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1961 Return to Italy

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 33 issued Sept. 1961.
Calling All 2 Commando Brigade
It is with much pleasure that we print extracts from a letter received from ex. Cpl. A. A. H. (Bert) Cowell (2 Cdo Bde) who recently paid a return visit to old commando haunts in ltaly.

"To those chaps who enjoyed the pleasures of the olive field and arches at the camp at Monopoli I can say that the field is still there. Olives are still growing, the flies are just as big, if not bigger, and the ants are still working hard.

ADAMS, John

Signalman
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Glasgow.

Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 108 (1999).

ADDISON, Kenneth William

Marine
PO.X.110880
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Marine Kenneth Addison received a Mention in Despatches for courage, tenacity, and skill whilst serving with the Allied Armies in the Mediterranean.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37136, page 3191 dated 19 June 1945.
 

AGNEW, J.F.

Corporal
5335029
No 2 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
13 September 1941 member of the No.2 Commando Detachment to Gibraltar, and then Freetown via Ghana and Lagos, rejoining the main body of the commando seven months later.
  • 11 September 1943 wounded during operations at Salerno, Italy. 
Sources

ARMSTRONG, Robert

Brigade Signals

Robert enlisted on the 12th June 1941 and then volunteered for the Commandos. After his commando training he served with the Special Service Brigade Signals Troop and 2 Commando Brigade Signals. 

BARLOW, E.J.

Sergeant
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Member of the Commando Association last known residing South Darenth, Kent.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 1.
 

BARLOW, John

Signalman
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Brigade Signals. 2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bradley Fold, Bolton
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 98 (1994).

BATTERSBY, Frederick

Major
266078
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Major Battersby served in 2 Commando Brigade [1].
2 January 1943 commissioned Second Lieutenant, R.A.O.C. [2].
15 October 1946 (Captain) (R.E.M.E) relinquishes commission and granted the honorary rank of Major [3].

BLACKLEDGE, J.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Wythenshawe, Manchester.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 2.

BLAKE, Alfred Lapthorn

Lieutenant Colonel
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Knight Commander Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Major Alfred Blake was posted to Brigade HQ (3rd Special Service Brigade) when the Special Service Group was restructured in August 1943 [1]. 

Brac - Operation Flounced

Wednesday, May 31, 1944

Location

Island of Brac, formerly Yugoslavia
Croatia
43° 18' 17.6076" N, 16° 39' 9.756" E
  • Lieutenant Colonel J.M.T.F. Churchill, D.S.O., M.C. embarked from Vis as the Commanding Officer of a Force consisting of 43RM Commando, some commandos from 2 Special Service Brigade HQ, the Raiding Support Regiment, a company of the 2nd Highland Light Infantry, and 111 Field Regiment R.A. This was a diversionary attack on the German Garrison of Brac to draw off German Forces who were launching an offensive against the Yugo-Slav National Army of Liberation in Bosnia.

BULL, Harold James

Lance Sergeant
2578046
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Lance Sergeant Harold Bull from Liverpool served with 2 Commando Brigade Signals. Enlisted 2 September 1939; demobbed 31 January 1946. Member of the Commando Association later residing Mickleover, Derby.
 
Sources

BUTTERWORTH, J.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

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

CARLIN, Robert

Private
-
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-
Private Robert Carlin served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war in the late 50s he was married and residing in Ontario, Canada.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 29 issued September 1959.
 

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. 

CROUCH, Alfred John

Trooper
7952333
SBS
Special Air Service and Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds

Trooper Alfred Crouch, Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio.

CUMBERLAND, D.G.

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

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Aberdare, South Wales.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 3.

CUNLIFFE, W.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Stockport, Cheshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 3.

CURRIE, John Robert Sanderson

Signalman John R.S. Currie, Commando Bde Signals
Signalman
2578032
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds

Signalman John Currie, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals, died during operations in Italy. The date of his death coincides with Operation Partridge. He has no known grave. Son of Daniel James Currie and Mary Jane Currie.

DARLEY, H.

Lance Corporal
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing North Walsham, Norfolk.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

DAVIES, William Kenneth

Lance Corporal
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-
Lance Corporal William Davies served in HQ, 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Aberystwyth.
 
Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 issued September 2004.

DAYMAN, Eric John

Gunner
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from King's Lynn, Norfolk.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120.

DE'ATH, Ian Dudley

Major Ian Dudley De'Ath DSO MBE
Lieutenant Colonel
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel Ian De'ath died whilst serving at RMB Plymouth.
 

