British Empire Medal (BEM)

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ABRAM, John Arthur

43RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Acting Temporary Colour Sergeant John Arthur Abram received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Armies in the Mediterranean during the period 1st January to 31st March, 1945 [1].
  • 2 January 1950 (Sergeant) (Acting Quartermaster Sergeant) awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) [2].

AINSWORTH, Richard Harold

40RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Richard Ainsworth was awarded the British Empire Medal whilst an Acting T/ Corporal in 40 RM Commando, for gallantry in helping the wounded, in spite of his own injuries, when the ship in which he was serving, HMS Queen Emma, was attacked from the air.
 

AUSTEN, Alexander Fred

Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Alexander Austen, 1st Special Service Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his exemplary service [1].
Recommendation including Record of Service
1929 enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals.

BAINES, James

41 Ind. Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Bronze Star (USA)
Acting Quartermaster Sergeant James Baines B.E.M. was awarded the Military Medal during the Korean war for gallant and distinguished service with 41 Independent Commando, Royal Marines, in operations in Korea. [1].
 

BALMENT, Robert Ernest

3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colour Sergeant Robert Balment was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st August to 31st October 1980.
 
Sources
London Gazette 48583, page 5527.
 

BARLOW, Jack

No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colonial Police Medal
Lance Corporal Jack Barlow served in 6 troop and also in the Intel Section of No.2 Commando. He was one of the Metropolitan Police Intakes to the Commandos. In 1939 he was a Police Constable residing at the Police Section House, Arlington Road, Camden London [Source: The 1939 Register for Camden].
The following is from his daughter Jennie Barlow. 

BELCHER, Ernest John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Regimental Sergeant Major Ernest Belcher died during operations at Normandy on D Day. The announcement of his award of the British Empire Medal (Military Division) was made 2 days after his death. 

Source
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
London Gazette 36544, page 2594.

BENNETT, Robert

No 8 Commando
SAS
Grenadier Guards
Military Medal (MM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Sergeant Robert Bennett joined 'L' Detachment, S.A.S. Brigade on the disbandment of No.8 Commando. He was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the December 1941 S.A.S. raid on Tamet areodrome. He had participated in five previous operations [1][2][3].

BISSELL, Stanley

Commando Basic Training Centre
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Stan 'Sonnie' Bissell joined the Metropolitan Police on the 1st March 1926. In 1930 & 1934 he won silver medal at the British Empire Games middleweight freestyle wrestling events in Canada and London. He was then posted as self defence instructor at the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Peel House.

BLIGHT, Timothy

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Corporal Timothy Blight was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 51296, page 4325 dated 12 April 1988..
 

BLOOM, Peter John

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal Peter Bloom was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland in 1978 [1].

BLYTH, Eric Joseph

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Sergeant Eric Blyth received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service with 45 Commando in operations in the Radfan Area, Western Aden Protectorate, during the period 13 April to 15 October 1964 [1].

BONDY, Theodor

Driver Theodore Bondy BEM 2 Commando
No 2 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps
British Empire Medal (BEM)

Driver Theodor Bondy was awarded the BEM (Military Divison) in 1943 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East. 

Sources
London Gazettes Supp 36209, page 4543
CVA Gallery No 2 Commando images
 

BOSTOCK, Stanley

40RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Staff Sergeant Stanley Bostock was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) in the 1946 New Years Honours [1].  He had previously been attached to 40RM Commando [2].
 
He also received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy [3].
 

BOURKE, Edward

42RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colour Sergeant (Acting Sgt. Maj.) Edward Bourke was awarded the British Empire Medal for distinguished service during the war in the Far East.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 37603, page 2882 dated 11 June 1946.
Commando Association newsletter 17 issued September 1953.
 

BRAY, George Albert

40 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Regimental Sergeant Major George Bray was awarded the British Empire Medal on 1st January 1965. 
 
Sources
London Gazette 43529, page 26.
The Light Blue Lanyard, author Major J.C. Beadle MBE MC.
 

BREAM, George Leonard

Captain Leonard George Bream
48RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

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.

BURKE, Edward

Sgt Edward 'Tiny' Burke BEM, 2 Commando
No 2 Commando
1st Bn. Liverpool Scottish / Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Edward 'Tiny' Burke, from Kirkdale Liverpool, enlisted into the 1st Bn Liverpool Scots TA, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. His civil occupation had been a Driver.
  • 23 April 1941 after volunteering for the Independent Companies he was posted to No 4 Independent Company and later took part in the landings at Bodo Norway as part of Scissor Force. 

