Training Centre Deaths WW2

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ASHLEY, Pierce

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.  

HARE, Owen Stewart

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. 

HOCTEL, Lamont Durward

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

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

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

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

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."  

MCLEAN, George

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

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.
 

SCULLION, James

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.

STOCKBRIDGE, William

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

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.  
 

WOOLLAM, George Arthur

Lt George Woollam 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.
 

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