Layforce

There may be content on individuals that is not listed here. If you do not find a name use the different Search options within the Site. Contact the Archive to have a name included.

Displaying 1 - 300 of 493

'Layforce'

Three UK based Army Commando units, Nos. 7, 8, and 11 Commandos, were initially combined within 'Force Z' for operations initially envisaged against Rhodes in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Other elements of the Force included a number of men from No.3 Commando and the Canoe section of No.8 (Guards) Commando.  They sailed from the Isle of Arran on the 31st January 1941, and arrived at Suez on the 7th March.

'Rommel HQ - Operation Flipper'

Friday, November 14, 1941

Location

Beda Littoria
Libya
32° 45' 59.0004" N, 21° 44' 30.0012" E

The raiding party landed 14 November. The attack on Rommel's HQ by units from Layforce took place 17 November. The raiding party included a group from No 11 Commando (see What Links Here above) led by Lt Col Keyes supported by others, including two from No 7 Cdo who had escaped from Crete, Sgt Fred Birch (No 7 Cdo & 51ME Cdo) and Cpl John Kerr (No 7 Cdo & 51ME Commando)

11 Commando

11 Commando

This Commando was formed on 23rd June 1940 in Galashiels. After formation it marched from Galashiels to Ayr and then on to the Isle of Arran for amphibious training.

50ME Commando

The Middle East Commando began to form at Geneifa in August 1940. No.50 ME Commando formed up in September 1940 and became fully operational in October. It included a detachment of 63 Spaniards. No.50 ME Commando operations included Operation Abstention 25 to 28 February 1941 on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo (or Castellorizo). 
The history of 50, 51, and 52 Middle East Commandos is a complex one.  In June 1941 50 and 52 ME Commando became 'D' Bn. of Layforce for operations in Crete.

52ME Commando

The Middle East Commando began to form at Geneifa in August 1940.
No.52 ME Commando formed up on 2 November 1940. 
Nos. 50 and 52 ME Commando merged to form 'D' Bn. Layforce at Geneifa on 28 March 1941.
'D' Bn. Layforce Operations included the rearguard action on Crete. 
Between September and December 1941 decisions were being made to disband them and create a new Commando. 
Reformed in January 1942 as Squadrons of a new Middle East Commando operating primarily with the 8th Army in North Africa.

8 Commando

8 Commando

The Commando was formed on the 23rd June 1940 reaching full strength in September at Burnham on Crouch, Essex. Mostly made up of members of the various Guards Brigades, it became unofficially known as No 8 (Guards) Commando. 

ABDALE, Edward

Corporal
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Private Edward Abdale was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to have been wounded and taken prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/54.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

ABLEWHITE, C.A.

Private
No 11 Commando
'Layforce'
Lincolnshire Regiment
Private Abelwhite was wounded on 9 June 1941 during operations at the Litani River in Syria [1]. Wounded a second time on 15 December 1941 during operations in the Western Desert [2].
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

ABRAHAMS, Arthur Thomas

Private
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Private Arthur Abrahams was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11 (Stalag 8B)..

ADAMS, Jack

Jack Adams 11 Commando
Private
No 11 Commando
Black Watch
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Jack Adams died during operations at Litani River.
 
Sources
CWGC.
[Image] The War Illustrated magazine.
 

ADAMSON, Alexander Naismith

Lance Corporal
ME Commando Depot
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Lance Corporal Alexander Adamson, Depot Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Glasgow.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/96
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

ADDICOTT, H.L.

Known as: 
Len
Trooper
50ME Commando
Warwickshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
Post war member of the Middle East Commando Historical Research Group (MECHRG).
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/54.
50 Me Cdo Casualty List 25th-28th Feb. 1941 in Crete - Ref. GRO2E/1188/69C / National Archives WO361/124.

ALBALADEJO, Alexander

Private
50ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Private Alexander Albaladejo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been wounded, captured and later transported to Stalag 344.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/30; WO417/34; and WO417/92.

ALLARDICE, William Dallas

Private
Middle East Commando
London Scottish The Gordon Highlanders
Mentioned in Despatches
Private William Allardice received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during his escape from captivity as a prisoner of war.
Recommendation

ALLEN, Ronald

Driver I/C
No 7 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Driver Ronald Allen was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later imprisoned at Stalag 4A and Stalag 4B.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

ALLOTT, Richard Knowles Brian

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)(later Major)
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

Known as: 
Gentleman Jim
Sergeant (later Second Lieutenant )
No 8 Commando
SAS
Coldstream Guards
Military Medal (MM)
Bar to the Military Medal
Sergeant John Almonds, known as Gentleman Jim, served in No.8 Commando and embarked with them to the Middle East as part of Layforce. When his Commando unit was being disbanded he transferred to the newly raised  'L' Detachment SAS [1]. 

ALVAREZ, Jose

Corporal
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment
Corporal Jose Alvarez, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..
Prisoners of War Lists, Second World War, 1943-1945. / National Archives file WO392/20.

ANDREWS, William

Sergeant
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Sergeant William Andrews was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bow, London.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

ASTBURY, Albert Ernest

Sergeant
No 6 Commando
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Albert Astbury, No.6 Commando, died during operations in Germany [1]. At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in fighting at the River Aller crossing. He had earlier served with No.7 Commando and was taken prisoner of war in 1941 [2][2a] but escaped in 1943 [3]. He then joined No.6 Commando.

ATKIN, Ernest

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Lance Corporal Ernest Atkin was reported missing in April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica (Bardia Raid), later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association last known residing Hull.

BAKER, Kenneth

Corporal
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.

Sources
CWGC.
British Army Casualties List / National Archives file WO 417/35.

BALLANTYNE, Alexander A.

Lance Corporal
No 11 Commando
Queens Own Cameron Highlanders

Lance Corporal Alexander Ballantyne died whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.

Some additional detail can be found on this link to a message on our Forum.

BARBOUR, Alexander, E.

Private
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Private Alexander Barbour was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/18/68.
 

BARNARD, John William

Private
No 7 Commando
East Surrey Regiment

Private John Barnard was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24 and WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/21 (Camp 59) and WO392/11 (Stalag 4F)..

BARNETT, Edgar Albert

Lance Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Bombardier Edgar Barnett was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
RA Attestations Register for 1939.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/27, WO417/91.

