Archive
Training Centre Deaths WW2
There may be additional content elsewhere such as in our Photo Gallery and Forum.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27ASHLEY, Pierce
Training Centres
Private Pierce Ashley died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds.
His name is on the Westminster Abbey Commando ROH as being at the Commando Basic Training Centre at the time. Casualties from there were usually taken to the Military Hospital, Onich. He is listed by the CWGC under his Regiment with no mention of a Commando unit. This would be correct if he died in training before completion of his course.
Service in a Commando is not established.
BLEAKLEY, Charles
No 1 Commando
Fusilier Charles Bleakley died by gunshot wound (instantaneous) at Bunarkaig, Achnacarry. He was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, the Medical Officer at the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC).
COOK, Herbert
Training Centres
Rifleman Herbert Cook, aged 18, died at the Commando Basic Training Centre. His death is recorded as by '"shell round (mortar) of head while on service training." He was "seen after death by Capt. J.H.
DOOLEY, Arthur
44RM Commando
Corporal Arthur Dooley died in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
Extract from the No. 44RM Commando War Diary
19th September 1943.
p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop.
Extracts from personal Service Record
See this Forum message for more: RM44 Arthur Dooley
DREW, Norman
Training Centres
Lance Corporal Norman Drew was found dead on 23rd October 1942 in the River Arkaig Achnacarry, 100 yards South of the Iron Bridge. He was last seen alive on the 4th October 1942. The cause of death is recorded as by drowning and he was seen after death by Capt. J. E. Symondson, RAMC, the Medical Officer at Achnacarry. The informant is shown as a CSM at the Commando Depot.
DRYSDALE, Kenneth J.H.
Training Centres
Private Kenneth Drysdale drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whislt serving at Achnacarry.
A newspaper report shows that he died along with another soldier, Pte Charles Sweeney aged 26 from Stoke on Trent, whilst fishing from a boat with 15 yr old John McKay, the son of a water baliff from Kilmonivaig. The report states that it appears they lost an oar whilst manoeuvring the boat into a suitable spot near Mucomir Falls on the River Lochy and got carried away into the swirling water.
FARRELL, William Henry
44RM Commando
Marine William Farrell died [1] after an accident during during the Strong Point exercise in the final week of commando training at the Commando Basic Training Centre [2].
The cause of death at the Military Hospital at Onich is recorded as a "gunshot wound to the neck." His unit is recorded on the Register of Deaths as 44RM Commando [3].
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] The book '44 Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan'
GIBSON, Eric Hookway
44RM Commando
Sergeant Eric Gibson died in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre. The War Diary for 19th September 1943 states, "p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop".
His former occupation was "assistant golf professional" and the cause of death is recorded as "multiple injuries head, neck, and chest." He was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer at the CBTC.
GOMM, Arthur George
RM Engineer Commando
Sergeant Arthur Gomm is recorded as dying due to the explosion of a demolition charge whilst attached to the CBTC as an instructor at Achnacarry.
Sources:
HARE, Owen Stewart
Independent Companies and Special Serve Battalions
Second Lieutenant Owen Hare, 1st Special Service Bn., was killed during training at STC Lochailort. His death is recorded as "mountaineering accident " with the informant being Padre Basil Pitt, Army Chaplain.
HAYDON, Alan Albert
Training Centres
Gunner Alan Haydon died by drowning whilst at Achnacarry.
Also recorded as dying by drowning on this date and serving at the same location were Private McCarthy and Corporal Turner.
HOCTEL, Lamont Durward
Training Centres
Private Lamont Hoctel, 1st US Rangers, Company 'E', drowned whilst training at Achnacarry. The date of his death is during the period that the US 1st Ranger Bn., led by Colonel W. Darby attended the Commando Basic Training Centre for their training. His death is noted in their War Diary as "drowned during stream crossing exercise.".
The local Death Register records the following information
Former occupation: Petrol Attendant
Private, Ranger Batallion, United States Army
Single, Male, 25yrs.
