'RN Beach Commando units'

Initially raised as 'Naval Beach Parties', they were redesignated as Royal Naval Beach Commandos. At the end of the war they were again redesignated as Naval Beach Control Parties'
 
The transcripts of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987 relating to each RN Beach Commando unit are listed below.
 
Archive pages: 
RN Beach Commando

RN Beach Commando 'A' + 'B'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'A' and 'B' Commando
 
It is not known when the first beach parties were formed, but up till the time the Madagascar expedition sailed in March 1942, the parties appear to have been associated with the particular troop transport to which they were more or less permanently attached. It is believed that the five or six parties that proceeded to Madagscar where known as "Keren" party, "Karanga" party, etc., and that subsequently they were named "A" and "B" by C.O.H.Q., though in actual fact there was by that time only sufficient personnel to complete one commando which was known as "A". As such it formed part of Force P in India in the autumn of 1943 under command of Commander Duncan R.N. and Lt. Cdr.  J.S. Scott-Wilson, D.S.C., R.N.V.R. afterwards moving in January 1944 to the Mediterranean where they participated in the Anzio landing.
 
Thereafter the Unit moved to Corsica where it remained untl 17th June when 'A'  1 particpated in the attack on Elba with 'OBOE', in which two Officers and eighteen ratings were killed. [view Elba ROH in archive]
 
The balance of 'A' returned to Corsica where they were relieved by 'DOG' before they returned to the U.K. in September 1944. The Unit reached Armadillo on the 28th October 1944 , where it was disbanded in December, in view of the casualties sustained and the long service of the majority of Officers and men in Beach Parties. 
 
Naval Beach Commando BAKER never had any real existence in fact, though on paper it was counted as a formed unit for a long period.
 
Lt. W. Bentham,  R.N.V.R
Cdr. Duncan, R.N.
Lt. P. Greenland, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. W.R. Godwin, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Hodgson, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Lock, R.N.V.R.
Lt. J.B.  Luckin, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. MacDonald, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Notley, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Phibbs, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Power, R.N.V.R.
Lt.Cdr. Scott-Wilson, R.N.V.R.

 

RN Beach Commando 'Charlie'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Charlie'
 
Formed at Coulport House about March 1942 after the Madagascar Force had sailed. Personnel from this Unit, notably S.Lt.  D.T. Kent, D.S.C, R.N.V.R., S.Lt.  F.A.H. Leeke, R.N.V.R., and P.O. Murphy, had taken part on the raids at Lofoten, Vaagso, and Boulogne.
 
Took part in Dieppe raid, where it lost a considerable number of Officers and men, the sub-unit 'C' 2 having to be replaced in toto.
 
After its return to U.K. from North Africa, it was attached to Force 'W' (afterwards Force 'G')  sailing for Suez via the Cape in March 1943 before taking part in the invasion of Sicily in July.
 
On its return to U.K. in October 1943, it remained in Gailes Camp for some months and later it was accomodated in ARMADILLO before proceeding to carry out exercixe commitments in APPLEDORE and Burnham. A reserve unit for "OVERLORD" it was not called on to participate, it proceeded to S.E.A.C. in two sections in 21.2.45 and  -.4.45 with Force 'W'.
 
Operations
1942 Lofoten, Vaagso, Boulogne
19th August 1942 DIEPPE
8th November 1942 NORTH AFRICA - ORAN
10th July 1943 SICILY
September 1945 MALAYA.
 
C.O.             April 1944 - November 1945  Lt. Cmdr. A. Wilson, D.S.C., R.N.V.R.
 
Disbanded Nov 1945 in S.E.A.C.
 
S.Lt. G.J. Barker, R.N.V.R.
Lt Crutwell, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Bentley-Buckle, R.N.
S.Lt. Griffin, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Haslett, R.N.V.R.
Mid. A.E. Bielski, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Holmes, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Canning, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Howe, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. A.W. Charles, R.N.V.R.
Lt. J.A. Jones, R.N.V.R.
Lt. E.A.M. Laing, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. H. Lauder, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. A. McConnell, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Middleton, R.N.V.R.
Lt.Cdr. Norris, R.N.
S.Lt. P.V. Painter, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. D.H. Parry, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  J.L. Pitt, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Richards, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. R.C. Richards, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. J. Threlfall, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. D. White, R.N.V.R.
Lt. R.B. Whyte, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Cdr. A. Wilson
 

RN Beach Commando 'Dog'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Dog'
 
1942
The original unit was formed at Couport House or Inveraray about April-May 1942. Took part in Dieppe raid in which majority of personnel were casualties. Not reformed in U.K. but as result of C.C.O.'s decision July 1943 name 'Dog' was allocated to Unit formerly known as No 5 or SAUNDERS B.P. (The other Saunders Party became N.B.C. Zebra by same signal, but it was absorbed into Dog at some date after Salerno in September 1943. Zebra was maintained as a separate entity for a brief period  only, duration unknown.)
 
