Quartermaster Sergeant Alfred Wheeler, HQ 3 Commando Brigade, died during operations in Cyprus. He and Mne. Blakeway both perished from exposure on anti-terrorist operations after their vehicle fell into a deep gully in the Troodos Mountains during a blizzard [1][1a].

"RSM gave life for Commando.  One of the two British Commandos who died in a mountain blizzard in Cyprus was a regimental sergeant major. And he gave his life, it was revealed yesterday, in a vain bid to save the other Commando - a Marine who had hurt his ankle and could not go on without help. The hero was R.S.M. A. Wheeler. whose wife lives in Springfield Terrace, Elburton, Plymouth. The Marine he gave his life for was Benet Carr Blakeway, 25, son of the Rev. B. C. Blakeway, Vicar of Crayrigg, near Kendal, Westmorland. R.S.M. Wheeler dropped out of a party of Commandos to go to Marine Blakeway's assistance . The rest of the party arrived safely at base." [2].