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ALLEN, Reginald Arthur

Reg Allen 8 Commando
Sergeant
6847052
No 8 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Reginald Arthur Allen was a professional footballer who enlisted into the Armed Forces on 3 September 1939. After volunteering for commando service he served in the Folbot Troop of No.8 Commando and No.1 Special Boat Section.

ALLOTT, Richard Knowles Brian

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)(later Major)
77673
No 8 Commando
SBS
Middlesex Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Temporary Captain Richard Allott was awarded the Military Cross [1] whilst attached to the S.B.S. after his service with No. 8 Commando, Layforce, and the 1st Special Service Regiment [2][2a] ended. 
Recommendation

ALMONDS, John Edward

Sergeant (later Major )
2655648 and 333683
No 8 Commando
SAS
Coldstream Guards
Special Air Service Regiment
Gloucestershire Regiment
Bristol City Police
Military Medal (MM)
Bar to the Military Medal
Croix de Guerre (France)
John Almonds, an Army Reservist of the Coldstream Guards, joined the Bristol Police Force in 1936. In December 1939 Police Constable Almonds, married, and residing at 15 York Street, Bristol, was re-called to his Regiment [1][1a]. 

BAKER, Kenneth

Corporal
5618955
No 8 Commando
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Devonshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Kenneth Baker was killed in action during operations in Libya with Layforce. Son of Thomas and Sarah Baker, of Torrington, Devon; husband of Sylvia Emily Jane Baker, of Torrington.

BARNES, George

George Barnes MM Special Boat Section
Company Sergeant Major (later Lieutenant)
2617252
No 8 Commando
SBS
Grenadier Guards
King's Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Bar to the Military Medal
Sergeant George Barnes was selected for the new Folbot Troop commanded by Captain Roger Courtney which would later become No.1 Special Boat Section.

BENNETT, Robert

Lance Sergeant (later Warrant Officer 1)
2617533
22528123
No 8 Commando
SAS
Grenadier Guards
Military Medal (MM)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Sergeant Robert Bennett joined 'L' Detachment, S.A.S. Brigade on the disbandment of No.8 Commando. He was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the December 1941 S.A.S. raid on Tamet areodrome.

BLAKENEY, James

Private
2660354
No 8 Commando
SAS
Army Air Corps
Coldstream Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private James Blakeney was killed in action in Germany serving in 'A' Squadron, 1st Special Air Service. Son of James and Ada Blakeney, of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.

BOLLAND, Stanley

Stanley Bolland
Guardsman
2696934
No 8 Commando
SAS
Scots Guards 2nd Bn
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman Stanley Bolland was serving with  "L" Detachment, S.A.S. Bde., Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.

BOOTH, John Hamilton

Corporal
2824715
No 8 Commando
SBS
Seaforth Highlanders
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Corporal John Booth was attached to No.8 Commando until joining the SBS [1][2]. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [3][4].
Recommendation

BOWERS, John Henry

John Henry Bowers No.8 Commando
Lance Corporal (later Major)
2614807 and 284731
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
Grenadier Guards, 3rd Bn.
Queen's Own Royal West Kent
Royal Hampshire Regiment, 2/4 Bn.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Service timeline: 
  • 03.1936 enlisted as a regular soldier [1].
  • 09.1939 posted to France with British Expeditionary Force [1].

BREMNER, George

Sergeant
2880295
No 8 Commando
SBS
London Scottish The Gordon Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Sergeant George Bremner,having left the Commando and joined the S.B.S., was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [1].
Recommendation

BREWITT, John

Private
7619486
No 8 Commando
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Died on active service
Private John Brewitt died as a result of an accident.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/24.
 

BRITTLEBANK, John

Bombardier
930882
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
SBS
Royal Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
John Brittlebank was employed as a Machine Tool Fitter before he enlisted into the Armed Forces on 15 January 1940 and later volunteered for the commandos. Bombardier John Brittlebank served in both No.3 and No.8 Commando before joining 1 Special Boat Section.

BROOK, Harold

Lance Corporal
2615070
No 8 Commando
SAS
Grenadier Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Harold Brook died [1] during operations in France with 1st Special Air Service Regiment having left the Commandos. He was reported as missing in action during Operation Houndforce [2]. 
 

BROUGH, William Gordon

Lance Sergeant
2695138
No 8 Commando
SAS
Scots Guards 2nd Bn
Army Air Corps
Cheshire Constabulary
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant William Brough, formerly No.8 Commando before joining 'L' Detachment SAS Brigade in August 1941, was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the SAS in recognition of gallant and distinguished service.

