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'Myanmar - Operation Bean'

Operation 'Bean' report which took place on 23 November 1944.

Apart from No 1 Commando this operation included elements of No 5 Cdo/ 8th Fd Regt/' V' Force. All abbreviations have been transcribed as written to maintain the integrity of the original document.

OPERATION “BEAN”                                                                                                        SECRET

Location

Maungdaw
Myanmar
20° 49' 26.7852" N, 92° 22' 8.4792" E

'Myanmar - Operation Screwdriver'

Saturday, March 11, 1944

Location

Alethangyaw
Myanmar
20° 41' 26.9988" N, 92° 24' 20.0016" E
 
Screwdriver 1 - 11th to 15th March 1944
A raid from the sea on the the village of Alethangyaw and the surrounding areas near to Maungdaw to harrass the enemy. 44 RM Commando were relieved by No.5 Commando.
 
Screwdriver 2 - 21st March to 12th April 1944.
44RM Commando again returned to this operation in the area to relieve No. 5 Commando and operate in front of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade.
 

1 Commando, War Diary of Hill 170

Wednesday, January 31, 1945

Location

Formerly Burma
Myanmar
17° 49' 37.722" N, 95° 4' 52.2372" E
Source: 
War Diaries of No 1 Cdo.  ref.  National Archives WO 203/ 1792. Transcribed with the help of  John Mewett and Elaine Southworth-Davies from a copy typed on a ribbon type writer which was very hard to decipher.  ***** refers to a word that could not be made out.

Report by Lt. Col Peter Young on the Battle of Hill 170

1 Commando, Order of the Day by Lt Col Trevor 2nd Feb'45

 

Order of the day Serial No 8

2nd February 1945

Author:  Lt.Col. K.R.S. Trevor, Cheshire Regiment

Commanding, No. 1 Commando

Copy of original document supplied by:  John Mewett

Transcribed by:  Jennie Barlow

Gentlemen, I can't say how proud I am of the unit, and honoured to command you.  During the whole time at Hill 170, every man in every Troop and in every department worked and fought magnificently.  There was not a weak link anywhere.  No. 1 was a perfect fighting machine.

1 Commando, Roll of Wounded Hill 170 Kangaw

Type: Nominal Roll
Author: John Mewett
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: Wounded Roll No1 Commando Hill 170 Kangaw Burma 1945
Download
This document is in the No 1 Commando War Diary held at the National Archives. It contains the names of soldiers wounded in the battle and they are are alloted into their troop numbers. Through research this list has been found to contain omissions but it was the list read out at the service held after the action by the troop leaders.
 
Original document is held in the National Archives.
 

3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 3

Type: Files
Author: Edited by Capt. F.C. Rodger, RAMC 1944, June 1944
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando, jungle book
Download

One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade.  This copy from Nick Collins. In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."

3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 4

Type: Booklet
Author: Editor Captain F.C. Rodger, RAMC
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando, jungle book
Download

One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. This copy from Andy Maines. In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."

3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 8

Type: Files
Author: Edited by Capt. I.V. Carrel (RM) September 1945
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: jungle book, commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando
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One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade.  This copy from Julie Warren.

In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."

3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 9

Type: Booklet
Author: Maj. I.V. Carrell & Lt. G. Sheath (RM)
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: jungle book, 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando
Download

One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."

ALEXANDER, P

Marine
PLY/X113971
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines

Served in 3 Commando Brigade.

Sources
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).

ANDERTON, E.F.

Marine
CH/X 106855
Brigade Signals
Royal Marines
Marine Anderton served in 3 Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Christchurch, Hants.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.
 

AUCOTT, Leslie Frank

Corporal
PLY/X114125
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No 5 Commando
Royal Marines

3 Commando Brigade Signals. Post war member of the Commando Association from Wigston, Leicestershire.

Sources
Commando Association newsletter 92.
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).

BALDWIN, R.S.

