Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

There may be additional content elsewhere such as in our Photo Gallery and Forum.

Displaying 1 - 28 of 28

BARTON, Francis Christopher

Major Francis Barton received a Mention in Despatches in 1951 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services with 40 Commando RM in Malaya [1].
  • 31 December 1960 (Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 1 January 1964 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].
  • 1 January 1966 (Major General) appointed C.B. (Military Division) [4].
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 39361, page 5432.

CARREL, Ian Vincent

Ian Vincent Carrel, Captain in No. 1 Commando, received a MiD in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma [1].  He was appointed C.B.E. on the 7th June 1974 whilst Senior Technical Adviser, Ministry of Defence [2].
 
The death of Major Ian Vincent Carrel, CBE. (1 Cdo) of Old Oxted, Surrey, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 66 issued March 1978.
 
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp.  37730, page 4698.

COPINGER-SYMES, Rory Sandham

Captain Rory Copinger-Symes receieved the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in rendering humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone in 1999 [1].
  • 20 July 2009 (Lieutenant Colonel) announcement of the award of the Bronze Star Medal conferred by the President of the United States of America in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq [2].
  • 14 September 2009 promoted to Colonel [3].
  • 25 July 2016 promoted to Brigadier [4].

DAVIS, Edward Grant Martin

Brigadier Edward Davis, O.B.E. was appointed C.B. E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Afghanistan during the period 1st April 2011 to 30th September 2011 [1].
 
  • 28 November 2011 promoted Major General [2].
  • 14 June 2014 appointed C.B. (Military Division) [3].
  • 1 July 2014 promoted Lieutenant General [4].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 60095, page 5847.

DUTTON, James Benjamin

Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton K.C.B., C.B.E., was awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) conferred by the President of the United States of America in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq [1]
  • 15 October 1996 (Lieutenant Colonel) appointed Commanding Officer 40 Commando, Royal Marines [2].

FRY, Robert Alan

  • 1978 (Lieutenant) received Mention In Despatches for distinguished service in Northern Ireland [1].
  • 1980 (Captain) appointed M.B.E., in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland [2].

HOLMES, Matthew John

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Holmes, Commanding Officer 42 Commando RM, was appointed D.S.O. in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007 [1].
  • 19 March 2013 (Colonel) promoted Brigadier [2].
  • 9 May 2018 promoted Major General [3].
  • 8 June 2019 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [4].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 58396, page 10411.

HOOK, David Arnold

Major General David Hook RM
Brigadier David Hook was appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st April 2009 to 30th September 2009 [1].
  • 3 October 2011 promoted Major General [2].

KEELING, Andrew Myles

Major General Andrew Myles Keeling C.B.E. was appointed C.B. on 11th June 1994 [1].
  • 13 October 1987(Lieutenant Colonel)(Local Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland [2].
  • 14 February 1992 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of service within the operations in Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 53696, page 2.

MAGOWAN, Robert Andrew

Brigadier Robert Magowan RM
Acting Brigadier Robert Magowan was appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013 [1].
  • 9 June 2018 (Major General) appointed C.B. (Military Divsion) [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 60647, page 19569.

MILLS-ROBERTS, Derek (Brig)

Born in 1908; educated at Liverpool College and Oxford University; worked for his father's firm of solicitors, 1935; joined Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Irish Guards, 1936; joined 1 Bn, Irish Guards, 1939-1942, and served in Norway; transferred to special services No 4 Commando, 1942; took part in Dieppe Raid, Aug 1942; Lt Col, 1943; Commanding Officer, No 6 Commando, North Africa, 1943; Brig, 1944; commanded 1 Special Service Bde (later 1 Commando Bde), North West Europe, 1944-1945; accepted the surrender of FM Erhard Milch at Neustadt, May 1945; retired from Army, 1945; commanded 12

NAPIER, Bevil Charles Alan

Major Bevil Charles Alan Napier was attached to the Commandos from the Gordon Highlanders.
 
He was promoted from 2/Lieutenant to Lieutenant on the 1st January 1941. In August 1943  whilst a  Captain (T/Major) he was awarded the MC for "gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East."  (London Gazettes Supp.  35077 page 960 and Supp. 36146  page 3819.)
 

