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1 Cdo Bde HQ War Diary Jan-Mar 1945

This section contains a transcript taken from the War Diary covering specific periods. It is a basic transcript for private research and educational use only. Whilst we always endeavour to achieve accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be dates and/or entries missing, and other possible errors, The actual War Diaries can be found at the National Archives in Kew.

1 Special Service Bde Signals Troop War Diary June-Sept 1944

This section contains a transcript taken from the War Diary covering specific periods. It is a basic transcript for private research and educational use only. Whilst we always endeavour to achieve accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be dates and/or entries missing, and other possible errors, The actual War Diaries can be found at the National Archives in Kew.

ADAMS, F.

Private
Special Service Brigade

Post war member of the original Commando Association with whom they lost contact. Last known address: Walsall, Staffs. [Source: CA Lost Legion 1]

ARMITAGE, James

Sergeant
CH/X102092
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant James Armitage died during operations at Normandy, France. Son of James and Elizabeth Armitage, of Sandyhills, Glasgow.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.

ASH, A.H.

Sapper
14604273
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Engineers

Sapper Ash, HQ 1 Special Service Brigade, was wounded 6 June 1944 (remaining on duty) during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/77.
 

BAILEY, Arthur Charles

Gunner
14422036
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery
Died in the UK

Gunner Arthur Bailey was found dead on Westhampnett Lane Chichester, a road leading to Goodwood.  Ambulance men at the scene found that he had fractured his skull and it was later ascertained that he had fallen from a lorry in which he was a passenger.

BAILEY, Norman

Private
-
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-
Private Norman Bailey served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Cheshire. 
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

BALL, Leighton Thomas

Acting Staff Sergeant
PLY/X110033
Training Centres
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Service
Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre (CMWTC).
1 Commando Brigade.
Commando Cliff Assault Wing (CCAW).
9 June 1949 awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division).

BEATTIE, Bruce Albert

Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
214143
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Lieutenant Bruce Beattie took part in the Normandy landings with 1 Brigade Signal Troop.
17 June 1944 assumed command of the Signal Troop after Captain Alexander was wounded.
18 June 1944 promoted Captain, Signal Troop.

BIRKS, Victor, J.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Private Victor Birks served in 1 Commando Brigade Headquarters. Post war member of the Commando Association from Limehouse, London.

Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 109 (Sept.1999).
 

BLISSETT, Harry Harold

Maj. Blissett 2 commando
Major
90331
No 4 Independent Company
No 2 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Mentioned in Despatches
Major Harry Harold Blissett served as a Captain in No 4 Independent Company and No 2 Commando. He was appointed Brigade Major in the 1st Special Service Bde in preparation for DDay.  In 1945 he received a MiD for gallant and distinguished services in NW Europe[1].

BRIDGER, Leonard William

Captain Len Bridger, Brigade Signals
Captain
Brigade Signals
No 3 Commando
Royal Marines
14.05.1942 commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant RM [1].
15.11.1942, promoted Temporary Lieutenant RM [2].
6 June 1944, 1 Special Service Brigade Signal Troop, landed with the main body of the troop at Normandy [3]

BROWN, H.C.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Stratford, London.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 2.

BROWN, J.

Gunner
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

Served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Leeds.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 2.

BROWSTER, F.

Signalman
2696113
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman Browster, 1 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, was wounded 29 April 1945 during operations in Western Europe. 
 
Sources
Casualty List / National Archives file WO417/92.

BUGG, Alfred John

Alfred John Bugg 1 Commando Brigade HQ
Private
14821244
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Private Alfred Bugg served in HQ, 1 Commando Brigade.
 
Sources
Picture in gallery  No.1 SS Brigade HQ - o/s the Quartermaster Store.
Comment posted to picture by his son Phillip Bugg.

CASSEY, Norman Walter

Grave of LCpl Cassey Commando Brigade Sigs.
Lance Corporal
14649217
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Norman Cassey, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals, died during operations at Le Plein Normandy when the HQ was heavily shelled and mortared. Son of Walter and Annie Cassey; husband of Doris Mary Cassey, of Dartford, Kent.
 