Craftsman
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Served in 3 Commando Brigade and Commando Brigade's Headquarters. Post war member of the Commando Association (Ross on Wye). 
[Source: Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 113 issued Sept. 2001].
 

BARBER, C.

Private
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Private Barber served in 3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association with whom they lost contact, last known residing Ipswich.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 1.
 

BATES, Philip Edward

Captain (later Major)
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Educated Shrewsbury School. Served in the Royal Marines 1943-1949 including Captain, HQ 3 Commando Brigade. 26 May 1949 commission terminated on appointment to the Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve (R.M.F.V.R.). 1958 Major commanding R.M.F.V.R. Merseyside.

BEECH, James Frederick

Private
14404860
No 1 Commando
No 5 Commando
1 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. Son of Frederick William Thomas Beech and Elvina Beech, of Brighton, Sussex. [1][1a]][2].

BENNETT, Phil (42RM Cdo), letter after Hill 170

Type: Letters
Author: Philip Bennett 42RM Commando
Year of Publishing: 2019
Keywords: kangaw, hill 170,42 commando, 3 commando brigade, royal marines, burma
Download

This is a transcript of a letter sent by LCpl. Philip Bennett 42RM Commando to his wife recounting recent actions at the battle of Hill 170 at Kangaw. Courtesy of his son Chris Bennett who also provided the photo which has been added to the letter.

BIRCHAM, Edward Henry

Company Sergeant Major
CH/X.23306
42RM Commando
Royal Marines
09.07.1918 enlisted Royal Marines aged 17.
08.03.1919 awarded the King's Badge.
11.06.1931 discharged on completion of service.
12.06.1931 enrolled Reserves.
01.02.1940 mobilised Chatham Division. 
21.02.1940 - 31.07.1943 posted RM Brigade.

BRADLEY, E.G.

Private
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served in 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Stourbridge.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 2.

BULFORD, Arthur Frederick

Lance Sergeant
-
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
-

Lance Sergeant Arthur Bulford served in 3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Suffolk. 

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

BULLIVANT, John, A.

Corporal
47RM Commando
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines

Corporal John Bullivant served in 47RM Commando and HQ 3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bishops Stortford.

Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 91 issued August 1990.

BUTLIN, W.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing South Yardley, Birmingham.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 2.

CARTWRIGHT, T.W.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Crewe, Cheshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.
 

CHARTERS, J.F.

Fusiliers
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Rochester, Kent.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 3.

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]

CONLIN, D.C.

Private
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

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

CUBITT, Leonard

Leonard Cubitt RM
Marine
EX.1168
Holding Operational Commando
Royal Marines
Marine Leonard Cubitt served in the Royal Marine Commandos from August 1943 until 14 December 1945. The precise commando unit is not known but he did serve in Burma during that period which was the theatre of operations of 3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade.

CUMMINS, M.J.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

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

DAGNALL, A.J.

Lance Bombardier
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

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

DINAN, John Samuel

Sergeant
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
HQ, 3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Leeds.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 117 (2003).
 

DUNCAN, J.

Gunner
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

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

GARDNER, James Willis

Acting Major
162518
No 1 Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches

Temporary Captain Gardner received a Mention In Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa.

GREIG, Charles

Private
14988470
No 3 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Died on war service

Private Charles Greig was accidentally killed in India. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission list his secondary unit as No. 3 Commando.  This Commando unit never served in that theatre of war. However the 3rd Commando Brigade (Nos.

HARDY, Campbell Richard

Lt Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy
General
46RM Commando
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
2nd Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, commanded the 9th RM Bn., until it was redesignated as 46 RM Commando on 1 August 1943.

HARROW, S.M.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served in 3 Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Nottingham.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.

HAYLOCK, D.E.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 3 Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association.
[Source: Commando Association Lost Legion List 6].
 

HILTON, J.M.

Bombardier
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 92 (1991).

HOLDSWORTH, J.F.

Marine
PO/X116671
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Stamford, Lincolnshire.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legions List 6.

