VAUX, Nicholas Francis

Rank: 
Major General
Unit / Base: 
'3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines'
'42 Commando RM'
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Marines
Service: 
Royal Navy
Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Vaux, Officer Commanding 42 Commando Royal Marines, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership, planning, and distinguished service during operations on the Falkland Islands.
Citation
"His first major task after the amphibious landing was to move his Commando forward by helicopter at night to the Mount Kent feature which had been secured by the SAS. Once established he swiftly moved men on to Mount Challenger, a key position overlooking Mount Harriet.
For the subsequent eleven days 42 Commando under Lieutenant Colonel Vaux's leadership patrolled vigorously to gain information. During this period the Commando endured appalling weather conditions and harassing fire from enemy 155mm, 105mm guns and 120mm mortars. Their morale was never in doubt thanks to the spendid leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Vaux.
The subsequent Commando attack on Mount Harriet was planned in great detail and executed with considerable skill to take the enemy in the rear. This attack from an unexpected direction most certainly led to the fall of the strongly held position in very rugged terrain with fewer casualties to 42 Commando than had been expected.
The excellent plan, executed with verve and dash by 42 Commando, was the work of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Vaux."
Previous Service
Served with 45 Commando, Royal Marines during Suez landings in Egypt, 11/1956; served with 42 Commando, Royal Marines in GB and HMS Bulwark in Far East, 1958-1960; served with Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, GB, 1961-1963; served aboard HMS Ursa in GB coastal waters and West Indies, 1963-1965; served as parade adjutant with Commando Training Centre, Lympstone and Eastney Barracks, Southsea, GB, 1965-1968; student with Staff College, Camberley in GB, 1968-1969; served as staff officer with 3 Commando Bde in Singapore, 1969-1972; with 45 Commando, Royal Marines in GB, Northern Ireland and Norway, 1972-1975; served as staff officer with Military Operations 2 in Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 1975-1979; served as instructor with United States Marine Training Centre in Quantico, US, 1979-1981.
  • 17 June 1989 (Major General) appointed C.B.(Military Division).
Sources
DSO - London Gazette 49134, page 12833.
CB - London Gazette 51772, page 2.
Service details from Imperial War Museum online Oral Interview, catalogue no. 34687.
 

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.