No 12 Commando

There may be content on individuals that is not listed here. If you do not find a name use the different Search options within the Site. Contact the Archive to have a name included.

Displaying 1 - 95 of 95

'French coast - Operation Farenheit'

Wednesday, November 11, 1942

Location

Pointe du Plouezec
France
48° 45' 16.5924" N, 2° 55' 47.2476" W
An overnight intelligence gathering raid on a signals station on the French coast at Pointe de Plouézec. The raiding force set out from Dartmouth harbour on board MTB 344, commanded by Lt. Cdr. Freddie Bourne RN and crew, accompanied by a small number of commandos who used a Dory to land.
Officers included Major Geoffrey Appleyard, Captain's Peter Kemp and Captain Oswald Rooney. Commando NCO's included amongst others Sgt Sam Brodison, Sgt. Barry, and LCpl Ellis Howells.

'Norway - Operation Checkmate'

Wednesday, April 28, 1943

Location

Kopervik
Norway
59° 17' 1.3452" N, 5° 18' 24.7572" E

Operation CheckmateA combined operations raid on Axis shipping in the harbour at Kopervik, Norway. This raid was a No 14 Commando operation. The raiders managed to sink several ships using limpet mines, but were eventually captured and initially taken to Haugesund for interrogation before being transported to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

'Norway - Operation Crackers'

Monday, February 22, 1943
An intelligence gathering operation originally planned to include the destruction of observation posts in the Norwegian fjords, but due to bad weather the raiders took over an unmanned observation post for a week of intelligence gathering before making good their escape. 
 

12 Commando Nominal Roll

In 1946 the Army Council decided that the Army Commandos were to be disbanded and no provision was allowed or made for any depository or office which would have at least contained a complete Roster of Names of the men who served in the various units. 
 

12 Commando Operations

These are some of the operations that No 12 Commando took part in, either on their own, or as part of a Combined Operations assault.  In many cases only a handful of Commandos from No 12 took part rather than the Commando as a whole. They are in date order and form part of our overall history of No 12 Commando.

Click on the links for more detail about each.

Operation Chess - France, July 1941

Operation Kitbag - Norway, November 1941(aborted)

Operation Anklet - Norway, November 1941

12 Commando, Redesignation of 4 (Para) Troop,1943

Type: Letters
Author: Chris Rooney
Year of Publishing: 2014
Keywords: Rooney, Lovat,
Download

A letter to Captain Oswald B (Mickey) Rooney of 4 (Para) Troop, No12 Commando from Lord Lovat, HQ Special Service Brigade, on the reallocation of No12 Cdo.Lovat has added a footnote to Mickey Rooney

OC No 9 'is short of a good subaltern who can be added to the 27 other ranks. Please contact him.

Document courtesy of Capt Rooney's son, Chris Rooney

ALLUM, Edward Thomas

Gunner
11002459
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Edward Allum was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1939. After volunteering he served in both No.12 and No.1 Commando. 

Sources
Royal Artillery Attestations Register for 1939.
Commando Association Lost Legions List 1.
 

ALLUM, Frank Edmund

Frank Edmund Allum
Gunner
914187
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Gunner Frank Allum was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1939. He was wounded May 1940 in France serving with 145 Field Regiment RA. Volunteering for the Commandos he served in both No.12 and No.1 Commando.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 114.

BARTHOLOMEW, Peter Ian

Known as: 
Barty
Peter Ian Bartholomew No 3 Commando
Lieutenant Colonel
73118
No 3 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Peter Ian Bartholomew served in No 12 Commando until their disbandment when he moved to No 3 Commando. He participated in the D Day landings as Captain of 2 troop.  On the Commando's return to NW Europe from the UK in 1945, he took command of No 3 Commando with the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel. 