Sources

CHRISTIE, Thomas John

Lieutenant
337687
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Military Cross (MC)
29 November 1944 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Signals. Awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe during March 1945.
Recommendation

CHRISTOPHER, Robert William

Corporal Robert Christopher MM
Corporal
5990123
No 3 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Hertfordshire Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Robert Christopher, HQ 1 Commando Brigade, was awarded the Military Medal (Periodic) [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished services over a prolonged period during operations at Agnone in Sicily, Bova Marina and Termoli, and at Amfreville, Normandy [2]

CLARKE, Kenneth Edward

Kurt Goldschlager 10 Commando
Birth name: 
GOLDSCHLAGER, Kurt Theodor
Corporal
13801160
13118804
No 10 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Pioneer Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Kurt Theodor Goldschlager being of the Jewish Faith served under the alias of Kenneth Edward Clarke.

CLUBE, Gordon Murray

Lieutenant
105161
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Lieutenant Gordon Clube served in 1 Special Service Brigade Signals [1].
  • 11 November 1939 (Private) (Artists Rifles) commissioned Second Lieutenant [2].

CONNOR, H.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Durham City.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 3.

COX, Graham

Corporal
2586417
Brigade Signals
38v (Welsh) Divisional Signals T.A.

Corporal Graham Cox served in 1 Bde Sigs Troop Jan ’43 – Feb ’44; and 2 Bde Sigs Troop Feb ’44 - Nov ‘45. 

CURTIS, E.H.

Corporal
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
1 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Gillingham, Dorset.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.
 

DAVIES, Norman

Signalman
2588380
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Signalman Norman Davies, 1 Commando Brigade Signals, was killed in action during operations in Germany. At the time of his death 1 Commando Brigade were engaged in operations near Wesel.
 
Sources

DE JONGHE, Arthur Jules Charles Baudoin

Arthur de Jonghe 10 Commando
Arthur de Jonghe
Captain (later Major)
229494
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No 10 Commando
General List
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Bronze Star Medal (USA)
Temporary Captain Vicomte Arthur de Jonghe, a French speaking Belgian national, took part in Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942. He was a Liaison Officer embarked on board motor launch ML446 and was evacuated back to the UK after the operation [1]

DENHAM, Joah Selwyn

Lieutenant Denham MM
Captain
14241763 and 329309
No 3 Commando
Sherwood Forresters
Lincolnshire Constabulary
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Joah Denham was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Cape Spartivento, Italy, between 27 August and 5 September 1943 [1][2]
15.11.1943 Lance Sergeant, No.3 Commando HQ (Admin) [3].

DICKIE, J.M.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Clackmannan, Scotland
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

DONNELLY, Terence Alfred

Captain (Temporary)
134132
No 3 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Norfolk Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Captain Terence Donnelly, General Staff Officer (GSO 111) 1st Special Service/Commando Brigade HQ [1], was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [2] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the allied crossing of the River Rhine to capture Wesel.

DUFFY, J.P.

Duffy 1 Brigade Signals
Corporal
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals
1 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Coventry.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 106 (1998).

DUGDALE, R

Lance Corporal
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Ilford, Essex.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

DYMER, John, C.

John Dymer 1 Brigade Signals
Corporal
Brigade Signals

Corporal John 'Jack' Dymer served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association residing USA. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

EAST, Gerald Thomas

Corporal
6482238
No 4 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Metropolitan Police
Corporal Gerald East, No.4 Commando, was wounded 6 June 1944 (remaining on duty) during operations at Normandy, France. Also served in No.3 Commando and 1 Commando Brigade.

EASTON, Norman Kidston

Captain (Temporary)
P/277394
46RM Commando
Highland Light Infantry
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Norman Easton, CMWTC, 1 Commando Bde. HQ, and 46RM Commando 'X' Troop [1], was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service [2].

EMMERSON, John Kenneth

Ken Emmerson 2 Commando and 1 Brigade HQ
John Kenneth Emmerson
Lance Corporal
No 2 Commando
No 12 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No.2 Commando, No.12 Commando and 1 Commando Brigade HQ.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Wakefield, Yorkshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newletter 88 (1989).

EVANS, T.A.

Corporal
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Neston Wirral, Cheshire.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

FISHER, Frank, W.

Lance Sergeant
2590215
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Lance Sergeant Frank Fisher, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals, was wounded on 6 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. He remained in service after the war serving in Germany and was a member of the Commando Association.

FORSHAW, Alan

Company Quartermaster Sergeant
T141150
No 4 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Army Service Corps

Sergeant Alan Forshaw, No.4 Commando and 1 Special Service Brigade, was wounded 20 June 1944 during operations in North West Europe. Post war member of the Commando Association from Doncaster.