O'FLAHERTY, Denis William Venables Patrick

Denis William Venables Patrick O'Flaherty
Brigadier O'Flaherty
Lieutenant Denis O'Flaherty, No. 3 Commando 6 troop, was appointed DSO in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy on December 27th 1941 [1]. He additionally received a Mention in Despatches during this operation [1].
 
Lt. O'Flaherty was severely wounded during the operation, being shot in his eye, jaw, and neck, after which he was hospitalised for two years [2]. 
 

PICKUP, Richard Alan

Col Richard Pickup SBS

Colonel Richard Pickup died suddenly whilst posted as a defence advisor in Pretoria South Africa.

Richard Allan Pickup joined the Royal Marines in 1983 after university and was awarded the Sword of Honour at the CTCRM. After operational deployments to Northern Ireland and training in the Arctic, he was selected for Special Forces training and joined the SBS, later commanding the unit from 2000 until 2004 when he was appointed commander of the UK Forces in Kosovo. 

He also led the task force which spearheaded the British campaign in Afghanistan.

QUILL, Raymond Humphrey

Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill was a veteran of World War One and a former Commanding Officer of 30 Assault Unit.
  • 28 March 1935 (Major) appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order [1].
  • 11 December 1945 (Lieutenant Colonel)(Acting Colonel) appointed D.S.O. in recognition of distiguished service during the War in Europe [2].

SECCOMBE, Thomas

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Seccombe was appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st May 1978 to 31st July 1978 [1].
  • 15 June 1985 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 47739, page 343.

STILWELL, Michael William

Captain Stilwell MC 2 Commando
Lieutenant Michael Stillwell MC
Michael Stilwell was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment on the 22nd Sept. 1940. On the 20th August 1943 he was promoted Lieutenant, serving with the Coldstream Guards before volunteering for the Commandos and being posted to No 2 Commando. He was later promoted war substantive Captain.
 
Captain Stilwell was awarded the MC for his gallantry during operations at Spilje, Albania (Operation Healing 11).
 
Citation
Spilje Albania, July 28/29, 1944. Operation Healing 11.

SUTHERLAND, David (Lt Col)

(The following is from the Times obituary.)
 
LIEUTENANT David Sutherland and Royal Marine John Duggan were the only two to return from Operation “Anglo”, a raid on the Italian-occupied island of Rhodes by the Special Boat Service in September 1942. The SBS team was pursued relentlessly; it had attacked two airfields and destroyed aircraft positioned to support Rommel’s threatened advance on Cairo and to bomb supply convoys to beleaguered Malta. 

THOMSON, Johnathan James

Lieutenant Colonel Johnathan Thomson O.B.E., was awarded The Queen's Gallantry Medal in recognition of gallantry within the operations in Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey  in 1991[1].
  • 1982 (Major) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of service within the operations in the South Atlantic [2].
  • 1991 (Lieut. Colonel) Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in Northern Ireland [3].
  • 1997 (Colonel)(Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [4].

TOD, Ronald John Frederick (Brig)

Commissioned  into the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in 1925. Served in No 6 Independent Company and was  Officer Commanding No 11 Independent Company in 1940 and later took command of No 9 Commando in 1942.  Awarded DSO, and later a Bar to the DSO, each for "gallant and distinguished services in Italy " whilst commanding No 9 Commando in 1944.  Promoted Brigadier and Officer Commanding 2 Commando Brigade,  in 1945 he was awarded a CBE for "gallant and distinguished services in Italy."
 

Commando Association Newsletter 61 of 1975.

TREVOR, Kenneth Rowland Swetenham (Lt Col )

Officer Commanding No 1 Commando 1943 - 1945.
 
Ken Trevor joined No 1 Commando in 1941.  As Captain of 1 troop in 1942 he took part in a raid at St Cecily Plage  and the later Operation Torch landings. He received a Mention in Despatches (MiD) in N. Africa. He took over command of No 1 Commando from his cousin Tom Trevor when the Commando sailed to India in 1943. During the campaign in Burma he was awarded the DSO for gallant and distinguished services.
 

Ask questions / Add information

Use our Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]. 
Your message will then be seen by our Research Group and the many knowledgeable members of our Forum. Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.