BASSETT-WILSON, Paul Francis

Paul Bassett-Wilson MC
Captain
165718
No 9 Commando
No 12 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Paul Bassett-Wilson MC died during operations with No.9 Commando at Lake Comacchio, Italy [1].
A former pupil of Stowe School and student at Trinity College [2], he had earlier served as a Lieutenant in No.12 Commando. 

BEGGS, Harold Raymond

Known as: 
Ray
Troop Sergeant Major
7011764
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles, 1st Bn.
No.12 Commando was disbanded in 1943. TSM Beggs later served with the 6th Airborne during the DDay landings in Normandy, France.
Post war he ran a successful bakery business in Dunoon and was member of the Commando Association residing Strone, Argyll.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 45 (1967).

BLOUNT, Arthur Harvey

Corporal
3972221
No 12 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Arthur Blount was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action.
Arthur was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown, and was the son of Charles George Blount, and of Annie Blount, of Morden, Surrey.
 
Sources
CWGC.

BOLDEN, Stanley

Known as: 
Sammy
Stanley Bolden 12 Commando
Lance Corporal
3316568
No 12 Commando
SAS
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Stanley Bolden, No.12 Commando, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1][2].
He was later killed in action serving as a Corporal with the 2nd SAS Regiment during an attack on the German 51 Mountain Corps HQ at Albinea Italy [3][4].

BOWLES, Eric Charles

Lance Corporal
5384691
No 12 Commando
Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Eric Bowles, 'D' troop, based at Hamble, died while in a  trawler patrol that was attacked by enemy aircraft. 
 
Sources
CWGC
No 12 Cdo War Diary ,National Archive file W0 218 / 28.
 

BOWMAN, Thomas Horne

Known as: 
Tom
Lieutenant
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Lieutenant Thomas Bowman served in No.12 Commando ( Para Troop) and then No.1 Commando 6 Troop in the Far East.
Post war he had a business in Camberley Surrey and was also an actor. He had a role in the "My Fair Lady" New York Broadway Revival which ran from March 25, 1976 to February 20, 1977.

BRETT, Gerrard

Lieutenant (later Captain)
126498
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant Brett was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during Operation Chariot at St Nazaire 27/28 March 1942. Wounded on board HMS Campbeltown and later prisoner of war [1][1a][2][2a].
Recommendation

BRODISON, Samuel James

Sam Brodison
CSM Samuel Brodison MM 12 Commnando
Company Sergeant Major (later RSM)
6977705
No 10 Commando
No 12 Commando
Small Scale Raiding Force
Royal Irish Fusiliers
Military Medal (MM)
Company Sergeant Major Samuel Brodison was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service carrying out beach obstacle reconnaissance in France during May 1944 [1][2].
Recommendation

CALLAWAY, Thomas, Frederick

Known as: 
Cab
Thomas Callaway12 Commando
Corporal
5499065
No 12 Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Corporal Thomas Callaway was one of the commando contingent who embarked on HMS Campbeltown for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire 28 March 1942.
He was reported missing but later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
St Nazaire Society website.

CHETWYND, Samuel Ernest

Corporal
4977274
No 12 Commando
Sherwood Forresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Samuel Chetwynd was reported missing 28 March 1942 after operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 457 as part of Captain Pritchard's Demolition Control Party and has no known grave.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Chetwynd; husband of Elizabeth Chetwynd, of Shildon, Co. Durham.
 

CHUNG, Ronald Robert Fong

Known as: 
Ron
Ron Chung 12 Commando
Corporal
1889265
No 12 Commando
Royal Engineers
Corporal Ron Chung was reported wounded and a prisoner of war on 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire. He had embarked on HMS Campbeltown for the raid.
Post war Ron was a regular attendee at Commando Association events. His son Martin also completed Commando training and received his own green beret on 30 May 1980.
 