BARNETT, William Henry

Fusilier
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier William Barnett was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BARR, Edward

Corporal
No 11 Commando
SBS
Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Edward Barr was attached to No.11 Commando until joining No.1 Special Boat Section in the Middle East. He was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East on 9/10 June 1942 [1][2][3].
Recommendation

BARRAND, Peter Charles

Lance Corporal
No 11 Commando
Rifle Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Peter Barrand was reported missing presumed killed in action during operations in the Western Desert [1][2]. He is believed to have drowned off the coast of Libya after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ [3].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.

BARROSO, Montiano

Served as : 
Surname seen elsewhere as Banoso and Banosa
Lance Sergeant
50ME Commando
Queen's Royal Regiment

Lance Sergeant Montiano Barroso, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..

BATEMAN, Sidney Gordon

Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Sidney Bateman was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bedfordshire.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BEASLEY, Frederick

Corporal
No 7 Commando
Manchester Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Frederick Beasley was initially reported missing presumed prisoner of war. He was later presumed killed in action during operations in Crete as part of Layforce. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45.
 

BEAUMONT, William Blair

Private
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Died on active service
Private William Beaumont was reported missing on 1st June 1941 during operations in Crete. He was later found to have died in Germany whilst a prisoner of war [2].
 
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/30, WO417/39, and WO417/34.

BEEDELL, Lawrence Henry

Known as: 
Harry
Trooper
50ME Commando
Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper 'Harry' Beedell, 50ME Commando and 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete, later discovered captured on 1st June.
Post war member of the Commando Association, employed in his early life as a Farm Baliff later as a Purser on cross channel ferries. Member of the Middle East Commando Historical Research Group (MECHRG).

BENNETT, Robert

Known as: 
Bob
Lance Sergeant (later Warrant Officer 1)
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. He had participated in five previous operations [1][2][3].

BERRY, Donald

Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers

Sergeant Donald Berry was reported wounded and a prisoner of war 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia raid).
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/25, and WO417/31.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 (Stalag 18A), WO392/21 (Camp 65).

BEST, George

Private
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private George Best died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

BIRCH, Frederick

Known as: 
Fred
Fred Birch 7 Commando
Sergeant Frederick Birch 7 Commando
Corporal (Acting Sergeant)
No 7 Commando
51ME Commando
Liverpool Scottish Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Sergeant Frederick Birch served in No.7 Commando taking part in operations at Bardia and Crete before moving to 51 Middle East Commando. He was attached to 'C' Bn Layforce for Operation Flipper after which he was taken prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/36, WO417/37, and WO417/96.

BIRD, R.D.

Private
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Private R.D. Bird was reported missing 20 April 1941 (Bardia raid) later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Source
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives WO417/24.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/21.

Notes

BLAIR, David Arthur

Captain David Blair 11 Commando © NMS/2012 courtesy of National Museum Scotland
Captain (later Major)
No 11 Commando
Seaforth Highlanders
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain David Blair was the O.C. No. 11 Commando 6 troop. Appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) 7th April 1944 [1].
Recommendation

BOAST, E.A.

Corporal
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.

Corporal Boast was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BOGLE, James

Known as: 
Jim
James Bogle 11 Commando
Private
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders

Private James Bogle was reported missing 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ, later found to be a prisoner of war. After his release in 1945 he served two years in Germany in the Scottish Rifles*.

BOLLAND, Stanley

Stanley Bolland
Guardsman
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. at the time of his death, having previously served in No.

BOOKER, Clifford

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Dorsetshire Regiment
Lance Corporal Clifford Booker was reported wounded and a prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete [1][2]. He had been captured on 29 May 1941 [3].
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/32.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BORWICK, Michael George

Temporary Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
50ME Commando
Layforce
Royal Scots Greys, Royal Armoured Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Deputy Lieutenant (DL)
Captain Michael Borwick was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete with 'D' Bn. Layforce (50 and 52 Middle East Commandos), later found to be a prisoner of war [1][1a].
  • Mentioned In Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [2].

BOULTON, David

David Boulton 11 Commando
Bombardier (later Lieutenant)
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery and Durham Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant David Boulton died serving with the Durham Light Infantry during the Battle of Lingevres.   
 

BOWEN, Alfred Leighton

Known as: 
Leighton
Alfred Leighton Bowen
Trooper
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
North Somerset Yeomanry
1938 joined the North Somerset Yeomanry rank Trooper. 
20 February 1940 arrive in Palestine with his Regiment.
March 1940 injury to knee from horse kick.
August 1940 posted to Air Defence Operations Room at Haifa *.
5 January 1941 posted back to North Somerset Yeomanry.

BOYLE, Peter, J.

Fusilier
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier Peter Boyle was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BOYLE, Richard

Captain (later Temporary Major)
'Layforce'
Black Watch
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Major Richard Boyle MC, 1st Battalion Black Watch, died during operations at the River Rhine crossing [1][1a].
  • 2 June 1941 Captain, 'D' Battalion Layforce, reported missing Crete, later found to have escaped from the island one month after the evacuation [2][2a][3a].

BRADLEY, John Stanton

Guardsman
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Guardsman John Bradley, a Journalist born in Margate Kent, was attested into the Coldstream Guards on 23 October 1939 aged 26.  Reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been taken prisoner of war and transported to Stalag 344 in Poland. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/34.

BRADLEY, John, R.

Private
No 7 Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment
Private John Bradley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. He had been captured on 29 May 1941.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27, WO417/33 and WO417/93.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/11.

BRADY, J.

Signalman
No 11 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals

Signalman J. Brady was wounded 9 June 1941 during operations at Litani River, Syria. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

BREWITT, John

Private
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.
 

BRISTOW, William Frederick

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Died whilst a prisoner of war
Gunner William Bristow died from an intestinal obstruction at Salonica Greece whilst a Prisoner of War. He had been taken prisoner during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941.
 
Sources
CWGC.
German Record Cards of British POWs / WO416/42/342.

BRITTAIN, E.

Private
'Layforce'
York and Lancaster Regiment

Private Brittain, attached to 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/26 and WO417/91.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.

