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, was killed during the action 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. ) "

CHILD, Alfred Robert

Bdr Child formerly 7 Commando, was killed at sea whilst attached to the SBS.

There is a forum message relating to this which states "HMS Triumph (a submarine) was lost somewhere in the Aegean Sea in January 1942. No-one knows her position. She went down with all hands onboard including 2 Commando's, Corporals Clive Severn & Alfred Child. Both are listed as serving with 1 SBS." The official forms are also posted there and state "Presumed killed in action." 

CHITTY, John Albert

LSgt 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.

GILES, John Frederick

Captain John Giles, 3 troop, was killed 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

Cpl Harrold drowned at sea. (Source: Data file for the Wesminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour)

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.

HUGHES, Charles Richard

LSgt Hughes, 2 troop, was killed during operations at Vaagso. The incident where he was shot is described in the book Storm from the Sea by Brig. Peter Young.
 
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

JACKMAN, Leonard Thomas

Pte Jackman was killed during operations at Dieppe.

The following is from a CVA forum message, "I believe that Len Jackman and my Grandfather Stan Hailes joined No. 3 Commando on its first day.  Stan once told me that a small group of volunteers from the Duke of Wellington's were marched to the parade by Sgt Hobson. The group included:

JOHNSON-HOUGHTON, Joseph Blundell

Captain Joseph Blundell Johnson - Houghton MC was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He is generally referred to as Joseph Houghton. The family often used the shortened surname of 'Houghton' . 

He took part in Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire, being i/c of the protection squad for the demolition team on ML443. This was one of only 3 m/l's that would make it back to the UK. Later he was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

MERCER, Duncan Thompson

LCpl. 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."
 

PARKER, Charles Alfred

LCpl Charles Parker 2 Commando

Lance Corporal Charles Parker was killed whilst taking part in intelligence gathering operations from Malta.  Landing from submarines of the 10th submarine flotilla utilising folbots they would gather information and be picked up later.

SEVERN, Clive

LCpl. Severn SBS
LCpl. Severn, 11 Commando, was killed at sea whilst attached to the SBS. 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

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, 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

LCpl. 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.

We have an annotated postcard in our gallery which shows an image of Loch Shiel on the front. On the reverse are the words, "Where Curly was drowned while canoeing, during experimental work March 1941." [View image here]

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