41RM Commando

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41RM Commando

Formed on 10th October 1942 primarily from the 8th RM Battalion as 'B' RM Commando before being quickly redesiignated as No. 41 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines.  Their operations included Salerno, Orne, Walcheren, before disbanding 20th February 1946. 

ALDIS, Alec George

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Alec Aldis MM, Signals Officer, died during operations at Normandy on 6 June 1944 [1]. 
  • 1942 (Corporal) (Temporary Sergeant) awarded the Military Medal for "gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East." [2].​
Recommendation
Royal Marines

ALLISON, George Edwin

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died in service
Sergeant George Allison, born Abingdon Berkshire, died at 77 British General Hospital in Germany from post operative haemorrhage after a tonsillectomy.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/127.
 

BARCLAY, David Lovat

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Major David Barclay was killed during operations at Normandy on D Day [1].
 
Born in May 1920, Dave Barclay entered the Corps in September 1938. He served in H.M.S. Norfolk for over two years and was appointed to 40th RM Cdo., subsequently transferring to the 41st Cdo. [2].
 
Sources

BARNES, John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Barnes died of wounds at the 8th Canadian General Hospital in Belgium.

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

BARROW, Henry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Sources
RM Prisoners of War / National Archives file ADM201/111 and WO392/7 (Marlag and Milad Nord).
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/20/418 (Stalag 12A)
 

BELCHER, Ernest John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Regimental Sergeant Major Ernest Belcher died during operations at Normandy on D Day. The announcement of his award of the British Empire Medal (Military Division) was made 2 days after his death. 

Source
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.
London Gazette 36544, page 2594.

BELL, Derek Kerr

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Derek Bell died during operations in Holland.

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

BELL, James

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine James Bell died during operations at Normandy.

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

BENSON, Robert Edwin

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Robert Benson died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette).

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

BETTS, Joseph

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Joseph Betts was reported missing presumed killed during operations at Salerno, Italy [1]. At the time his Commando were engaged in the valley south of La Molina and the nearby hills close to Vietri.

BIRCHER, Cecil Arthur Douglas

41RM Commando
South African United Defence Force
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant Cecil Bircher, S.A.U.D.F. attached to 1 RM Armoured Support Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations on 6 June 1944 at Normandy [1][2][3]. He later served in 41RM Commando [4].
Recommendation

BOND, Alfred John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service

Lance Corporal Alfred Bond died at Woolston E.M.S. Hospital, Newport, Monmouthshire

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/128.

BROOKES, Arthur

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Arthur Brookes died in Holland. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations at the River Maas. 

BROTTON, Harry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Harry Brotton died during operations at Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/128.

BULLOCK, Donald Charles

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Donald Bullock was reported missing presumed killed during operations at Salerno on the 13th September 1943 [1][2a]. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty on the 10th September 1943 [2][2a].
Recommendation
"Gulf of Salerno 9-10 Sep 43

BURNETT, T.

41RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Sergeant Burnett, R.A.M.C. attached to 41RM Commando was wounded on 7 June 1944 during operations in Normandy.
 
Sources
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45 /National Archives file WO417/77.
 

BURTON, John George

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Temporary Lieutenant John Burton, Intelligence Officer, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service while operating with the Army in Italy.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36676, page 4010.
Navy Lists Aug'43 and Oct.'44 
 

COGGINS, Frank

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Frank Coggins died during operations at Sicily.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/129.

 

COLE, Roland William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)

Corporal Roland Cole was awarded the Military Medal for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Italy.

Sources
London Gazette 36583, page 3040.
National Archives file WO373/47/162.
 

CONNER, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine William Conner died during operations at Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/129.

COOKE, William Frank

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine William Cooke died during operations at Westkapelle, Holland.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/129.

CREGAN, James Cyril Fraser

41RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Military Cross (MC)
Captain James Cregan, R.A.M.C. attached to 41RM Commando, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distainguished service at Normany on the 6th and 7th June 1944 [1][2]. 
  • 23 August 1944 wounded N.W. Europe and evacuated to the UK [3][4].
Recommendation

CROOKS, James

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Sergeant James Crooks was awarded the Military Medal [1] for gallant and distinguished service during operations at the Pachino Peninsula, Sicily, on the 10th July 1943 [2].
 
His death was announced in the obituaries of Commando Association newsletter 43 issued 1966,  " C.S.M. Jim Crooks (41 Cdo.) of Warrington."
 

CUNNINGHAM, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Captain William Cunningham, 'Y' Troop Commander,  was appointed the Distinguished Service Order for gallant and distinguished service [1] during operations at at the Pachino Peninsula, Sicily, on the 10th July 1943 [2].