BROOK, Harold

Known as: 
Ginger
Lance Corporal
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

Known as: 
Jimmy
Lance Sergeant
No 8 Commando
SAS
Scots Guards 2nd Bn
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant William Brough, formerly No.8 Commando and known as Jimmy, was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the Special Air Service Brigade in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
 
See more on this entry in our Forum [view].

BROWN, Jack

Trooper
Middle East Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Armoured Corps Yorkshire Hussars
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Jack Brown, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

BROWN, Leslie Jock

Cpl. Leslie Brown 1st SAS
Corporal
SAS
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.
 
Sources
CWGC.

BRUCE, Charles

Sergeant
No 11 Commando
Black Watch

Sergeant Charles Bruce, from Brechin, Angus, was reported missing 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ, later found to be a prisoner of war at Camp 59 in Italy from which he managed to escape back to allied lines after the Italian Armistice. Post war member of the Commando Association last residing in Australia.

BRYAN, Gerald Jackson

Captain Gerald Bryan 11 Commando
Captain
No 11 Commando
No 9 Commando
Royal Engineers
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant Gerald Jackson Bryan, RE, was awarded the Military Cross [1] for his gallantry during the battle of Litani River. He was seriously wounded (leg amputation) [2][2a]. 

BUCKLEY, Alfred, J.T.

Corporal
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Corporal Alfred Buckley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BULLEN, John

Private
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Private John Bullen was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BUNN, Gerrard John Gunton

Lance Corporal
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.

BURFORD, Norman Alan

Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Norman Burford was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1]. This occurred during No.7 Commando's rearguard action on Crete. On 2 June 1941 he was reported missing; found to have been taken prisoner and later transported to Stalag 383 [2][2a].
 
Sources

BURROWS, Charles William

Gunner
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds

Gunner Charles Burrows from Beckenham, Kent, died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
RA Attestations Register for 1937.
RA Casualty Card.
 

BUSBY, John Henry

Corporal
'Layforce'
York and Lancaster Regiment 2nd Bn.
Died on war service

Corporal John Busby from Hull was reported in the Casualty Lists as attached to 'D' Bn Layforce [1] at the time of his death through illness in the Middle East [2][3].

BUXTON, Leslie, J.

Lance Bombardier
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
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/26.

BYRNE, John Vincent

Known as: 
Jack
John Vincent Byrne DCM
Corporal later Company Sergeant Major
No 11 Commando
SAS
No 6 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
3 May 1940 wounded at Dunkirk France serving as a Private with 1st Bn. Gordon Highlanders, British Expeditionary Force [1].
Attached to and served with No.11 Commando 8 Troop (Layforce) until disbanded [5][7]. 
Joined 'L' Detachment Special Air Service 1941 attaining rank of Corporal [2][3][3a]. 

CAMPBELL, Hugh Alexander Henry

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Gunner Hugh Campbell was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete.  Later imprisoned at Stalag 4A in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
Royal Artillery Attestations 1938.
 

CAMPBELL, Robin Francis

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
No 8 Commando
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. He relinquished his commission 31 December 1944 with the honorary rank of Captain..

CAMPBELL, Roderick

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Roderick Campbell was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later imprisoned at Stalag 4G in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
Royal Artillery Attestations 1938.

CANNON, Peter Macdermack

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Peter Cannon was reported missing believed a prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete.  Later imprisoned at Stalag 4C in the Sudetenland.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
Royal Artillery Attestations 1939.

CANTLEY, William, J.

Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Corporal William Cantley was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.
  • 4 October 1939 enlisted aged 33.
  • 12 October 1940 attached No.7 Commando 
  • 11 November 1940 (short lived commando restructuring) 3 Special Service Battalion. 
  • 31 January 1941 attached 'Layforce' embarked UK for the Middle East.

CARR, Richard Philip

Captain
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Richard Carr, 1 troop, was attached to the Commandos from the Royal Artillery. He was taken prisoner of war early in 1942 and, despite several escape attempts, remained in captivity for the remainder of the war. POW Camps Oflag 5 and Oflag 79.

CARR, Thomas

Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps

Corporal Thomas Carr, R.A.M.C. attached No.7 Commando, was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.

CASSIDY, Philip

Private
52ME Commando
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Private Philip Cassidy was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/33.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British PoW's / National Archives file WO416/60/115.

CAWSEY, Francis William

Private
No 8 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Francis Cawsey was first reported missing 29 April 1942 during operations in Burma, later corrected to missing presumed killed in action on or shortly after 13 May 1942. He is believed to have been attached from No 8 C

CHADWICK, Norman Stanley

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment

Lance Corporal Norman Chadwick was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British PoW's / National Archives file WO416/61/292.

CHAPMAN, Alfred James

Lance Corporal
50ME Commando
British Military Mission 204
Royal Artillery
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
1937 attested into the Royal Artillery [1].
27 March 1938 transferred to Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment [1].
29 May 1941 wounded during operations in Crete whilst attached to Layforce [2].
50 Middle East Commando [3].
204 Military Mission to China [3].

CHAPMAN, Charles

Known as: 
Charlie
Charles Chapman 7 Commando
Private
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment

Private Charles Chapman was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/30 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
[Image] CVA Gallery.
 

CHEESEMAN, H.A.

Known as: 
Alfred
Private
No 7 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Private Alfred Cheeseman was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Ontario, Canada.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/29 and WO417/94.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

CHEYNE, John

Known as: 
Jock
Jock Cheyne 11 Commando
Sergeant
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant John Cheyne, 8 troop, was posted to 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, on the 28th August 1941.

CHIVERS, Frederick, J.

Lance Corporal
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Lance Corporal Frederick Chivers was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).

CLARK, P.

Private
No 11 Commando
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Private Clark was wounded 9 June 1941 during operations in Syria.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
 

CLAY, Alfred

Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Bombardier Alfred Clay was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
RA Attestation records.

CLIFFORD, Bernard Edward

Guardsman
Middle East Commando
Coldstream Guards
Guardsman Bernard Clifford was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been taken prisoner of war. On 26 October 1943 he was repatriated to the UK. Discharged from the service as permanently unfit 23 January 1944.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/31, and WO417/68.