1943
Participated in Salerno landing, afterwards returning to SAUNDERS*, where it remained until going to Corsica to relieve Able in June 1944. After periods in Naples and Messina the Unit returned to the U.K. in February 1945, reaching ARMADILLO on the 29th March, where it was disbanded about the end of April or beginning of May 1945.
 
Operations
Dog (1st)
Dieppe, August 1942
 
Dog (2nd)
June 1943 Pantellaria as No. 5 B. Cdo.
Sept 1943 Salerno (Vietri and Amalfi as No. 5 B. Cdo.)
15 August 1944 Present afloat South of France.
 
C.O.    Lt. Cdr. T. Pearson, D.S.C., R.N.
 
Disbanded at Armadillo May 1945
 
S. Lt. F. Brindle, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Oakley, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. F.A. Curtis, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Cdr. Pearson, R.N.
S. Lt. J. Ensoll, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Roberts, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. R. Epstein, R.N.V.R.
Lt. P. Ross, R.N.V.R.
Lt. R. J. Franklin, R.N.V.R.
Lt. J.M. Sellars, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. P.L. Jonas, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. Stephens, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. J. Lomas, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. Thomson
S. Lt. Miller, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. K.L. Vaughan, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. R.B. Mitchell, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. D.W. Wilders, R.N.V.R.
Notes
* Saunders was H.M.S. Saunders,  the Combined Training Centre, Middle East, at Kabret by the Little Bitter Lake on the Suez Canal.
 

RN Beach Commando 'Easy'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Easy'
Formed at Inverary and Coulport House in May - June 1942. Took part in the North African landings and in March 1943 sailed with Force 'W'. Took part in Sicily under Force 'G' (formed W), returning to the UK about the beginning of October 1943 [1]. After leave the Unit was billeted in Gailes until early in January when they moved to Mylodon to come under the orders of Force 'L'. They proceeded to Hayling 6. 6. 44, where they remained in reserve at eight hours notice for three weeks.
 
To ARMADILLO    29.7. 44
To DRAGONFLY  16. 8. 44
To FALMOUTH         .9. 44
To MYLODON        .11. 44
Sailed for S.E.A.C.  .12. 44.
 
Took part in MALAYA landing September 1945 and were disbanded in November 1945.
 
Operations
November 1942  North Africa - ORAN [2].
July 1943               Sicily - Force 'G'
Sept. 1945            Malaya.
 
C.O.    Jan - Aug. 1944              Lt. Cdr. A.A. Anderson, R.A.N.V.R.
           Aug. 1944 - Nov. 1945  Lt. Cdr. F.H.  Hearn, R.N.V.R.
 
Disbanded in S.E.A.C.              November 1945.
 
Lt. Cdr. A. Anderson, R.A.N.V.R.
Lt. E. Kitteridge, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Brinkley, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. J.A. Lockwood-Bunce, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. H. Broadway, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. Martin, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. R.G. Burgess, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. J.G. Parry, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. J.C. Cox, R.N.V.R.
Lt. C.N. Reid, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. R. Gardiner, R.N.V.R.
Lt. H.E. Roberts, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Goodale, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. P.M. Smith, R.N.V.R.
Lt.  Cdr. F.H. Hearne, R.N.V.R.
Lt. J. Symonds, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. D.C.A. King, R.N.V.R.
S. Lt. F.E. Watts, R.N.V.R.
Notes 
H.M.S. Armadillo was at Glenfinnart, Scotland.
H.M.S. Dragonfly was at South Hayling Island.
H.M.S. Mylodon was near Lowestoft.
 
This transcript contains some minor amendments as follows:
1. Shown on original erroneously as 1944.
2. Shown on original as ORA.
 

RN Beach Commando 'Fox'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Fox'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'George'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. George'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'How'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. How'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Jig'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Jig'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'King'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. King'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Love'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Love'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Mike'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Mike'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Nan'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Nan'
 
Formed at Armadillo February 1943 under Lt. Cdr. M.V. Redshaw, R.N.V.R. whence on completion of training proceeded to FOLIOT and Achnacarry before being attached to Force 'V' with whom the Unit sailed for Sicily on the 29th June 1943.
 
After 'Husky',  'Nan' was stationed at Bougie before returning to Sicily to take part at the crossing from Messina to Reggio.
 