BROWN, Leslie Jock

Cpl. Leslie Brown 1st SAS
Corporal
5437777
SAS
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
51ME Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Leslie Brown had previously served in the Commandos before joining 'B' Squadron of the 1st Special Air Service. He died when his jeep patrol was attacked whilst en route to harass the enemy in Southern Tunisia.
Service*

BUNN, Gerrard John Gunton

Lance Corporal
2655344
No 8 Commando
Coldstream Guards

Lance Corporal Gerrard Bunn was attested into the Coldstream Guards on  9 January 1932. He was wounded serving in No.8 Commando on 17 August 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica. He transferred to the Royal Corps of Signals on 29 June 1942.

BUXTON, Leslie, J.

Lance Bombardier
5499823
No 8 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Bombardier Leslie Buxton was wounded 12 June 1941 during operations in Libya [1].
  • 18 January 1943 reported missing during operations in Libya later found to be a prisoner of war [2][3].
Sources

CAMPBELL, Robin Francis

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
138704
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
General List
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Temporary Captain Robin Campbell was attached to the raiding party for Operation Flipper, an attack on Rommel's HQ in November 1941. Wounded and taken prisoner, he was subsequently repatriated in 1943 because of his wounds.

COCKBILL, Edward James

Private
5257172
No 8 Commando
SAS
Worcestershire Regiment
Edward Cockbill was a milk salesman before enlisting in the Worcestershire Regiment. From there he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.8 Commando which became part of Layforce for operations in the Middle East.

COULDREY, Edwin Robert

Bombardier
830703
No 8 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Bombardier Edwin Couldrey, Special Service Detachment*, was reported missing 18 August 1942, later confirmed as having died, during operations in Burma. Royal Artillery Casualty Cards record his death as a battle casualty. He has no known grave.

DALY, Dermot Ralph

Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
36692
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
Scots Guards 2nd Bn.
Mentioned in Despatches
Educated at Eton College; 15/1/1927 Second Lieutenant, Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Scots Guards; 31/1/1930 Second Lieutenant Regular Army, Scots Guards; served with the King's African Rifles and the Colonial Office 1931/1932; Promoted Lieutenant 31/1/1933; served in Palestine 1936/1937;

DICKASON, Samuel Edgar

Company Sergeant Major
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Company Sergeant Major Samuel Dickason served in No. 8 and No.3 Commando [1].
  • 13 June 1970 appointed M.B.E. (Civil Division) whilst Chief Office Clerk, House of Commons Library [2].
Sources

DRONGIN, Anthony

Regimental Sergeant Major
2695218
No 8 Commando
SAS
Scots Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds

Regimental Sergeant Major Anthony Drongin of No 8 Commando gave up his rank to join L Detachment SAS when 8 Commando was disbanded. He served as a Corporal and is reported to have died of wounds inflicted during SAS operations near Benghazi.

DUNNE, Philip Russell Rendell

Temporary Captain
30978
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Horse Guards
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Philip Dunne, Special Service Bde. HQ., was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during the Salerno Landings.
Recommendation
Salerno Bay 9-16 September 1943

EDSALL, Keith Valentine

Trooper
7912260
No 8 Commando
SBS
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Keith Edsall was killed in action during operations in the Western desert. Son of Percy and Gladys Edsall; husband of E. P. Edsall, of Wealdstone. Middlesex.
 
Sources
CWGC.

ETHELSTONE, Harry

Private
5670462
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
Somerset Light Infantry

Private Harry Ethelstone was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Originally shown on Casualty Lists as No.7 Commando attached 'A Bn., Layforce this was amended to No.8 Commando attached 'A' Bn., Layforce.

FASSAM, Joseph William

Joseph William Fassam 1st SRS
Lance Bombardier
874242
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SAS
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Bombardier Joseph Fassam died during operations at Termoli Italy with the Special Raiding Squadron having left the Commando.
Service 
No. 8 Commando;  
4 Special Service Battalion;
'B' Battalion Layforce;

FEEBERY, Cyril

Cyril Feebery 8 Commando
Corporal (later Squadron Sergeant Major)
2615284
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
SBS
Grenadier Guards
Army Air Corps
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Guardsman Feebery was wounded in 1940 whilst deployed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Volunteereed for the Commandos and served as a Corporal in No.8 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East as part of 'B' Bn Layforce.

FLAHERTY, Robert Henry

Trooper
409352
No 8 Commando
52ME Commando
Special Service Detachment 2
Dragoons
Post war member of the Burma Star Association and the Commando Association residing in California, USA.
 
