Mission 204 was the designation given to the British Military Mission to China.
Photos of No.1 Special Service Detachment British Military Mission 204 to China.
An account from the Australian War Museum of Australian involvement in Mission 204.
Lance Corporal Alexander Ballantyne was killed whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.
Some additional detail can be found on this link to a message on our Forum.
Private Francis Cawsey is believed to have been attached from No 8 Commando to Mission 204 at the time of his death.
Bombardier Edwin Couldrey was one of the Commandos from No 8 who were attached to the Special Service Detachments (1 & 2) and Military Mission 204 to the Far East.
The circumstances of his death are not known however in a last letter home he had written that he was "going native." ( Source: Stevenage at War )
Sergeant John Else, No 7 Commando and Layforce, was killed whilst attached to No 1 Special Service Detachment.
Transcript (by Elaine Southworth-Davies) of a letter from Major R.W. English in response to an enquiry from Kevin O'Marah about the war service of his father WO1 Andrew O'Marah.
"April 15. 1984
Dear Mr O’Marah
Pte Leonard Lacey was killed whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.
Trooper Arthur Lockington was killed whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.
Captain Frank Nicholls, No 7 Commando and Layforce, was killed whilst attached to No 1 Special Service Detachment. There is a plaque in his honour inside Stratton Parish Church and he is also remembered on their War Memorial.
Photos and more information are in our Gallery entry for Captain Nicholls.
Company Sergeant Major Arthur Richardson was one of a contingent from Layforce (No 8 Commando) who were attached to Middle East Detachment 2, later known as 2nd Special Service Detachment or SSD2, for operations in the Far East.
Trooper Lewis Scanes is believed to have been attached from No 8 Commando to Mission 204 at the time of his death.
Sources CWGC Westminster Abbey Commando ROH database.A personal account of the memories of Ted Stuart, No 5 Commando, who volunteered for Mission 204.
Joe Rogers MM
No 2 Commando
Bob Mewett
No 12 & No 1 Commando
Mick Collins
No 5 Commando
