Brookwood Memorial

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ABRAM, Cyril

Rifleman Cyril Abram was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

This was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order. 

BLACK, Graeme Delamere

Captain Graeme Black DSO, MC, was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He was one of the seven Commandos of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

He was awarded the MC in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations, against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy.

He was awarded the DSO in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

BURNS, Charles

Gunner Charles Burns, 6 troop, died during operations at Salerno.

We have a document in our gallery with more details. He was "killed in action at Dragone Hill, Salerno." It goes on to say that he was "buried as far as is known by the 6th Yorks and Lancs on the forward slope of hill."  In the same document against the death and burial of Fus W. Davies it adds " (see 1612571 Pte. Burns. C. ) "

CHITTY, John Albert

Lance Sergeant John Chitty, 'C' troop and a veteran of the Dieppe raid, died by drowning during a training exercise codenamed Exercise Brandyball. This was a mock seaborne raid on cliffs near Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall known as The Brandys.
 

COX, Victor John

Sergeant Victor John 'Jack' Cox, No 12 Commando, was assigned to No.14 Commando for Operation Checkmate.  He was captured on the raid at Kopervik in Norway on 29th April 1943.  He was imprisoned and later executed after being taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and shot.  
 

CURTIS, Eric Gordon

Private Eric Curtis was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

EMBELIN, Arthur Edward

Company Sergeant Major Arthur Embelin was the original CSM to 2 Special Boat Section. He died during operations at Oran Harbour. He had previously served in 101 Troop ( the Folbot section of No. 6 Commando).
 
Sources
CWGC
Special Boat Section Timeline memorandum (read below).
 

GIBSON, William

Lance Sergeant William Gibson, 6 troop, died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 268. Like all those on the raid they were given an opportunity beforehand to write their will or last letters.  Bill Gibson wrote to his Father. Read it below.
 
Sources

GILES, John Frederick

Captain John Giles, 3 troop, died during operations at Vaagso. He had served with No 3 Commando since their first raid on Guernsey.

John Giles received his first commission into the Gloucestershire Regiment and won the heavy-weight boxing championship of the Army Southern Command. He also played rugby for Clifton Rugby Football Club.

His brother 2/Lt. Bruce Giles also served in No 3 Commando and was at Vaagso.

HARROLD, Edward Thomas Hornsby

Corporal Edward Harrold drowned at sea. Specifics relating to his death are not known.
 
However at the time of his death No 8 Commando were training in Scotland at areas such as Inverary and the Isle of Arran.  A few under Lt. Roger Coutney were invoved in training in the use of Canoes and Folbots whilst on Arran.
 
Sources
CWGC
Data file for the Westminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour.
 

HOODLESS, Donald Samuel

Lance Corporal Donald Hoodless, 'C' troop and a veteran of the Dieppe raid, died by drowning during a training exercise codenamed Exercise Brandyball. This was a mock seaborne raid on cliffs near Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall known as The Brandys.
 

HUGHES, Charles Richard

Lance Sergeant Charles Hughes, 2 troop, died during operations at Vaagso. The incident where he was shot is described in the book Storm from the Sea by Brig. Peter Young.
 
Service Record entries
27/1/40 Posted as a Lance Corporal to 309 ITC (Infantry Training Centre) at Blandford Camp, Dorset
24/2/40 whilst at 309 ITC appointed Acting Corporal (unpaid). 
24/2/40 whilst at 309 ITC now appointed paid Acting Corporal 
24/5/40 whilst at 309 ITC granted War Substantive rank of Corporal

JENKINS, Morgan

2nd Lieut Jenkins 2 Commando
Second Lieutenant Morgan  Jenkins died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on ML 268.
 
Morgan was the sixth of seven children born to Morgan and Mary Jenkins in 1915. His father was a plate layer at the Ynisfaoi Mine, Treherbert, South Wales. Morgan attended local schools in his younger years. Being a bright pupil he achieved a place at Brecon Boy's County Grammar School for his secondary education. Morgan's death at St Nazaire is recorded on the School's War Memorial. 
 

MERCER, Duncan Thompson

Lance Corporal Duncan Mercer died 5 days after operations at Dieppe. He has no known grave.

Stephen, son of Bill Lewis 3 Commando, adds, "He was in 4 Commando on the Varengeville Battery Raid. He is commemorated at the Brookwood Memorial in Surrey and at the little church in Varengeville- sur-Mer. He worked with my mother as a greengrocers delivery boy and then joined the Kings Regiment. He was very popular and terribly missed."
 

SEVERN, Clive

LCpl. Severn SBS
Lance Corporal Clive Severn died at sea. He received a posthumous MiD "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East. [Source: London Gazettes Supp. 36065, page 2870.]
 

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, Miller

Sergeant Miller Smith was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

There is a photo of Sgt Smith in the main gallery, and one in the CVA Memorials and Plaques Album of the Memorial Plaque at Sachsenhausen to these and other men who were executed there.

nb. It is believed that Sgt Miller Smith held the temporary rank of CSM, his war substantive rank being Sergeant.

TUNSTALL, Harry

Lance Corporal Harry Tunstall , 101 troop,  died during the very short period  his unit was redesignated as 5 Special Service Bn., before reforming again as No 6 Commando.  His death is recorded as by drowning in the Westminster Abbey Commando ROH database.
 

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