'ME Commando Roll of Honour'

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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. 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 before being redsignated in April 1942 as the 1st Special Service Regiment.  Some died in captivity, or after being sent elsewhere on detachments. The details of how some met their death are not known to this archive.
Click on any name for more information.
 
50 ME Commando
51 ME Commando
52 ME Commando
Layforce 'B' Battalion
Layforce 'D' Battalion
Middle East Commando
1st Special Service Regiment
 The following are listed on the CWGC database by Regiment only, however their names are on the Westminster Abbey Commando ROH database as Layforce. This in itself is not sufficient to establish Commando service for the CWGC to amend their records. 
We will remember them
 
and all ranks who served in the Commando and have since passed on in the passage of time, who are also remembered by their proud families and comrades.
 
Archive pages: 
50ME Commando
51ME Commando
52ME Commando
Middle East Commando / 1st Special Service Regiment
Below is an A-Z view of the Roll of Honour with information about each of the Fallen. Displaying 1 - 57 of 57

BATE, James Howard

Corporal
553100
50ME Commando
Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal James Bate was reported missing presumed drowned whilst attempting to escape the enemy during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. Joined the Commando on 15 Ocotber 1940 and has no known grave. Son of James William and Minnie Jane Bate.

BEAUMONT, William Blair

Private
2756409
52ME Commando
Black Watch
Died on war service
Private William Beaumont, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), died in Germany whilst a prisoner of war. He had been reported missing on 1 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Son of Alex and Margaret Pearce Beaumont, of Cardenden, Fife.
 

BLACKBURN, Thomas

Trooper
321988
50ME Commando
Cheshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Thomas Blackburn was reported missing presumed drowned during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave.
Report by Tpr Weston

BROWN, Jack

Trooper
326038
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.

BUSBY, John Henry

Corporal
4743550
'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].

BUTTON, Gordon

Private
4449904
'Layforce'
Middle East Commando
Durham Light Infantry 1st Bn.
Died on war service
3 February 1942 serving in No.1 Special Service Detachment at Taunngyi Southern Shan States, Burma.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists WO417/57.

DUFFY, Michael James

Lieutenant
165755
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.

ENGLAND, Leslie Frank

Trooper
552907
50ME Commando
Life Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds

Trooper Leslie England was reported missing later presumed killed in action during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave. Son of Arthur England and of Mary Ann England, of Cheylesmore, Coventry [1][1a][1b]. 

FISCHER, M.

Raider (Private)
PAL/10750
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Died on war service
Raider Fischer, 51 Middle East Commando, died during operations in Eritrea. Son of Aaron and Sara Fischer, of Haifa, Palestine.

FLOOD, Joseph Patrick

Private
4919364
52ME Commando
South Staffordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Joseph Flood, 52 Middle East Commando, died of wounds during operations in Eritrea. Son of Joseph and Mary Flood, of Rochdale, Lancashire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

FROST, Henry Shelmerdine

Captain Henry Shelmerdine Frost
Captain
51425
51ME Commando
Cheshire Regiment 1st Bn.
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Henry Frost died during operations in Eritrea when leading a patrol up a steep gulley running South from Beit Gabru to harass enemy positions.
Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service.

GILLINGHAM, Reginald John

Company Quartermaster Sergeant
543209
'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' Bn., Layforce on each of the casualty listings. He has no known grave.

GREENWOOD, Jack

Corporal
4745720
50ME Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Jack Greenwood died during operations against the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He was initially reported missing believed drowned attempting to escape. His body was later found and identified.
 
Sources

HANCOCK, Harry

Private
4748143
'Layforce'
Middle East Commando
British Military Mission 204
York and Lancaster Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Harry Hancock, 'C' Bn Layforce, was reported missing 9 June 1941 during operations at Litani River, Syria, later reported no longer missing.

HARRISON, Ronnie

Lance Sergeant
2695905
52ME Commando
Scots Guards 2nd Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Ronnie Harrison, 'C' Company, died during a night attack against the enemy positions on the Gondor Road about 15 miles behind the enemy lines in Abyssinia. 
Son of Albert and Rose Annie Harrison, of Farsley, Yorkshire.