CLAPTON, John Francis

Lieutenant John Clapton 6 Commando
Lieutenant (later Captain)
258657
No 6 Commando
No 12 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant John Clapton was awarded the Military Cross [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on 28 January 1945 whilst leading a small Recce patrol at a wood near Linne [2].
  • Served in No.12 Commando 4 Parachute Troop prior to moving to No.6 Commando [3].
Sources

CONNOR, James

Known as: 
Jim
James Connor 12 and 6 Commando
Corporal
2883201
No 12 Commando
No 6 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
James Connor served in No.4 (Para) Troop of No.12 Commando from November 1941 until it was disbanded in 1943, after which he moved to No.6 Commando. He was wounded on 12 June 1944 at Normandy. His commando service ended in January 1946 when the Army Commandos were disbanded. Post war member of the Commando Association from Scotland.
 
Sources

COOPER-KEY, Caryll Astley

Major
44852
No 12 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
30 January 1930 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Yorks. and Lancs. Regt. [1].
1 August 1938 (Lieutenant) promoted Captain, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers [2].
August 1940 second in command of No.12 Commando on its formation [3].
15 June 1942 second in command of 142 Commando Company [4].

COTTON MINCHIN, Douglas James Maurice

Capt. Cotton Minchin
Captain
77634
43543
43RM Commando
Commando Basic Training Centre
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Douglas Cotton Minchin was reported missing March 1945 after his patrol came under fire during operations in Italy, later presumed killed in action. He has no known grave.
Son of Capt. H. Cotton Minchin and Mrs. Cotton Minchin, of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Alpes Maritimes, France.

COX, Jack, A.

Known as: 
Jack
Jack Cox 12 and 3 Commando
Corporal (Acting Sergeant)
6215811
No 12 Commando
No 3 Commando
Middlesex Regiment
Corporal Jack Cox was wounded on 11 April 1945 during operations in Western Europe. On this date No.3 Commando were in action at the River Aller near the town of Essel. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association.

1976 serving as a Police Sergeant at Saltney, just over the Welsh Border from Chester.

COX, Victor John

Known as: 
Jack
Sergeant
5671612
No 12 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Executed
Sergeant Victor John 'Jack' Cox, No 12 Commando, was assigned to No.14 Commando for Operation Checkmate.  He was captured on the raid at Kopervik in Norway on 29th April 1943.  He was imprisoned and later executed after being taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and shot.  
 

CROFTS, Arthur Probert

Fusilier
4203539
No 12 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Fusilier Arthur Crofts died as a result of an accident.
Son of Minnie Crofts; husband of Mary Elizabeth Crofts, of Droylsden.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/56.
 

CRUDEN, Peter Ramsay

Captain Peter Cruden 12 and 6 Commando
Captain
179476
No 12 Commando
No 6 Commando
Royal Artillery
Black Watch
Mentioned in Despatches
Silver Star (USA)
Peter Ramsay Cruden was commissioned Second Lieutenant Royal Artillery 22 March 1941[1].
  • Lieutenant in No.12 Commando [2]. 
  • 6 June 1944 (Lieutenant) (No.6 Commando) shot and wounded in shoulder by sniper at Normandy [3][3a].

DALY, Thomas

Known as: 
Tom
Thomas Daly 12 Commando
Sergeant
S/231037
No 12 Commando
Holding Operational Commando
Royal Army Service Corps

Thomas Daly served in No.12 Commando HQ from April 1941 and after No.12 was disbanded on the staff at the Holding Operational Commando until April 1946.
Read more in Linked Content below.

DARLINGTON, Kenneth Carr

Kenneth Darlington MM 12 Commando
Private
3605415
No 12 Commando
SBS
No 4 Commando
Border Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Private Kenneth Darlington was awarded the Military Medal[1] for gallantry during Operation Cartoon, a successful raid on Stord Island. The target was the demolition of an Iron Pyrite mine.

DEERY, Stewart

Sergeant
6977293
No 12 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Military Medal (MM)
Sergeant Stewart Deery, No.12 Commando, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during Operation Chariot at St Nazaire. He had embarked on HMS Campbeltown for the raid and was taken prisoner of war afterwards [1][a][1b][2][2a]. 
Recommendation

DEXTER, Stanley

Gunner
1760944
No 12 Commando
Royal Artillery
Died on war service

Gunner Stanley Dexter from Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, died in service, cause not known to this archive.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/57.
Royal Artillery Casualty Card.
 

