LOASBY, Ronald William

Rank: 
Corporal
Unit / Base: 
'Special Boat Section'
Prior Police Service: 
Metropolitan Police
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Fusiliers
Service: 
Army
Number: 
6482237
P.O.W. number: 
223675
Honours & Awards: 
Born: 
Wednesday, August 29, 1917
Died : 
Sunday, October 10, 1993
Place died: 
London
In 1939 Ronald William Loasby was a Metropolitan Police Officer residing at Gilmore House, a Police Section House in Lambeth. He volunteered for the Commandos enlisting 9 June 1942 joining the 1st Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry. After completing his training he was posted to 2 Special Boat Section.
Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in 1942 during the Oran landings, North Africa. Reported missing 31 May 1943 after a beach reconnaissance at Pantalleria, later found to be a prisoner of war.*
Award Recommendation
Oran Landings. Assault on Port by H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland - 8th November 1942.
This man formed one of the crew of No. 2 Folbot, launched from H.M.S. Walney. Though forced by intense A.A. fire to seek the shelter of some barges in the Port he nevertheless tried to attack a sl..... ** class destroyer, but was unable to do so owing to our own light Naval forces in the area. In the confusion and trying conditions, this man displayed courage and determination of a high standard." [Recommended by Captain H.V. Holden-White.]. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/64.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
2 SBS Timeline document, see linked content below.
Award:  London Gazette 37528, page 1836.
Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO373/94/455.
Dir. of Mil. Int.: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaire 1945/6 / National Archives file WO344/188/1.
The 1939 Register covering Lambeth.
 
Notes
* Cpl. Loasby wrote on his POW Liberation Questionnaire that his actual place of capture was Cassa Momo, Sardinia.
** illegible but possibly Sleipner ?
 

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