Training Centre Deaths WW2

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'Commando Basic Training Centre'

Commando Depot, Achnacarry

Commandos Achnacarry

The Commando Depot at Achnacarry, redesignated as the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC), was regarded as one of, if not, the finest of all the Allied special training centres established in the Second World War.

Location

Achnacarry Estate
Scotland
United Kingdom
56° 56' 53.0556" N, 4° 59' 38.1084" W

ASHLEY, Pierce

Private
14430189
Commando Basic Training Centre
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Pierce Ashley died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds. 
Son of Thomas and Josephine Ashley, of Inchicore, Dublin.
 
Source
CWGC.
Westminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour file ref. National Archives DEFE/2/843.

BLEAKLEY, Charles

Fusilier
4208516
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Fusilier Bleakley from Wigan was accidentally killed by a gunshot wound (instantaneous) at Bunarkaig, Achnacarry. Seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, the Medical Officer at the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC). 

Son of Thomas and Emily Bleakley, of Higher Ince, Wigan.

COOK, Herbert

Rifleman
14419989
Commando Basic Training Centre
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Rifleman Herbert Cook, aged 18, died at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Cook, of Islington, London.
Death recorded as by '"shell round (mortar) of head while on service training."  
Seen after death by Capt. J.H. Haldane RAMC. 
Informant (name illegible), Second Lieutenant Commando Depot Achnacarry.  

DOOLEY, Arthur

Acting T/Corporal
EX 4045
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Arthur Dooley, 'C' Troop, died in a training accident at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland. Son of William and Annie Marie Dooley, of Liverpool.
Extract from the 44RM Commando War Diary
19th September 1943.

DREW, Norman

Lance Corporal
2697714
Commando Basic Training Centre
Scots Guards 4th Bn.
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal Norman Drew died by drowning at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry. Son of John and Mary Ann Drew, of Paisley; husband of Helen Burns Drew, of Paisley.
He had been reported missing on 4 October 1942 and was found dead on 27 October 1942 in the River Arkaig,  Achnacarry, 100 yards South of the Iron Bridge. 

DRYSDALE, Kenneth J.H.

Private
3191996
Commando Basic Training Centre
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Died on war service
Died in the UK

Private Kenneth Drysdale drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whilst serving at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Andrew Sproat Drysdale and Maggie Drysdale, of Wigtown; husband of Eileen Doris Drysdale, of Wigtown.

FARRELL, William Henry

Marine
CH/X112233
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Marine William Farrell died at the Military Hospital, Onich from a bullet wound accidentally received during training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
Cause of death recorded as a "gunshot wound to the neck."
Son of William and Amellia Farrell; nephew of Mr. A. Gray, of Chadwell Heath.
 
Sources

GIBSON, Eric Hookway

Eric Hookway Gibson as a child
Sergeant
PLY/X3404
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Sergeant Eric Gibson died in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland. Son of William Ramage Gibson and Susan Broome Gibson, of Bideford.
Extract from the 44RM Commando War Diary
"p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop". 

GOMM, Arthur George

Sergeant
EX/4520(T)
RM Engineer Commando
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK

Sergeant Arthur Gomm died from multiple injuries sustained as a result of the premature explosion of a high explosive demolition charge at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Ernest James Gomm and Ethel Maud Gomm; husband of Edna Gladys Gomm, of Ashford, Middlesex.

HARE, Owen Stewart

Second Lieutenant
129412
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Second Lieutenant Owen Hare, 1st Special Service Bn., died result of a mountaineering accident on Ben Nevis during training at STC Lochailort.
Register of deaths records the Informant as Padre Basil Pitt, Army Chaplain. 
Son of the Revd. Arthur Neville Hare, M.A., and Gwendolen Lindsay Lee Hare, of Loose Vicarage.

HAYDON, Alan Albert

Gunner
998913
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Artillery
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Gunner Alan Haydon died by accidental drowning at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
Son of Albert and Elizabeth Haydon; husband of Muriel Ruby Haydon, of Balham, London.
8 November 1941 posted from 34th Signal Training Regiment, RA, to Commando Depot.

HOCTEL, Lamont Durward

Private
35170079
Commando Basic Training Centre
US Rangers 1st Bn.
Died on war service
Died in the UK
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.".