EAGER, W.

Lance Corporal
7043628
No 6 Commando
No 12 Commando
Royal Irish Fusiliers

Lance Corporal Eager was wounded 24 March 1945 during operations at the crossing of the River Rhine at Wesel (Operation Widgeon). Previously served in No.12 Commando. 
Post war member of the Commando Association, last known residing Titchworth, Hampshire.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/90.
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

FERGUSON, William John

Known as: 
Fergie
Corporal
7903097
No 12 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps

Corporal William Ferguson was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later found to have been wounded and taken prisoner of war. He had embarked on board HMS Campbeltown for the raid.

FINDLEY, Frederick George

Troop Sergeant Major
5041667
No 6 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps
Military Medal (MM)
Troop Sergeant Major Frederick Findley was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the withdrawal from Djebel el Azag, Tunisia [1][2].
Recommendation

FYNN, Francis West (Lt Col)

Known as: 
Ted
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Fynn 2 commando
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Fynn 2 Commando
Lieutenant Colonel
109827
No 2 Commando
No 12 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Bronze Star Medal (USA)
Lieutenant Colonel Francis West Fynn M.C. was appointed Commanding Officer of No 2 Commando from June 1944 after Lt Col Churchill was taken prisoner of war. 
A former Lance Sergeant in the Royal Artillery T.A., he was appointed Second Lieutenant on the 23rd December 1939 [1].

HARRISON, Stewart Sandbach (LtCol)

Known as: 
Peachy
Lieutenant Colonel
No 12 Commando
Irish Guards
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
Commanding Officer of No. 12 Commando.
 
A veteran of World War One and recipient of the Military Cross, announced in July 1918, and later a bar to the Military Cross in August 1919.
 
Sources
London Gazette Supp. 30780, p7909 and Supp. 31745, p924.

HENRIQUES, Robert David Quixano

Colonel
38714
Special Service Brigade
No 12 Commando
Royal Artillery
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Silver Star (USA)
Bronze Star Medal (USA)
Major Robert Henriques was the Brigade Major of the Special Service Brigade throughout the operation at Vaagso in Norway on 27 December 1941 [1].
  • Former Troop Leader of 'E' troop No. 12 Commando [1a].
  • 2 June 1943 (Captain)(Temporary Major)(Acting Lieutenant Colonel) appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [2].

HOWELLS, Ellis

Ellis Howells 1st SBS
Lance Corporal Ellis Howes
Lance Corporal
3910267
No 12 Commando
Small Scale Raiding Force
SBS
South Wales Borderers
Special Air Service Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Ellis Howells was killed in action having left the Commandos and joined the 1st Special Boat Service, S.A.S. Regiment, Army Air Corps. He died during an attack on a railway bridge at Limpljani in the former Yugoslavia. Previously served No.12 Commando,  the Small Scale Raiding Force, No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando, and Fynnforce.

HOYLE, Robert

Robert Hoyle 12 Commando
Corporal
3450633
No 12 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers

Corporal Robert Hoyle embarked on HMS Campbeltown for the raid at St. Nazaire on 28 March 1942. Reported as missing after the raid he was later found to have been taken prisoner and transported to Stalag 344 at Lamsdorf, Poland.

HUNTINGTON, John, Memories of No 12 and No 1 Commando

Type: Personal Papers
Author: John Mewett
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: Memories of Sgt John Huntington 'E' Troop No 12 Commando and 3 Troop No 1 Commando
Download

Sgt John Huntington was in E Troop No 12 Commando and 3 Troop No 1 Commando.

This document is Johns memories as detailed in letter form over the course of 5 years to John Mewett. Unfortunately before the project was complete JH died but what was related makes for a very interesting first hand account of life in a commando unit.