Sources
Addendum to Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 89 (1989).

GOODE, Frederick Charles

Frederick Charles Goode SSD2
Corporal
5108868
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
Special Service Detachment 2
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Corporal Goode from Birmingham was captured on 3 August 1942 during operations in Burma with Special Service Detachment 2. Previously served with the Commandos in the Middle East. Liberated from Rangoon Jail in 1945.

HEADLAND, Thomas Herbert

Lance Sergeant
2613699
No 8 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Died on active service

Lance Sergeant Thomas Headland died as a result of an accident during operations in Syria. Son of John Robert and Eliza Elisabeth Headland, of Woodford, Northamptonshire.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO 417/30.

HEARN, William Herbert

Private
5625251
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
SAS
Devonshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private William Hearn died during operations at Termoli, Italy with the Special Raiding Squadron having left the Commando. A shell hit the truck that he was sitting in.
Service 

HILDYARD, Thomas Fenton

Lance Sergeant
2654660
No 8 Commando
Coldstream Guards
Silver Star (USA)
Service
5 July 1930 attested at Hull into the Coldstream Guards aged 15. Trade on enlistment: Porter. 
20 June 1932 discharged from service.
5 January 1940 re-enlisted Coldstream Guards.

KEALY, Michael Robert Bayley

Temporary Major (later Honorary Lieutenant Colonel)
50892
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SBS
Devonshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Served in No.8 Commando and Layforce [1].
July 1942 (Major) 1st Special Service Regiment [1a].
Commanded No.1 S.B.S. Middle East after departure of Major R.J. Courtney M.C. [2].

LACEY, Leonard Frank

Private
5669104
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
British Military Mission 204
Somerset Light Infantry
Died on active service
Private Leonard Lacey died whilst a prisoner of war. He had been posted from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma. He has no known grave. Son of Edward James Lacey and Louise Rose Lacey.
 

LAWRENCE, Christie Norman

Lieutenant (Honorary Captain)
124143
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
Somerset Light Infantry
Mentioned in Despatches
Order of the White Eagle (Yugoslavia)

Christie Norman Lawrence was commissioned Second Lieutenant 9 March 1940. Reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete later confirmed to be a prisoner of war. He escaped and joined General Mihailovic's Chetnik Forces in Yugoslavia. Later recaptured and transported to Germany.

LEWES, John Steel

Lieutenant
65419
No 8 Commando
SAS
Welsh Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant John Lewes was second in command of 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Bde. He had previously served in No.8 Commando which embarked for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

LILLEY, Ernest Thomas

Guardsman (later RSM 21 SAS)
2660913
No 8 Commando
SAS
Coldstream Guards & South Staffordshire Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Sergeant Ernest Thomas Lilley was awarded the Military Medal serving with 'L' Detachment Special Air Service having left the Commando.
He had previously served in No. 8 Commando [2].
Recommendation

MAYNARD, John Edward Trestrail

Corporal
5440304
No 8 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal John Maynard died during operations in Tobruk (Cyrenaica Libya) whilst part of a detachment from No 8 Commando ('B' Bn. Layforce) assigned to the garrison. Son of Percy Castell Maynard and Mary Elizabeth Maynard, of Redruth, Cornwall.

MCDOUGALL, William Lawrence

Served as : 
seen on records as MCDOUGALL and MACDOUGALL
Lance Corporal
2694429
No 8 Commando
Scots Guards 2nd Bn.
Perth City Police Force
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal William McDougall, Scots Guards, was attached to No.8 Commando in 1940. He left the commando and returned to his unit, the Scots Guards, in October 1941. Killed in action in Italy serving with the 2nd Bn. Scots Guards. Son of Mrs C. Miller, 30a Ainslie Gdns, Perth.

MCKAY, Alec

Alec McKay 8 Commando
Alec McKay (8 Cdo) in the Police
Lance Sergeant (later Company Quartermaster Sergeant)
2654904
No 8 Commando
Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.
Burnley Borough Police Force
01.10.1930 attested at Burnley into the Coldstream Guards. Former trade Railway Employee. 
October 1934 Lance Corporal released to Army Reserve.
02.11.1934 joined Burnley Borough Police Force aged 24. Sworn in 18 June 1935.

MILLER, John

Private
6139215
No 8 Commando
Special Service Detachment 2
East Surrey Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private John Miller was reported missing from approximately 12 June 1942 and later presumed killed in action, during operations in the Far East. He has no known grave.

