Ranville War Cemetery

ALLEN, George Edward

Private George Allen died 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."

ANDERSON, Albert

Marine Albert Anderson died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

ANSELL, Ronald Edwin

Marine Ronald Ansell died during operations at Normandy.

ARENSTEIN, Hans

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.

ARMITAGE, James

Sergeant James Armitage died during operations at Normandy.

ATHERTON, Joseph

Corporal Joseph Atherton died during operations at Pont L'Eveque, Normandy.

ATHERTON, William Temperley

Marine William Atherton, 'B' troop, died during operations at Sallenelles, Normandy.

BAILEY, Lionel James

Private Lionel Bailey, 'C' troop, died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

BEACH, Edward Bert

Corporal Edward Beach died during operations in Normandy.

BELL, James

Marine James Bell died during operations at Normandy.

BELL, Robert

Marine Robert Bell died during operations in Normandy.

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

And often speak your name,

BENNETT, Hector Allan

Private Hector Bennett died during operations at Normandy.

BINDING, Sydney

Private Sydney Binding died during operations at Normandy.

BLUNDEN, Alfred Edgar

Company Sergeant Major Alfred Blunden died 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]

Extract from the West London Observer - Friday 02 January 1942

BOOTHROYD, Gordon

Marine Gordon Boothroyd died during operations in Normandy.

Son of Edgar and Mabel Boothroyd, of Huddersfield. His brother Geoffrey serving with 40RM Commando 'T' Company on HMS Fidelity also died in the war [more....].

BORNE, Frederick

Lieutenant Frederick Borne died during operations at Troarn, Normandy.

Sources

CWGC

Professor (Capt) John Forfar MC. 47RM Cdo. 'From Omaha to the Scheldt.

BRIDLE, Desmond George

Lance Corporal Desmond Bridle died during operations in the area of Chateau d'Amfreville, Normandy.

Sources

CWGC

ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

BROOKS, Arthur Robert

Corporal Arthur Brooks died during operations at Normandy.

BURKE, James Michael

Marine James Burke died during operations at Normandy.

BURY, Frank James Lindsay

Lieutenant Frank Bury died during operations in Normandy. He was a former pupil of Eton school and studied at Trinity College.

Sources

CWGC.

Trinity College Chapel records.

BUTLER, Brian Dear

Major Brian Butler MC died [1] at Chateau d'Amfreville during severe mortaring of their HQ. Five others also died. Lt T.N. Skelly and three others were wounded [2]. He had previously been awarded the Military Cross [3] whilst a Troop Captain for gallant and distinguished services on the 4th October 1943 at Termoli, Italy [4].

Sources:

[1] CWGC

[2] No 3 Commando War Diary dated 11th June 1944.

BUTTRESS, Reginald Arthur

Troop Sergeant Major Reginald Buttress, 'A' troop, died during operations at Dozule on Hill 112.

CAIRNS, Stanley

Marine Stanley Cairns died during operations at Normandy.

CAMPBELL, Finlay, D.

Marine Finlay Campbell died during operations in Normandy.

CASSEY, Norman Walter

Grave of LCpl Cassey Commando Brigade Sigs.

Lance Corporal Norman Cassey, 1 Special Service Bde. Signals, died during operations at Le Plein Normandy when the HQ was heavily shelled and mortared.

Sources

CWGC.

War Diary 1 Special Service Brigade Signals [more...].

CLARK, Herbert

Marine Herbert Clark died during operations at Normandy.

CLARKE, Patrick Joseph

Fusilier Patrick Clarke died during operations at Normandy.

COAKER, Vernon

Company Sergeant Major Vernon Coaker, 3 troop, died during operations on D Day.

Sources

CWGC

No 3 Cdo War Diary.

Storm from the Sea by Peter Young.

Fighting with the Commandos by Stan Scott No. 3 Cdo. 3 troop.

COLLINS, George

Fusilier George Collins died during operations at Normandy.

