Middle East Commando / 1st Special Service Regiment
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Displaying 1 - 33 of 33'Depot Commando Training and Holding Unit'
The Middle East 'Depot Commando Training and Holding Unit' came into being mid December 1940 and was formally established at Geneifa beside the Great Bitter Lake under the command of Maj. D.W. Melville MC on the 25th January 1941.
Its role was to provide training and reinforcements for 50, 51, and 52 Commandos who were all deployed at the time, and also as a Holding Unit for Commandos.
'ME Cdo. Roll of Honour'
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."
1st Special Service Regiment Officers Jul'42
The following is from the War Diary Nominal Roll of Officers on strength 4th July 1942.
| Surname | Initials |
Rank
|
Regt.
|
|---|---|---|---|
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
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
BRODIE, Alexander Clare Cunningham
Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
Middle East Commando
Black Watch
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Alexander Brodie served in the Middle East Commando. This Commando was short lived and he eventually returned to his Unit [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].
BROWN, Leslie Jock
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.
CWGC.
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.
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27, WO417/31, and WO417/68.
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.
DUFFY, Michael James
Lieutenant
Middle East Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Michael Duffy was reported missing, later confirmed killed in action in Cyrenaica with the 1st Special Service Regiment. He has no known grave.
Son of John H. and Kathleen Duffy, of Glasgow.
Service details are LRDG 1942, Middle East Commando (A Squadron) (2Lt) 1942, KIA Libya with D Squadron 1 Special Service Regiment
DUNBAR, W.
Sergeant
SBS
Middle East Commando
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Sergeant W. Dunbar, 'M' Section of the Special Boat Section, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field.
FASSAM, Joseph William
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;
GOLDSMITH, Ernest Edward William Frederick
Known as:
Joe
Lance Sergeant
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant Ernest Edward William Frederick 'Joe' Goldsmith MM was awarded the Military Medal [1] during operations at Termoli having left the Commando, now serving in the Special Raiding Squadron (SRS) [2].
Recommendation
GRAHAM, John Malise
Lieutenant Colonel
Middle East Commando
Royal Scots Greys
Military Cross (MC)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)
Lt. Col. John Malise Graham, MC, is listed as the senior officer on a roll of Officers serving with Middle East Commando (1st S.S. Regiment) 1st July 1942.[1]
HEARN, William Herbert
Private
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
SAS
Devonshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private William Hearn died during operations at Termoli Italy w
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.
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].
LAPRAIK, John Neilson
Known as:
Ian Lapraik, or Jock
Acting Captain (later Honorary Colonel)
51ME Commando
SBS
SAS
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Acting Captain John Neilson Lapraik was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East [1].
Recommendation
LOWSON, Robert Charles
Known as:
Bob
Sergeant
SAS
No 4 Independent Company
No 2 Commando
Liverpool Scottish Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Sergeant Robert Lowson was awarded the Military Medal serving with 1st S.A.S., Army Air Corps.
Recommendation
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.
MCNINCH, William Matthew
Lance Sergeant
No 11 Commando
SAS
Royal Armoured Corps
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant William McNinch died during operations at Termol
MITCHELL, W.
Private
Middle East Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Private Mitchell 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 WO417/55 and WO417/79.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and WO392/21.
NEWBY, George Eric
Known as:
Eric
Lieutenant
SBS
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant George Eric Newby, 'M' Section of the Special Boat Section, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1][2][3]. He had previously served in 1 Special Service Regiment.
NIXON, Malvern
Private
No 11 Commando
SAS
Royal Scots
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Malvern Nixon died when his jeep patrol was attacked whilst en route to harass the enemy in Southern Tunisia. He was serving with 1st SAS ('B' Sqn.) at the time of his death having left the Commandos.
ROSENSTEIN, Natan
Lance Corporal
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Died on war service
Lance Corporal Natan Rosenstein, an Austrian of Jewish Faith, served in the Commando from November 1941 and died of illness in July 1942.
Sources
CWGC.
The SAS and LRDG ROH 1941-1947/ Service Record.
SELERI, Peter Alexander Shaw
Major
Middle East Commando
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
Silver Star (USA)
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallant and distinguished service during operations in Germany on 18 November 1944 having left the commando* and now serving 8th Armoured Brigade Group [1][2].
- 28 January 1949 (Captain) (Hon. Major) awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial) [3].
Sources
SENIOR, Fred
Lance Sergeant
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SAS
Scots Guards 2nd Bn
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Fred Senior died when his jeep patrol was attacked whilst en route to harass the enemy in Southern Tunisia. He was serving with 1st SAS ('B' Sqn.) at the time of his death having left the Commandos.
SHORTEN, Raymond Herbert
Lieutenant
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
SAS
General List
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Raymond Shorten left the Commando in July 1942 to join 'L' Detachment SAS. He died in October during operations with the SAS at Sidi Barrani.
Nov 40, enlisted General List
Dec 40, 52 ME Cdo
Jan 41, wounded
Mar 41, merged into D Bn,Layforce
Apr 42, merged into ME Cdo and 1st Special Service Regiment C Sqn
Dec 40, 52 ME Cdo
Jan 41, wounded
Mar 41, merged into D Bn,Layforce
Apr 42, merged into ME Cdo and 1st Special Service Regiment C Sqn
STAPLES, Montague
Corporal of Horse
No 8 Commando
Middle East Commando
SAS
Royal Horse Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Montague Staples was killed serving with the 1st SAS, 'C' Sqn. having left the Commando.
THIRKELL-WHITE, Derek John Plantaganet
Captain
Middle East Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Derek Thirkell-White died during operations with the King's Own Regiment at Leros having left the Commando. He has no known grave. Previously served with the Middle East Commando and 1 Special Service Regiment.
Extract from 'The King's Own..The Story of a Royal Regiment' by Col. Cowper
TOWNSEND, Eric
Captain
Middle East Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Eric Townsend M.D. R.A.M.C. attached to the Middle East Commando was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations in Egypt [1]. In 1944 he additionally received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in Italy [2].
Recommendation for M.C.
WALSH, Thomas
Sergeant
Middle East Commando
Black Watch
Military Provost Staff Corps
Died in service
Sergeant Thomas Walsh, Black Watch attached Middle East Commando, was reported missing 14 September 1942 during operations in the Middle East (Tobruk), later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy before being transported to captivity in Germany. After his release at the end of the war all the Army Commandos were disbanded.
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