DRUMMOND, E.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Glasgow.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

EDWARDS, G.W.T.

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

2  Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Cheveley, nr. Newmarket.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

EVERETT, D.R.

Sergeant
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Mitcham, Surrey.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 4.

FLEAR, Peter Hendry

Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
268232
No 9 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Served during the war as a Captain in No.9 Commando and 2 Commando Brigade.
  • 1st January 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Flear, Royal Corps of Signals, on loan to the Malaysian Armed Forces, appointed O.B.E. (Military Division).

GIBSON, Robert Roy

Lieutenant
155079
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Cheshire Regiment
Military Cross (MC)

Lieutenant Robert Gibson, attached to Special Service troops, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in Italy.

Sources
London Gazette 36327, page 256.
 

HARRISON, G.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Halifax, Yorkshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.
 

HATTON, Jack

Marine
PO/X.117594
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Marine Jack Hatton from Leigh in Lancashire received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy between 1st April and 8th May 1945.
 
Source
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Notes

HAZLEDINE, Edward Humphrey

Sergeant
-
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Sergeant Edward Hazledine served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Cambridgeshire. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

HEAP, D.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
2 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Bolton, Lancashire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.
 

HENDERSON, John Patrick Leo

Lt Henderson 2 Commando
Major
117132
No 2 Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Engineers
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Major John Henderson MC, 2 Special Service Brigade, died during operations in Italy [1].
 
On the 8th May 1940 he transferred from the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry to the Royal Engineers retaining his seniority as 2/Lieutenant. [2]. 

HUGHES, Stanley Raymond

Fusilier
4130995
SBS
Special Air Service and 1st Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Fusilier Stanley Hughes M.M., SBS, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio. Son of Edward Lloyd Hughes and Bertha Hughes; husband of Hilda May Hughes, of Stoneycroft, Lancashire.

HURLEY, Thomas, B.

Signalman
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals

2 Brigade Signal Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 87 (1988).

HUTTON, Thomas Reay

Driver
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Driver Thomas Reay Hutton served in 2 Commando Brigade Headquarters. Post war member of the Commando Association from Chesham.

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

JACKSON, C.W.

Private
6142393
Special Service Brigade
The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

Private Jackson was reported wounded 9 October 1944 during operations in Greece. Casualty lists record his secondary unit only as 'Commando'.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/83 and WO417/85.
 

JAMES, Clifford Vizetelly

Lieutenant (later Major)
174099
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Clifford James, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals Officer, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations in Italy.
Recommendation
Salerno Bay 9-16 Sept. 1943.

JAY, Francis Hubert

Trooper
305985
40RM Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Horse Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Francis Jay died during an enemy aerial attack against commandos based on the island of Vis. At the time of his death he was a signaller attached to 40RM Commando, 2 Special Service Brigade.

JOHNSON, J.W.

-
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Served in 2  Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Filey, Yorkshire..

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.

JUPP, Clifford Norman

Captain
176804
No 2 Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Fusiliers
Royal Artillery
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Mentioned in Despatches
8 March 1941 O.C.T.U. commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Fusiliers [1].
Served in No.2 Commando and 2 Commando Brigade [2][4].

KING, N.W.

Corporal
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing New Jersey, USA.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 7.

KINSELLA, T.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

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

KIRKHOPE, William Adamson Forbes

Signalman (later Second Lieutenant)
7662003 and 352648
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals & Camerons
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Signalman Kirkhope, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Italy [1].
Recommendation
Gulf of Salerno 13th September 1943

KNIGHT, John E.

Signalman
2598133
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Signalman John Knight, 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade Signals, was wounded 22 March 1944 during operations in Italy. Post war Secretary of the Birmingham Branch of the Commando Association.
 
Sources

LANCASTER, J.

Corporal
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Liverpool.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 7.

LEWIS, Francis

Signalman
2574102
Brigade Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds

Signalman Francis Lewis, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals, died during operations in Italy. The date of his death coincides with Operation Partridge. He has no known grave. Son of William and Mary Lewis, of Liverpool.

LEWIS, Hugh Howell

Lance Sergeant
2585875
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant Hugh Lewis, 2 Special Service Brigade Signals, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations at Termoli, Italy. Post war member of the Commando Association from St Mellons, Cardiff.

MCNEIL, Thomas

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
 
Sources

Commando Association newsletter 89 (1989).
Addendum to Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 90 (1990).

MELVILLE, S.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 2 Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Capetown, South Africa, in 1950. He died in Rhodesia in 1957 as a result of a road accident.
 