COLLINS, Patrick

Gunner Patrick Collins died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

COTTERELL, Leslie

Private Leslie Cotterell died during operations at Normandy in the Chateau d'Amfreville area.

COX, Frederick Ernest

Trooper Frederick Cox died during operations at Normandy.

COYLE, Michael

Marine Michael Coyle died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

CROAL, George

Private George Croal died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

DAVIES, Osmond

Lance Corporal Osmond Davies died during operations at Normandy.

DAVIES, William Neville

Marine William Davies died 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.

DEAN, Ronald Cyril

Guardsman Ronald 'Dixie' Dean, 3 troop, died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

DENTON, Harry

Sergeant Harry Denton, 'B' troop, died during operations at Pont L'Eveque, Normandy.

He also served for a period leading up to D Day on the staff of the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre at St. Ives.

DORMAN, John

Marine John Dorman died during operations at Normandy.

DRAPER, William

Lance Corporal William Draper died during operations at Normandy.

DRYBURGH, Alexander Crystal

Lance Corporal Alexander Dryburgh died during operations at Normandy.

EDMUNDS, William John

Lance Sergeant William Edmunds died during operations at Amfreville, Normandy.

ELMS, Frank

Second Lieutenant Frank Elms died 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

Sergeant George Elsdon died during operations at Normandy.

The No 6 Cdo War Diary for the 10th June records

EMERSON, James

Corporal James Emerson died during operations at Normandy.

FACEY, Robert

Marine Robert Facey died during operations at Sallenelles, Normandy.

FARGHER, John P.

Marine John Fargher died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

FAZAN, Gilbert Roy

Lieutenant Gilbert Fazan died during operations at Normandy.

The No. 6 Commando 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."

Extract from the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser - Friday 23 June 1944

FENTON, Bernard Charles Sydney

Marine Bernard Fenton died during operations at Normandy.

FINLAY, William

Sergeant William Finlay died during operations at Normandy.

FLEISCHER, Frederick

Private Frederick Fletcher, birthname Fleischer, died during operations at Normandy. He was the son of Rudolf and Hedwig Fleischer, of Cricklewood, Middlesex.

FORBES, Ernest William

Marine Ernest Forbes died during operations at Normandy.

FOX, Arthur Thomas

Marine Arthur Fox died during operations at Normandy [1].

FRASER, George

Lance Sergeant George Fraser MM, 'A' troop, died during operations at Normandy [1].

Recommendation for Military Medal

FYVIE, George

Marine George Fyvie, from Bucksburn, Scotland, died during operations at Beuzeville. His death was reported in a local newspaper at the time [view....].

GAGE, Harold Arthur

Corporal Harold Gage died during operations at Normandy.

Son of James Edward and Ellen Maria Gage, of Neasden, Middlesex. His brother Sapper James William Gage, Royal Engineers, also died [more....].

GEORGE, Rex

Marine Rex George died during operations at Normandy. He received a MiD for "good services with the 21st Army group."

Sources

CWGC

London Gazettes Supp. 37251, page 4441.

GOODENOUGH, Frank John Edward

Corporal Frank Goodenough 45 Royal Marine Commando

Corporal Frank Goodenough, 'E' Troop, died during operations at Breville in Normandy [1].

Extract from the 45RM Commando War Diary 11th June 1944

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.

GRANT, James

Lance Sergeant James Grant died during operations at Amfreville, Normandy.

GREWCOCK, Eric Edward Douglas

Captain Eric Grewcock, 'A' troop, died during operations at Normandy.

GRIFFITHS, Evan William

Guardsman Evan Griffiths died during operations at Normandy.

HAMMOND, Leslie John

Private Leslie Hammond died during operations at Normandy.

HARPER, Robert Arthur

Private Robert Harper died during operations at Normandy.

HARRINGTON, Thomas Frederick

Marine Thomas Harrington died during operations at Normandy.

HAYWARD, Robert Latewood

Rifleman Robert Hayward died during operations at Normandy in the area of Chateau d'Amfreville.

