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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
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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. 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 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations

Saturday, January 1, 1944

Location

Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
The reports at the foot of this page relate to the operations of the Commando Units attached to 3 Commando Brigade that took place after the 1st January 1944.
 
Link of interest
There were a large number of casualties in the Burma Campaigns, both battle and illness.
Lieutenant Colonel R. Wigglesworth, M.B., B.S. Lond., Royal Army Medical Corps, wrote an excellent article titled

40 Commando RM

Formed on the 14th February 1942 as The Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines. It was briefly re-designated as Royal Marine Commando (A), Royal Marines, when a second RM Commando was raised, before finally designated as 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines. Notable actions during WW2 were at Dieppe, St Benere, Termoli, Anzio, and Comacchio.
  • 40RM Commando, and the slightly later formed 41RM Commando, would be the only RM Commando units to consist entirely of volunteers. All Army Commandos were volunteers.

44RM Commando

Formed as 44 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, on the 1st August 1943 from the disbanded 3rd Battalion, Royal Marines.  Their specialist training from the 1st August to the the 6th September 1943 began at Ashurst. This was to prepare them for the arduous training to come at Achnacarry. Their first CO was Lt Col. F.C. Horton RM.

44RM Commando Nominal Roll

This nominal roll of No.44 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, is compiled from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, the No.44 Royal Marine Commando War Diary Jan to Dec 1945, the original Commando Association newsletters, resources in the National Archives, research by members and followers of this archive, and various other resources. In preparing this list, we acknowledge that it is very likely there are omissions. Research continues. 

ANDREWS, William Andy

Corporal (Acting Sergeant)
PO/ 3278
47RM Commando
Royal Marines
Also served in 41RM Commando 4 Troop and 44RM Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Milngavie, Glasgow. 
 
Sources
Obituaries Commando Association newsletter 120.

ASHWORTH, John Mark

Marine
PLY/X 110603
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Ashworth died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of John Mark and Edith Alice Ashworth, of Accrington, Lancashire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

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).

BEACH, George Edgar

George Beach 44 Commando
Marine
PLY/X3568
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine George Beach died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Harold James Beach and Blanche Edith Beach, of St. George, Bristol.
Extract from Service Record
23.10.39 enlisted Royal Marines.
07.11.39 date of service reckons from.

BEDFORD, John Robert

Corporal
EX/3270
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal John Bedford died during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma. He has no known grave. Son of John Robert and Annie Bedford, of Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

BOWEN, Albert Victor

Corporal
EX/982
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Albert Bowen died in India. Son of William and Winnie Bowen; husband of Gladys Beatrice Bowen, of Hammersmith, London.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.

BURTON, Harold Rex

Temporary Captain (Acting Temporary Major)
46RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Major Harold Burton, commanding  'A' Troop 46RM Commando, received a Mention in Despatches for good services whilst operating with the 21st Army Group in NW Europe [1][1a][1b].
  • October 1944 Second in Command 46RM Commando [2].

COLE, T.G.

Corporal
44RM Commando
47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing London E2.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 3.

DOOLEY, Arthur

Acting T/Corporal
EX 4045
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Arthur Dooley, 'C' Troop, died in a training accident at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland. Son of William and Annie Marie Dooley, of Liverpool.
Extract from the 44RM Commando War Diary
19th September 1943.

DRYSDALE, Douglas Burns

Colonel
41 Ind. Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Silver Star (USA)
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Drysdale assumed command of 44RM Commando on the 23rd April 1945. Formerly the Brigade Major he replaced Lt. Colonel Stockley who had been appointed to a position within Brigade HQ.*

EDWARDS, Vincent

Marine Vincent Edwards 44RM
Marine
PO/X 121963
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Vincent Edwards died at 61 Indian Field Ambulance during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of George Lewis Edwards and Sarah Ann Edwards, of Soham, Cambridgeshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

FARRELL, William Henry

Marine
CH/X112233
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Marine William Farrell died at the Military Hospital, Onich from a bullet wound accidentally received during training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Cause of death recorded as a "gunshot wound to the neck." Son of William and Amellia Farrell; nephew of Mr. A.

FOOT, Frank

Lance Corporal
PLY/X3476
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Frank Foot, 'X' troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Frank and May Violet Foot, of Lowestoft, Suffolk; husband of Gladys Irene Foot, of Lowestoft.
 
Sources
CWGC.

FOUCHE, Stefanus Louis

Stefanus Fouche
Lieutenant
48RM Commando
44RM Commando
South African Union Defence Force
Lieutenant Stefanus Fouche, South African Forces attached to 48RM Commando 'Y' Troop, was wounded on 6 June 1944 during the Normandy landings and evacuated back to the UK. He rejoined the Commando in August and in November took part in the attack at Walcheren [1].

