Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

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BAKER, Albert

Lance Sergeant Albert Baker D.C.M., died during operations at Kangaw.
 
2 years earlier he was awarded the DIstinguished Conduct Medal (Immediate)  for gallantry in North Africa whilst a Lance Corporal.
Recommendation

BLACKWELL, Alun Trevor

In October 1939 Alun Blackwell enlisted with the South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). When Independent Companies were raised he went with them as part of Scissorforce to Norway. He volunteered for the new No.2 Commando. Later he was handpicked from No.2 Commando for an SOE operation in Tunisa in 1941. 
 
Recommendation

BURDETT, Julian

Corporal Julian Burdett was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during operations on the Falkland Islands.
 
Citation
On the night of 11th/ 12th June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, 45 Commando Royal Marines launched a silent night attack against strongly held enemy positions on the craggy hill feature of Two Sisters, ten kilometres to the west of Port Stanley. 

CARR, Francis Arthur

Sergeant Francis Carr was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for his gallantry during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was the senior NCO of a demolition party led by Lieut Burtinshaw on board HMS Campbeltown [2].
 
He also received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished services as a Royal Engineer in connection with operations in the field March-June, 1940.[3].
 
Sources

CHALLINTON, William Albert

LSgt Challinton 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant William Challinton, 5 troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for his gallantry during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was part of an assault party who disembarked from HMS Campbeltown, their role to destroy enemy coastal defence guns covering the dry dock area [2].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 37162, page 3493, amended (errata) by LG 37331, page 5317.
[1] National Archives file WO 373/46/273.
 

CUNNINGHAM, James

Driver James Cunningham was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe [1].  In May 1944 he was serving in the No. 3 Commando MT section (Motor Transport) [2].
 
The death of James Cunningham from Stanion Northants  was announced in Commando Association newsletter 98 issued March 1994 where it showed his last rank as Sgt.
 

DOCKERILL, Arthur Henry

Lance Sergeant Arthur Dockerill was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for his gallantry during the raid at St Nazaire. Part of a demolition team on board HMS Campbeltown led by Lieutenant Chant [2], he was later imprisoned in Stalag 344 at Lamsdorf , Poland [3].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 37162, page 3493.
[2] National Archives file WO 373/46/270.
[3] Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/1.

ENGLAND, James Paterson

Troop Sergeant Major James England was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for gallantry, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty during the assault on the Island of Walcheren [2].
  • 1945 Mentioned in Despatches for outstanding service while operating with the Allied Armies in Italy [3].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36947, page 997.
[2] National Archives file WO 373/47/42.
[3] London Gazette 36903, page 518.
 

HAINES, George Ernest

George Haines DCM 2 Commando
Troop Sergeant Major George Haines, 5 troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the raid at St Nazaire [1]. He had embarked for the raid on board motor launch ML 177 but during the action took command of the HQ Reserve [2].  He was taken prisoner after the raid and subsequently held in captivity at Stalag 344 (formerly known as Stalag V111b) near Lamsdorf, Poland [3].
  • 27 April 1946 commissioned Second Lieutenant, East Surreys [4].  

HARMER, Reginald

Reg Harmer 11 Commando
Corporal Reginald Harmer served in No. 11 Commando until it was disbanded. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on the 12th July 1943 with the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment during operations near Solarino, Sicily [2].
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36251, page 5062.
[2] National Archives file WO373/3/154.
 

HAUSMANN, Fritz Sigmund

Fritz Hausmann alias Fred Houseman 2 Commando

Fritz Sigmund Hausmann was born in Bingen Am Rhein, April 27th 1921. He was a German Jew who at age 13, fled Germany alone and went to school in Palestine. When he was of age he enlisted and did his basic training in Sarafend, Palestine and he then joined the 462 RASC. On May 1st, 1943 he was on board the Erinpura, which was attacked and sunk in the Mediterranean with heavy loss of life. Having survived the sinking, he joined No.

HEATH, George

Sergeant George Heath, 3 Troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations on the night of 4/5 March 1941 at Beyt (or Beit) Gabru, Eritrea.
 
Sources
London Gazette 35221, page 4110.
National Archives file WO373/28/131.
 
Notes
For citation click on Unit /Base below Rank above.
 

HERRING, David Warren

Signalman David Herring, Royal Corps of Signals, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of distinguished services in the field. The National Archives file records his award under Escape and Evasion Reports [1].

HOPKINS, Leslie William

Lance Sergeant Leslie Hopkins was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.

The death of Sgt. Leslie Hopkins, DCM. (9 Cdo) of Rothesay, Bute, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 84 issued March 1987.

HOWE, Gilbert Rex

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

HUBBARD, Sydney

CSM Sydney Hubbard 3 Commando
Company Sergeant Major Sydney Hubbard was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for his gallantry on numerous occasions whilst serving with No 3 Commando in France, Holland, and Germany. He had been a member of the Commando for 3 years [2].
 
His death was announced in Commando Association Newsletter 104 of March 1997.
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 37442, page 640.
[2] National Archives file WO 373/56/900.
 

HUTTON, George Francis

TSM George Hutton DCM 2 Commando
Troop Sergeant Major George Hutton, 1 troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field. [1]
 
On the 22nd February 1945 it was announced that he had receieved a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field. [2]
 

JACKSON, Joseph (LSgt)

Lance Sergeant Joseph  Jackson DCM died during the 6 week period in February/March when No 2 Commando were placed "in the line" in Italy under 5 Corps. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for "gallant and distinguished services in the field."
 
Sources
CWGC
London Gazette 36983, page 1427.
 