JOHNSON, James

Lance Sergeant
2879375
No 12 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant James Johnson was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during Operation Chariot 28 March 1942. Wounded and prisoner of war. 
Recommendation

JONES, Harri Havard

Corporal
3962759
No 12 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Harri Harvard Jones was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. Corporal Jones was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268. He has no known grave.
Son of David John and Martha Ann Jones, of Rhymney, Monmouthshire.
 

LEAPHARD, Clark Edmond John

Known as: 
Eddy
Clark Edmond John Leaphard
Major
164608
No 6 Commando
Gloucestershire Regiment
Reconnaissance Corps
Parachute Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
21 December 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Gloucestershire Regiment [1].
Served No.12 Commando and from 30 May 1943 No.6 Commando [2] .
Temporary Major, No.6 Commando, awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service on 11 April 1945 during the assault on Essel Bridge over the River Aller [3].

LEAVER, John Charles

Private
3962766
No 1 Commando
No 12 Commando
Welch Regiment

Private John Leaver, 5 Troop, was wounded on 23 January 1945 during operations in Burma. He previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Cardiff.

LEMON, Frederick

Known as: 
Fred
Lance Corporal
7903450
No 12 Commando
North Irish Horse / Royal Armoured Corps

Lance Corporal Fred Lemon embarked on HMS Campbeltown for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire 28 March 1942. Reported missing after the raid, found to have been taken prisoner and transported to Stalag 344 at Lamsdorf, Poland.

MAGINNIS, John

Known as: 
Mac
Rifleman
7018924
No 6 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Rifleman John Maginnis volunteered for the Commandos whilst serving in the Royal Ulster Rifles. He initially joined No 12 Commando and on their disbandment moved to No 6 Commando. 
 

MARTIN-SMITH, Patrick Geoffrey Brian

Captain
130112
No 12 Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Worcestershire Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
War Service
18 May 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant.
1940 - 1943 No.12 Commando.
1943 - 1944 No.30 Commando.
July 1944 - May 1945 No.1 Special Force, SOE.
1945 awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service.
26 Sept 1967 retired from military service.

MCGONIGAL, Ambrose Joseph

Ambrose McGonigal MC
Lieutenant (later Honorary Major)
113419
No 12 Commando
SBS
Royal Ulster Rifles
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Ambrose McGonigal was awarded the M.C. [1] for distinguished service during a raid on the enemy held island of Sark on the night of the 27th December 1943. This was a reconnaissance operation to obtain certain information and if possible capture a prisoner.

MOLLOY, Joseph

Corporal
7019264
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Corporal Joseph Molloy was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later found to be a prisoner of war. He was one of the commando contingent who embarked on HMS Campbeltown.
 
Sources
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/43.

NASH, Douglas James

Sergeant
5253563
No 12 Commando
Worcestershire Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Douglas Nash was awarded the MM  in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field on the 26th December 1943. 
 
The death of Sgt. Douglas J. Nash, MM (12 & 6 Cdos) of Cleveland, Ohio, USA., formerly of Birmingham, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 75 issued September 1982.
 

O'SULLIVAN, Robert Deyos

Lieutenant
214657
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Died on war service
Lieutenant Robert O'Sullivan died by drowning as a result of an accident.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/4.
No 12 Cdo War Diary entry for 10th Apr.1943. National Archives WO 218 / 57.
 

PAGE, Alan George

Lance Sergeant
6984004
No 12 Commando
No 6 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Lance Sergeant Alan Page, No.6 Commando, was wounded 6 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Leicester.

PARNWELL, Basil Arthur

Major
94526
No 12 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 12th Bn.
Lieutenant Basil Parnwell was attached to No.12 Commando on 7 February 1942 [1] later becoming their Adjutant until it was disbanded in 1943 after which he is reported to have moved to the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre (CMWTC) [2].
  • Special Operations Executive (SOE) [3].