GIBSON, Eric Hookway

Eric Hookway Gibson as a child
Sergeant
PLY/X3404
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Sergeant Eric Gibson died in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, Scotland. Son of William Ramage Gibson and Susan Broome Gibson, of Bideford.
Extract from the 44RM Commando War Diary

GIGG, George Thomas

Lance Corporal
CH/X 108719
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal George Gigg was reported missing at sea presumed died during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma. He has no known grave. Son of John and Emily Gigg, of Shepherd's Bush, London.
 
Sources
CWGC.

GRANT, Ronald Douglas

Sergeant
PLY/X 2122
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Ronald Grant was reported missing presumed died at sea during operations at Alethangyaw, Burma. Son of Thomas Robert and Mary Kathleen Grant; husband of Joy Daphne Grant, of Southampton.
 
Sources
CWGC.

HAW, Charles Walter

Marine Charles Haw 44RM Commando
Grave at Akyab of Marine Charles Haw
Marine
PLY/X107394
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine Charles Haw died in Burma from accidental gunshot wounds at Fakir Point near Akyab as his section of 'A' troop prepared to carry out a patrol to the Baronga Islands. Son of Henry and Helen Haw, of Immingham, Lincolnshire.
 
Sources

HEATH, Alfred

Lance Corporal
EX3962
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Alfred Heath died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/132.
 

HESP, George Taylor

Corporal
PLY/X101509
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal George Hesp, 'X' troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of George Arthur and Elizabeth Hesp; husband of Edna Hesp, of Leeds, Yorkshire.

KELLAWAY, F.C.

Sergeant
PLY/X.1237
44RM Commando
46RM Commando
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 89 (1989).
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).
 

KILLINGBECK, E.W.

Sergeant
CH/X 3893
47RM Commando
Royal Marines

Also served in 44RM Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Kingsbury, London.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 issued Sept.2004.
CA List of WW2 RM Commando members.

KIRBY, Peter

Corporal
EX3358
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Peter Kirby died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William Henry and Annie Kirby; husband of Joyce Kathleen Kirby, of Darlington, Co. Durham.
 
Sources
CWGC

LAVENDER, William Edwin

Acting T/Corporal
PLY/X 3571
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal William Lavender received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.
 
Source
London Gazette 36925, page 757.
 

LEWIS, Frank Gordon

Marine
EX 3315
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Frank Lewis died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.

MACKINNON, James

Second Lieutenant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant James Mackinnon died during operations at Alethengyaw.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] ROH in the book '44 RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan', author Tony Mackenzie.
 

MARSHALL, Arthur Allan

Corporal Arthur Marshall 44 Commando
Corporal
PLY/X 103365
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Arthur Marshall died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.

MARTIN, Arthur

Captain
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Arthur Martin, Signals Officer, and one of the original 3rd RM Bn., officers, died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.

MCDONALD, Dennis

Marine
PLY/X 110563
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Dennis McDonald died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/133.

MORRISON, James

Marine
PO/X105540
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine James Morrison died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.

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

MUSTOW, Joseph

Lance Corporal
PLY/X 104636
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Joseph Mustow died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/134.
 

O'BRIEN, Albert Peter

Lieutenant
47RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)

Lieutenant Albert Peter O'Brien, 47RM Commando, was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in operations in North-West Europe in July 1944 [1].
Recommendation

O'REILLY, John

Marine
PLY/X 108268
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine John O'Reilly died in India as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds. Son of Patrick and Annie Kate O'Reilly, of Kilglass, Co. Sligo, Irish Republic.
 
Sources
CWGC.

OWEN, Alan Roger

Marine
CH/X 105692
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Marine Alan Owen, X troop, died from injuries received when he was hit by a jeep driven by an American serviceman on a road between Ashurst and Lyndhurst, Hampshire. Son of Lewis Davis Owen and Evelyn Harriet Owen, of Beckenham.

OWEN, John Ivor Headon

Major General
45 Cdo. RM
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
John Ivor Headon Owen was Captain of 'C' Troop' 44RM Commando in Burma January 1945 [1][1a]. Post war he served in 42 Commando RM in Borneo and he commanded 45 Commando RM in Aden [2]. 

PAGE, Thomas Harold

Sergeant
CH/X109662
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Lincoln City Police
Thomas Page was a Lincoln City Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos. After his training he was attached to the HQ Troop of 44RM Commando serving in India, Burma, and Hong Kong. He re-joined Lincoln City Police after the war*.