FRANKS, Godfrey Reginald

Godfrey Franks 2 Commando
Major Godfrey Franks
Major
71409
No 2 Commando
No 10 Commando
Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
Croix de Guerre 1940 with palm (Belgium)
1941 Captain No.2 Commando.
January 1943 Major and second in command of No.2 Commando.
1944 Major No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando.
1 July 1944 France, Liaison Officer, 1st Special Service Brigade Headquarters.

FUSSELL, Peter Lincoln

Peter Fussell 1 Special Service Brigade
Private (later Major)
214506 & 461895
No 4 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Private Peter Fussell served in No 4 Commando, 'F' troop, and took part in operations at Dieppe on 19 August 1942. Later that year he moved to 1 Special Service Brigade HQ (Clerks) [1] and [2].
 

GELDERD, _

Private Gelderd 1 Commando Brigade
Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 1 Commando Brigade.
 
Sources
[Image] Commando Brigade Gallery (collection of LCpl Ken Emmerson).
 

GLASER, Kurt Joachim

Grave of Lt Griffith 10 Commando
Served as : 
GRIFFITH, Keith James
T/Captain
6387018 & 322333
No 10 Commando
Queen's Own Royal West Kent
Killed in action or died of wounds

Kurt Joachim Glaser served in 3 troop, also known as  'X' troop, under the name of Keith James Griffith.  He was shot and killed by a sniper during operations with 1 Special Service Bde. to cross a railway bridge over the River Aller near the town of Essel.

GOW, Sidney John

Lance Corporal
2370914
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals
Signalman Sidney Gow, 1 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, was wounded 29 April 1945 during operations in Western Europe. Post war member of the Commando Association from Selly Oak, Birmingham. They record his final rank attained as Lance Corporal.
 

HAAS, Francis

Lieutenant
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
17 US Airborne Division
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Lieutenant Haas, United States 17 Airborne Division attached to HQ 1st Commando Brigade, was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) for gallantry during the Rhine crossing at Wesel.
Citation

HANKE, H.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Post war member of the Commando Association from Smethwick, Staffordshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 6.
 

HARRIS, C.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
1 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing London.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.
 

HAY, T.

Marine
PO/X102013
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
1 Commando Brigade.
Source: List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec. and CBF).

HENLEY, W.J.

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
1 Brigade Signal Troop. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal 7 August 1944. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Willesden Green, London.
 
Sources

HIGGINS, T.J.

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
1 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association (Secretary of the Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Branch, before moving to Hereford). 
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.

HOARE, J

Signalman
2349310
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman Hoare, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals was wounded on 10 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/77.

HOPSON, Donald Charles

Donald Charles Hopson
Major
87593
No 3 Commando
Lancashire Fusilers, Royal Armoured Corps
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Second Lieutenant Donald Hopson was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers which later converted to an armoured unit of the Royal Armoured Corps. Served in No.3 Commando and 1 Commando Brigade in both Italy and NW Europe. Final rank in the Commandos was Major.

HUDSON, G.K.A.

Gunner
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Ramsbotton, Manchester..
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.

HUGHES, J.

Signalman
4034927
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman Hughes, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals was wounded on 23 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/77.

HULL, A.G.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Tottenham, London.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.

INGHAM, R.E.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Morley, Leeds.
 
Source
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.
 

JAMESON, Frank

Driver
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Brigade Signal Troop.
11 August 1944 evacuated to hospital from Bois de Bavant, France.
1 September 1944 rejoined 1st Special Service Brigade Signal Troop.
Post war member of the Commando Association residing Newhaven, Sussex.
 

LANGTON, R.H.

Signalman
2719401
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman Langton, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals was wounded on 23 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Liverpool.

LAWRENCE, Joseph Arthur

Captain
105709
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Lovat Scouts
Mentioned in Despatches
Silver Star (USA)
1 Commando Brigade Headquarters. Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in NW Europe. Awarded the Silver Star conferred by the President of the United States of America in recognition of distinguished service in the cause of the Allies.
 

LEET, C.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Acton, London.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 7.

LIMB, H.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Mansfield-Woodhouse, Notts.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 7.

