Ranville War Cemetery

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ALLEN, George Edward

Pte. Allen was killed during operations at Normandy.

The No 6 Cdo War Diary for the 10th June records "Place: In the field, Le Plein a.m. - 2 Troop kill 2 snipers with 'K' gun.  We are heavily mortared.  We answer with our own mortars. 0800 - Enemy attacks, all troops engage.  By 1700 hrs all attacks definitely repelled.  Suspect enemy got it in the neck.  Our own casualties total 16."

ARENSTEIN, Hans

Hans Arenstein 10 Commando

Hans Arenstein served under an alias of Harry Andrews. He was of the Jewish Faith and a member of 3 troop, also known as 'X' troop, of the inter allied commando.  He was attached to 47RM Commando at the time of his death.

nb. The date of death (10th) has been confirmed with the CWGC as being correct.

BELL, Robert

Mne. Bell was killed during operations in France.
 

Extract from the Bo'ness Journal, and Linlithgow Advertiser - Friday 15 August 1952

In Loving Memory of our dear son, Marine Commando Robert Bell, killed in action.
We were not there to see you die,
Perhaps it's just as well,
We never could have said goodbye,
To the son we loved so well,
We think of you in silence

BLUNDEN, Alfred Edgar

Company Sergeant Major Alfred Blunden was killed during operations at Normandy. [1]

Known as Jimmy, son of Alfred Ernest and Florence Jessie Blunden, of Shepherd's Bush, London; husband of Alice Norah May Blunden, of Shepherd's Bush. [1]

He was a middleweight boxer for the Commando and is mentioned in this 1942 Tournament score sheet against No 9 Commando.  [2]

BUTLER, Brian Dear

Major Brian Butler MC was killed at Chateau d'Amfreville during severe mortaring of their HQ. He and five others were killed. Lt T.N. Skelly and three others wounded. He had previously been awarded the Military Cross whilst a T/Captain for "gallant and distinguished services in Italy".
 
Sources:
CWGC
No 3 Commando War Diary dated 11th June 1944.
London Gazettes publication date 25th January 1944; Supplement 36349; Page 518.
 

COAKER, Vernon

Troop Sergeant Major Vernon Coaker was killed during operations on D Day.

We have numerous photos in our gallery of him in both 3 and 4 troops and it is clear that he had served in the Commando since at least June 1942 (the first dated photo). Although we have only listed the two operations where we have confirmed references that he served, it is likely that he would have been with No 3 Commando on all their operations since at least June 1942.

DAVIES, William Neville

Mne. Davies was killed during operations at Normandy.
 
He was part of a large fighting patrol of 4 troops and the heavy weapons troop sent against the enemy lines north east from La Grande Ferme commencing at 2115hrs on the 18th. It was hoped to be an in out raid to gather intelligence, capture prisoners, and weaken the enemies morale. Mne. Davies was killed during this raid.

ELMS, Frank

2/Lieut. Elms was killed during operations at Normandy.

The No 4 Commando War Diary records "5th to 6th July 1944 Place: Hauger - A patrol under Lieut. Elms proceeded to recce the BOIS DU BOISSON - GONNEVILLE ROAD for the purpose of observing enemy movements and locating any possible new dispositions for the intended fighting patrol that was to put in an attack in that area at night. Lieut. Elms had the misfortune to be hit and severely wounded when approaching the FDLs and later died."
 

ELSDON, George Henry

Sgt. Elsdon was killed during operations at Normandy.

The No 6 Cdo War Diary for the 10th June records "Place: In the field, Le Plein a.m. - 2 Troop kill 2 snipers with 'K' gun.  We are heavily mortared.  We answer with our own mortars. 0800 - Enemy attacks, all troops engage.  By 1700 hrs all attacks definitely repelled.  Suspect enemy got it in the neck.  Our own casualties total 16."

FAZAN, Gilbert Roy

Lieutenant Gilbert Fazan 6 Commando

Lieut. Fazan was killed during operations at Normandy. The 6 Cdo. War Diary records "Commando is mortared 4 casualties. Capt Robinson and 1 Troop comes in and tells us Lieut Fazan killed.  Lieut Stalker and 10 O.R.'s wounded."

GEORGE, Rex

Mne. George was killed during operations at Normandy.
 
He received a MiD for "good services with the 21st Army group."
(Source: London Gazettes Supp. 37251, page 4441.)
 

GOSLING, Thomas George

Marine Thomas Gosling died during operations at Sallenelles, Normandy.
 
Extract from the 48RM Cdo. War Diary
"7-7-1944 Sallenelles 2045 - 2115,  All HQ officers were at dinner, the house was shelled." Against this entry is a hand written note  which reads "Cas 1 MOA killed."
Marine Gosling is the only listed 48RM Commando casualty that day.
 
Sources
CWGC
48RM Cdo. War Diary, National Archives file ADM/222/111.
 

HODGSON, George

Lance Corporal George Hodgson MM, 3 troop, was killed during operations at Amfreville.  

In his book Storm from the Sea, Brig Peter Young states " Whilst I was visiting 3 troop, a random shell mortally wounded LCpl Hodgson who did not live to wear the MM he had won on D Day."

KHYTOVITCH, Eric

Eric Khytovitch MM 6 Commando
Lance Sergeant Eric Khytovitch MM was killed during operations at Normandy [1].
 

No 6 Commando War Diary 10th June 1944

"Place: In the field, Le Plein a.m. - 2 Troop kill 2 snipers with 'K' gun.  We are heavily mortared.  We answer with our own mortars. 0800 - Enemy attacks, all troops engage.  By 1700 hrs all attacks definitely repelled.  Suspect enemy got it in the neck.  Our own casualties total 16." [2]
 

KNILL, Ivor Richard

Pte Knill was killed during operations in Le Plain Gruchet, France.
 
Whilst the actual circumstances of his death are not known by this archive,  No 3 Commando, with the rest of the 1st Special Service Brigade, were engaged at the time in an operation in the area of Le Plain Gruchet to infiltrate enemy lines and continue the offensive towards the Seine.
(Source: ROH in Commando - Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig John Durnford-Slater).
 

LEE, John

Major John Lee, MC, LLB, the Second-in-Command,  was killed during operations in Beuzeville, Normandy.
 
He was awarded the MC, in the rank of Acting Major, for "gallant and distinguished services while operating with the Army during the successful landings in Normandy."
 
Sources
CWGC

LISTON, William

Pte Liston was killed during operations at Normandy.

The No 6 Cdo War Diary records the following: "11th June 1944 Place: In the field, Le Plein. We shell BREVILLE. We are shelled heavily. We capture a ½ track 20mm gun. p.m. - Continued to be shelled. Casualties 3."

Pte Liston met and married his wife Joyce whilst billeted at Keswick in 1943, and is also remembered on the Keswick War Memorial.

MEYER, Kurt

LCpl Peter Moody 3tp10Commando

Kurt Meyer served under an alias of Peter Moody. He was of the Jewish Faith and a member of 3 troop, also known as 'X' troop, of the inter allied commando. He was killed during operations in Normandy whilst attached to 47RM Commando.

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