Camp PG78, Fonte d’Amore, Sulmona, Italy

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ATKIN, Ernest

Lance Corporal
7896888
No 7 Commando
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Ernest Atkin enlisted 27 August 1939, civil occupation Labourer. He later volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked for operations in the Middle East with Layforce.

BAKER, John

Private
6020776
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
John Baker enlisted 15 March 1940, civil occupation Electrical Engineer. Volunteered for the Commandos and attached to No.7 Commando embarking for the Middle East (Layforce). Captured 20 April 1941 during operations at Bardia, Libya (Operation Addition).

BARNETT, Edgar Albert

Lance Bombardier
933008
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Edgar Albert Barnett, a Labourer from Birmingham, enlisted into the Armed Forces on 15 July 1939. He volunteered for commando service and was attached to No.7 Commando which embarked for the Middle East forming 'A' Battalion of Layforce.

BENTLEY, William Walter

Lance Corporal
6398096
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Lance Corporal Bentley, 50 Middle East Commando, was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war. He was captured on 28 February 1941.

BIRD, Raymond Douglas

Raymond Douglas Bird 7 Commando
Private
5828120
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Raymond Bird from Lowestoft, Suffolk, enlisted 21 June 1939, civil occupation Seaman. He volunteered in 1940 for special service and was attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East with Layforce.

BRITTLEBANK, John

Bombardier
930882
No 3 Commando
No 8 Commando
SBS
Royal Artillery
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
John Brittlebank was employed as a Machine Tool Fitter before he enlisted into the Armed Forces on 15 January 1940 and later volunteered for the commandos. Bombardier John Brittlebank served in both No.3 and No.8 Commando before joining 1 Special Boat Section.

BROWN, J.

Lance Corporal
305201
50ME Commando
Household Cavalry Regiment
Lance Corporal J. Brown was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands [1][1a][1b]. 

CARR, George

Signalman
2577040
No 7 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
George Carr, a Press Photographer from Darlington, enlisted into the Armed Forces on 24 August 1939 later volunteering for special service and attached to No.7 Commando. Deployed overseas for service in the Middle East with No.7 Commando forming 'A' Battalion of Layforce.

COLBECK, John Vivian

Captain (later Major)
101039
No 7 Commando
Royal Tank Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Mentioned in Despatches - Captain Colbeck was captured on 20 April 1941 at Bardia, North Africa, and subsequently imprisoned in various camps in Italy and Germany. He made numerous attempts to escape but only succeeded in leaving the camp on one occasion.

DOWLING, William George

Private
5500848
50ME Commando
Hampshire Regiment

William George Dowling was a Fishmonger from New Milton, Hampshire, prior to enlisting on 24 April 1939. Private William Dowling was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war 

DUNBAR, W.

Sergeant
2986278
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.

EVANS, Clifford Gregory

Lance Corporal
4078187
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Corporal Clifford Evans was reported missing 4 March 1943 during operations in North Africa, later found to be a prisoner of war. The following year he escaped at Munsterberg, Germany, from a working detachment out of Stalag VIIIA, Gorlitz.

FARMER, H.

Private
4746551
50ME Commando
York and Lancaster Regiment 2nd Bn.

Private Farmer was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo (Operation Abstention), later found to be a prisoner of war. 

GAYLARD, Albert Jack

Lance Corporal
5725267
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. He died during an air raid whilst a prisoner of war in Camp PG78 Italy.

GREEN, John

Bombardier
849929
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.

GUNN, Harper

Private
3319490
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.

HARVEY, C.

Signalman (Lance Corporal)
407138
50ME Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Cheshire Yeomanry

Lance Corporal C. Harvey was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands [1][1a]. 

HEESOM, Daniel

Lance Corporal
3657716
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment
Daniel Heesom, a Plasterer from the Isle of Man, enlisted into the Armed Forces 3 April 1940 and later volunteered for the commandos.

JARY, James William

Trooper
327237
50ME Commando
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
William James Jary enlisted on 1 September 1939, former occupation Servant. Trooper Jary, 50 Middle East Commando was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later confirmed prisoner of war since 27 February 1941.

JONES, William

Trooper
4124972
50ME Commando
Royal Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps

William Jones from Macclesfield enlisted 2 February 1938. Trooper Jones, 50 Middle East Commando, was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later confirmed prisoner of war since 27 February 1941.