LOVAT, Lord

Birth name: 
FRASER, Simon Christopher Joseph
Brigadier
44718
No 4 Commando
Lovat Scouts
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC)
Deputy Lieutenant (DL)
Justice of the Peace (JP)
Lord Lovat first enlisted in the Scots Guards in 1932, leaving the army in 1937. Two years later at the outbreak of war he rejoined the Army in the Lovat Scouts.

LUFF, Clifford

Clifford Luff 4 Commando
Lance Corporal
No 4 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Also served 1 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Guildford, Surrey.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter.

MCGREGOR, A.M.

Signalman
2598341
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Signalman McGregor, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signal Troop, was wounded on 8 June 1944 during operations in Normandy, France. Post war member of the Commando Association from Inverness.
 
Sources

MCKELVIE, D.

Marine
CH/X 113629
47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served 1 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Frizinghall, Bradford.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 8.
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA sec and CBF).

MCKENZIE, P.

Staff Sergeant
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Hinton-Admiral, Hampshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.

MCLEAN, Ronald

Signalman
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
1 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association. Honorary Secretary of the London Branch from 1964 onwards for over 25 years.
 
Sources

MILLS-ROBERTS, Derek

Brigadier
69334
No 4 Commando
No 6 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Irish Guards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches

Born in 1908; educated at Liverpool College and Oxford University; worked for his father's firm of solicitors, 1935; joined Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Irish Guards, 1936; joined 1 Bn, Irish Guards, 1939-1942, and served in Norway; transferred to special services No 4 Commando, 1942; took

MOORE, Thomas John

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Lance Corporal Thomas Moore served in 1 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Poole, Dorset.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.
 

MURRAY, James

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
Served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Ruislip. 
 
Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 108 (1999).
 

NAYLOR, Frederick Thomas

Frederick Naylor RM Engineer Commando
Marine
CH/X 103937
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

Enlisted 17 April 1941. Served in 1 Engineer Company RM and 1 Troop of the RM Engineer Commando with attachments to HQ Special Service (Commando) Group and  HQ 1 Commando Brigade. Commando service from August 1943 to January 1946. 

NEALE, Peter Walter James

Captain Peter Neale
Captain (Acting Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Captain (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Peter Neale RM, 1st RM Engineer Commando attached to 1 Commando Brigade [1][3], was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and great devotion to duty whilst operating with the allied army in North West Europe [2].

NORMAN, R.H.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing London NW6.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

NORTON, James Albert

Jimmy Norton 1 Brigade Signals
Signalman (later Lance Corporal)
2386720
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman James Norton, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals, was wounded during the Normandy landings  on 6 June 1944. He received a 21st Army Group Certificate for Gallantry.

NORWOOD, A.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

1 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Harrogate, Yorkshire.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

PAIN, Nigel

Sergeant
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Served in HQ, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade and also at the Commando Basic Training Centre. Post war member of the Commando Association from Corfe Mullen, Dorset.
 
Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 issued September 2004.

PARRACK, Stanley Herbert

Stanley Parrack 1 Cdo Bde
Warrant Officer
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Senior Ordnance Warrant Officer for 1 Commando Brigade. Post war remained in service and in 1949 was stationed at the Ordnance Depot, Malta. He later served in Malaya. Member of the Commando Association from Petworth, Sussex.
 
Sources

PHILLIPS, N.H.

Marine
CH/X.3916
45RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served 1 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Elland, near Halifax.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 9.
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA sec and CBF).

PINKNEY, E. Alan

Signalman
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

1 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 85 (1987).

POLLOCK, John, S.

Signalman
14589078
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
1 Special Service Brigade Signals. Wounded 16 August 1944 Bois de Bavant Normandy. Post war member of the Commando Association from Appleton, Oxfordshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletters 98 and 102.

POTTAS, Donald

Signalman
14414990
No 6 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds

Signalman Donald Pottas, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals attached No.6 Commando, died of wounds during operations at Normandy, France. Son of John and Mary Annie Pottas, of Whitby, Yorkshire.

PRAGNELL, George

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
HQ, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Smethwick, Staffordshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

PRITCHARD, Clifford

Reverend Captain Clifford Pritchard
Captain
No 3 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Army Chaplains' Department
Padre in No.3 Commando and 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ.  He died in 1962 of a sudden heart attack leaving a widow and four young children.

RAMSEY, J.

Private
7356532
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Army Medical Corps

Attached to HQ 1 Special Service Brigade 1944.

Source
Army Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/77.
 

RICE, H.F.

