1 Commando Roll of Honour

Below is an A-Z view of the Roll of Honour with information about each of the Fallen.

Displaying 1 - 94 of 94

ALDRIDGE, William Reginald

Lance Sergeant
5830857
No 1 Commando
Cambridgeshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant William Aldridge died in North Africa. He has no known grave. Son of Walter William and Florence Phoebe Aldridge, of Smethwick, Staffordshire.
Posthumous Mention  in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in North Africa. 
 
Sources
CWGC

ALEXANDER, John MacAlister

Fusilier
4194689
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier John Alexander died during operations in North Africa.
 
Sources
CWGC.
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/55.
RWF Enlistment Registers Ref 8613s RWF Museum.
 
Notes 

ANDREWS, Alfred Archley

Fusilier
14604353
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Alfred Andrews died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of George Andrews, and of Dora E. Andrews, of South Harrow, Middlesex.

ANSELL, Arthur James

Trooper
14241725
No 1 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Arthur James Ansell, warrant number 126925, joined the Metropolitan Police on 7 June 1938. Last posted to 'N' Division as a Constable.
1939 married and serving at the Police Station, 12A Holmes Road, Kentish Town, London.
1942 volunteered as part of the Police Intakes to the Commandos

BAGOT, Henry Hunter

Known as: 
Harry
Trooper
14241647
No 1 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Manchester Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Henry Bagot died during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Bagot, of Manchester.
Henry was a serving Police Officer who volunteered for the commandos as part of the Police Intakes that commenced in 1942. He had joined the Manchester Police on 19 December 1940.
 
Sources

BAKER, Albert

Albert baker No.1 Commando
Lance Sergeant
2614133
No 1 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Bradford City Police
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Albert Baker D.C.M., died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
Son of Albert and Annie Baker, of Stanningley, Leeds, Yorkshire.

BAKER, George Horace

Gunner
6143891
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner George Baker died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. He has no known grave.
Son of Horace Edward and Mary Ann Baker, of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.
 

BAKER, Herbert Valentine

Herbert Valentine Baker 1 Commando
Lance Corporal
14241761
No 1 Commando
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Derbyshire Constabulary
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Herbert Baker died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
He was a serving Police Officer who had volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes. Herbert was the son of Albert and Harriet Baker, and husband of Beatrice Ellen Baker, of Handsworth, Birmingham.

BALL, Sydney Alonso

Gunner
917356
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner Sydney Ball from Luton was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia, later presumed killed in action. He has no known grave. Son of Ernest and Alice Ball; husband of Freda Evelyn Ball, of Luton, Bedfordshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

BARNES, Norman Alfred George

Trooper
14241844
No 1 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Hampshire County Police
Died on active service
Trooper Norman Barnes died as a result of a grenade accident at Tabarka, North Africa [1][1a][2].
Extract from the No 1 Commando War Diary 6-8 December 1942
6 Dec.1942 - Unit returned to TABARKA (under troop arrangements) from Operation

BARTER, George

Gunner
943492
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner George Barter died during operations in North Africa. He has no known grave. 
Son of Llewellyn Barter, and of Mabel Barter, of Surbiton, Surrey.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/59.
RA Casualty Cards.
 

BEECH, James Frederick

Private
14404860
No 1 Commando
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Sussex Regiment
Died on war service
Private James Beech, HQ 3 Commando Brigade, died in Poona Hospital India after contracting polio [1][1a]][2].
  • 31 January 1945 wounded whilst attached to No 5 Commando [3].
Sources
[1] CWGC

BENNION, Thomas James

Corporal
14241783
No 1 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Stoke on Trent City Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Thomas Bennion died of wounds received during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
He was a serving Police Officer who had volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes. In 1939 he was a Police Constable residing in Stoke on Trent.

BENTLEY, Donald

Private
14241762
No 1 Commando
Lincolnshire Regiment
Lincolnshire Constabulary
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Donald Bentley died during operations in North Africa. Son of Greenwood and Mary Elizabeth Bentley, of Carlton-Le-Moorland, Lincolnshire.