In October 1943 the unit moved to H.M.S. SAUNDERS at Kebret where it remained until it returned by cruiser to Italy in time for Anzio landings in January 1944. Several casualties were incurred at Anzio. After a period in Corsica and Naples the unit moved to the Adriatic about May 1944 where it saw extensive service in the forward port areas with the 8th Army.
 
Operations
July 1943               Sicily - Force 'V'
Sept. 1943            Reggio Opeartion Baytown
Jan. - April 1944   Anzio.
 
P.B.M.  April 1943 - Sept. 1943       Act. Cdr. P.W.F. Stubbs, D.S.C., R.N.
C.O.      Sept. 1943 - Feb. 1944        Lt. Russell, D.S.C., R.N.
             Aug. 1944  - Nov. 1945        Lt. Cdr. F.H.  Hearn, R.N.V.R.
             Lt. Cdr.  T.J. Turton, R.N.V.R.   May 1945
             June 1945 - Nov. 1945         Lt. A. Varley, R.N.V.R.
 
Disbanded at Dundonald November 1945.
 
S.Lt. G. Hill,  R.N.V.R. Lt. Russell, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. J.A.F.  Bintner, R.N.V.R. Cdr. Stubbs, R.N.
Lt. M.H. Cant, R.N.V.R. Lt. Cdr. T.J.  Turton, R.N.V.R.
Lt. L.  Crickmar, R.N.V.R. Lt. A.  Varley, R.N.V.R.
Lt. I.  Harris S.Lt. W.B.  Wallace, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. J.S.  Lucas, R.N.V.R. Lt. P.A.  Ward, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. McIntosh S. Lt. H.  Williams, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt. L.V.  Parry, R.N.V.R. Lt. J. Symonds, R.N.V.R.

RN Beach Commando 'Oboe'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Oboe'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Peter'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Peter'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Queen'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Queen'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Roger'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Roger'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Sugar'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Sugar'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Tare'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Tare'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Uncle'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Uncle'
 
Awaits upload
 

RN Beach Commando 'Victor'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
 
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. Victor'
 
Formed in September-October 1943 with Lt. F.M. Hutton R.N.V.R., B.M. of V.1 as Senior Officer. Under training the ratings of this Unit proved exceptionally smart and keen as there were no C.S. Able Seamen or other malcontents from big ships.
 
On completion of its training this unit remained split up in its sub units while carrying out exercise commitments at Appledore, Burnham, Inveraray, until in April 1944 it assembled for unit in Armadillo under the command of Lt. Cdr. F.M. Hutton, R.N.V.R. It remained in Armadillo, except for a Brigade training period at Inveraray with 52nd Lowland Division, until 10th -11th August 1944 when it proceeded to Lowestoft. Remained at Lowestoft until it proceeded overseas to S.E.A.C. on 16th December 1944.
 
Operations
May 1945  Rangoon.
September 1945 Malaya.
 
C.O.  Lt. Cdr. F.M. Hutton R.N.V.R.
 
Disbanded Nov 1945 in S.E.A.C.
 
Lt. Archibald, R.N.V.R. 
Lt. Cdr.  F.M. Hutton, R.N.V.R.
Lt.  J.G. Causley, R.N.V.R. 
Lt.  G.E. Moses, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  B. Gausden, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.   J.G. Oliver, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  T. George, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  L. Priestley, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  N. Gibson, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Howe, R.N.V.R. 
S.Lt.  J.S. Harvey, R.N.V.R.
Lt. Cdr  M.V. Redshaw, R.N.V.R.
Lt.  P. Hopkins, R.N.V.R.
S.Lt.  A.W. Smith, R.N.V.R.
Notes
From the Navy Lists at the National Library of Scotland digital collections.
Temp. Lt. W. I. Archibald posted Beach Duty 16 Sep. 1943
Temp. S.Lt. J.G. Causley posted Beach Duty 11 Mar. 1943
Temp. Mid. B.H. Gausden posted Beach Duty 30 Sep.1943
Temp. S.Lt. N. Gibson posted Beach Duty 20 Sep. 1943
Temp. Lt.Cdr. F.M. Hutton posted Beach Duty 4 Oct. 1943.
Temp. Lt. G.E. Moses posted Beach Duty 16 Sep. 1943
Temp. S.Lt. L.G. Priestley 
Temp. Lt.Cdr. M.V. Redshaw posted Beach Duty 18 Feb. 1944
Temp. Lt. L.W. Smith posted Beach Duty 9 Dec. 1943
 

RN Beach Commando 'William'

'History of Naval Beach Control Parties (formerly Royal Naval Beach Commandos)'
Transcript of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987. 
 
'R.N.B.C. William' [view....].
 
Linked Content: 
A history of 'W' Commando