HUGHES, William Nichol
Training Centres
Guardsman William Hughes was found dead at 3pm on October 27th 1942 in Loch Lochy at Bunarkaig, 25 yards West of the boathouse. He was last seen alive on the 4th October 1942. His death is recorded as by drowning and he was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson, the Medical Officer at the Commando Depot, and the informant was an officer from the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
JOHNSON, Herbert
Commando Basic Training Centre
Lieutenant Herbert Johnson died of illness at the Military Hospital, Buchanan, Stirling at 3.45 am on the 17th March 1944. The Register of Deaths records the cause of death as "chronic interstitial nephritis". His profession is shown as "(Detective Sergeant, Police Force) Lieutenant KOY Light Infantry (att. Commandos)".
LEES, Archibald
Training Centres
Private Archibald Lees, a former Police Constable from Lancashire, drowned in Loch Lochy during training. He was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
An article in the Lancaster Guardian reported that he was one of the Police intakes to the Commandos entering military service in July 1942. The 2nd Police Intake to the Commandos consisting of 273 men attended the Commando Basic Training Centre for their Commando training from 23rd July 1942 until 23rd September 1942.
LYONS, Frank
Training Centres
Marine Frank Lyons died of gunshot wounds and shock at The Military Hospital, Onich, near Fort William, believed to be located at the time in the grounds of Alltshellach House. His death occurred during an operation to treat the injuries to his left leg and right foot. The Register of Deaths records his unit as "RM Commando's."
MCCARTHY, Patrick
Training Centres
Private Patrick McCarthy, aged 18, died by drowning whilst at Achnacarry.
MCLEAN, George
Training Centres
Lance Corporal George McClean was killed in an explosion at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge. His status at the Commando Depot as staff or trainee is yet to be established.
PHILLIPS, Albert Henry
No 2 Commando
11 Special Air Service Battalion
Training Centres
Corporal Albert Phillips died in a climbing accident during training at STC Lochailort. The local register of deaths states “Multiple injuries. Accidentally killed by falling over precipice. Instantaneous.” It notes the informant as being the Adjutant at STC Lochailort.
RUSCHKEWICZ, James R.
Ranger James Ruschkewicz, US Rangers 1st Bn. 'C' Company, died in an accidental explosion of a landmine at Barry Rifle Range, near Dundee, during a training exercise.
- 33068148 Ranger Aaron M. Salkin, 'C' Company, was severely injured.
- The Rangers had been training with No 1 Commando under Lieut. Col. T. Trevor.
SCULLION, James
Training Centres
Fusilier James Scullion, aged 18, died whilst at Achnacarry. He was last seen alive on the 28th November 1941. His body was found at 3.30pm on the 2nd June 1942 on the foreshore of Loch Eil, opposite Kilmallie Houses, Corpach. Cause of death was declared as drowning. The informant is recorded as the Commanding Officer, Commando Depot Achnacarry.
SMITH, Andrew Henry
Training Centres
Captain Andrew Smith, formerly a civil engineer, died of a gunshot wound at STC Lochailort. The informant on the Register of Deaths was Major Hodges, Medical Officer STC Lochailort.
STOCKBRIDGE, William
Training Centres
Rifleman William Stockbridge, aged 18, died at the Commando Basic Training Centre. His death is recorded as being by "shell wound (mortar) of head and chest while on service training." He was seen after death by Capt.
SWEENEY, Charles Henry
Training Centres
Private Charles Sweeney drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whilst serving at Achnacarry.
A newspaper report shows that he died along with another soldier, Pte Kenneth Drysdale, whilst fishing from a boat with 15 yr old John McKay, the son of a local water baliff from Kilmonivaig. The report states that it appears they lost an oar whilst manoeuvring the boat into a suitable spot near Mucomir Falls on the River Lochy and got carried away into the swirling water.
TURNER, Frederick William Morgan
No 12 Commando
Corporal Frederick Turner died by drowning in Loch Linne whilst serving at the Commando Depot at Achnacarry. Also recorded as dying by drowning on this date were Private McCarthy and Gunner Haydon.
[Source: CWGC / Register of Deaths in the district of Kilmallie via www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.]
WELCH, Frederick Edward
Training Centres
Private Frederick Welch died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds. His occupation is shown as Policeman on the Death Register.
WOOLLAM, George Arthur
46RM Commando
Lieutenant George Woollam died in an accident whilst serving at the Commando Basic Training Centre. The death certificate states he died of a fractured skull at the North British Aluminium Company's Works.
He was in 'A' troop of the Commando in May 1944. He was from Tunstall and is remembered on their War Memorial. He is buried in Fort William (Glen Nevis) Cemetery.
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.