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.

BOYCE, James Wesley R.

Known as: 
Ginger
James Boyce 1 Commando
Private
5828291
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private James Boyce, 4 Troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service.
 

BRADFORD, John Meller

Captain
70669
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers, 2nd Bn. The Monmouthshire Regt.
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain John Bradford from Swansea died during operations at Bizerte Tunisia. Son of Ernest Meller Bradford and Ethel Mary Bradford [1][1a].

CAMBLIN, Cecil

Cecil Camblin 1 Commando
Lance Sergeant
6977897
No 1 Commando
Royal Irish Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Cecil Camblin was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations at Bizerte Tunisia, later presumed killed in action. He has no known grave.
Extract from the Belfast Telegraph 
18 November 1943

COLEMAN, Harold James

Troop Sergeant Major
3957677
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Died on war service
Troop Sergeant Major Harold Coleman died in Caernarvonshire and Anglesey Infirmary as a result of injuries received whilst rock climbing.
Son of Mary Coleman; husband of G. V. Coleman, of Riverside, Cardiff.
R.S.M. Cann [more....] and three T.S.M.'s were amongst those in attendance at his funeral. 
 

CRAIG, Samuel

Fusilier
1500685
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Samuel Craig was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1938 and transferred to the Royal Welch Fusiliers on 4 October 1939, later volunteering for the Commandos. He was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia, later presumed killed in action. He has no known grave.
 
Sources
CWGC.

DAVIDSON, Douglas Malcolm

Known as: 
Granite
Capt.D.M. Davidson MC
Captain
105288
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Douglas Davidson MC died of wounds sustained on the 14th March whilst leading a patrol and being engaged by the enemy. The location for the entry recorded in the War Diary shows Sidi es Siah. (Source: No 1 Commando War Diary March 1943.)
 

DAVIES, Thomas Alfred

Private
4033757
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Thomas Davies was reported missing presumed died of wounds during operations in North Africa. He has no known grave.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists /National Archives files WO417/75.
 

DAVIES, Verdun George

Private
4080355
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Verdun Davies was reported missing 6 December 1942, later presumed killed in action, during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of Edgar John and Margret Davies.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/55 (1942) and WO417/74 (1944).
 

DUFFY, William

William Duffy 1 Commando
Private
3778082
No 1 Commando
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private William Duffy from Liverpool died during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Husband of Nora Duffy. Educated at St Sylvesters Roman Catholic School. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/55 corrected by WO417/81.

DUMIGAN, James

James Dumigan 1 Commando
Lance Corporal
6982426
No 1 Commando
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal James Dumigan from Belfast died during operations at Kangaw.
 

DURRANT, Sgt. Thomas Frank, VC

Sergeant
1874047
No 1 Commando
Royal Engineers
Victoria Cross (VC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant was killed in action during Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
War Office 19th June 1945
For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in H.M. Motor Launch ML 306 in the St. Nazaire raid on the 28th March, 1942.

EATON, George Oliver

Private
3777516
No 1 Commando
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private George Eaton was initially reported missing, later presumed to have died of wounds during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of John and Emily Eaton; husband of Georgina Eaton, of Liverpool.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/68.

EDWARDS, Elwyn

Fusilier
4192899
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Elwyn Edwards, 5 troop, was killed in action during operations at Luc Sur Mer on the French coast.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/45.
[Image] Collection of Idris Jones, No.1 Commando.

EVANS, Cyril Denman

Lance Corporal
4080201
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Cyril Evans was killed in action during operations at Luc Sur Mer on the French coast.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/47.

GEORGE, Herbert Alexander

Private
3964607
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Herbert George was reported missing presumed died of wounds during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of Michael and Sarah George; husband of Marjorie George, of Cardiff.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/55 and WO417/68.68.
 