Sources
[1] London Gazette 36229, page 4812.
[2] National Archives file WO373/47/132.

CUTTING, Vincent

Colour Sergeant Vincent Cutting
41RM Commando
42RM Commando
45RM Commando
Royal Marines

Colour Sergeant Vincent Cutting RM was from Little Hulton, Greater Manchester. He also served in 41 and 45RM Commando [1].

His son Gunner Robert Steven Cutting, 29 Commando Regiment RA, was killed on active service in Northern Ireland [View ROH entry] [2].

DABBS, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine William Dabbs died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/129.

DEXTER, John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Captain John Dexter was awarded the MIlitary Cross for gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.
 
Recomendation

DIGBY, W.

41RM Commando
Royal Marines

Served in 'P'Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Northampton.

Sources
Commando Association list of RM Commando members.
Commando Association newsletter 93.
 

DIXON, Peter Cory

41RM Commando
Royal Artillery
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Peter Dixon, a Royal Artillery Forward Observation Officer attached to 41RM Commando, was killed during an enemy air attack on the Commando HQ. He received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe.
  • 25 November 1941 (Second Lieutenant) (3 R.H.A) wounded in action Western Desert, Middle East.

DOANE, Herbert

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Herbert Doane died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

DREW, Kenneth Harrison

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Kenneth Drew died at 131 Field Ambulance during operations at Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

DUNN, Alec

Alec Dunn 41RM Commando
41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Acting Company Sergeant Major Alec Dunn received a Mention in Despatches for outstanding service while operating with the Allied Armies in Italy (Salerno).
 
Sources
London Gazette 36903, page 518.
[Image] CVA Gallery 41RM Cdo. title "Rev Wallis, Sgts. Dunn and Tanswell, 41RM Commando."

EMERSON, James

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal James Emerson died during operations at Normandy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

FAULKNER, John William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal John Faulkner died during operations at Santa Maria, Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

FAWCETT, Denis

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Troop Sergeant Major Denis Fawcett served in 'Y' Troop.  A member of the Commando Association post war he organised many of his commando's reunions and in 1990 was appointed MBE (Civil Division) for services to 41Royal Marine Commando.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 91 issued August 1990.

FIELDING, Ronald

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Ronald Fielding died during operations at Normandy on D Day.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

FINCH, Ernest Walter

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Ernest Finch died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action in the valley south of La Molina and the nearby hills close to Vietri.

FISHER, Edward

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Edward Fisher died during operations at Salerno and Vietri, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/130.

FITZSIMMONS, F.

41RM Commando
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association from Cowdenbeath, Scotland.

Sources
Commando Association list of RM Commando members.
Commando Association newsletter 93.

FLETCHER, D.

Special Service Brigade
Royal Marines

Served in 40RM Commando and/or 41RM Commando.

Sources
RM Prisoners of War / National Archives file ADM201/111 (41RM Cdo). 

Commando Association list of RM (40RM Cdo).

GARLICK, Horace

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Horace Garlick died during operations at Salerno, Italy.

Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.
[3] Register of Births England Jan/Feb/March 1922.

GRAY, Thomas Malcolm

Royal Marines
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC)
Died in service
Colonel Thomas Malcolm Gray DSO, MC, died in service whilst serving at HMS President.
  • Commanding Officer 41RM Commando on D Day, awarded the Military Cross.

GRINDROD, John Basil Rowland

41RM Commando
Manchester Regiment
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Lieutenant John Grindrod, Manchester Regiment, was attached to 41RM Commando on 23 November 1944 and was posted to 'S' troop [1].
  • Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Manchester Regiment, on the 1st March 1941 [2].

HARRIS, Andrew

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Andrew Harris died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.
Records of Births registered in Jan Feb March. 1903 (Farnham).

HAY, John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Hay died during operations at Westkapelle, Holland.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.

HAYDON, Peter Hillyard

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Peter Haydon, DSO, was killed during operations at Walcheren.
 
He had earlier been awarded the DSO for conspicuous gallantry and leadership in driving off repeated attacks by the enemy on the road from Salerno to Naples, though he was wounded and his men outnumbered by the enemy.*
 

HEY, Ashton Usher

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Ashton Hey, 'B' troop, died during operations at Normandy on D Day.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.
ROH in 'They Did What Was Asked Of Them', author Raymond Mitchell.
 

HOLT, Harry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Harry Holt died during operations in NW Europe.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.

HORSTED, Ronald Edward

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Ronald Horsted died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.