Sergeant
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 1 Commando Brigade. Post war emigrated to Canada. Member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 18 (1954) and 87 (1988).
 

RIDGE, Thomas William

Thomas Ridge 6 Commando
Sergeant
14241691
No 6 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Liverpool City Police
Thomas Ridge was a serving Liverpool City Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes. He served with No.6 Commando and 1 Commando Brigade, final rank Sergeant. 
14 April 1945 (Acting Corporal) (No.6 Commando) wounded in Western Europe.

ROBERTS, D.W.

Guardsman
2738413
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Welsh Guards
27 June 1944 wounded and prisoner of war Normandy, France. Exact commando unit not recorded. Listed as Commando only. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/78, 81, and 94.

ROBERTS, Tudor

Private
No 1 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No.1 Commando and 1 Brigade (MT Section). Post war member of the Commando Association from Glan Conway, North Wales.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 51 (1970) and Obituaries in newsletter 55 (1972).
 

ROLLINS, Steven

Steven Rollins 1 Commando Brigade
Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 1 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Rednall, Birmingham.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 63 (1976) and obituaries in newsletter 94 (1992).

ROPER, Stanley

Staff Sergeant
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Plymouth.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120.

SADLER, J.N.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Sherborne, Dorset.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 10.

SANDERSON, B.

Signalman
2381922
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman Sanderson, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals, was wounded on 6 June 1944 during operations at Normandy, France. 

Source
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/77.

SEABROOK, R.G.

Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Clapton London.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 10.

SHARPE, Thomas Cyril

Pte Thomas Sharpe 1 Commando Brigade
Private
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-
Private Thomas Cyril Sharpe, Intelligence Section, 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ, designed the memorial at Amfreville, France, honouring the Fallen from his Brigade. Also served in No.4 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association.
 

SMALLMAN, William Alan Wynne

Lieutenant (later Brigadier)
93086
No 3 Commando
Special Service Brigade
Royal Army Service Corps
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Served as staff officer with Royal Army Service Corps in France and Belgium, 1940; served with No 3 Commando in GB, 6/1940-1/1942 including Operation Claymore, the raid on the Lofoten Islands, Norway, 4/3/1941 and Operation Archery, the raid on Vaagso Island, Norway, 27/12/1941; served as staff

SMITH, M.S.

Craftsman
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Berkeley, Gloucestershire.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 10.

SPENCER, Paul

Acting Temporary Captain (later Major)
47RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Captain Paul Spencer had served with the Commando since its formation in August 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service whilst Adjutant during an assault on a gun battery at Walcheren on the 2nd November 1944.

SPILLER, Reginald Stanley

Private
-
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Private Reginald Spiller served in 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Dorset. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

SQUIRES, William Philip

Corporal
No 9 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

No.9 Commando and 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Folkestone, Kent.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 82 (1986).

WALKER, Alan

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Lance Corporal Alan Walker served in 4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Camberley, Surrey.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 105 issued September 1997.

WALKER, J.E.

Signalman
6097424
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals

1 Special Service Brigade Signals. Wounded 16 August 1944 Bois de Bavant Normandy.

Sources
War Diary (see Linked Content below).
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/80.

WARWICK, Robert, A.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served 1 Brigade Signals, No.6 Commando, and HOC. Post war member of the Commando Association from Plymouth, Devon.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 (2003).

WHEELER, George Russell

Lt George Russell Wheeler MM
Corporal
6899188 & 271249
No 2 Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

George Wheeler, a pupil of Godolphin School, Wiltshire, graduated as a BSc from Exeter University. He married in 1941. After enlistment he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No 2 Commando

WHY, Frederick Ernest, A.

Corporal Fred Why 3 Commando
Corporal
3969518
No 3 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Welch Regiment
Died in 1961 after a long illness. Member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 34 (1962).
The 1939 Register covering Chipping Wycombe.

WILLIAMS, D.J

Lance Corporal
3910306
Holding Operational Commando
South Wales Borderers

Lance Corporal Williams was wounded on 9 August 1944 during operations in North West Europe. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/80.
 

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.

WRIGHT, Duncan

Signalman
2328187
Brigade Signals
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals

Private Duncan Wright, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals, was reported wounded and a prisoner of war on 6 June 1944 during operations in Normandy France.

WYE, Arthur John

Company Sergeant Major
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
1 Brigade HQ Intelligence Section from 1943. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Warsash near Southampton.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 38 (1964).

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