PERRY, Alfred Charles

Known as: 
Alf
Alfred Perry 1 Commando
Alf Perry 12 and 1 Commando
Lance Sergeant
1057916
No 1 Commando
No 12 Commando
Served in No.12 Commando and later with No.1 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Lee, London.
Far East Service
05.02.1944 Corporal, No.1 Commando 3 Troop, promoted Lance Sergeant.
10.02.1944 inter troop transfer from No.1 Commando 3 Troop to 1 Troop.

PINCKNEY, Philip Hugh

Captain
100670
No 12 Commando
SAS
Royal Artillery
Executed

Captain Philip Pinckney was executed whilst a prisoner of war. At the time he was serving with 2 SAS and had been captured on Operation Speedwell after parachuting with 6 others into Bologna, Italy. The aim of the operation was to disrupt enemy railway movements.

PURDON, Corran William Brooke

Corran Purdon 12 Commando
Lieutenant (later Major General)
112917
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Colonial Police Medal
Lieutenant Corran Purdon volunteered for the Commandos whilst serving as a young officer with the Royal Ulster Rifles, and was attached to No.12 Commando. He took part in raids on Norway and St Nazaire.

REEVES, Walter

Known as: 
Jumbo
Bombardier
883888
No 12 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Walter Reeves was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1938 and was later attached to No.12 Commando after volunteering for the Commandos. Embarked HMS Campbeltown for Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire 28 March 1942 and was a prisoner of war after the raid. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Barnstaple, Devon.
 

ROBINSON, Joseph Henry

Known as: 
Tim
Joseph Henry Robinson SAS
Sergeant
894174
No 12 Commando
SAS
Royal Artillery
'E' Troop No.12 Commando and SSRF.
1 April 1944 to 2 SAS, Army Air Corps.
24 September 1944 (Sergeant) (2 SAS) wounded during operations in North West Europe.
 
Sources
Royal Artillery Attestations Register 1939.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/83.

SIMS, Edward, G.

Known as: 
Ted / Eddie
Private Edward Sims 12 and 6 Commandos
Private
No 12 Commando
No 6 Commando
Royal West Kent Regiment
Private Edward Sims served in No 12 Commando until it was disbanded in 1943, then in No 6 Commando. He was batman to Captain Peter Cruden [1][2].
  • Post war in June 1946 he was one of ten commandos chosen at random to sit with the Queen in the Royal Box at the Albert Hall concert in aid of the Commando Benevolent Fund [3]. 

STEADMAN, Charles Emanuel

Charles Steadman 9 Commando
Sergeant
1508032
No 12 Commando
No 9 Commando
Royal Artillery
Monmouthshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
South Wales Borderers
1938 attested into the Royal Artillery [1].
05.10.1939 transferred to 2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment [1].
Volunteered for and attached to No.12 Commando which disbanded early [2][2a].

SYNNOTT, James Francis

Known as: 
Jimmy
Jimmy Synnott 3 Commando
James Francis Synnott
Sergeant
4453883
No 3 Commando
Royal Artillery
Sergeant James Synnott, 3 Troop, was shot and wounded 11 April 1945 during operations at the River Aller. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war Jimmy was a member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/91.

TEMPLETON, J.A.

Known as: 
Jimmy
Private
14000097
No 6 Commando
No 12 Commando
Royal Scots
Private Jimmy Templeton was wounded 24 March 1945 during operations at the crossing of the River Rhine at Wesel (Operation Widgeon). Also served No.12 Commando.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Hove, Sussex.
 
Sources
Casualty Records / National Archives file WO417/90.
Commando Association newsletter 87.

TENNICK, Maurice William

Corporal
14241719
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Tynemouth Police
Corporal Maurice Tennick served in No.12 Commando and No.1 Commando. Promoted Corporal 2 February 1944.
Maurice was a serving Police Officer who volunteered as part of the Police Intakes to the Commandos. In 1939 he was a Police Constable residing at 50 Falstaff Road, Tynemouth.
Post war member of the Commando Association residing North Shields.
 