BUXTON, James George

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colour Sergeant James Buxton was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division), for gallant and distinguished service with 45 Commando, Royal Marines, in Malaya during the period 1st January to 30th June, 1952.
 
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 39675, page 5527.

CHISNALL, David Alan

WO1 David Chisnall
42 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colour Sergeant David Chisnall was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st November 1979 to 31st January 1980 [1].
  • 16 April 1982 promoted Warrant Officer 1, and RSM of 42 Commando RM [2].
Sources

CLARKE, Nigel Ronald

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Sergeant Nigel Clarke was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Northern Ireland, award to be dated 12 May 1992 [1].

CLOVIS, John Albert

John Albert Clovis 6 Commando
Commando Basic Training Centre
No 6 Commando
Lincolnshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Sergeant John Clovis RA was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) on the 1st January 1944 [1].
10 June 1944 commissioned Second Lieutenant and later joined No.6 Commando [2][3][4].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36309, page 28.

COBLEY, Victor Charles

No 2 Commando
Devonshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Victor Cobley served in the Heavy Weapons Troop. In 1944 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. A serving Police Officer he volunteered as one of the Police Intakes to the Commandos.

COLLINGWOOD, Frank Arthur

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Collingwood was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) for distinguished service in operations against terrorists in Cyprus between 1955 and 1956..
 
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 40987, page 653.
National Archives file WO 373/126/17.
 

CRIPPIN, Ronald

RQMS Ron Crippin 2 Commando
No 2 Commando
No 2 Independent Company
Royal Army Service Corps
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Ron Crippin, then a Corporal in the HQ troop, took part in Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He embarked on motor launch ML 447 and was evacuated back to the UK.  He was awarded the British Empire Medal ( Military Division) "in recognition of distinguished services during the raid". (1)

DICKS, George

Training Centres
The Sherwood Foresters
British Empire Medal (BEM)
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

DIX, James Frederick

Jimmy Dix 3 Commando
No 3 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Sergeant James Dix served in 4 Troop. He stayed on in the Army after the war. On 9 June 1949 he was a Sergeant in the Beds and Herts., and was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) in H.M. Birthday Honours list.
 
The death of L/Sgt (later CQMS) James Dix, B.E.M., of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 115.

FARRINGTON, John Beddell

John Beddell Farrington
No 4 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Corporal John Farrington was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete with Layforce. He was held as a prisoner in both Germany and Poland, and later awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for his numerous escapes from different camps.
Citation

FLEMMING, James Maul

48RM Commando
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Marine James Flemming received a MiD in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in NW Europe [1].
 
On the 16th May 1950 it was announced in London Gazettes that the now Leading Fireman James Maul Flemming had been awarded the B.E.M. (Civil Division)
 

Citation

FROST, Kenneth George

40RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Quartermaster Sergeant Kenneth Frost was awarded the British Empire Medal for loyalty, efficiency and skill whilst serving in Corfu during the period of the disturbances in Greece, 1944 -1945.
  • Also served in 42 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association
Sources
London Gazette 37387, page 6083.

FUSSELL, Peter Lincoln

Peter Fussell 1 Special Service Brigade
No 4 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Private Peter Fussell served in No 4 Commando, 'F' troop, and took part in operations at Dieppe on 19 August 1942. Later that year he moved to 1 Special Service Brigade HQ (Clerks) [1] and [2].
 
Post war he was commissioned and retired as a Major in the R.A.O.C. 
 

HALFORD, Jack Lovell

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Died on active service

Colour Sergeant Jack Halford BEM was killed during operations in the Arabian Desert whilst seconded to the Northern Frontier Regiment on special duty with the forces of Muscat and Oman.

HANNAH, Kenneth William

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Colour Sergeant Kenneth Hannah was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland [1].

HONEYSETT, Kenneth Roland

40 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)

Sergeant Kenneth Honeysett was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) [1], for gallant and distinguished service with the MT section of 40 Commando, RM [2], in Malaya during the period 1st January to 30th June, 1952.

HOWARTH, Arnold

No 2 Commando
Grenadier Guards
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Croix de Guerre (France)
Died in the UK

Lance Sergeant Arnold Howarth was one of the five Commandos who escaped after landing at St Nazaire on the raid. 