HUNTER, Caley Lovell

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Caley Hunter, ‘A’ Troop, died during operations at Normandy, France.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/132.
[Troop source] ‘They did what was asked of them’ author Raymond Mitchell.
 

JOHNSON, Edward

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Edward Johnson died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/132.

LEES, James Sykes

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Died on war service
Company Sergeant Major James Lees MM, 'B' Troop,  died at Heiden Germany from a cerebral haemorrhage sustained in a Jeep accident.
He had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery, skill, and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Allied Forces during the campaign in the Low Countries, over a period from January to April, 1945.
Recommendation

LEES, William

Marine William Lees 41 Commando
41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine William Lees died during operations at Vietre Sul Mare, Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.
Manchester Evening News - Thursday 14 October 1943 / British Newspaper Archive (website britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk); The British Library Board / Image © Trinity Mirror.

LOMAX, G.J.

47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served in 41RM Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Warrington.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 issued September 2004.
CA List of WW2 RM Commando members.

LOWLES, Eric Henry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Eric Lowles died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.

McKENNA, Joseph

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Joseph McKenna died [1] of wounds inflicted during operations in the Waspik sector of the Maas River front.

MORGAN, Thomas

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Colour Sergeant Thomas Morgan was awarded the MM for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Italy.
 

MOSES, Byron

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Byron Moses died during operations at Walcheren, Holland.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/134.

MURRAY, Donald Frederick

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Knight Commander Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Lieutenant Donald Murray served in 41RM Commando and the RM Holding Commando during WW2. In 1946 he joined the Foreign Office.
  • 1962 Head of Chancery, Saigon.

MURRAY, John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant John Murray died during operations at Normandy, France.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/134.
 
Notes
Son of John and Jane Rankine Murray; husband of Agnes Murray, of Barrhead, Renfrewshire.

MURRAY, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Corporal William Murray was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for outstanding gallantry in Sicily while serving in a Marine Commando, in leading an assault with fixed bayonets against an enemy machine gun post and in carrying the attack through with success in spite of a serious wound in the left eye.

MUSGROVE, Leslie

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)

Sergeant Leslie Musgrove was awarded the MM for gallantry, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty during the assault on the Island of Walcheren.

Sources
London Gazettes Supp. 36947, page 998.
National Archives file WO 373/47/45.
 

NIGHTINGALE, Frank Lewis

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Corporal Frank Nightingale was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty during the assault on the Island of Walcheren.

Sources
London Gazette 36947, page 997.
National Archives file WO 373/47/43.
 

NUNNEY, Ronald Harry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Ronald Nunney died during operations at Dragone, Gulf of Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.

PAGE, Henry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Henry Page died during operations at Walcheren, Holland.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.

PALMER, Eric Charles Ernest

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Eric Palmer was appointed D.S.O. in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service during his Commando's landing at the breach in the dyke at Westkapelle, Walcheren, on 1st November 1944, and the successful attack and capture of the enemy battery  which had been causing considerable casualties in the landing area [1]. 
 

PARR, Albert John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lieutenant Albert John Parr died during the period his Commando were engaged in patrolling the Lower Maas. He is  recorded on the Naval History website as dying of wounds. 

PARSONS, John Farleigh

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Acting Captain John Parsons, 41RM Commando, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during operations at Salerno, Italy, on the 17th September 1943 [1].
Recommendation

PEAT, John William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal John Peat died during operations at the French coast of Normandy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives files ADM 104/135.

POULTNEY, Ronald

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Ronald Poultney died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.

PRICE, Kenneth

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Kenneth Price died during operations in Sicily.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.

PROCTOR, John Webster

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Proctor died during operations at Vietri Sul Mare, Gulf of Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.

PRYOR, Frederick William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Frederick Pryor, M.M., died on board HMCS Algonquin during operations at Normandy, France. He was awarded the Military Medal for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Italy.

READ, John William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Read died during operations at Walcheren Island, Holland.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers Of Reports Of Deaths: Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/136.

READER, Ronald

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Ronald Reader died during operations in Italy, this date being that of the action in the valley south of La Molina and the nearby hills close to Vietri, Salerno.

REID, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)

Colour Sergeant William Reed was awarded the MM for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Italy.

ROBERTSON, John Burt

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Robertson died at Ostend Belgium. His Commando were engaged in operations at Westkapelle, Walcheren. 

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives files ADM 104/136.

ROBINSON, George Thomas

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal George Robinson died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives files ADM 104/136.

ROBINSON, John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine John Robinson died during operations at Santa Maria, Gulf of Salerno, Italy.

Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives files ADM 104/136.

Notes
Date of birth shown on [2] is 4 September 1922 which would have made him 21.
 