MOORE, Sydney Henry

Corporal
-
No 7 Commando
No 8 Commando
51ME Commando
-
Post war member of the Commando Association from Tadcaster in Yorkshire. His brother Albert served in No.3 Commando.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletters 64, 77, 105, and others.
 

PROWSE, Alfred Charles

Lance Corporal
5620784
No 8 Commando
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Devonshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Alfred Prowse died during operations in Libya with 'B' Battalion Layforce. Son of Arthur and Mable Ellen Prowse of Sidmouth, Devon.
 
Sources
CWGC.

RICHARDSON, Arthur

WO2 Company Sergeant Major
5381845
No 8 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Company Sergeant Major Arthur Richardson was reported missing presumed killed in action during operations in Burma.

RILEY, Charles George Gibson

Guardsman (later Captain)
2656281 and 281325
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
SAS
Coldstream Guards
Isle of Ely Constabulary
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
15 January 1934 enlisted Coldstream Guards former trade Quarryman; 1937 to Army Reserve List; 1 January 1938 joined Isle of Ely Constabulary; September 1939 mobilised Coldstream Guards; 1940 No.8 Commando; Layforce; 1st Special Service Regiment; September 1941 'L' Detachment SAS; January - Apri

SCANES, Lewis Ralph

Trooper
321274
No 8 Commando
1st Royal Dragoons Royal Armoured Corps
Died on war service
Trooper Lewis Scanes was reported missing presumed died during operations in Burma on or shortly after 19 June 1942, his secondary unit shown simply as "Commando" on each of the casualty lists. Son of Henry Frederick and Mary Charlotte Scanes, of Dagenham, Essex.[1][2].

SENIOR, Fred

Fred Senior 1st SAS
Lance Sergeant
2696965
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SAS
Scots Guards 2nd Bn
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Fred Senior died when his jeep patrol was attacked whilst en route to harass the enemy in Southern Tunisia. He was serving with 1st SAS ('B' Sqn.) at the time of his death having left the Commandos.

SHERWOOD, James Barlow Brookes

James Sherwood 8 Commando
Sergeant (later Captain)
T/106321 and 305079
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
SBS
Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Ulster Rifles
Military Medal (MM)
Served with No 8 Troop, No 8 Commando in GB, 9/1940 -12/1940; served with Folboat Troop, No 8 Commando in GB, 12/1940 - 2/1941; served with Folboat Section, Layforce in Egypt and Mediterranean, 2/1941 - 3/1941; served with No 1 Special Boat Section in Mediterranean and North Africa, 4/1941 - 2/

SILLETT, Thomas John

Private
5672780
No 8 Commando
SAS
Somerset Light Infantry 5th Bn
Died on active service
Private Thomas Sillett died of illness (diptheria) whilst serving with 1st SAS, 'A' Sqn.  He had joined No 8 Commando in 1940 and embarked with them for the Middle East at the end of January 1941 as part of Layforce.  He later left the Commandos and joined 'L' Detachment SAS in June 1942.

SMITH, Henry John

Guardsman
No 8 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Served in 2 Troop. Post war member of the Commando Association from Ashford, Kent.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 (2003) and enquiry from son in newsletter 117 (2003).
 

STAPLES, Montague

Corporal of Horse
304543
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SAS
Royal Horse Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Montague Staples was killed serving with the 1st SAS, 'C' Sqn. having left the Commando. 

STONE, Sidney James

Sergeant
2692673
No 8 Commando
SAS
Scots Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Sidney Stone was serving with  "L" Detachment, S.A.S. Bde Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C. at the time of his death, having previously served in No. 8 Commando.

TANNER, Ralph Esmond Selby

Private (later Honorary Captain)
6970623
223473
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Mentioned in Despatches
Private Ralph Esmond Selby Tanner was Lt. Evelyn Waugh's batman [1][3].  He received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Crete 1941 [2][3].

TERRY, John Leslie

Lance Corporal
2617532
No 8 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal John Terry, 2 troop,  was accidentally killed by a locomotive during a night operations exercise. The Commando were based at Burnham on Crouch at the time. 
Son of Arthur M. Terry and Mary E. Terry, of Mapperley, Nottingham.
 

WELLS, Percy Arthur

Gunner
798608
No 8 Commando
Royal Horse Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner Percy Wells was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/48.
 

WILSON, Robert

Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
97240
No 8 Commando
SBS
Royal Artillery
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Gunner Robert Wilson was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 2 September 1939 [1]. After volunteering for the Commandos he joined the folbot section of No.8 Commando, prior to a move to the Special Boat Section in the Middle East.

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