HERAS, Braulio

Braulio Heras
Also seen as: 
HERAS, Bravilo
Private
13808248
6100520
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Pioneer Corps
Queen's Royal Regiment
Died on war service
Private Bravlio Heras, a Spanish volunteer in 50 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), died whilst a prisoner of war having been captured during operations in Crete on 2 June 1941. He is believed to have been killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C and has no known grave.
 

HILL, Francis John

Trooper
324039
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps Staffordshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Francis Hill, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce) died during operations at Crete. He had served in the Commando since 13 January 1941.
Son of F. E. Hill and Jane Hill, of Winshill. Burton-on-Trent.
 
Sources

HOWARTH, George

Guardsman
2657950
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman George Howarth, 52 Middle East Commando, died of wounds (gunshot wound to the head) during operations in Eritrea. Son of James and Mary Howarth, of Dearnley, Littleborough, Lancashire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

HUMPHREY, Bert

Private
6402436
52ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Died on war service
Private Bert Humphrey, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), died after the rearguard action that took place in Crete. He had been reported missing 2 June 1941 and was a prisoner of war. Son of Lilian Greenfield, of Brighton, Sussex.
 
Sources

KELLY, Peter

Lance Corporal
2932575
52ME Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Peter Kelly was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert. He has no known grave.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.
 

KNOTT, Harry Leonard

Fusilier
6458284
50ME Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Harry Knott died during operations against the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/23.

LOCKINGTON, Arthur

Trooper
324447
50ME Commando
British Military Mission 204
Royal Armoured Corps
Died on war service
Trooper Arthur Lockington, assigned from the Commando to Middle East Detachment 2, later redesignated 2nd Special Service Detachment (SSD 2), died in Burma. He has no known grave.
 
Sources
CWGC.

LUMBRERA, Francisco

Francesco Lumbrera 50ME Commando
Private
ME/13808250
6100524
'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 has no known grave. Believed killed by Russian fire at Stalag 4C Wistritz bei Teplitz,Germany. 
 

MATHER, James Henry

Pte James Mather 50ME Commando
Private
3960750
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].

MAXWELL, Thomas Turnbull

Guardsman
2695837
'Layforce'
Scots Guards 2nd Bn.
Died on war service

Guardsman Thomas Maxwell was wounded during operations in Crete on 2 June 1941 and became a prisoner of war. He died whilst in captivity. Son of Robert and Mary Jane Maxwell, of Kirkconnel, Dumfriesshire.

MCCORMICK, John

Private
3711810
50ME Commando
King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private John McCormick was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941, later presumed killed in action, during operations against the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave. Son of Peter McCormick and of Annie McCormick, of Bolton, Lancashire.
 

MOYLES, Gerard

Lance Corporal
318430
ME Commando Depot
'Layforce'
Cheshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Gerard Moyles was reported missing 2 June 1941, later confirmed as died, during operations in Crete. He has no known grave. Son of Peter and Mary Moyles.
Commando Service

NICHOLAS, John Harry

Trooper
318786
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps Yorkshire Hussars
Died on active service
Trooper John Harry Nicholas joined the Commando on 1 November 1940. He died of malaria during an escape from a prisoner of war camp in Greece. Son of Frank and Edith Maud Nicholas, of Burnley, Lancashire.

NORMAN, Edward

Lance Corporal
2695640
52ME Commando
Scots Guards, 2nd Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Edward Norman was reported wounded and missing, later confirmed as killed during a night attack against the enemy positions on the Gondor Road about 15 miles behind the enemy lines in Abyssinia. He has no known grave. 

OSTERMAN, Werner

Raider (Private)
PAL/10272
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Died on war service
Raider Werner Osterman died during the period his Commando were engaged in operations in Eritrea and Ethiopia . Son of Alfred Osterman, of Tel Aviv.
 
Sources
CWGC.

PARKINGTON, Oswald

Private
6085077
'Layforce'
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Oswald Parkington died during operations in Crete. Elements of Layforce were engaged in a rearguard action during the evacuation.
 
Sources
CWGC.

PEMBERTON, Hugh

Hugh Pemberton 50 Middle East Commando
Private
2932594
50ME Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Hugh Pemberton was reported killed in action in the Western Desert.
Son of Ellen Pemberton, and stepson of Robert White, of Liverpool.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.