HOLLINSHEAD, Thomas

Private
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Private Thomas Hollinshead served in 3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association.

Source
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 34 issued March 1962.
 

ISAACS, Walter A.

Marine
45RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served in 3 Commando Brigade HQ. Post war member of the Commando Association from Winchmore Hill, London,

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 113 (Sept. 2001).

KIRKLAND, Robert

Brigade Chaplain
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Temporary Chaplain The Reverend Robert Kirkland, 3 Commando Brigade HQ, was appointed M.B.E. (Military Divsion) in June 1945.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37119, page 2941.
3 Cdo Bde Jungle Book issue 9.

MACDONALD, William

Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 106 (1998).
 

MCGLONE, J.

Gunner
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Artillery

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Greenock.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.

MERCER, F.J.

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Served in 3 Commando Brigade.
Last known address Musselburgh.
 
Source
Commando Association newsletter 88 March 1989.
 

MOONEY, T.

Sergeant
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Battersea, London.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.

NICKLIN, W.J.

Lance Corporal
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Glasgow.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

NOLAN, William

Marine
PO/X 110387
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
3 Commando Brigade.
 
Sources
Burma Star Association membership list.
Lancashire Branch.
Membership no. N/508/75.
 

NONWEILER, Wilfrid Ivan

Major General
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Brigadier Wilfrid Nonweiler RM was the first Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Service Brigade when it was formed in1943 [1].
  • November 1944 returns to the UK [2].
  • 9 June 1949 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

NUTT, John Harold

Lieutenant
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Lieutenant John Nutt, 3 Commando Brigade HQ, died in a plane crash near Marseilles. Son of Harold and Jane Nutt, of Maida Hill, London. Lieutenant Nutt was aboard Dakota, KN557 of No 271 Sqn. RAF.

PLOWRIGHT, C.E.

Private
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade.  Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Ilford, Essex.

Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 9.

RICHARDSON, Sam Scruton

Acting Temporary Captain (later Major)
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Captain Sam Richardson RM, 3 Commando Brigade HQ Signal Officer, received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1][1a][4].

ROBERTS, William

Company Sergeant Major
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Hinckley, Leicestershire.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 112 (2001) and Obituaries in newsletter 116 (2003).
 

SHARMAN, Sidney Charles

Sergeant
No 1 Commando
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Also served 3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Littleover, Derbyshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119.
 

SMILLIE, John, M.

Corporal
PLY/X.2093
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade, No.4 Commando, and 3 Brigade Signals. 
Post war member of the Commando Association.
1962 licensee of the Tradesman's Arms, Octagon Street, Plymouth.
 
Sources

STOCKWELL, John Neville

Marine
PO/X 3716
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Brigade Signals
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Stockwell, 3 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Richard and Bessie Stockwell; husband of Eileen Lilian Ann Stockwell, of Shirley, Southampton.

TOZER, Bernard Gilbert

Acting Temporary Captain
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Captain Bernard Tozer was serving as Staff Captain in 3 Special Service Brigade HQ on its formation August 1943 [1]. On 13 June 1946 he was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) [2].

TURLEY, M.

Marine
PO/X114016
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Served in 3 Brigade. Last known residing Southampton.
 
Sources
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).
 

WALKER, C.A.

Marine
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines

Marine Walker served in HQ, 3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Portslade, Sussex.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.
 

WASSELL, Richard Peter

Richard Wassell 3 Commando
Captain
242288
No 3 Commando
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Richard Peter Wassell, aged 19, was commissioned Second Lieutenant 8 August 1942. Lieutenant Wassell was briefly reported missing in action on 11 June 1944 at Normandy, this report later being cancelled. He joined No.3 Commando in July 1944 serving with them until January 1945.

WILLIAMS, L.A.

Major
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Served in 3 Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletters 112 and 113 (both 2001).
 

YOUNG, Peter

Brigadier Peter Young
Then then Major Peter Young
Brigadier
77254
No 3 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
2nd Bar to the Military Cross
Peter Young was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1939.

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