Lieutenant Colonel Ian De'ath died whilst serving at RMB Plymouth.

In 1940 Lieutenant De'ath RM was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his action in December 1939 whilst serving on HMS Ajax after she was hit by a salvo from the Graf Spee during the battle of the River Plate. He was in charge of a Turret when an 11-inch shell passed through the working chamber below. He went at once to the hatch, which had been blown open and was giving out sparks and smoke, to find out the damage. Lieutenant De'Ath gave the orders needed to ensure the safety of ammunition and at once did what he could to bring the Turret into action again. He set a fine example of courage and presence of mind [1].

02.1943, Major, HQ RM Field Regiment - 2nd in command [2].

12.1943, Major, RM Holding Commando [2].

05.1944, Major, HQ Special Service Group [2a].

07.1944 - 11.1944, Major, 2i/c 45RM Commando, Normandy [2b]. 
04.1945 Acting Lieutenant Colonel, commanding 40RM Commando, Operation Roast [3].

09.1945, Acting Lieutenant Colonel, awarded the MBE (Military Division) for devotion to duty and great ability in the planning, and courage in the execution of, Commando operations during the Italian campaig [4].

1957, Major, 45 Commando RM, Mentioned in Dispatches for distinguished service during anti terrorist operations in Cyprus [5].