COCHRANE, Archibald Leman

Known as: 
Archie
Captain
'Layforce'
Royal Army Medical Corps
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Professor Archibald Cochrane, CBE, MB, FRCP, was the Medical Officer of 'D' Bn. Layforce (50 and 52 Middle East Commandos). He was taken prisoner of war during operations at Crete continuing his work as a Doctor in the prison camps.
  • 1 November 1945 appoined M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service whilst a Prisoner of War.

COLEMAN, Nicholas John

Lance Corporal
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Corporal Nicholas Coleman, M.M.,  was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4B in Germany [1][2]. 
  • A Labourer from West Hartlepool he was attested on 21 October 1933 aged 18 years 11 months [3]. 

COLGROVE, Frederick

Known as: 
Fred
Private
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Private Fred Colgrove was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association residing in Dalston, London E8.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

COLVIN, Felix Beale

Lieutenant Colonel
No 7 Commando
Dorsetshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Felix Beale Colvin was Commanding Officer of No.7 Commando until taken sick  during operations on Crete. Major Wylie was appointed by Laycock to take his place [1].
Lt. Col. Colvin was taken prisoner of war and subsequently received a Mention in Despatches for his actions whilst in captivity  [2][3].

COOK, Frank, B.

Fusilier
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier Frank Cook was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 (army no. amended in WO417/29.)
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

COOK, George, M.

Lance Corporal
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Lance Corporal George Cook was reported missing 1 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/75/194.
 

COOKE, John

Lance Bombardier
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Bombardier John Cooke from Pontefract died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
RA Casualty Card.

CORDA, Francisco

Known as: 
seen elsewhere as JORDA or FORDA
Lance Corporal
'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Queen's Royal Regiment
Spanish volunteer who served in 'D' Bn., Layforce. Reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been taken prisoner of war and transported to Stalag 21A at Thorn, Poland.
 
Notes/Sources
Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/10 shows surname as CORDA (Stalag 21A)

COTTAM, Walter William

Walter Cottam 7 Commando
Private
No 7 Commando
Liverpool Scottish Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Private Walter Cottam, 1st Bn., Liverpool Scottish, was attached to No.7 Commando on 10 October 1940 [1][2].
31 January 1941 departed for the Middle East as 'A' Battalion of Layforce [2].

COULDREY, Edwin Robert

Bombardier
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.
 
Sources
CWGC.

COUTTS, John Davies

Corporal
52ME Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Bar to the Military Medal
Corporal John Coutts was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during his escape from a Prisoner of War Camp at Salonika, Greece [1][2].
 

COWIE, Aikman Duncan

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Bombardier Aikman Cowie was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
RA Attestation records.

COX, Charles Frederick

Charles Cox 7 Commando
Private
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Private Charles Cox was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/33.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).

CRAIG, Robert, P.

Private
52ME Commando
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Private Robert Craig was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. In 1943 he is reported repatriated and no longer a prisoner.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/33 and WO417/68.

CRAMPTON, Jack Barraclough

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Died whilst a prisoner of war
Lance Corporal Jack Crampton, 3 Special Service Bn. died in Berlin as a prisoner of war. He had been reported missing, later found to have been taken prisoner in Crete on 2 June 1941. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/33.

CRAWFORD, Thomas, McG.

Private
ME Commando Depot
Black Watch
Private Thomas Crawford, Middle East Commando Depot, was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.

CREW, John William

Known as: 
Jack
Sergeant
No 4 Commando
No 7 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Sergeant John Crew, No.7 Commando, known as 'Jack', was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941. He had served in No.4 Commando prior to embarking with No.7 Commando for the Middle East. Post war member of the Commando Association from Harpenden.
 
Sources

CROOK, Roy Joseph

Known as: 
Surname also seen as CROOKS
Sergeant
52ME Commando
North Somerset Yeomanry
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Sergeant Roy Joseph Crook * was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [1].
Recommendation
Crete

CROOKE, Alexander

Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Bombardier Alexander Crooke was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Suffolk.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

CROSBIE, John

Private
No 7 Commando
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private John Crosbie died on or shortly after 26 May 1941 during operations in Crete [1][1a].
Extract from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard
Published Saturday 12 June 1943.

CROSS, Walter

Guardsman
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Guardsman Walter Cross from Hull was reported wounded and missing on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war [1][1a][3].
  • Repatriated to the UK in 1944 [2] and medically discharged 25 December 1944 due to wounds resulting in the loss of his right eye and a fractured skull [3][3a].

CRUICKSHANKS, John

Sapper
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Sapper John Cruickshanks was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/32.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/1.

CULLEN, John

Private
52ME Commando
Black Watch

Private John Cullen was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34 and WO417/96.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/84/355.
 

DARGUE, T.D.

Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Dorsetshire Regiment
Sergeant Dargue was reported wounded and prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 and WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
 

DAVIDSON, Alexander

Known as: 
Sandy
Lance Sergeant
No 11 Commando
SAS
Gordon Highlanders
Army Air Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Alexander Davidson was killed in action serving with 1 SAS having left the Commando. He had previously been attached to No.11 Commando since August 1940. He also served in the ME Commando and 1SSR.
 
Sources
CWGC.

DEAN, Frank

Acting Sergeant
Layforce
Coldstream Guards
Sergeant Frank Dean, attached Layforce, was reported a prisoner of war having been captured on 28 January 1942 at Benghazi.
 
Sources
Coldstream Guards Registers.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/42, WO417/94

DEAN, Horace

Private
No 7 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Private Horace Dean was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/32.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/92/322.
 

DEAN, L.W.

Rifleman
No 11 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Rifleman Dean was wounded 9 June 1941 during operations in Syria.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
 

DINSDALE, Henry

Private
No 11 Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Henry Dinsdale died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/36.

DOVE, George

George Dove 11 Commando
Private
No 11 Commando
'Layforce'
Sherwood Forresters
Private George Dove was wounded on 9 June 1941 during operations at the Litani River in Syria.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

[Image] CVA Gallery.

DREWITT, Glanville

Private
52ME Commando
50ME Commando
Welch Regiment

Private Glanville Drewitt, 52 Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. He also served in 50 Middle East Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association, London Branch.

DRONGIN, Anthony

Regimental Sergeant Major
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.