Sources

MILLS, William Carley

Marine (Acting Temporary Corporal)
PO/X112087
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Temporary Corporal William Mills from Northumberland received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy between 1st April and 8th May 1945.
 
Source
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Notes

MITCHELL, Ronald England

Ronnie Mitchell 2 Commando
Captain Ronald Mitchell MBE 2 Commando
Major
79658
No 2 Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Hertfordshire Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Captain Ronald England Mitchell joined the strength of No.2 Commando on 5 March 1941 [1].
February 1944 attached to HQ, 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade [1].

MORLEY, S.

Gunner
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Wallsend-on-Tyne.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.

OPHER, F.H.

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

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing New Malden, Surrey.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

PERRY, Cyril Henry

Temporary Captain
262361
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Armoured Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Served in 2 Brigade and Group HQ. Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Italy. Member of the Commando Association residing Queensland, Australia.
 
Sources

PETERS, Thomas, W.

Major
-
Special Service Brigade
-

Major Thomas Peters served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade and also 4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Sidmouth, Devon.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 112 issued March 2001. 

PIRIE, James

Captain
267968
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain James Pirie, Royal Engineers, was attached to 2 Special Service Brigade at the time of his death.
 
Notes
During this period the Brigade were involved in operations against the German garrison on the Island of Brac.

RAYMENT, Bryan, Antony

Captain
137138
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Army Service Corps
Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Commissioned 16 July 1940. Served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade.
5 December 1947 War Substantive Lieutenant relinquished commission and granted honorary rank of Captain. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Johannesburg, South Africa.
 

REEVES, William George

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Christchurch, Dorset.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 100 (1995).
[Image] CVA Gallery Bde Sigs reunion 16th July 1988.

RICHARDS, L.

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

2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Lewes, Sussex.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

RIMMER, Joseph, L.

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando Brigade). Post war member of the Commando Association from Southport, Merseyside.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120.

ROBERTS, Edward

Corporal
5884746
SBS
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Hampshire Regiment 5th Bn.
Special Air Service Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Edward Roberts, Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio.
Son of Leslie D. and Annie H. Fraser, of Parkhead, Glasgow.

Sources
CWGC.
 

SANDERSON, H.B.

Corporal
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing London SE4.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 10.

SEYMOUR, Terence

Temporary Corporal
PLY/X103513
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal Terence Seymour, from Barry Docks South Wales, received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy between 1st April and 8th May 1945.
 
Source
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Notes

SHAW, Donald

Marine
PO/X.103907
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Marine Donald Shaw from Huddersfield received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy between 1st April and 8th May 1945.
 
Source
London Gazette 37505, page 1441.
Notes

STOKES, Albert

Lance Corporal
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
2 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Taunton, Somerset.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 71 (1980).
 

TAYLOR, Samuel James

Marine
PO.X.108092
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Marine Samuel Taylor received a Mention in Despatches for courage, tenacity, and skill whilst serving with the Allied Armies in the Mediterranean.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37136, page 3191 dated 19 June 1945.
 

THORNE, John

Private
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Private John Thorne served in 2 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association.
Extract from Commando Association newsletter 57

TOD, Ronald John Frederick (Brig)

Brigadier
32187
No 9 Commando
No 6 Independent Company
No 11 Independent Company
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Commissioned  into the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in 1925. Served in No 6 Independent Company and was  Officer Commanding No 11 Independent Company in 1940 and later took command of No 9 Commando in 1942.  Awarded DSO, and later a Bar to the DSO, each for "gallant and distinguished s

VERRI, Alexander

Corporal
5337321
No 2 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Alexander Verri was awarded the MIlitary Medal for gallant and distinguished service during operations on the Island of Brac in the Adriatic. He was captured during the raid on 3 June 1944 and imprisoned in Germany.
Recommendation

WAKEFIELD, Edward Roger

Captain
138709
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
General List
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Edward Wakefield was killed whilst attached to 2 Special Service Brigade during an operation involving Nos. 40 and 43RM Commando and Partisan forces, against German forces on the island of Brac.
 
He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches in 1945. 

WARDLE, Reginald

Lance Corporal
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No 4 Commando

2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade and No.4 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Sandford, Tasmania.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120.

WOOLNOUGH, Bryan Owen

Bryan Woolnough 2 Brigade Signals
Signalman
2600497
Brigade Signals
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Corps of Signals
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Served in 2 Commando Brigade Signal Troop. 
Member of the Commando Association.
12 June 1976 Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police, appointed M.B.E. (Civil Division).
 
Sources

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