

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