COTTON MINCHIN, Douglas James Maurice
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Rank:
Captain
Unit / Base:
43RM Commando
12 Commando
'Commando Basic Training Centre'
Regiment/Corps:
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service:
Army
Number:
77634
43543
Died :
Thursday, March 15, 1945
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age:
26
Cemetery/Memorial:
Captain Douglas Cotton Minchin was reported missing March 1945 after his patrol came under fire during operations in Italy, later presumed killed in action. He has no known grave. Son of Capt. H. Cotton Minchin and Mrs. Cotton Minchin, of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Alpes Maritimes, France.
Douglas Cotton Minchin served in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) of the Army before briefly serving in the Royal Air Force. Returning at his own request to the Army he volunteered for Special Service. On the 2nd February1945 he was attached as a personal advisor to 43 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines.
He therefore has the unique status of having been attached at some stage prior to his death to the Army, RAF, and the Royal Marines of the Royal Navy.
Service included No.8 Commando, No.12 Commando (Lofoten raid), Chief Instructor at the Commando Basic Training Centre, and from October 1944 Instructor 2 Commando Brigade Training Centre, Bari, Italy.
Service Record
13.05.1940 proceeded to No 6 Elementary Flying Training School, Sywell Northampton Home.
13.06.1940 relinquishes temp. commission as Pilot Officer to return to Army duty *
15.06.1940 301 Infantry Training Centre, Oswestry.
18.10.1940 No.10 Commando.
15.06.1940 301 Infantry Training Centre, Oswestry.
18.10.1940 No.10 Commando.
26.11.1940 No.4 Special Service Bn.
28.11.1940 No.8 Commando Criccieth Wales.
04.03.1941 No.12 Commando Warsash Hants.
14.09.1942 Commando Depot (CBTC).
10.12.1943 Chief Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre with paid A/Major.
02.09.1944 Holding Operational Commando retains rank of A/Major.
06.10.1944 emplaned for overseas, Bari, Central Mediterranean Force.
07.10.1944 No.2 Commando Brigade Training Centre, rank Major, CMF.
02.02.1945 43RM Commando, Italy.
14.03.1945 reported missing.
15.03.1945 presumed killed in action.
28.11.1940 No.8 Commando Criccieth Wales.
04.03.1941 No.12 Commando Warsash Hants.
14.09.1942 Commando Depot (CBTC).
10.12.1943 Chief Instructor Commando Basic Training Centre with paid A/Major.
02.09.1944 Holding Operational Commando retains rank of A/Major.
06.10.1944 emplaned for overseas, Bari, Central Mediterranean Force.
07.10.1944 No.2 Commando Brigade Training Centre, rank Major, CMF.
02.02.1945 43RM Commando, Italy.
14.03.1945 reported missing.
15.03.1945 presumed killed in action.
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/8 and 9.
Service Record.
* London Gazette 34927, page 5092
CVA gallery images from his sister Daphne Garey.
CVA Gallery images of the CBTC.
The book Commando Subaltern at War by Lieut. W.G. Jenkins DSO.
Primary Roll of Honour:
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Archive pages :
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