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Displaying 1 - 250 of 695Lance Sergeant William Aldridge died in North Africa. He recieved a Mentioned in Despatches for "gallant and distinguished service in North Africa."
Sources CWGC London Gazette 36180 page 4226. Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/65.His death was announced in their March 1993 newsletter 96 where his rank was shown as Captain (later Major) [2].
Petty Officer Kenneth Bevis, RN Beach Commando 'O' , died at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba"[3].
Extract from the Birmingham Mail newspaper 1945
"P.O. RN Commando, Elba June 1944 Mention in Despatches. No Morning dawns, No night returns, But what we think of you. Proudly remembered by Mom, Dad"[4].
George Leonard Bream, or 'Percy', as he was known in the Corps, was born on June 1st 1919 in the hamlet of Buckworth, Huntingdonshire. He was the middle son of a a family of six, his father being a farm labourer. After leaving school with a basic education he moved to his eldest sister's home in Luton where he at first worked as a market trader, and then in a gent's outfitters. In 1938 with talk of trouble in Europe he joined The Royal Marines. In 1944 he joined the newly formed 48RM Commando after successfully completing his training at the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry.
Corporal Spencer Brooks received a MiD in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan in 2009.
Corporal Robert Brown received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1][2]. On 28 March 1942 he was part of the Commando raiding party at St Nazaire. Embarking on board motor launch ML 262 [4] he was captured after the raid and later imprisoned at various camps including Oflag 64Z and Stalag V111B [3].
Recommendation
Lieutenant Robert Burtinshaw died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire 28 March 1942. He was Officer in Charge of a Demolition Team on HMS Campbeltown. He received a posthumous Mention in despatches for his "gallant and distinguished services in action against the enemy during the raid."
Sources
CWGC
London Gazette 37162, page 3494 and 37629 page 3273 (errata).
Storming St Nazaire, author James Dorrian.
Capt. John Buscall died whilst serving at the Commando School RM. [1]
In 1942 the then PLY/X 561 Sgt John Allan Buscall RM was promoted Lieutenant. [2]
In August 1943 on their formation, he joined 46RM Commando and served with with 'Z' troop of 46RM Commando. [3]
He received a MID for distinguished services in NW Europe whilst Lieutenant (Acting Major). [4]
Acting Regimental Sergeant Major Frank Catchpole received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy 1st April to 8th May 1945.
Sources
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Navy Lists (see Linked Content below).
A photo in our gallery of the Senior NCO's shows him at the time the photo was taken as RSM as does the Navy List entry below.
Sergeant Harold Cook received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.
Sergeant Ronald Cumner, 'B' troop, received a Mention in Despatches for good work with the 21st Army Group. He also served in 46RM Commando.
Lieutenant Robert Dashwood received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma.
Sources
London Gazette 37730, page 4691.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.
Sub Lieutenant Alan Davis died during operations at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba" [2]. He was an Assistant Beachmaster during the operation [3].
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] London Gazette 36783, page 5088.
[3] Beachhead Commandos author A. Cecil Hampshire
Lance Corporal Edward Dignam received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished services in support of operations in East and West Malaysia during the period 24th June 1965 to 23rd December 1965.
Source
London Gazette 43994, page 6129.
Second Lieutenant George Dillwyn-Venables-Llewelyn, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
He received a posthumous MiD in recognition of distinguished services in the field.
Lieutenant Raymond Dobson, M.B., was commissioned Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. on 20 March 1943 [1]. In 1945 he was twice Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe [2]. Post war member of the Commando Association [3].
Captain Charles Docwra received a Mention in Despatches for good service while operating with the 21st Army Group.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant William Dowse received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Land Forces South East Asia, announced in Gazettes 23 October 1945.
On the 28th June 1940 Captain J.F. Durnford-Slater was appointed Lieut. Colonel and ordered to raise and command No 3 Commando after volunteering for Special Service whilst Adjutant of the 23rd Medium and Heavy Training Regt., RA.
Sources
London Gazette 41092, page 3418.
Private Alfred Elliott, 3 Troop, received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the Commando raid at St Nazaire on 28/29 March 1942. Embarking on board HMS Campbeltown he was taken prisoner after the raid and later imprisoned at Stalag 344 Lamsdorf* and Stalag 3A Luckenwalde**.
Recommendation
Sergeant Walter Everett received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Land Forces South East Asia, announced in Gazettes 23 October 1945.
Sources
London Gazette 37318, page 5181.
Awards in 3 Cdo. Bde. Jungle Book issue 9.
Lance Corporal Jack Faulkner received a Mention in Despatches for good service with the 21st Army Group. Post war member of the Commando Association residing in Leighton Buzzrd, Bedfordshire.
Lieutenant David Ford received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service during operations in Korean waters.
Temporary Captain Gardner received a Mention In Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa. During his 2 years of service in the Far East he served as Adminstration Officer for No.1 Commando, and as Acting Major in 3 Commando Brigade HQ in the role of Quartermaster General. He was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service. Resided in Rome post war.
Sergeant Donald Gibson received a Mention in Despatches for good service with the 21st Army Group.
Lance Corporal George Gray received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Land Forces South East Asia, announced in Gazettes 23 October 1945.
Sources
London Gazette 37318, page 5181.
Awards in 3 Cdo. Bde. Jungle Book issue 9.
Marine Arthur Green from Burbage near Leicester received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy between 1st April and 8th May 1945.
Source
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Notes
RM Commando service awaits verification. His name is included in the above source alongside others from either 40 or 43RM Commando, part of 2 Commando Brigade.
Joe Rogers MM
No 2 Commando
Bob Mewett
No 12 & No 1 Commando
Mick Collins
No 5 Commando