DRORI, Avishalom

Corporal
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps

Corporal Avishalom Druri was Jewish and from Palestine. He volunteered for the British Army and was first posted to the Pioneer Corps before being attached to 51 Middle East Commando. He later joined 'C' Battalion Layforce (No.11 Commando) and was taken prisoner of war during the raid on Rommel's HQ (Operation Flipper).

DUFFY, Joseph Aloysius

Private
No 11 Commando
SAS
Seaforth Highlanders
Died on war service

Private Joseph Duffy joined L Detachment, SAS, from No 11 Commando on the 28th August 1941 and was accidentally killed in training due to a parachute failure, along with his friend and fellow Seaforth Highlander, Private Kenneth Warburton. Location given as East side of the Great Bitter Lake. The pair became the Regiment's first casualties.​ 

DUNCAN, George Ian Alistair

Temporary Captain George Duncan MC and bar
Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
No 11 Commando
SBS
Black Watch
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant George Duncan served No 11 Commando and Layforce before moving to the Special Boat Section as a Temporary Captain. He was awarded the Military Cross 

DURAND, Montague Ongley De Beauvoir

Second Lieutenant
No 7 Commando
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant Montague Durand was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert. He had been commissioned Second Lieutenant on 24 May 1942.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/4.

EARDLEY, Albert William

Lance Corporal
No 11 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Albert Eardley from Stoke on Trent died during operations at Litani River, Syria.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
RE Enlistment Register for 1939 (enlisted 26 April 1939)..
RE Casualty Card.
 

EDNEY, Frank Leslie

Private
No 7 Commando
Middlesex Regiment
Private Frank Edney was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete; found to have been taken prisoner and subsequently transported to Stalag 8B Lamsdorf Poland (renamed Stalag 344).
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/29.

ELSE, John

Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Devonshire Regiment
Died on war service
Sergeant John Else was accidentally killed in India.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/59.
 
Notes

ELY, H.P.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Kings Own Scottish Borderers

Lance Corporal Ely was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia raid). Later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy. In 1943 he was reported no longer a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/26, and WO417/69.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/21.

EMMS, Cyril Deeley

Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Bombardier Cyril Emms died during operations in Crete. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/62.
 

ETHELSTONE, Harry

Private
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.

EVANS, T.W.

Private
No 7 Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Private Evans was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica, later found to be a prisoner of war.
  • 10 September 1943 escaped from captivity.
Sources
Casualties Lists / National Archives file WO417/24 and WO417/26.

EVERITT, Harry, C.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Lance Corporal Harry Everitt, a veteran of Dunkirk, was reported missing 20 April 1941 (Bardia raid) during operations at Cyrenaica, later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Registers of Royal Engineers 1900-1949.
Casualty Lists / National Archives WO417/15, WO417/19, WO417/24, and WO417/26.

FAIRBRIDGE, A.F.H.

Fusilier
No 4 Commando
No 7 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers

Fusilier Fairbridge served in No.4 Commando before embarking with Layforce for the Middle East. He was reported missing during operations at Cyrenaica on 20 April 1941 (Bardia Raid) later found to be a prisoner of war.

FAJARDO, Joaquin

Private
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Joaquin Fajardo, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C. Liberated in 1945.

FARRINGTON, John Beddell

John Beddell Farrington
Private (Acting Lance Corporal)
No 4 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Corporal John Farrington was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete with Layforce. He was held as a prisoner in both Germany and Poland, and later awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for his numerous escapes from different camps.
Citation

FASSAM, Joseph William

Joseph William Fassam 1st SRS
Lance Bombardier
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;
Royal Artillery;
Middle East Commando, 'A' Squadron;
1st SAS;

FELLOWES, Hubert, H.

Corporal
50ME Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Corporal Hubert Fellowes was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

FENTON, David

Acting Lance Sergeant
ME Commando Depot
Black Watch

Lance Sergeant David Fenton, attached Middle East Commando Depot, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

FILMER, Ronald

Corporal
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Corporal Ronald Filmer was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/120/167.

FORD, Dennis

Captain (later Major)
No 7 Commando
Black Watch
King's Own Royal Regiment
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Dennis Ford was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 9 March 1940 [1]. He served with No.7 Commando and later in the Far East [2][3][4]. 
  • November 1946 announcement of his award of the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service whilst engaged in Special Operations in South East Asia [3].

FOX, Joseph

Corporal
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment
Corporal Joseph Fox was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/33.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Marlag and Milag).

FRASER, Thomas Coupar

Pte. Thomas Fraser 11 Commando
Private
No 11 Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas Fraser, 10 Troop, died during operations in the Western Desert. He had been one of the raiding party of Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/54.
Photo of 10 Troop in Gallery.
 

FREEMAN, Fred Edward L.

Private
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Private Fred Freeman was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).

FREEMAN, Thomas Louis

Private
No 7 Commando
Cambridge/Suffolk Regiment
Service Record
5 March 1940 enlisted Suffolk Regiment.
11 June 1940 posted 2nd Bn The Cambridgeshire Regiment.
25 October 1940 attached No.7 Commando.
11 June 1940 3 Special Service Battalion.
8 April 1941  'A' Battalion Layforce.

FURNIVAL, William Roy McGarry

Sergeant
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Sergeant William Roy McGarry Furnival was reported missing and later a prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Post war member of the Commando Association from Hampshire.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 and WO417/30. 
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and WO392/11.

GALERA, Enrique

Corporal
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment
Corporal Enrique Galera, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War Lists, Second World War, 1943-1945. / National Archives file WO392/10 and 20 (Stalag 8C).

GALLIER, Robert Allen

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Robert Gallier was reported missing believed to be a prisoner of war 2 June 1941 after operations at Crete. In 1942 it was reported he was no longer missing.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/42.
RA Attestations Register 1938.

GANDER, D.

Corporal
52ME Commando
Household Cavalry Regiment

Corporal Gander was wounded on 29 May 1941 during operations in Crete.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/26. 
 

GAYLARD, Albert Jack

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Dorsetshire Regiment
Died on war service
Lance Corporal Albert Gaylard was reported missing in action 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica Libya, and later found to have been captured by the enemy [1][4]. He died during an air raid [2][3] whilst a prisoner of war in Camp PG78 Italy [4][5].
 