GROVES, Fernley William Thomas

Private
4038826
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Fernley Groves was reported missing on 6 December 1942, later presumed killed in action, during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of George and Mary Groves, of Madeley, Shropshire.

HAMILTON, James

Sapper
2983344
No 1 Commando
Royal Engineers
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sapper James Hamilton was reported wounded and missing 17 March 1943 during operations in North Africa, later presumed died of wounds. He has no known grave. Son of Alexander and Catherine Hamilton, of Thornliebank, Glasgow.
Service
03.05.1939 enlisted Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Paisley.

HUMPHREYS, James

Private
3958742
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private James Humphreys died of wounds during operations in North Africa. He has no known grave. Husband of Dorothy M. Humphreys, of Dartmouth, Devon.
Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in North Africa.
 
Sources
CWGC.

JONES, Hubert

Hubert Jones 1 Commando
Corporal
2073288
No 1 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Hubert Jones, No.1 Commando, was killed in action during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Benjamin Hubert and Gladys Jones, of Bishopston, Glamorgan.
  • 1 May 1939 enlisted Royal Engineers.

JONES, Thomas

Private
3970706
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas Jones died during operations in North Africa.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/54.
 

KLONOWSKI, Theophilus Henry

Lance Corporal
5950896
No 1 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Theophilius Klonowski, Signal Section, died when Captain Craven's troop engaged an enemy patrol at approximately 0600hrs during operations at Beja, North Africa. 
 
Sources
CWGC
National Achives ref  218/49 - No 1 Cdo War Diary entry for 1st Jan. 1943.
 

LINES, Ronald James

Known as: 
Danny
Lance Corporal Ronald Lines 1 Commando
Lance Corporal
3964660
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Ronald Lines , 6 troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.
[Images] His nieces Marjorie Oxby and Jan Redmond.
 
Notes

LLEWELLYN, Fred

Corporal Fred Llewellyn 1 Commando
Corporal
4036505
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Fred Llewellyn was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 306.

Son of Tom and Elizabeth Llewellyn, of Worcester.
Service Record 
17 January 1940 enlisted King's Shopshire Light Infantry.

LLOYD, Edmund John

Lance Corporal
14604377
No 1 Commando
Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Edmund Lloyd was killed in action during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
Son of Frederick Robert and Fanny Jane Lloyd; husband of Mona (Mollie) Dorothy Lloyd, of of Earl's Court, London.
Edward was a Metropolitan Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos joining HM Armed Forces on 19 May 1943.

LLOYD, Leonard

Private
4078866
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Leonard Lloyd was reported missing presumed killed, before later being confirmed as killed in action [1][1a].
His name is recorded in the Programme for the Winchester Reunion of No 1 Commando . This entry lists his name under " Killed or died of wounds as a result of action on the occupied French coast" [2].

LOAKES, Stanley John

Lance Corporal
4038903
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Stanley Loakes was reported wounded and missing in Tunisia December 1942, later confirmed as dying of wounds whilst a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
CWGC
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/61.

MORGAN, Harold Rees

Captain Harold Rees Morgan 1 Commando
Captain
88079
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Harold Morgan died during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave.
Son of William Thomas Morgan and Margaret A. Morgan, of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire [1][1a].
Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in North Africa [2].

MORRIS, Matthew Frank

Sergeant
1905889
No 1 Commando
Royal Engineers
Military Medal (MM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Matthew Morris MM, 6 Troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
Son of Alfred H. Morris and Louisa Morris; husband of Maud Morris. of Station Town. Co. Durham.

PHILLIPS, Wilfrid Harold

Private
4105154
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
The Herefordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Wilfrid Phillips was reported missing presumed killed in action during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of Harold E. and Hariett Phillips, of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/70.
 

REID, George

Private
3778097
No 1 Commando
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Died on war service

Private George Reid was wounded on 28 March 1943 during operations in North Africa. He died in the UK on 27 June 1943

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/59 and WO417/63.
 