LYSONS, Robert William

Private
5111965
No 7 Commando
No 4 Commando
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Robert William Lysons, an Insurance Clerk from Stratford-on-Avon, enlisted into the Armed Forces in May 1939 later volunteering for the commandos. Private Lysons joined No.4 Commando later transferring to No.7 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

MAXWELL, Kenneth Horton

Lieutenant
87670
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Territorial Decoration (TD)
Kenneth Horton Maxwell, a Merchant from Oxton in Birkenhead, Cheshire, enlisted into the Armed Forces August 1939. He volunteered for commando service and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East, his Commando forming 'A' Battalion of Layforce.

MCCONVILLE, Maurice James

Corporal
5947918
No 7 Commando
No 4 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
Maurice James McConville enlisted on 19 November 1931, civil occupation Clerk. During WW2 he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.4 Commando* before embarking for the Middle East with No.7 Commando as part of Layforce.

PAYNE, Ronald McLure

Gunner
896888
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Ronald Payne, a Student from Essex, enlisted into the Armed Forces 2 September 1939 later volunteering for the commandos. Gunner Payne, No.7 Commando attached to Layforce, was reported missing later confirmed prisoner of war 21 April 1941 during an operation at Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya.

PORTER, Leonard, E.

Trooper
405323
No 7 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper Leonard Porter was reported missing 20 April 1941 (Bardia raid) during operations at Cyrenaica, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24, WO417/25 and WO417/94.

READ, Kenneth Edward

Private
5673603
No 7 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Private Kenneth Read from Bath, Somerset, was reported missing 20 April 1941 (Bardia raid) during operations at Cyrenaica, later found to be a prisoner of war. Enlisted May 1930. Civil employment - Carpenter.
 
Sources

ROBERTSON, William Thorburn

Private
3055828
No 7 Commando
Royal Scots

William Robertson from Edinburgh enlisted on 1 August 1939, civil trade Painter. He later volunteered for the Commandos. Private Robertson, No.7 Commando attached to Layforce, was reported missing later confirmed prisoner of war 20 April 1941 during an operation at Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya. 

ROBINSON, James William

Driver
T/166871
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps
In 1939 James William Robinson was employed as a Grocer's van man and resided with his wife Kathleen in Boston, Lincolnshire. After enlisting into the Armed Forces he was posted as a Driver in the R.A.S.C. before volunteering for special service and attached to No.7 Commando.

ROSE, Harry, E.G.

Lance Corporal
5827498
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Northamptonshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Corporal Harry Rose was reported missing and a prisoner of war on 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica, Libya (Bardia raid). He later made good his escape and received a Mention in Despatches.
Recommendation

SHAWYER, Henry Alfred

Private
5502080
No 7 Commando
Hampshire Regiment

Henry Alfred Shawyer, a Flour Mill Machine Hand from Southampton, enlisted 16 October 1939. Volunteered for Special Service and attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East with Layforce.

SHEEHY, Richard, W.

Lance Corporal
5884521
50ME Commando
Warwickshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
Lance Corporal Richard Sheehy was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later reported a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources

SNELSON, Cyril

Cyril Snelson 7 Commando
Cyril Snelson
Lance Corporal
3655291
No 7 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment

Lance Corporal Cyril Snelson was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.

SPEECHLEY, William

Private
5830134
No 7 Commando
Green Howards
William Speechley, a Labourer from Cambridgeshire, enlisted into the Armed Forces in August 1939 and volunteered for the commandos after their formation. Initially served with No.4 Commando.

STEWART, W.S.

Corporal
2754796
50ME Commando
Black Watch
Mentioned in Despatches
Corporal W.S. Stewart was reported missing between 25 and 28 February 1941 during operations on the occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo, later found to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands [1][1a][1b]. 

TAYLOR, J.M.

Acting Corporal
T 71576
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Service Corps

Acting Corporal Taylor, 'A' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 20 April 1941 during operations at Cyrenaica (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.

TOTMAN, Basil Walter

Private
6021180
No 7 Commando
Suffolk Regiment

Basil Walter Totman, a Labourer from Suffolk, enlisted into the Armed Forces 15 March 1940 later volunteering for the commandos. Private Totman, No.7 Commando attached to Layforce, was reported missing later confirmed prisoner of war 20 April 1941 during an operation at Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya.

WALKER, Andrew Scott

Signalman
2587945
Brigade Signals
No 1 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Brigade Signals and No.1 Commando..
01.12.1942 Prisoner of war Bizerte, Tunisia.
24.09.1943 Escaped by jumping from a train between Padova and Venice.
04.11.1943 Arrived in Switzerland.

WILSON, Robert

Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)
97240
No 8 Commando
SBS
Royal Artillery
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches
Territorial Efficiency Medal
Gunner Robert Wilson was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 2 September 1939 [1]. After volunteering for the Commandos he joined the folbot section of No.8 Commando, prior to a move to the Special Boat Section in the Middle East.

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