HERBERT, Roy George

Lieutenant Roy George Herbert DCM, MM, died during operations in Normandy. [1]

The then Pte Herbert was awarded the MM for his gallantry with 5th Northants at Oudenarde. [2]

HODGSON, George

Lance Corporal George Hodgson MM, 3 troop, died during operations at Amfreville, Normandy.

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."

Citation for the award of the Military Medal

HOOKE, Leslie Percy

Gunner Leslie Hooke died during operations at Normandy.

HOSKINS, Edgar John

Marine Edgar Hoskins died during operations at Normandy.

HOUGHTON, Frederick Alexander

Sergeant Frederick Houghton died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

HOWIE, Gavin Dalzell

Captain Gavin Howie, HQ 4 Special Service Bde., died during operations at Normandy.

HUGHES, Walter James Frederick

Corporal Walter Hughes died during operations in Normandy.

HUNT, James Harold

Lance Corporal James Hunt died during operations in the area of Chateau d'Amfreville, Normandy.

HUTCHINSON, David

Private David Hutchinson died during operations at L'Epine, France.

Sources

CWGC.

CVA Forum message.

ISTED, Reginald Charles

Marine Reginald Isted died during operations at Normandy.

JAMES, Harry

Lance Corporal Harry James died during operations in Normandy.

JAMES, William John

Marine William James died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

KAGERER-STEIN, Eugen

Eugen Kagerer-Stein, an Austrian, served in 3 troop, also known as 'X' troop, under an alias of Eugene Fuller. He died during operations with 47RM Commando at Normandy.

KEMP, John

Marine John Kemp died during operations at Normandy. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations at Dozule.

KERSHAW, Frederick

Marine Frederick Kershaw died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

KHYTOVITCH, Eric

Lance Sergeant Eric Khytovitch MM died during operations at Normandy [1].

The No 6 Commando War Diary 10th June 1944 records

KIMBER, Robert George

Corporal Robert Kimber died during operations at Hill 112 at Dozule, Normandy.

KING, Cyril

Marine Cyril King died during operations at Normandy.

KNILL, Ivor Richard

Private Ivor Knill died 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.

^Sources

^CWGC.

LAING, David

Sergeant David Laing, 'E' troop, a veteran of the Dieppe raid, died during operations at Normandy.

LAMB, John McCrae Kirkpatrick

Marine John Lamb died during operations at Normandy.

LAVERY, Henry

Lance Bombardier Henry Lavery died during operations at Bavent, Normandy.

LEE, Edward James

Marine Edward Lee, from Leamington, died during operations at Normandy.

Extract from the 45RM Commando War Diary 11th June 1944

LEE, John

Major John Lee, MC, LLB, the Second-in-Command, died during operations at 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

Private William Liston died during operations at Normandy.

The No. 6 Commando War Diary records

"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."

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

LOVETT, Thomas Albert

Marine Thomas Lovett, 'A' troop, died during operations at Normandy.

He is named in an image in our gallery which can be viewed here

'A' troop on the 5th June 1944.

LOWES, William

Gunner William Lowes died during operations at Angoville, Normandy.

LOWLES, Eric Henry

Marine Eric Lowles died during operations at Normandy.

LUNN, Charles Frederick

Marine Charles Lunn, 'X' troop, died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

MCFATTER, John

Marine John McFatter died during operations at Normandy.

MCINTOSH, Nathaniel Mair

Marine Nathaniel McIntosh died during operations at Normandy.

MELVILLE, Hugh Montgomery

Guardsman Hugh Melville, 3 troop, died during operations at Normandy in the Plain Gruchet area. He had been one of the replacements who joined No 3 in July 1944. [view].

From Brigadier Peter Young's book Storm from the Sea

MEYER, Kurt

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.

MILLS, Stanley Walter

Private Stanley Mills, 1 troop, died during operations at Normandy.

MITCHELL, Albert

Marine Albert Mitchell died during operations at Normandy.

MITCHELL, Sydney Albert John

Lance Corporal Sydney Mitchell died during operations in the area of Chateau d'Amfreville, Normandy.