PARISH, Kenneth Peter

Captain
-
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Metropolitan Police
Served as a Civilian Clerk in the Metropolitan Police before volunteering for the Royal Marines at the outbreak of war.
8 March 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant.
Served 3rd Battalion Royal Marines 1940-1943.

PAYNE, Leonard William

LCpl Leonard Payne 44RM Commando
Lance Corporal
CH/X100442
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Leonard Payne died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.
[Image] Susan Moore (great niece).

PEMBERTON, Thomas William

Acting Temporary Corporal
PO/X 116149
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal Thomas Pemberton received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1].
 
Sources

PHILLIPS, Hedley Joyce

Captain
48RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Berkshire Constabulary
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Queen's Police Medal (QPM)
Order of the Legion of Honour (France)
1941 left school and became a Police Cadet, Berkshire Constabulary [1].
24 March 1944 appointed Temporary Second Lieutenant, Royal Marines [2].

PINKNEY, James

Marine
PLY/X 108764
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine James Pinkney died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.
 

POLKINGHORNE, Eric

Marine
PLY/X 103548
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died on active service
Marine Eric Polkinghorne died [1] on active service during operations in Burma [1a][2][3]. 
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[1a] Registers of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM104/135.

RICHARDSON, James Walker Freer

Captain
254912
44RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Doctor James Richardson, M.R.C.S., was commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, on 12 September 1942 [1].  He later became Medical Officer of 44RM Commando and received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma [2][2a]. 

RICHARDSON, Leon

Lance Corporal
CH/X105684
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Leon Richardson died during operations at Kangaw, Burma [1][1a]. Only son of Mrs. F.P. Allenson from Yaxley. He joined the Forces nearly 4 years ago and was 23 [2].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC

SADLER, Frederick George

Marine
CH/X114611
47RM Commando
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association and the Burma Star Association from Warmington, nr. Peterborough.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 90 (1990).
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).

SCOTT, Douglas

Marine Douglas Scott 44 Commando
Marine
PLY/X 109330
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Douglas Scott, from Hexham, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.

SHEATHER, Allan Cecil

Marine
PO/X113117
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Allan Sheather died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.
 

SHORE, Donald

Marine
CH/X194002
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Donald Shore died from enemy shell fire during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/136.

SMITH, Frank

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association from Newton Abbott, Devon.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120 (2005).
 

STOCKLEY, Gordon Herbert

Lieutenant Colonel
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Died in service
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Stockley, former Commanding Officer of 44RM Commando, died in 1951 whilst serving at RMB Eastney.
  • October 1944 Acting Major, Holding Operational Commando
  • December 1944 Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer 44 RM Commando. 

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.

STURGES, Edward Murray

Temporary Lieutenant, Acting Temporary Captain
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Edward Sturges received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1].
  • 1 December 1939 commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant, Royal Marines [2].

TERNENT, John White

Marine
PO/X101801
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Ternent died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/137.
 

THOMPSON, David

Marine
44RM Commando
45RM Commando
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association residing Coedpoeth, Wrexham.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 94 (1992).
 

TUNNELL, Edward

Marine
CH/X112536
44RM Commando
42RM Commando
Royal Marines
Post war member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletter 64 (1977).
List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).
 

WALTERS, H.J.

Lance Corporal
7397787
44RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps

Lance Corporal Walters, R.A.M.C. attached 44 RM Commando, was wounded 28 January 1945 during operations in Burma.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.
 

WATTS, Ernest John

Marine
PLY/X 112206
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Died in service

Marine Ernest Watts died of acute meningitis at the 28th Indian General Hospital, Hong Kong.

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

WHITE, Augustus Ronald

Temporary Lieutenant
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Lieutenant Augustus White received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1][1a].

WILD, Harold

Marine
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
'S' Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Hyde, Cheshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 (2004).
 

WILLIAMS, Albert Edward

Corporal
PLY/X 109364
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Albert Williams died during operations in the Far East. Son of Frank and Mabel Williams; husband of Blanche Gertrude Joan Williams, of Taunton, Somerset.
 
Sources
[1] CWGC

WINTGENS, Stanley Gordon

Lieutenant (later Captain)
44RM Commando
Royal Marines
04.1943, Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion RM.
08.1943, Lieutenant, 44RM Commando. 
01.1945, Lieutenant, left the Commando at Teknaf. Posted HMS Highflyer (Trincomalee).
02.1961 residing Durban, South Africa.
 
Sources

WOOD, Maurice Arthur Ponsonby

Padre / Chaplain
RN Beach Commando (R.N.B.C.)
48RM Commando
44RM Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
1943 RNVR Chaplain; 6 June 1944 Normandy, RN Chaplain with the Royal Naval Beach Commandos, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy; attached 48 RM Commando at Pont L'

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