RITCHIE, William Dunbar

William Dunbar Ritchie 1 Commando
Private
2185488
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private William Ritchie died on 19 March 1943 of wounds received on 27 February 1943 during operations in North Africa [more....].  Son of Robert and Susan D. Ritchie; husband of Mary Ritchie (nee McDonald), of Stirling [1][2].

SANDO, Thomas

Private
3969167
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas Sando was reported missing 6 December 1942 in North Africa, later reported as dying of wounds the following day whilst a prisoner of war [1][1a].
At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations at Bizerte, Tunisia.
Extract from the Marylebone Mercury - Saturday 03 July 1943.

SLAVIN, Gerrard

Private
7942540
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Gerrard Slavin was reported missing believed wounded 6 December 1942 during operations in North Africa (Operation Bizerte), later presumed died of wounds. He has no known grave. Son of James Slavin, and of Annie Slavin (nee Ward), of Rosyth, Fife.
 
Sources
CWGC.

TAYLOR, William Ronald

Fusilier (Lance Corporal)
14604392
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier William Taylor died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William George Thomas Taylor and Lilian Josephine Taylor, of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
William was a Metropolitan Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos joining HM Armed Forces on 19 May 1943.

THURSBY, John Fortescue

John Thursby 1 Commando
Second Lieutenant
337612
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Died on war service
Second Lieutenant John Thursby, 5 Troop, died after contracting polio during his posting to the Far East with No.1 Commando.
Extract  from the Third Jungle Book
"The sudden passing of Lieut. Thursby was a great blow to the Troop we offer our sincerest condolences to his family on their great loss."
 
Sources
CWGC.

TOMBLIN, Edward Charles

Private
6144878
No 1 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Edward Tomblin 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 306.
Son of Frank and Mary Ellen Tomblin; husband of Eleanor Margaret Tomblin, of Wandsworth, London.
 
Sources
CWGC

WALLIS, Reginald

Corporal
5933005
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Reginald Wallis died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William Edmond and Dora Emily Wallis. Previously received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa.
 

WATTS, Robert Edward

Private
14241839
No 1 Commando
Royal Norfolk
Norwich City Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Robert Watts died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
Son of Walter and Thirza Agnes Watts, of Norwich; husband of Gladys Georgina Eliza Watts, of Old Catton, Norwich.

WEBBER, Ernest George William

Private
1154962
No 1 Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Royal Artillery
Died on active service
Private Ernest Webber died in India as a result of an accident whilst swimming.
Extract from the No 1 Commando War Diary
Londa Astoli 12 May 1945.
Pte Webber (6 tp) who injured  himself whilst swimming died in C.M.H. Belgaum.
13 May 1945, 1500hrs

WEEKES, Sydney George Douglas

Fusilier
6482277
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Sydney Weekes was killed in action during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia, and has no known grave. Son of Edward and Emma Weekes; husband of Muriel Hartnoll Weeks, of Stoke Newington, London.

WHELAN, Jack

Private
4867187
No 1 Commando
Leicestershire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Jack Whelan was initially reported missing, later presumed to have died of wounds during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave.
Son of John and Elizabeth Whelan; husband of E. Whelan, of Wandsworth, London.
 
Sources
CWGC.

WILLIAMS, Frank

Private
3778254
No 1 Commando
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Frank Williams died during operations in North Africa.
 
Extract from the No 1 Commando War Diary for 28 March 1943
Location: Djebel Choucha, Algeria. 
1600 hrs - Own troops shelled by our artillery ( Capt.Davies O.C. group 1 and 5 0.R.s injured.  1 O.R killed ). [1]
 

WILSON, Graham Charles

Fusilier
6482243
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police (War Reserve)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Graham Wilson was killed in action during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
In 1939 he was a married textile salesman residing at 40 Richmond Road, Wimbledon, and a Metropolitan Police War Reserve Constable. He later volunteered for the Commandos.
 

YOUNG, James Alfred

Lance Corporal
3596431
No 1 Commando
Border Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal James Young, Mortar Platoon, died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma.  
Extract from Appendix 2 of the Timeline Report.

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