ROTHWELL, Thomas Frank

Thomas Rothwell 41RM Commando
41RM Commando
42 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Marine Thomas Rothwell joined the Royal Marines in 1941 and later served with 41RM Commando. He was seriously wounded and taken prisoner of war during operations at Salerno Italy on 18 September 1943. He served from 21 October 1941 until 23 May 1946 Class A Release.

SMITH, Charles Edward

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Charles Smith died during operations at Walcheren Island, Holland.

Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.

Notes
Source [1] shows age as 29 which conflicts with Source [2] which shows date of birth as 25-2-1921.

SMITH, Henry Defriez

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Henry Smith died during operations at Salerno, Italy.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.

SMITH, Reginald

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Reginald Smith died during operations at Walcheren Island, Holland.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.

SPAWFORTH, Herbert

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Herbert Spawforth died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.
Records of Births registered in Wakefield Oct/Nov/Dec. 1920.

SPENCE, Ernest

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Ernest Spence died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.

STALKER, Hugh Henry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Hugh Stalker died in Holland. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in patrolling the Lower Maas. 

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.

STEVENS, Terence Morton Patrick

41RM Commando
45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Acting Captain Terence Morton Patrick Stevens, 41RM Commando,  was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished services while operating with the Army during the successful landings in Normandy. [1]
Recommendation 

STILES, Arthur

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Arthur Stiles was reported missing presumed died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills near the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

STRADLING, Robert Fettes

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Robert Stradling died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.) He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for outstanding service whilst operating with the allied armies in Italy.

STRATFORD, Henry Ernest

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Henry Stratford, 'X' Troop, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations at the Pachino Peninsula, Sicily, on 10 July 1943.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36229, page 4812.
National Archives file WO373/47/134.
 

STRINGER, Eric

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)

Corporal Eric Stringer was awarded the MM for leadership, gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with Royal Marine Commandos in Italy.

STURGIS, John Russell

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Acting Captain John Sturgis, 'B' Troop, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of bravery, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Allied Forces during the campaign in the Low Countries, over a period from January to April, 1945 [1].

SUMMERS, Kenneth

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Kenneth Summers died during operations at Normandy, France.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/137.

TAAFFE, William

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine William Taaffe died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

TAPLIN, John Aubrey

41RM Commando
40 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Croix de Guerre (France)
Captain John Taplin was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours dated 31 May 1956 [1].
  • December 1942 (Acting Temporary Captain) Adjutant of 41RM Commando [2].
  • August 1943 Captain serving in 41RM Commando [3].

THOMSON, Hugh

Lance Corporal Hugh Thomson 6 Commando
41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Hugh Thomson died [1] during operations at Salerno, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.) [2]
 
Extract from the Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 13 October 1943

THWAITES, Henry

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Henry Thwaites died during operations in France. On the date of his death his Commando were operating in the area of Beuzeville.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/138.
 

TIERNEY, Norman

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Regimental Sergeant Major Norman Tierney died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action in the valley south of La Molina and the nearby hills close to Vietri. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty in leading a successful counter-attack against a strongly held enemy position in Italy.

TONER, Peter

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine Peter Toner died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/138.
 

TWIGGER, James Thomas

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Colour Sergeant James Twigger was reported missing presumed died during operations at Salerno, Italy. He received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service in Sicily.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/138.
London Gazette 36454, page1557.

WALLIS, John Charles

Reverend John Charles Wallis RNVR
41RM Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Reverend John Charles Wallis, BA, attached to 41RM Commando, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for great courage and fortitude in tending the wounded and bringing in casualties during the operations at Salerno, Italy September 1943.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36537, page 2497 and errata in LG 36551, page 2705.

WASSALL, George

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine George Wassall was reported missing presumed died during operations at Salerno, Italy, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.)

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/138.

WILLIAMS, David

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine David Williams drowned during operations at the River Maas. 
 
On February 5th 1945 a raid was planned across the River Maas to snatch a German prisoner from behind the German lines. Bad weather forced the mission to be abandoned but a collapsible canvas boat used was left behind on the far bank.
 

WITHER, Russell John

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)

Acting Colour Sergeant Russell Wither was awarded the MM for gallant and distinguished services while operating with the Army during the successful landings in Normandy. *

His death was announced in Commando Association newsletter 108 issued March 1999.

WRAY, Peter Francis Hugh

41RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Peter Wray died during operations at Salerno, this date being that of the action on the hills by the village of Piegolelle (or Piegolette in English.) He received a Mention in Despatches for "distinguished services in Sicily."​​
 
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazettes Supp. 36454, page1557.

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