Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

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BARTON, Francis Christopher

3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
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].

BEVIS, Timothy John

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Timothy Bevis received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland in 1986 [1].
  • 13 December 2015 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 31 May 2016 promoted Major General [3].
  • 28 December 2019 appointed C.B. (Military Divisionj [4].
Sources

BROWN, Christopher Charles

29 Cdo. Regt.RA
Royal Artillery
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Captain Christopher Brown, 29 Commando Regiment RA, was a Naval Gunfire Spotter attached to Special Forces during the Falklands War. He received a Mention in despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service between 25 April to 15 June 1982 [1] [2].
  • 30 Sept 1987 promoted Major [3].

CAMPBELL, Robin Francis

No 8 Commando
General List
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Temporary Captain Robin Campbell was attached to the raiding party for Operation Flipper, an attack on Rommel's HQ in November 1941. Wounded and taken prisoner, he was subsequently repatriated in 1943 because of his wounds. He relinquished his commission 31 December 1944 with the honorary rank of Captain..

CARREL, Ian Vincent

No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
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].
 

COPINGER-SYMES, Rory Sandham

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Bronze Star (USA)
Captain Rory Copinger-Symes receieved the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in rendering humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone in 1999 [1].

DAVIS, Edward Grant Martin

3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Brigadier Edward Davis, O.B.E., Commander 3 Commando Brigade RM [1][1A], 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 [2].
  • 28 November 2011 promoted Major General [3].

DAWSON, Robert William Palliser

No 4 Commando
The Loyal Regt.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Robert Dawson was one of the first subalterns to join No 4 Commando in 1940, later taking part in the Dieppe raid  as Captain of 'C' troop.  
  • 1943 promoted Major and 2nd in command of No 4 Commando replacing Major Derek Mills-Roberts who left to command No 6 Commando.
  • April 1943 Lord Lovat left No 4 Commando and Major Dawson became Commanding Officer.  

DUTTON, James Benjamin

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ)
Legion of Merit (USA)
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]

FRY, Robert Alan

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Legion of Merit (USA)
  • 1978 (Lieutenant) received Mention In Despatches for distinguished service in Northern Ireland [1].

GRIFFITHS, Patrick

Patrick Griffiths MC
45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant Patrick Griffiths was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in operations in Malaya during the period 1st August  to 15th November, 1950 [1].
  • 11 June 1977 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2]. 
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 39215, page 2389.

HARDY, Campbell Richard

Lt Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy
46RM Commando
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
2nd Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, commanded the 9th RM Bn., until it was redesignated as 46 RM Commando on 1 August 1943. He remained as Commanding Officer 46RM Commando until the end November 1944 when he left to take up the post of  Brigade Commander 3rd Special Service Brigade which was operating in the Far East.

HOLMES, Matthew John

3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Died in service
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Holmes, Commanding Officer 42 Commando RM, was appointed D.S.O. in recognition of gallant and distinguished service 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].

HOOK, David Arnold

Major General David Hook RM
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Lieutenant Colonel David Hook was appointed Commanding Officer 42 Commando RM on 27 April 2001 [1].
  • 2009 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan [2].
  • 3 October 2011 promoted Major General [3].

KEELING, Andrew Myles

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
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].

MAGOWAN, Robert Andrew

Brigadier Robert Magowan RM
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Magowan M.B.E., was Commanding Officer UK Landing Force Command Support Group in 2007 [1].
  • 31 December 2004 (Lieutenant Colonel) appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [2].

MASON, Alexander Malcolm

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Alexander Mason received a Mention in Despatches in

MILLS-ROBERTS, Derek

No 6 Commando
Irish Guards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches

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;

NAPIER, Bevil Charles Alan

No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Major Bevil Charles Alan Napier was attached to the Commandos from the Gordon Highlanders. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1941.
  • August 1943  (Temporary Major) awarded the Military Cross for "gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East."  (London Gazette 35077 and 36146.)

NONWEILER, Wilfrid Ivan

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Brigadier Wilfrid Nonweiler RM was the first Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Service Brigade when it was formed in1943 [1].
  • November 1944 returns to the UK [2].
  • 9 June 1949 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

O'FLAHERTY, Denis William Venables Patrick

Denis William Venables Patrick O'Flaherty
Brigadier O'Flaherty
No 3 Commando
Royal Artillery
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Bronze Star (USA)
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].
 

PORTER, Matthew Edward

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Captain Matthew Porter was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division)  31 December 1999 [1].
  • 29 December 2007 (Lieutenant Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 29 December 2012 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].
  • 21 July 2014 promoted Brigadier [4].

PURDON, Corran William Brooke

Corran Purdon 12 Commando
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Colonial Police Medal
Lieutenant Corran Purdon volunteered for the Commandos whilst serving as a young officer with the Royal Ulster Rifles, and was attached to No.12 Commando. He took part in raids on Norway and St Nazaire.

QUILL, Raymond Humphrey

Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Legion of Merit (USA)
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill was the Commanding Officer of 30 Assault Unit from November 1944. A veteran of World War 1 he had served with the RM Brigade at the Dardanelles 1914/15 and on board HMS Lord Nelson from October 1916 to November 1918 [1]. 
  • 28 March 1935 (Major) appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order [2].

RIES, Norman Charles

45RM Commando
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel Norman Charles Ries was the first Commanding Officer of 45 RM Commando on its formation in August 1943 [1] and remained as such until June 1944 when wounded by enemy gunfire in Normandy. Post war he returned to command the restructured unit from December 1948 until August 1950 [2].

SECCOMBE, Thomas

41 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
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

STILWELL, Michael William

Captain Stilwell MC 2 Commando
Lieutenant Michael Stillwell MC
No 2 Commando
Coldstream Guards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (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.
 

THOMAS, John Francis

Brigadier Jack Thomas
No 6 Commando
1st Lifeguards
Welch Regiment
Parachute Regiment
Royal Artillery
Corps of Royal Military Police
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
No.6 Commando. President of the Commando Veterans Association until November 2016.
Military Service
Enlisted 1st Lifeguards rank Trooper [1][1a].
21 April 1945 commissioned from O.C.T.U. Second Lieutenant, Welch Regiment [2].
Attached No.6 Commando [1][3].

THOMSON, Jonathan James

45 Cdo. RM
SBS
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan 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].
Citation 

TOD, Ronald John Frederick (Brig)

No 9 Commando
No 6 Independent Company
No 11 Independent Company
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
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 Commandi

VAN DER HORST, Rupert Cornelius

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Brigadier Rupert Cornelius Van Der Horst, O.B.E., was appointed C.B.E.,(Military Division), 31st December 1991 [1].
  • 1982 Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of service during the operations in the South Atlantic [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazette Supp. 52767, page 5

WILLS, Richard Lloyd Joseph

No 3 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Richard Wills was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Dieppe 19 August 1942 during which he was shot in the neck and became a prisoner of war [1][1a][2]. There is an additional reference to this in our entry for Gunner Hubert Wadsworth [view....].

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