Training Centres

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ANDERSON, C.

Gunner C. Anderson of St Ives Cornwall served at the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre.
 
Source
Commando Association newsletter 118 Obituaries issued February 2004.
 

ASHLEY, Pierce

Private Pierce Ashley died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds. 
 
His name is on the Westminster Abbey Commando ROH as being at the Commando Basic Training Centre at the time. Casualties from there were usually taken to the Military Hospital, Onich.  He is listed by the CWGC under his Regiment with no mention of a Commando unit. This would be correct if he died in training before completion of his course.
 
Service in a Commando is not established.
 

DALLEN, Arthur Lambert

Arthur Dallen, former RSM at the Commando Basic Training Centre, and for many years a Senior Prison Warder, was shot dead by terrorists in Nicosia, Cyprus [1]. He was a Senior Warder  at "K" Camp,  Central Prison, Nicosia [2].
 
Source
[1] Obituary in Commando Association newsletter 28 issued March 1959.
[2] Commando Association newsletter 24 issued March 1957.
[Middle name] London Gazette Issue 41552, page 103.
 

DICKS, George

Sergeant George Dicks was an instructor at the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre.  He was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) on the 1st January 1946.
 
Sources
Reunion at St Ives document below.
London Gazettes Supp. 37412, page 310.
 
Notes
His rank shown as in LG entry. Shown elsewhere as CSM.
 

DREW, Norman

Lance Corporal Norman Drew was found dead on 23rd October 1942 in the River Arkaig Achnacarry, 100 yards South of the Iron Bridge. He was last seen alive on the 4th October 1942.  The cause of death is recorded as by drowning and he was seen after death by Capt. J. E. Symondson, RAMC, the Medical Officer at Achnacarry. The informant is shown as a CSM at the Commando Depot. 
 

DRYSDALE, Kenneth J.H.

Private Kenneth Drysdale drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whislt serving at Achnacarry. 
 
A newspaper report shows that  he died along with another soldier, Pte Charles Sweeney aged 26 from Stoke on Trent, whilst fishing from a boat with 15 yr old John McKay, the son of a water baliff from Kilmonivaig. The report states that it appears they lost an oar whilst manoeuvring the boat  into a suitable spot near Mucomir Falls on the River Lochy and got carried away into the swirling water.  
 

HOCTEL, Lamont Durward

Private Lamont Hoctel, 1st US Rangers, Company 'E',  drowned whilst training at Achnacarry. The date of his death is during the period that the US 1st Ranger Bn., led by Colonel W. Darby attended the Commando Basic Training Centre for their training. His death is noted in their War Diary as "drowned during stream crossing exercise.".
 
The local Death Register records the following information
 
Former occupation: Petrol Attendant
Private, Ranger Batallion, United States Army
Single, Male, 25yrs.

HUGHES, William Nichol

Guardsman William Hughes was found dead at 3pm on October 27th 1942 in Loch Lochy at Bunarkaig, 25 yards West of the boathouse. He was last seen alive on the 4th October 1942. His death is recorded as by drowning and he was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson, the Medical Officer at the Commando Depot, and the informant was an officer from the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.

LEES, Archibald

Private Archibald Lees, a former Police Constable from Lancashire, drowned in Loch Lochy during training.  He was seen after death by Capt.  J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
 
An article in the Lancaster Guardian reported that he was one of the Police intakes to the Commandos entering military service in July 1942.  The 2nd Police Intake to the Commandos consisting of 273 men attended the Commando Basic Training Centre for their Commando training from 23rd July 1942 until 23rd September 1942.
 

MCLEAN, George

Lance Corporal George McClean was killed in an explosion at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge.  His status at the Commando Depot as staff or trainee is yet to be established.

PHILLIPS, Albert Henry

Corporal Albert Phillips died in a climbing accident during training at STC Lochailort. The local register of deaths states “Multiple injuries. Accidentally killed by falling over precipice. Instantaneous.” It notes the informant as being the Adjutant at STC Lochailort.
 

SCULLION, James

Fusilier James Scullion, aged 18, died whilst at Achnacarry.  He was last seen alive on the 28th November 1941. His body was found at 3.30pm on the 2nd June 1942 on the foreshore of Loch Eil, opposite Kilmallie Houses, Corpach. Cause of death was declared as drowning. The informant is recorded as the Commanding Officer, Commando Depot Achnacarry.

SWEENEY, Charles Henry

Private Charles Sweeney drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whilst serving at Achnacarry.
 
A newspaper report shows that  he died along with another soldier, Pte Kenneth Drysdale, whilst fishing from a boat with 15 yr old John McKay, the son of a local water baliff from Kilmonivaig. The report states that it appears they lost an oar whilst manoeuvring the boat  into a suitable spot near Mucomir Falls on the River Lochy and got carried away into the swirling water.  
 

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