Saint Nazaire Raid - Commando Fallen

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BIRNEY, David Leslie

No 2 Commando
Captain David Birney, Officer Commanding 2 troop, died of wounds after Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire which took place on 28 March 1942.
He was commanding an assault group that had embarked on Motor Launch ML 447. 
  • Born in India, David Birney later attended Trinity College graduating with a BA in 1938. The previous year he had won the King's Prize at Bisley at his first attempt.
Sources
CWGC
St Nazaire Society website.

BRYAN, Edward Joseph

Edward Bryan 2 Commando
No 2 Commando

Lance Corporal Edward Bryan, 4 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank. Eight of the 11 Commandos, and all bar 5 of the RN crew,  on board were killed.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author james Dorrian.

BURGESS, Leslie

No 9 Commando

Lance Corporal Leslie Burgess died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 268.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.

BURTINSHAW, Robert James Glover

No 5 Commando

Lieutenant Robert Burtinshaw died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire 28 March 1942. He was Officer in Charge of a Demolition Team on HMS Campbeltown. He received a posthumous Mention in despatches for his "gallant and distinguished services in action against the enemy during the raid."

Sources
CWGC
London Gazette 37162, page 3494 and 37629 page 3273 (errata).
Storming St Nazaire, author James Dorrian.

COUGHLAN, John

No 2 Commando

Lance Corporal John Coughlan, 4 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank. Eight of the 11 Commandos, and all bar 5 of the RN crew,  on board were killed.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author james Dorrian.

CUNNINGHAM, Henry Peter

No 2 Commando

Private Henry Cunningham, 4 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank. Eight of the 11 Commandos, and all bar 5 of the RN crew,  on board were killed.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author james Dorrian.

DEANS, James

No 9 Commando
Corporal James Deans died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 457. 
 
Sources

DIAMOND, Thomas

No 2 Commando

Private Thomas Diamond, 4 troop, died during the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 267 , as was R.S.M. Alan Moss. Their squad was to be a small HQ reserve for Lieutenant Colonel Newman. However in the chaos of the action as the ML's tried to land their Commandos, ML267 came under heavy fire and the ML began to burn. They were ordered to abandon ship which they did.

DONALDSON, John

Lance Corporal John Donaldson 2 Commando
No 2 Commando

Lance Corporal John Donaldson, 3 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown.  

He was part of the Assault Party commanded by Lieut. John Roderick who later described him in the following words "Corporal Donaldson was a big loss to us. He was quite one of the nicest members of the troop. A quiet, soft spoken Scotsman with a charming smile and a most proficient soldier. [*]

DUNCAN, Ronald

No 9 Commando

Lance Corporal Ronald Duncan died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire.  He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 268.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.

DURRANT, Sgt. Thomas Frank, VC

No 1 Commando

Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire.  He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. 

War Office 19th June 1945

For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in H.M. Motor Launch ML 306 in the St. Nazaire raid on the 28th March, 1942. 

GIBSON, William

No 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant William Gibson, 6 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 268. Like all those on the raid they were given an opportunity beforehand to write their will or last letters.  Bill Gibson wrote to his Father. Read it below.
 

GWYNNE, John Edward Herbert

No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Private John Gwynne, 5 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire [1]. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and received a posthumous Mention in Despatches [2][3]. 
Recommendation
"Pte. Gwynne proved himself to be a courageous and determined soldier. His disregard for personal danger in the attack and his efforts to destroy enemy gun positions mounted in the roof of the Pumping station were outstanding.

HARKNESS, Peter

No 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant Peter Harkness, 6 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 268. He is referred to in the last letter of his good friend LSgt Bill Gibson who also died on the raid.
 
Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society/James Dorrian.
 

HARRISON, Maurice

No 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant Maurice Harrison, 6 troop, died during Operation Chariot,  the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 192.
 
Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society/James Dorrian.
 

HAY, William

No 2 Commando
Lance Corporal William Hay died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank.

HEMPSTEAD, Stanley

No 2 Commando
Sergeant Stanley Hempstead, 2 troop,  died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 262.
 
Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society/James Dorrian.
 

JENKINS, Morgan

2nd Lieut Jenkins 2 Commando
No 2 Commando
No 5 Independent Company
Second Lieutenant Morgan  Jenkins died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 268.
 
Morgan was the sixth of seven children born to Morgan and Mary Jenkins in 1915. His father was a plate layer at the Ynisfaoi Mine, Treherbert, South Wales. Morgan attended local schools in his younger years. Being a bright pupil he achieved a place at Brecon Boy's County Grammar School for his secondary education. Morgan's death at St Nazaire is recorded on the School's War Memorial. 
 

LLEWELLYN, Fred

Corporal Fred Llewellyn 1 Commando
No 1 Commando

Corporal Fred Llewellyn died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 306.
Service Record 
17 January 1940 enlisted King's Shopshire Light Infantry.
27 April 1940 to No.9 Independent Company.
8 November 1940 to No.1 Special Service Battalion.
11 November 1940 promoted Lance Corporal
4 March 1941 to No.1 Commando.
5 May 1941 promoted Acting Corporal.
3 August 1941 granted war substantive rank of Corporal.
28 March 1942 killed in action.

MATHER, Harry

No 2 Commando
Lance Corporal Harry Mather, 4 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 268.
 
Sources 

MAYLOTT, Jesse

No 2 Commando

Private Jesse Maylott, 4 troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank. Eight of the 11 Commandos, and all bar 5 of the RN crew,  on board were killed.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author james Dorrian.

MCCORMACK, Thomas

No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Private Thomas McCormack, 5 troop No 2 Commando, died of wounds after Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown. Part of Capt. Donald Roy's Assault Team, Tom was fatally wounded during the raid. Taken prisoner he later died of his wounds in a German Naval Hospital.
 

MOSS, Alan

No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Regimental Sergeant Major Alan Moss, HQ 2 Commando, was shot and killed during Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire. Embarking on Motor Launch ML 267 he later received a posthumous Mention in Despatches. 
Recommendation
"During the Commando raid on St Nazaire on 28th March 1942 the motor launch in which RSM Moss was travelling was set on fire by enemy shore guns. The troops on board, many of whom were badly wounded, were forced to abandon ship.

PRITCHARD, William Henry

Captain William Pritchard RE
Special Service Brigade
No 2 Commando
Captain William Pritchard M.C. died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 457 [1][2].
He and fellow Royal Engineer, Captain Bob Montgomery [more...] had been instrumental in the initial planning and training of the demolition teams [3]. 

SMALLEY, Christopher John

Christopher John Smalley 5 Commando
No 5 Commando
Lieutenant Christopher Smalley died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. Embarking on HMS Campbeltown he commanded a demolition party whose task it was to destroy the Dry Dock Installations. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "gallant and distinguished services." 
Recommendation
"Disembarking from HMS Campbeltown he led his men under intense fire to their task, and, although the whole time under very heavy enemy pressure, he completed his task, totally destroying the Dock Installations.

STOKES, George Stanley

No 5 Commando

Lance Corporal George Stokes died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on HMS Campbeltown and part of Lt Burtinshaw's demolition party.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.

TAYLOR, Gerald

No 2 Commando

Sergeant Gerald Taylor, HQ Reserve, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 267. The launch was hit by enemy fire and sank. Eight of the 11 Commandos, and all bar 5 of the RN crew,  on board were killed.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author james Dorrian.

VANDERWERVE, John Edward

No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Lieutenant John Vanderwerve  died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 306 and  OIC of a protection squad for the demolition team on board.
 

WALTON, Philip

Lieut. Philip Walton No 2 Commando
No 2 Commando

Lieutenant Philip Walton, 1 Troop, died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire 28 March 1942. He was Section Officer of a demolition team on Motor Launch ML 457.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.
Storming St. Nazaire, author James Dorrian.

WOODCOCK, Mark

No 3 Commando

Lieutenant Mark Woodcock died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was Officer in Charge of a demolition team on Motor Launch ML 262.

Sources
CWGC.
St Nazaire Society website.

Storming St. Nazaire, author James Dorrian.

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