RM Engineer Commando WW2

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'Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units'

Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Unit - LCOCU.
In the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, Nos 7 and 8 were with Force S, Nos 9 and 10 with Force G, and 11 and 12 with Force J. They were all intended to clear paths through beach obstacles, but owing to the conditions of the tide and dangers from incoming craft the men were unable to use their shallow water diving gear, but nevertheless cleared obstacles. 
The Unit comprised of 120 men from the RN and RM including the RM Engineer Commando. Pathé News produced a post-war film about the Naval Frogmen in the LCOCU.

'RM Engineer Commando'

History of the Unit
This unit had developed from units in the RM Battalions which were trained in demolitions and as assault engineers. 1 Engineer Company RM became 1 Engineer Commando RM in October 1943 under the reorganisation of the RM Division [source....].
From 25 October 1943 the first War Establishment was: HQ; Holding Troop; and two fighting Troops (Source: RM Circ 1303/43G dated 26 November 1943).
 

24 Commando Royal Engineers

Role
Responsible for all engineer tasks in the 3 Commando Brigade forward area. This includes route maintenance, bridging, water supply, electricity supply construction of field defences and structures, demolition tasks and mine clearance.
As well as possessing a large number of skilled craftsmen, the Regiment also has a variety of plant machinery and other equipment. This gives the Unit the capability to tackle almost any form of construction or demolition.

3 Cdo Bde Third Jungle Book issue 9

Type: Booklet
Author: Maj. I.V. Carrell & Lt. G. Sheath (RM)
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: jungle book, 3 commando brigade, no 1 commando, no 5 commando, 42rm commando, 44rm commando
Download

One of a series of the Magazine of the Third Commando Brigade produced and published between 1944 and 1946 for issue to those serving in the Brigade. In a No 1 Commando Newsletter dated 27th Feb 1944 it mentions about the new Brigade Magazine being published. It states that "From this unit Lieut. J.R. Turpin is publishing advisor, and Lieut. A.J. Davies is Art Director on the publishing staff."

3 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations

Saturday, January 1, 1944

Location

Myanmar
21° 54' 50.274" N, 95° 57' 22.4028" E
The reports at the foot of this page relate to the operations of the Commando Units attached to 3 Commando Brigade that took place after the 1st January 1944.
 
Link of interest
There were a large number of casualties in the Burma Campaigns, both battle and illness.
Lieutenant Colonel R. Wigglesworth, M.B., B.S. Lond., Royal Army Medical Corps, wrote an excellent article titled

AMBLER, Edward William

Lance Corporal
PO/X 101922
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Edward Ambler, 1 RM Engineer Commando, died during operations in NW Europe. Son of Edward and Daisy Elizabeth Ambler; husband of Dorothy A. Ambler, of Wrexham, Denbighshire.

ARMITAGE, James

Sergeant
CH/X102092
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant James Armitage was killed whilst laying an Anti-Personnel Minefield during operations at Normandy, France. Son of James and Elizabeth Armitage, of Sandyhills, Glasgow.
 
Sources
CWGC.

BAILEY, J.J.C.

Marine
PO/X109974
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

16 August 1944 arrived in France as 1st reinforcements for RM Engineer Commando Detachment.
 
Source
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.

BASFORD, A.E.

Marine
PO.X.102952 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

25.02.1944 awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

BINNS, Ronald

Corporal
EX/4530T
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Ronald Binns, 1st RM Engineer Commando, died during operations in Holland. 
 
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.

BULFORD, Arthur Frederick

Lance Sergeant
EX/4526
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Lance Sergeant Arthur Bulford served in 3 Troop RM Engineer Commando, 3 Commando Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Suffolk. 
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 118 issued February 2004.

CAROLAN, F.P.

Lance Corporal
PO/X102045
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Served in 1 Troop. Wounded and evacuated during the landings at Normandy, France, 6 June 1944.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop attached to 1 SS Bde. / War Diary - Account of activities 6/6/44 to 27/9/44.
 

CLARK, Robert

Robert Clark RM Engineer Commando
Corporal
EX/4507(T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Robert Clark, No.1 Troop, was reporting missing later confirmed killed during the landings at Normandy, France. Son of Robert and Emily Sarah Clark, of Bridgetown, Totnes, Devon; husband of Irene E. Clark.
 
Source

COGGER, David John

Temporary Lieutenant
CH981
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant David Cogger was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service while operating with the Army in Normandy [1]. He was an Officer in the 1st RM Engineer Commando from August 1943 [2].

DALY, J.J.

Marine
PLY.X.106038
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

15.02.1944 to Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.)
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

DEANS, Eric

Marine
PO/X115500 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Marine Eric Deans from Barrow was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.

