PURDON, Corran William Brooke

Lieutenant Corran Purdon volunteered for the Commandos whilst serving as a young officer with the Royal Ulster Rifles, and was attached to No.12 Commando. He took part in raids on Norway and St Nazaire.

He was in charge of a demolition team embarked on HMS Campbeltown for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire 28 March 1942. Wounded and taken prisoner during the raid, he was transported to a prison in camp in Germany from which he later escaped. He was recaptured and transferred to Oflag 4C at Saalhaus Colditz.

Awarded the Military Cross in recognition of distinguished service during the raid on St. Nazaire [1].
13 June 1970 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
23 January 1975 appointed General Officer Commanding Near East Land Forces [3].
1976 retired as General Officer Commanding Near East Land Forces [4].
1978-81 Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Awarded the Colonial Police Medal [5].

Sources

St. Nazaire Society website.

British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/43.

Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/11.

German Record Cards of British PoWs / National Archives file WO416/297/462 (Front Stalag 133).

German Record Cards of British PoWs / National Archives file WO416/293/84 (Marlag &Milad).

[1] London Gazette 37162, page 3493.

[2] London Gazette 45117, page 6369.

[3] London Gazette 46476, page 1218.

[4] London Gazette 46984, page 10913.

[5] London Gazette 48837, page 29.

Photo of Commando in Gallery:

Yes

Archive pages :

No 12 Commando

St Nazaire Commandos

Prisoners of War

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