Sources

GILLINGHAM, Reginald John

Company Quartermaster Sergeant
'Layforce'
Royal Armoured Corps
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Reginald Gillingham was reported missing presumed died during operations in Burma on 19 June 1942, his secondary unit recorded as 'B' Batallion Layforce on each of the casualty listings [1][2].

GLITHEROE, G.E.

Corporal
No 11 Commando
'Layforce'
Lincolnshire Regiment

Corporal Glitheroe was wounded on 9 June 1941 during operations at the Litani River in Syria.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

GLYPTIS, G.

Sapper
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers

Lance Corporal G. Glyptis was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 344 in Poland.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/96.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/1.

GOLDEN, William James H.

Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers

Corporal Golden was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/24, WO417/27, WO417/55, and WO417/95.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1, WO392/11, and WO392/21.

GOODSIR, Georges Albert Jacques

Lance Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Bombardier Georges Albert Jacques Goodsir was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
RA Attestation records.

Probate Records Oxford.

GORNALL, James

Known as: 
Jim
Gunner
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Military Medal (MM)
Gunner James Gornall, 3 troop, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field [1]. He took part in Operation Exporter at Litani River and was captured after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ. for which he would later be awarded the M.M. Imprisoned initially at Gavi Camp in Italy and later at Stalag 4 C.

GRAHAM, J.L.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
King's Own Scottish Borderers

Lance Corporal J.L. Graham was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

GRAHAM, James

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Lance Corporal James Graham was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

GRAY, John, B.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Scots Fusiliers

Lance Corporal John Gray was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/92.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/11.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/147/352 (Dulag 183).

GREEN, John

Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Bombardier John Green was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
RA Attestations Register for 1935.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/27, WO417/91.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 (Stalag 344), WO392/21 (Camp 78).

GREEN, William Alfred

Private
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private William Green was reported missing presumed died died during the period No 7 Commando, as part of Layforce, were engaged in a rearguard action whilst allied troops were evacuated from Crete. 

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/45.

GREENWOOD, Stephen

Trooper
No 7 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Died on war service
Trooper Stephen Greenwood died in 1945 whilst a prisoner of war after being captured at Crete on 2 June 1941, and then transported to Germany. He spent the rest of the war in Stalag 3D near Berlin. He died during a forced march West whilst still a POW, when they were fired on by a Russian tank at Waganitz.
 
Sources

GREIG, Robert

Corporal
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Robert Greig died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
 

GUNN, David

Private
No 11 Commando
Seaforth Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Private David Gunn was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in Libya January 1943 whilst serving with the Long Range Desert Group after leaving the Commando [1][1a]. 
Recommendation

GUNN, Harper

Private
No 7 Commando
Highland Light Infantry
Private Harper Gunn was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations in the Middle East (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/24 and WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and 11 (Stalag 344) and WO392/21 (Camp 78).

HAMMOND, R.C.W.

Private
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps

Private Hammond, R.A.M.C. attached No.7 Commando, was reported as a prisoner of war during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941[1].  In 1943 he is recorded as repatriated and back in the UK [2].

Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.
[2] Casualty Lists  / National Archives file WO417/68.

HANNAH, J

Private
No 7 Commando
Kings Own Scottish Borderers

Private Hannah was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia raid). Later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy. In 1943 he was reported no longer a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/27, WO417/64, and WO417/68.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/21.

HARDING, John Aubrey, D.H.

Lance Corporal
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Lance Corporal John Harding was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British PoW's / National Archives file WO416/162/90.

HARLAND, Edwin

Private
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Edwin Harland died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

HARMER, Reginald

Known as: 
Reg
Reg Harmer 11 Commando
Corporal
No 11 Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Corporal Reginald Harmer served in No. 11 Commando until it was disbanded. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service on the 12th July 1943 with the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment during operations near Solarino, Sicily [2].
 
Sources

HARPER, Henry Joseph

Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Sergeant Henry Harper was reported as a prisoner of war during operations at Crete 2 June 1941. In 1943 he was reported as repatriated to UK.
  • 29 December 1930 enlisted into the Royal Tank Corps.

Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/68.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.

HARPER, Ian Rennie

Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Sergeant Ian Harper was reported missing and a prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. In 1943 it was reported he was back in the UK no longer a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34 and WO417/68.
RA Attestations Register 1938.

HARPER, Stanley Eric

Known as: 
Eric
Stanley Eric Harper 7 Commando
Harper 7 Commando
Sapper
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Sapper Stanley Harper was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. he had previously served in No.4 Commando.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

HARRISON, Charles, F.

Corporal
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Corporal Harrison, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

HARRISON, Thomas

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Gunner Thomas Harrison was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/45.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/11 and WO392/21.

HAYE, James

Private
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Private James Haye was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 3D in Germany.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 (HAYE).
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (HAYE).

HAYWARD, Arthur, N.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Wiltshire Regiment
Lance Corporal Arthur Hayward was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4C).

HEBBLEWHITE, Arthur

Trooper
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper Arthur Hebblewhite was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in the Middle East, later found to be a prisoner of war. On this date his Commando were engaged in operations in Crete.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National archives files WO417/28, WO417/31.

HENRY, William

Gunner
ME Commando Depot
Royal Artillery
Gunner William Henry, Middle East Commando Depot, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/31.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.

HERAS, Bravlio

Known as: 
First name also seen as Braulio
Private
'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Died on war service
Private Bravlio Heras, 50 Middle East Commando, and from Spain, died [1] whilst a prisoner of war having  been captured during operations in Crete in 1941 [2]. He is believed to have been killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C. 
 
Sources
CWGC.

HERD, James

Sapper
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Sapper James Herd was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/32.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11 and WO392/1.

HEWITT, W.

Sergeant
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment

Sergeant Hewitt, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.

HILL, Francis John

Trooper
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps Staffordshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Francis Hill died during operations at Crete. He was attached to the Commando on the 13 January 1941.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Tank Museum archives re Cdo service

HINDMARSH, George Peel

Lance Corporal
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Lance Corporal George Hindmarsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 4D. Post war member of the Commando Association with whom they lost contact, last known residing Cyprus.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27 and WO417/31..

HODGSON, Albert

Lance Corporal
50ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Lance Corporal Albert Hodgson was reported missing on 2nd June 1941 during operations in Crete; later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and 11.

