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WALSH, Percy John

Bombardier
786833
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Percy Walsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.

WALSH, Stanley, G.

Private
6402554
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Private Stanley Walsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war having been captured on 1 June 1941. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

WALSH, Thomas

Sergeant
2754819
Middle East Commando
Black Watch
Military Provost Staff Corps
Died in service
Sergeant Thomas Walsh, Black Watch attached Middle East Commando, was reported missing 14 September 1942 during operations in the Middle East (Tobruk), later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy before being transported to captivity in Germany. After his release at the end of the war all the

WAND-TETLEY, Peter Michael

Lieutenant (later Captain)
6463867
143484
No 7 Commando
Middle East Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
19 October 1939 attested into the Honorable Artillery Company [1].
26 April 1940 to 168th Infantry O.C.T.U. [1].
17 August 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Wiltshire Regiment [1][2].

WARD, Alfred George

Private
5951286
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Private Alfred Ward was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/33.

WARD, S.

Trooper
406676
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
Household Cavalry Regiment
29.05.1941 'D' Bn. Layforce wounded in Crete [1].

15.07.1941 'D' Bn. Layforce wounded in the Middle East [2].

WELLS, Percy Arthur

Gunner
798608
No 8 Commando
Royal Horse Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner Percy Wells was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/48.
 

WESTWATER, Alexander

Sergeant
876932
No 7 Commando
SAS
Royal Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Died on war service
Sergeant Alexander Westwater DCM, formerly 7 Commando and SAS,  was killed in Italy after an explosion in what is described as a battle accident whilst serving with the Royal Artillery (AFHQ).

WHALEY, James Arundel

Corporal
5950224
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Marines
James Arundel Whaley enlisted in 1939, civil occupation Electricity Meter Reader. In 1940 he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

WHITE, Harold

Harold White 7 Commando and SAS
Corporal
154976
No 7 Commando
SAS
Royal Army Service Corps
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Harold White was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry whilst serving with 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, having left the Commando after operations in Crete.
Recommendation
(by Lt. Col. A.D. Stirling, D.S.O.)

WILLCOCKS, William Arthur

Trooper
556474
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper William Willcocks, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn. Layforce), died during operations at Crete. Son of William E. Willcocks and Ellen Willcocks, of Chester.
 
Sources
CWGC.

WILLETT, Douglas

Trooper
7913048
'Layforce'
Royal Armoured Corps

Trooper Douglas Willett was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica, Libya (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.

WILLIAMS, Albert Ivor

Trooper
553121
Middle East Commando
Household Cavalry Regiment
Trooper Albert Williams, Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28, WO417/30, and WO417/93 (1945).

WILLIAMS, George James

Fusilier
6465623
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier George Williams was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

WILSON, Arthur

Trooper
409682
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Yorkshire Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper Arthur Wilson was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/31, WO417/32, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1.

WILSON, Matthew Steel

Private
2824820
No 11 Commando
Seaforth Highlanders
Matthew Steel Wilson enlisted 2nd April 1940, civil occupation Salesman. He later volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.11 Commando embarking for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

WILSON, Peter

Peter Wilson 7 Commando
Lance Bombardier
947129
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Lance Bombardier Peter Wilson from Thornley, Durham, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to have been taken prisoner the previous day. Enlisted 17 October 1939. Civil trade - Bricklayer.

WINTERBOTHAM, Sydney, J..

Lance Corporal
T/2574005
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Army Service Corps
Lance Corporal Sydney Winterbotham, 'F' Troop, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Nottingham.
 
Sources

WOOD, Alfred Joseph

Alfred Joseph Wood 11 Commando
Sergeant
3054128
No 11 Commando
Royal Scots attd. 2nd Bn. Queen's Own Cameron Highalnders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Alfred Wood was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Joseph Wood; husband of Eliza Wood. of Warrington, Lancashire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

WOOD, Wilfred Edward

Lance Corporal
4747183
'Layforce'
York and Lancaster Regiment
Lance Corporal Wilfred Wood was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later confirmed prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association. Emigrated to Australia.
 
Sources

WOODNUTT, Desmond

Sapper
1894107
No 11 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sapper Desmond Woodnutt died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
RE Enlistment Register for 1939 (enlisted 16 Oct. 1939).
RE Casualty Card.

WYLIE, Kenneth Neil

Major (later Honorary Colonel)
51356
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Temporary Major Kenneth Wylie, B.A. was second in command of No.7 Commando. During operations on Crete he was placed in command replacing the sick Lt. Col. Colvin and was subsequently captured by the enemy [1]. 

YOUNG, D.A.

Private
5955706
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Private D.A. Young  was reported missing believed prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to be imprisoned at Stalag 4B. 

YOUNG, George Alan Dawson

Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
23734
52ME Commando
50ME Commando
Royal Engineers
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel George Alan Dawson Young R.E., was the Commanding Officer of 50 Middle East Commando until November 1940 when he assumed  command of 52 Middle East Commando after its former commanding officer, Harry Fox-Davies, was taken ill.

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