TOWSE, Alfred Burley

Known as: 
Jock
Lance Sergeant
14241859
No 12 Commando
No 6 Commando
Scots Guards
Brighton and Hove, Sussex Police
Corporal Alfred Towse served in No.12 and No.6 Commandos and was wounded in France on 7 August 1944.
He was a Police Officer who had volunteered for the Commandos rejoining the Police and serving at Brighton and Hove after the war ended. Final rank attained Lance Sergeant.
 
Sources

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.  

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

TYREMAN, George Vincent

Private
14241777
No 4 Commando
No 12 Commando
Lincolnshire Regiment
Lincolnshire Police
Private George Tyreman, 'C' Troop, was wounded during operations at Normandy, France.
Post war member of the Commando Association residing Lincolnshire.
1939 employed as a Clerk with Lincolnshire Police later joining as a Constable.
1942 volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes.

WALDIE, Robert Gibson

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
126151
No 3 Commando
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Robert Waldie, 2 troop, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in 1943 at Termoli, Italy.
Recommendation

WARD, William G.

Private
5052724
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
North Staffordshire Regiment
Private William Ward, No1 Commando, was wounded 31 January 1945 during operations at Kangaw, Burma. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Duston, Northampton.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.

WHAM, James Howie

Known as: 
Jimmy
Sergeant
3065655
No 9 Commando
No 12 Commando
Royal Scots
Military Medal (MM)
Private (Acting Corporal) James Wham was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on 19 March 1944 in Italy. Final rank attained Sergeant.
Recommendation
"Ref Map-Italy, 1/25,000 Sheet IV SE

WHITTINGHAM, Laurence

Whittingham 1 Commando
Corporal
No 1 Commando
No 12 Commando

Post war Laurence Whittingham from Wallasey, Cheshire, died from illness whilst serving as a Police Lieutenant in the Federation of Malaya Police. He had been ill with Scrub fever after a long spell on Jungle Patrol in the Kinat Hills, Ipoh.

WILTON, Max Robert

Private
13099961
No 6 Commando
No 12 Commando
Pioneer Corps
Wounded 20 August 1944 France.
Also served 1st Commando Brigade.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Cromer.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/76.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 77 (1983).

WOOLLARD, George

Private
14241724
No 1 Commando
No 12 Commando
Black Watch
Liverpool City Police
Private George Woollard served in No.12 Commando and later No.1 Commando. He was wounded 31 January 1945 during operations with No.1 Commando 6 Troop at Kangaw, Burma. George was a serving Liverpool City Police Officer, Constable 118D, who volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes of 1942/3.

WRIGHT, Robert Ernest

Corporal Robert Wright 12 Commando
Bob Wright
Corporal
2009393
No 12 Commando
Royal Engineers
Corporal Robert Wright was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, France, later found to be wounded and a prisoner of war. He embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown.
Obituary

‘Norway - Operation Anklet’

Friday, December 26, 1941

Location

Lofoten Islands
Norway
68° 4' 46.5924" N, 13° 22' 27.0876" E

300 men from No 12 Commando, and some from the Royal Norwegian Army, landed on the Lofoten Islands about 300 miles North of Vaagso. Since the first Lofoten raid in March such operations were seen as a useful tactic to confuse the enemy and consequently divert enemy forces for future defence.

‘Norway - Operation Cartoon’

Saturday, January 23, 1943

Location

Norway
59° 47' 20.7456" N, 5° 23' 6.756" E
An operation to destroy the pyrite mine on the island of Stord near Leirvik. The party landed at two locations half at Sagvaag, and the remainder on the other side of the bay.  They were responsible for the complete destruction of the Transformer at the Pyrite mine.
 

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]. 
Photos will be reviewed and added to the Archive if appropriate. 
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.