KIRKHOPE, William Adamson Forbes

Signalman William Kirkhope, 2 Special Service Bde. Signals, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on the 13th September 1943 at Salerno when he volunteered to repair a vital line of communications that had been cut on the Vietri to Salerno road, an area that was under heavy enemy mortar and M.G. fire [2]. 
 

MANT, Douglas Edward

Corporal Douglas Mant was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallant and distinguished services on the 6th November 1956 during Operation Musketeer, the Anglo-French Invasion of Port Said, Egypt.  
 
Sources
London Gazette 41092, page 3418.
National Archives file WO 373/124/53.
 

MORLAND, Peter Douglas

CSM Pete Morland 2 Commando
Company Sergeant Major Peter Morland was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Spilje Bay, Albania, on 28th/29th July 1944 during Operation Healing 11.  The citation for his award is in our report above on the Operation. 
 

MURRAY, William

Corporal William Murray was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for outstanding gallantry in Sicily while serving in a Marine Commando, in leading an assault with fixed bayonets against an enemy machine gun post and in carrying the attack through with success in spite of a serious wound in the left eye.

Sources
London Gazette 36275, page 5334.
National Archives file WO 373/47/140.
 

NIGHTINGALE, Frank Lewis

Corporal Frank Nightingale was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty during the assault on the Island of Walcheren.

Sources
London Gazette 36947, page 997.
National Archives file WO 373/47/43.
 

O'BRIEN, Richard

Lance Sergeant Richard O'Brien, 2 troop, was one of the Commandos who returned from Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire. He sailed on board ML 447.
 
6 months later he was one of the ten Commandos who took part in Operation Musketoon. Seven were taken prisoner and later executed. LSgt O'Brien evaded capture after the successful raid and made it back to the UK.  He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during this raid.
(Source: LG Publication date: 5 March 1943, Supplement: 35929, Page: 1118).
 

PIPE, Gary James

Corporal Gary Pipe was twice mentioned in despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland. 
  • Distinguished service between 1st August 1980 and 31 October 1980 [1].
  • Distinguished service between 1st November 1982 and 31st January 1983 [2].
In 1988 the then Sergeant Gary Pipe was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland [3].
 
Sources

POWELL, Terence

Sergeant Terence Powell was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations in the Gulf in 1991 (to be dated 29 June 1991).
 
Sources
London Gazette 58092, page 12274.
 

PREECE, Frederick Amos

Trooper Frederick Preece 6 Commando
Trooper Frederick Preece, 101 Troop, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for his gallantry in a raid on Boulogne Harbour.
 
Recomendation for award
On the night of 11/12th April 1942, Captain Montanaro, accompanied by Trooper Preece, entered Boulogne Harbour in a canoe which had been taken by a Motor Launch to about one and a half miles from the harbour entrance.

REACE, George Arthur

Warrant Officer Class 2  George Reace was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1], and was also Mentioned in Despatches [2], both in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.

The death of George Reace DCM of Prescott, Arizona, U.S.A. was announced in Commando Association newsletter 112 issued March 2001.

SHAW, Ashley George

Driver Ashley Shaw was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November 1941 to April 1942  whilst serving as an ambulance driver with 5 Light Field Ambulance. [1].
 
He was later awarded the Military Medal whilst a driver of a jeep used for carrying casualties under fire on the 14th and 15th September 1943 in Italy. He was at the Battalion Regimental Aid Post near operations at the River Tusciano. [2].
 

SINCUP, Arnold William

Arnold Sincup MM 1 Commando
Lance Sergeant Arnold Sincup was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma. He is mentioned in this report about the battle at Kangaw. [view].
 
Sources
London Gazette 37040, page 2079.
National Archives file WO 373/36/43.
 

SWINBURN, Arthur

Arthur Swinburn DCM
Arthur Swinburn enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment on 24th November 1928 for 9 years, and then a further 3 years in Reserve, before volunteering for the Commandos in 1940 [1]. He rose to the rank of WO2 whilst in the Commandos and received a Mention in Despatches  in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941, to April, 1942 [2]. 
 

TERRY, Jack

Sgt Jack Terry DCM 11 Commando
Sergeant Jack Terry was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during the Rommel raid in the Middle East. It was during this raid that his commanding officer Lt. Col. Geoffrey Keyes was killed. Sgt. Terry made good his escape and later joined the Special Air Service. Post war he joined Nottingham Police and served for the next 28 years [3].
 
Citation
At Sidi Rafa.

THOMSON, John

Lance Sergeant John Thomson was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.

Sources
London Gazette 36615, page 3376 published 20 July 1944.
National Archives file WO373/6/528.
 

WADGE, Eric James

Corporal Eric Wadge was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] for gallant and distinguished services in NW Europe whilst a Medical Orderly in No 3 Commando. 
 
Post war whilst serving in the Malaya Police he was awarded the George Medal [2] for his gallantry during the Malayan crisis.
 
Citation for the George Medal
Eric James WADGE, D.C.M., Police Lieutenant, Federation of Malaya Police Force.

WESTWATER, Alexander

Sergeant Alexander Westwater DCM, formerly 7 Commando and SAS,  was killed in Italy after an explosion in what is described as a battle accident whilst serving with the Royal Artillery (AFHQ).
[Source: Royal Artillery Deaths 1939-1946, Form RH, stamped RA Record Office Field Branch]
 

WHITE, Ernest George

LSgt Ernest White DCM
Corporal Ernest White was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for "gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy." He was later promoted and during the action at Agnone, Sicily, was TSM of 4 troop.
 
Sources
Storm from the Sea by Brig Peter Young.
London Gazette 35510 page 1506.
 

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