HOLBROOK, Alfred

Private Alfred Holbrook
Private
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Artillery
Private Alfred Holbrook was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1930 before transferring to the Royal Army Medical Corps on 29 September 1934 [1]. 
  • 2 June 1941 (R.A.M.C. attached No.7 Commando) reported missing during operations at Crete and later found to be a prisoner of war at Stalag 4B [2][3]. 
Sources

HOLLINGSHEAD, Robert, W.

Corporal
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Corporal Robert Hollingshead was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 1 June 1941.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A) and WO392/11 (Stalag 11B).

HORE, D.

Sergeant
Middle East Commando
Devonshire Regiment
Sergeant Hore was reported missing 14 September 1942 during operations in the Middle East (Tobruk), later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/58 and WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/11 and WO392/21.
 

HOROBIN, Gilbert, C.

Private
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Private Gilbert Horobin was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/31.
[2] Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

HUMPHREY, Bert

Private
52ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Bert Humphrey died during operations at Crete. He had been reported missing 2 June 1941.
 
Sources
CWGC.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/188/253.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 National Archives file WO417/27.
 

HURST, Ben

Private
No 11 Commando
King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Ben Hurst died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
 

IBBETSON, Reginald Thomas

Lance Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Bombardier Reginald Ibbetson was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 357.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11 (Stalag 357).

IRWIN, Thomas

Private
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Private Thomas Irwin, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).

IVERS, Henry Anderson

Sergeant
52ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Sergeant Henry Ivers was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/192/460 (Stalag 8B).

JENKINS, T.

Private
52ME Commando
Welch Regiment

Private Jenkins was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.

JOHNSON, Bernard William

Trooper
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Royal Corps of Signals
Trooper Bernard Johnson was first attested into the Royal Tank Corps in 1919.  Having left he rejoined at the beginning of the war on 2 September 1939. He was reported wounded and prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations with No.7 Commando in Crete. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28, WO417/33 and WO417/94.

JOHNSON, William Edward

Lance Corporal
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Lance Corporal William Johnson, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4D).

JOHNSTON, Robert

Known as: 
Jock
Corporal Robert Johnston 11 Commando
Corporal
No 11 Commando
Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Died on active service
Corporal Robert Johnston died of exhaustion and malaria whilst assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma. He has no known grave.
  • 9 June 1941 (Private) wounded during Operation Exporter at Litani River, Syria.

JOHNSTONE, Robert

Fusilier
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier Robert Johnstone was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).

JONES, Albert, G.W.

Fusilier
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Fusilier Albert Jones was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4A).
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11 (Stalag 4G).

JONES, Charles Ernest

Trooper
No 11 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps/Staffordshire Yeomanry
Died on war service
Trooper Charles Ernest  Jones died in the Middle East as a result of an accident. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
British Army Casualty Lists 1939-45.
 
Notes

JONES, G.

Private
No 11 Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment
Private G. Jones, 'C' Battalion of Layforce, was wounded 9 June 1941 during operations at Litani River, Syria.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
 
Notes
No.11 Commando was designated as 'C' Bn. of Layforce.
 

JONES, Glyn Watkar

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner Glyn Jones was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
RA Attestation records.

JONES, Harold

Corporal
No 11 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
3rd Cavalry Training Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Harold Jones died during operations at Litani River, Syria.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.
 

KEALY, Michael Robert Bayley

Temporary Major (later Honorary Lieutenant Colonel)
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].
Returned to the UK 28 July 1943 [2].

KEARNEY, Joseph Francis

Known as: 
Joe
Gunner
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Gunner Joe Kearney was attached to No.11 Commando 1 Troop from the 57th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery. He was reported missing 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper in the Western Desert, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association residing in Newfoundland.

KEITH, Douglas

Private
No 11 Commando
SAS
Gordon Highlanders
Died on war service
Private Douglas Keith, formerly 11 Commando,  was posted to 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, on the 28th August 1941, and was taken prisoner after Operation Squatter.  He died whilst being transported on the Italian prison ship SS Sebastiano Venier, after it was was torpedoed by a British submarine.
 

KEMP, Idris John

Private
52ME Commando
Welch Regiment 1Bn.

Private Idris Kemp was reported missing in Greece later found to be a prisoner of war. In 1943 it was reported that he had been repatriated.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/69.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/206/311.
 

KENNEDY, James

Private
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Private James Kennedy was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
German Record Cards of British POWs / National Archives file WO416/207/115.
 

KINGHORN, Robert

Private
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Robert Kinghorn died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

KINGSNORTH, Ronald Harry

Lance Corporal
Wiltshire Regiment
Lance Corporal Ronald Kingsnorth was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 95 issued Sept.1992.
 

KIRKUP, Kenneth Campbell

Private (Corporal)
No 7 Commando
Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Lance Corporal Kenneth Kirkup, No.7 Commando was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Devon.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/93.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

LACEY, Leonard Frank

Private
No 8 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Died on active service

Private Leonard Lacey died whilst a prisoner of war. He had been assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), in Burma.

LAING, J.

Private
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders

Private Laing was reported wounded and missing 9 June 1941, and later a prisoner of war, during operations in Syria. In 1942 a further report stated he was now not a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/37. 
 

LAKER, Jesse, A.

Trooper
50ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps

Trooper Jesse Laker was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in the Middle East, later found to be a prisoner of war. On this date his Commando were engaged in operations in Crete.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National archives files WO417/42, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and WO392/11 (Stalag 4G).

LALEY, W.P.

Lance Bombardier
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Lance Bombardier Laley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/32.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

LAMBERT, Joseph, W.

Fusilier
No 7 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers
Fusilier Joseph Lambert was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Lancashire.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

LANG, John

John Lang 11 Commando
Lance Corporal
No 11 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
3rd Cavalry Training Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal John Lang died during operations at Litani River, Syria. 

Read more about John Lang on our Forum [HERE].

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.
 

LAPPIN, James

Known as: 
Jimmy
Jimmy Lappin 11 Commando and SAS
Corporal
No 11 Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Mentioned in Despatches
10 Troop of No.11 Commando. 
Took part in the Rommel raid (Operation Flipper)*.
'A' Squadron Middle East Commando.
Special Air Service.
Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37310, page 5099.