HUGHES, William Nichol

Guardsman
2698261
Commando Basic Training Centre
Scots Guards
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Guardsman William Hughes was found dead at 3pm on 27 October 1942 in Loch Lochy at Bunarkaig, 25 yards West of the boathouse. He had been reported missing on 4 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

Lieutenant
302137
Commando Basic Training Centre
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Wiltshire Constabulary
Died on war service
Died in the UK
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". Son of Herbert and Emily Johnson, of Barnsley; husband of Irene Johnson, of Bemerton, Salisbury.

LEES, Archibald

Private
14241677
Commando Basic Training Centre
General Service Corps
Lancashire Constabulary
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Archibald Lees drowned in Loch Lochy during training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Robert and Emily Lees; husband of Joan Lees, of Lancaster.
Seen after death by Capt.  J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer, Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.

LYONS, Frank

Marine
CH/X112024
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
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 wounds to his left leg and right foot. Son of Francis and Catherine Lyons, of Glasgow.
 

MCCARTHY, Patrick

Known as: 
Pat
Private
5509745
Commando Basic Training Centre
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Patrick McCarthy, aged 18, died by drowning at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. 
Son of Kathleen McCarthy, of Sholing, Southampton.
Found dead on the 10th February 1942 at 10am in the River Lochy,  800 yards East of Lochy Bridge. Last seen alive 28th November 1941. Cause of death - drowning. 

MCLEAN, George

Lance Corporal
2828784
Commando Basic Training Centre
Seaforth Highlanders
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal George McClean was accidentally killed in an explosion at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. 
 

PHILLIPS, Albert Henry

Corporal
7885644
No 2 Commando
11 Special Air Service Battalion
Training Centres
Royal Armoured Corps
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Albert Phillips, 11 Special Air Service Bn., formerly No.2 Commando, died in a climbing accident during training at STC Lochailort.
Son of Albert Henry and E. E. Phillips, of Newport, Monmouthshire.
Cause of death “Multiple injuries. Accidentally killed by falling over precipice. Instantaneous.” Informant was the Adjutant at STC Lochailort.
 

RUSCHKEWICZ, James R.

Ranger
36165787
US Rangers 1st Bn.
Died on war service
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

Fusilier
6983742
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 70th Bn.
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Fusilier James Scullion, aged 18, died by drowning at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry. Son of Henry and Margaret Jane Scullion, of Culnady.

SMITH, Andrew Henry

Captain
67373
Training Centres
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Captain Andrew Smith, formerly a civil engineer, was accidentally killed by a gunshot wound at STC Lochailort. The informant was Major Hodges, STC Lochailort Medical Officer.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/3.

STOCKBRIDGE, William

Rifleman
14411910
Commando Basic Training Centre
Rifle Brigade
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Rifleman William Stockbridge died at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
Son of Frederick and Helen Stockbridge; ward of Dorothy M. Playden, of Ruislip.
Cause of death - shell wound (mortar) of head and chest while on service training.
Seen after death by Capt. Haldane MC.

SWEENEY, Charles Henry

Private
328576
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Charles Sweeney drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whilst at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Thomas Henry and Ethel May Sweeney; husband of Bridget Sweeney, of Meir, Stoke-on-Trent.

TURNER, Frederick William Morgan

Corporal
4203290
No 12 Commando
Gloucestershire Regiment
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Frederick Turner, No.12 Commando, died by drowning in Loch Linne whilst serving at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. Son of William Sidney and Matilda Caroline Turner, of Dagenham, Essex.

Also recorded as dying by drowning on this date were Private Pat McCarthy, Fusilier James Scullion, and Gunner Alan Haydon [see Linked Content below].

WELCH, Frederick Edward

Private
14604147
Commando Basic Training Centre
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Metropolitan Police Force
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Frederick Welch died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds. 
Son of Frederick John and Alice Jane Welch; husband of Phyllis Margaret Welch, of Mitcham.
Occupation on Register of Deaths is Police Officer. Frederick Edward Welch, warrant number 125936, joined the Metropolitan Police on 26 April 1937, and left on 14 Sept 1943 (died).

WOOLLAM, George Arthur

Lt George Woollam 46RM Commando
Lieutenant
46RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lieutenant George Woollam died in an accident whilst serving at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Henry and Jane E. Woollam, of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.

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