MOORE, Harry

Private Harry Moore died during operations at Normandy.

MORLEY, Colin Noel

Colour Sergeant Colin Morley died during operations at Normandy.

Whilst the Commando were heading along a country road in the direction of Putot-en-Auge they encountered an enemy patrol and C/Sgt. Morley was shot and killed.

MULHALL, Alexander

Marine Alexander Mulhall died during operations at Normandy.

MUNNS, Leonard Cyril

Lance Corporal Leonard Munns died during operations at Normandy.

MURRAY, James Wilson

Fusilier James Murray died during operations at Normandy.

MURRAY, John

Sergeant John Murray died during operations at Normandy.

Son of John and Jane Rankine Murray; husband of Agnes Murray, of Barrhead, Renfrewshire.

Notes

This man may be identical with Jack Murray who was a former goalkeeper with Greenock Morton FC.

NATHAN, Ernst

Ernst Nathan, who was of the Jewish faith, served in 3 troop, also known as 'X' troop, of the inter allied commando under the alias of Ernest Norton. He died during operations at Normandy.

Sources:

10 Commando, author Ian Dear

Jewish Virtual Library.

(nb. not to be confused with RSM E.W. Nathan of 3 troop.)

NEWHAM, Andrew David

Private Andrew Newham died during operations at Normandy.

NEWMAN, Vincent George

Corporal Vincent Newman, 'E' Troop, died during operations at Breville, Normandy.[1]

Extract from the 45RM Commando War Diary 11th June 1944

NIXON, William Allan

Fusilier William Nixon died during operations at Normandy in the area of Chateau d'Amfreville.

NOTMAN, John

Private John Notman died during operations at Le Hauger, Normandy.

Extract from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard - Saturday 15 July 1944

PIZEY, James General

Marine James Pizey died during operations at Beuzeville.

PLANT, Horace

Marine Horace Plant died during operations at Normandy.

PONSFORD, John William

Marine John Ponsford died during operations at Beuzeville, Normandy.

PUTTICK, Kenneth

Gunner Kenneth Puttick died during operations at Normandy.

PYMAN, Alan Cresswell Holman

Captain Alan Pyman MC died during operations at Normandy on D Day. He had earlier been awarded the MC for "gallant and distinguished services in N. Africa" whilst attached to Special Service troops.

Sources

CWGC

London Gazettes Supp. 36000, page 1996.

RABBETTS, Frederick Charles Norman

Private Frederick Rabbetts, 3 troop, died during operations in the Chateau d'Amfreville area of Normandy.

Sources

CWGC.

ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

RAMSDEN, Harry

Private Harry Ramsden died during operations at Normandy.

The No 6 Commando War Diary for the 10th June records

REED, David Walter

Corporal David Reed died during operations at Normandy.

REYNOLDS, Bartholomew Charles Vice W.

Marine Bartholomew Reynolds died during operations at Normandy.

RICHARDS, George William

Private George Richards died during operations at Normandy in the Plain Gruchet area.

Sources

CWGC.

ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

ROBBINS, Albert William Frederick

Private Albert Robbins died during operations at Normandy in the Plain Gruchet area [1+3]. He married Miss Doris Adelaide Standing a month earlier on the 10th May 1944 [2].

Sources

[1] CWGC.

[2] Report on his marriage in the Worthing Herald newspaper 12th May 1944.

ROBINSON, John James

Corporal John Robinson, 1 troop, died when shot by a sniper during operations at Le Mesnil.

Sources

CWGC.

ROH in Commando-Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brig Durnford-Slater.

ROBINSON, Peter Dennis

Lieutenant Peter Robinson died during operations at Normandy.

RUSTON, John Robert

Corporal John Ruston died during operations at Normandy.

SIEVEWRIGHT, John

Private John Sievewright died during operations at Normandy after volunteering to go forward to assist his seriously injured troop officer Captain Style.

Sources

CWGC.

The Fighting Fourth by Major James Dunning.