LARNEY, Owen

Private
'Layforce'
King's Regiment
Private Owen Larney was reported wounded and missing during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/30, and WO417/94
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1 (Stalag20B) and WO392/11 (Stalag 3A).

LAYCOCK, Robert Edward

Major General Robert Edward Laycock
Major General
Special Service Brigade
Royal Horse Guards
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ)
Order of Oranje Nassau with Swords (Netherlands)
Legion of Merit (USA)

Born 1907; educated at Eton College and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; joined Royal Horse Guards, Mar 1927, 2nd Lt, 1927; Lt 1930; Capt 1934; married Angela Claire Louise (née Dudley Ward), 1935; instructor on anti-gas and air defence measures, School of Military Engineering, Chatham, Dec 1937; General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (passive air defence) in department of Chief of Imperial General S

LEWES, John Steel

Known as: 
Jock
Lieutenant
No 8 Commando
SAS
Welsh Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant John Lewes  was serving with  "L" Detachment, S.A.S. Bde., Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C. at the time of his death. His previous service in No. 8 Commando is mentioned in various books but nothing official confirming this has yet been found by this archive.

LILLEY, Ernest Thomas

Guardsman (later RSM 21 SAS)
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

LILLEY, Harold

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Gunner Harold Lilley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 4C).

LINDSAY, J.

Private
No 7 Commando
Highland Light Infantry

Private Lindsay was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations in the Middle East (Bardia raid). Later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy. In 1943 he was reported no longer a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/68.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/21.

LINSDELL, R.

Private
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.

Private R. Linsdell was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later reported no longer missing.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/34.

LISTER, Richard

Private
No 11 Commando
Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Richard Lister died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.

Litani River - Operation Exporter

Sunday, June 8, 1941

Location

Litani River
Syria
33° 20' 20.0004" N, 35° 14' 43.0008" E

The original objective assigned to C Battalion "Layforce" (11 Scottish Commando) was to land on two beaches to the north of the River Litani and one to the south, seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge over it until relieved by 21 Australian Infantry Brigade.

LOCK, Charles

Corporal
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders

Corporal Charles Lock was reported missing 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Walmer, Kent.

LOGAN, Alexander

Private
Middle East Commando
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Private Alexander Logan was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war from 6 June 1941.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/33.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/11.

LUMBRERA, Francisco

Known as: 
Surname also seen as LUMBRUA
Francesco Lumbrera 50ME Commando
Private
'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Francisco Lumbrera*, 50 Middle East Commando, and from Spain, died whilst a prisoner of war having been captured during operations in Crete in 1941. He is believed to have been killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C Wistritz bei Teplitz,Germany. 
 
Source
CWGC.

MACARTHUR, Robert

Lance Bombardier
No 11 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Bombardier Robert Macarthur from Campbeltown, Argyll, died during operations at the Litani River, Syria.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Royal Artillery Casualty Cards.
 

MACKAY, J.S.

Private
Middle East Commando
Gordon Highlanders

Private Mackay was reported missing 14 September 1942 during operations in the Middle East (Tobruk), later found to be a prisoner of war at Camp 70, Monte Urano, Italy. In 1944 it was reported he was no longer a prisoner.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/55 and WO417/79.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/21.

MACKIE, W.

Lance Corporal
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers

Lance Corporal Mackie was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.

MacPHEE, John Peter

Lance Corporal
52ME Commando
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Lance Corporal John MacPhee was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Stalag 4C - Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/11.

MACQUARRIE, Donald Maclean

Donald Macquarrie 11 Commando
Original grave of Donald Macquarrie
Lance Corporal
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Donald MacQuarrie, 8 troop, died of wounds in the Middle East. He had been reported wounded in the Middle East on 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ. 

Sources

CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/35, WO417/41, WO417/48, WO417/50, and WO417/56.

MALLETT, John

Acting Sergeant
No 7 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Sergeant John Mallett was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO382/11 (Stalag 383).

MARINO, Angel

Known as: 
Surname also seen as MARIONO
Private
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Angel Marino, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete 2 June 1941 later found to be a prisoner of war.

MARSDEN, John Jardine

Gunner
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner John Marsden was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/29, WO417/30, and WO417/95.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1.
RA Attestations Register 1938.
 

MARSON, Kenneth

Private
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment 2nd Bn.

Private Kenneth Marson, 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34 and WO417/94
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1 (Stalag 3D) and WO392/11 (Stalag 4G).

MARTIN, Hugh

Private
52ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Private Hugh Martin was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 3A).

MARTINEY, Aurelio

Served as : 
surname also seen as MARTINEZ
Private
50ME Commando
Layforce
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Aurelio Martiney, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war

MATHER, James Henry

Pte James Mather 50ME Commando
Private
50ME Commando
Welch Regiment
Died on war service

Private James Mather was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete and later found to be a prisoner of war [1]. He had been imprisoned at Stalag 4C, a prisoner of war camp at Wistritz bei Teplitz, Sudetenland ( part of former Czechoslovakia) [2a]. He died shortly after his release in 1945 due to ill treatment whilst a prisoner [3]. 

MATTHEWS, Donald

Private
52ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Private Donald Matthews was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 18A).

MAYNARD, John Edward Trestrail

Corporal
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 [1][2][3].
  • 17 August 1939 awarded the Royal Humane Society's Testimonial in Vellum, for Saving Life at Sea [1].
Sources

MCADAM, Leslie

Sergeant
No 11 Commando
Cameronians
Sergeant Leslie McAdam was reported missing 24th November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ, later found to be a prisoner of war from the 21st November.
Post war member of the Commando Association with whom they lost contact last known to be residing Higher Blackley in Manchester.
 
Sources

MCALLISTER, H.

Private
50ME Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

Private McAllister was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Repatriated to the UK in 1943.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/34 and WO417/68.
 

McEWAN, Alexander

Trooper
Middle East Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper Alexander McEwan was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National archives files WO417/29 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

MCGEACHY, E.

Rifleman
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Rifleman McGeachy was reported missing during operations at Crete on 2 June 1941 and later found to be a prisoner of war at Stalag 4C. 

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War Lists / National Archives file WO3921/1.

Pages

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]. 
Photos will be reviewed and added to the Archive if appropriate. 
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.