POLLARD, Jack Kenneth Verdon

Trooper
323901
50ME Commando
Cheshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Jack Pollard was reported missing presumed drowned attempting to escape the enemy during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave. Son of Frank and Clara Agnes Pollard, of Altrincham, Cheshire.

ROBINSON, George Edgar

George Robinson 50 Middle East Commando
Trooper
408973
50ME Commando
Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper George Robinson was reported missing presumed drowned whilst attempting to escape the enemy during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo.
He has no known grave. Son of George Edgar Robinson and of Jessie Robinson, of Dundee.

ROSENSTEIN, Natan

Lance Corporal
PAL/12479
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. Son of Moriz and Paula Rosenstein, of Paddington, London.
 
Sources

SHARMAN, Richard

Lance Sergeant
4910237
50ME Commando
South Staffordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Richard Sharman was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941, later presumed killed in action, during operations against the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave. Son of Lilian Licence, of Derby.
 

SHIELDS, Ronald Francis

Lance Sergeant
4388357
51ME Commando
Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.
Died on active service
Lance Sergeant Ronald Shields, ‘D’ Squadron, died at 63 General Hospital in the Middle East from burns to his limbs and face received from an accidentally ignited petrol drum thrown up on the beach by sea at El Rakham Bay. Son of Frank and Constance Ada Shields, of Scarborough, Yorkshire. A for

SMITH, Michael Arnold

Second Lieutenant
143725
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant Michael Smith was reported wounded and missing between 25 and 28 February 1941, later presumed killed in action, during operations against the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave.

STOTT, Charles Henry

Trooper
322688
52ME Commando
North Somerset Yeomanry
Died on war service
Trooper Charles Stott, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce) died whilst a prisoner of war. He was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete but later found to have been captured. Son of Charles and Ada Lilian Stott.
 
Sources

TAYLOR, Alfred George

Lance Corporal
3311847
50ME Commando
Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) 2nd Bn.
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Alfred Taylor died during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. Son of Alfred and Jessie Taylor, of Buckpool, Banffshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

TAYLOR, Graham Cecil Gordon

Temporary Captain
74627
50ME Commando
Leicestershire Regiment
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Graham Taylor was reported missing presumed killed in action during operations in Crete. He has no known grave. Son of Colonel H. W. Taylor, O.B.E., and Mrs. E. M. Taylor, of St. Minver, Cornwall.

THOMAS, Leslie

Trooper
406292
52ME Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Armoured Corps Staffordshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Leslie Thomas, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn. Layforce), died during operations in Crete. Son of George Henry and Mary Thomas, of Leicester.
 
Sources
CWGC.

THOMAS, Norman

Private
6088017
'Layforce'
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd Bn.
Died on war service
Private Norman Thomas was reported as missing in action on Crete on the 2nd June 1941, however he had been taken prisoner. He died whilst a prisoner of war cause of death not known to this archive.
 

TUNSTALL, Francis Barnard

Private
6400012
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Francis Tunstall was reported missing presumed drowned attempting to escape the enemy during operations on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo. He has no known grave. Son of Sydney Charles and Alice Louise Tunstall; grandson of Alice Short, of Plymouth.

ULRICH, Itzchaz

Raider (Private)
PAL/10692
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Raider Itzchaz Ulrich died during operations in Eritrea when on a patrol up a steep gulley running South from Beit Gabru to harass enemy positions. 
 
Sources
CWGC.

WAJNSZTEJN, Shmaryahu

Shmaryahu Wajnsztejn 51ME Commando
Shmaryahu Wajnsztejn 51Commando
Raider (Private)
PAL/10696
51ME Commando
Pioneer Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Raider Shmaryahu Wajnsztejn died during operations in Eritrea when on a patrol up a steep gulley running South from Beit Gabru to harass enemy positions.
 
Sources
CWGC.

WHITELAW, John

Private
2930112
52ME Commando
Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Died on active service
Private John Whitelaw, 52 Middle East Commando, died as a result of an accident.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/29.
 

WILLCOCKS, William Arthur

Trooper
556474
52ME Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper William Willcocks, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn. Layforce), died during operations at Crete. Son of William E. Willcocks and Ellen Willcocks, of Chester.
 
Sources
CWGC.

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