HOWE, Gilbert Rex

40 Cdo. RM
42 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Military Medal (MM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Acting Corporal Gilbert Howe was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry on 21/22 February 1951 whilst attached to 40 Commando RM during operations at Kampong, Upper Perak, Malaya. He had been recommended for the M.M. but was awarded the D.C.M. [1].
 
Citation

JONES, Alan

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Bar to the British Empire Medal
Colour Sergeant Alan Jones was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division), on the 12th June 1976 [1]. He was later awarded a Bar to the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st November 1976 - 31st January 1977 [2].
 
Sources

MAGOWAN, Victor

40 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Acting Quartermaster Sergeant Victor Magowan was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya during the period 1st July - 31st December 1951.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 39507, page 1879.
National Archives file WO373/130/136.
 

MARLEY, Brian

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Corporal Brian Marley was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 51296, page 4325 dated 12 April 1988.
 

MCGLEN, Alexander

40 Cdo. RM
British Empire Medal (BEM)

Sick Berth Attendant Alexander McGlen, attached to 40 Commando RM, was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Palestine during the period 27th March 1948 and 30th July 1948.

MCKINLEY, Angus John

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Sergeant Angus McKinley was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) announced in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours list on 13 June 1964.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 43343, page 4963.
The Story of 45 Commando RM , author David Young.
 

MORGAN, John Thomas

45RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)

RQMS Morgan was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) June 1945. Post war member of the Commando Association from Devon.

Sources

London Gazette 37119, page 2961 (HM Birthday Honours).
Commando Association newsletter 93 and 106.
Commando Association list of RM Commandos.

MUNSON, James

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Sergeant James Munson received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service with 45 Commando in operations in the Radfan Area, Western Aden Protectorate, during the period 13 April to 15 October 1964 [1].

ODENDAAL, Jacobus Russell

40RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Acting Sergeant Jacobus Odendaal, 40RM Commando, was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for bravery in saving the life of two airmen when an aircraft crashed in a wood on the Isle of Wight [1][1a][Linked Content below].
  • 23 July 1943 listed as Lieutenant [2].

PAGE, Jack

29 Cdo. Regt.RA
Royal Artillery
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Staff Sergeant  Jack Page, BQMS to 8 Alama Bty., was awarded the B.E.M. (Military Division) on the 1st January 1973 [1].
 

SIMCOX, Howard Robert

Howard Simcox 29 Commando
29 Cdo. Regt.RA
Royal Artillery
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Bombardier Howard Simcox was awarded the British Empire Medal on 31 December 1987.
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 51171, page 19.
[Image] James Walton, 8 Alma Commando Battery.
 

SKINLEY, Brian Cecil John

42 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Colour Sergeant Brian Skinley was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Divison) on 31 December 1976.
 
Sources
London Gazette 47102, page 24.
Globe and Laurel Jul/Aug. 1977.
Globe and Laurel Nov/Dec.1997.
 

SMITH, Robert William

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Quartermaster Sergeant Robert Smith was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in the New Years Honours List 1st January 1965 [1].
  • Additionally awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service in operations in the Radfan Area, Western Aden Protectorate between the 9th to 15th February 1965 [2].

SNELSON, Paul Francis

RM Poole
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Died in service
Colour Sergeant Paul Francis Snelson B.E.M., serving at RM Poole died [1] on Bovington range as a result of a mine accident [2].
 
He was awarded the B.E.M. in 1977 whilst a Royal Marines Corporal [3].
 
Sources
[1] AFM ROH

THORNTON, Brian Richard

45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Marine Brian Thornton was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for distinguished service in operations in Cyprus during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1957.
 
Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 41305, page 850.
National Archives file WO 373/126/87.
 

WEST, Wallace George

40RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Acting Sergeant Wallace West was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for bravery in saving the life of two airmen when an aircraft crashed in a wood.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36001, page 2004 published 4 May 1943.
 
Notes

WOOD, Eric Albert Benjamin

47RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
1936 King's Badgeman of 220 Squad [1].
1944 October Acting RSM of 47 RM Commando [2].
1 January 1946 awarded British Empire Medal (Military Division) [3].
 
Sources
[1] 100 Years of King's Badgeman, article by Major Rick Hall RM.

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