EVANS, Arthur

Marine
CH/X 109879
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Arthur Evans, 1 Troop, a carpenter before military service, was killed during operations at Berneville, France. Son of Mrs Annie Evans (nee Dychdalewicz) from Hucknall, Notts.
 
Sources
CWGC.

FERGUSON, George

Sergeant George Ferguson 48RM
Sergeant
PO.X.102011
RM Engineer Commando
48RM Commando
Royal Marines
07.03.1944 to RM Engineer Commando from Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Promoted Corporal.
08.03.1944 to 48RM Commando. 
08.06.1944 wounded Normandy whilst in 'X' troop, 48RM Commando.
Final rank Sergeant.
 

GEARY, Charles

Marine
PO.X.102042
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
03.02.1944 arrived Wrexham from CTC Dorlin, Acharacle.
14.02.1944 to RM Training Group, Dalditch Camp, Exmouth.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

GILBERT, H.J.

Lance Sergeant
PO.X.101702 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Special Service (Commando) Group
Royal Marines
9 February 1944 to HQ Special Service Group.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

GLOVER, J.H.

Marine
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
02.03.1944 to RM Training Group, Dalditch Camp, Exmouth.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary March 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

GOMM, Arthur George

Sergeant
EX/4520(T)
RM Engineer Commando
Commando Basic Training Centre
Royal Marines
Died on war service
Died in the UK

Sergeant Arthur Gomm died from multiple injuries sustained as a result of the premature explosion of a high explosive demolition charge at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Son of Ernest James Gomm and Ethel Maud Gomm; husband of Edna Gladys Gomm, of Ashford, Middlesex.

GREER, D.M.

Marine
CH/X109901
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Marine Greer, 1 Troop, was wounded by mortar fire and evacuated 10 June 1944 whilst digging in at Le Plein, Normandy.
 
Sources

HAY, T.

Marine
PO/X102012
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
June 1944 Normandy, France, wounded by shrapnel to the hand and returned to duty.
 
Sources
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.
 

HEATH, Thomas

Marine
CH.X.103629
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

14.02.1944 Marine (Acting Temporary Corporal) reverts to Marine.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

HEDLEY, Ralph

Marine (Acting Temporary Lance Corporal)
PO/X107241
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Lance Corporal Ralph Hedley was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.

HILL, J.R.

Marine
CH.X.106865 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
22.02.1944 returns from Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.).
02.03.1944 to Royal Marines Technical Training Depot (R.M.T.T.D.), Fort Cumberland.
 
Sources

JACKSON, A.B.

Captain
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
8 February 1944 Troop Leader No.2 Troop delegated the powers of Company Commander.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

JOHN, D.E.

Marine
PLY.X.104807
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
08.02.1944 joined from Holding Operational Commando to Holding Troop.
21.02.1944 posted No.2 Troop at C.O.X.E.

(Combined Operations Experimental Establishment).

Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

JONES, Peter Henry

Corporal (Acting Temporary Sergeant)
PO/X101924
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Sergeant Peter Henry Jones was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.

KIRBY, John

Corporal
PO.X.102954 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

25.02.1944 awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

LLOYD, R.J.

Corporal
PLY/X.3905
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
16 August 1944 arrived in France as 1st reinforcements for RM Engineer Commando Detachment.
 
Source
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.
 

MARSHALL, J.B.

Marine
PO.X.101961 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
18.02.1944 proceeds to 4 Special Service Brigade.
05.03.1944 returns from 4 Special Service Brigade.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

MORSS, Donald James Robert

Sergeant (Acting Temporary Company Sergeant Major)
PO/X.1808
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches

Company Sergeant Major Morss was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service during offensive operations with the Allied Armies between November 1944 and January 1945 whilst attached to the Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Unit (LCOCU). 
 
Sources

NAYLOR, Frederick Thomas

Frederick Naylor RM Engineer Commando
Marine
CH/X 103937
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

Enlisted 17 April 1941. Served in 1 Engineer Company RM and 1 Troop of the RM Engineer Commando with attachments to HQ Special Service (Commando) Group and  HQ 1 Commando Brigade. Commando service from August 1943 to January 1946. 

NEALE, Peter Walter James

Captain Peter Neale
Captain (Acting Temporary Lieutenant Colonel)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Captain (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Peter Neale RM, 1st RM Engineer Commando attached to 1 Commando Brigade [1][3], was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and great devotion to duty whilst operating with the allied army in North West Europe [2].

NEWBERT, Arthur Daniel

Lance Corporal
PO/X101938
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Corporal Newbert, 3 Troop RM Engineer Commando,  was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Land Forces, South East Asia.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37318, page 5181.

NUTTALL, James Horrobin

Marine
CH/X 109156
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Marine James Nuttall, RM Engineer Commando attached to 47RM Commando, died of wounds. Son of William Horrobin Nuttall and Annie Nuttall; husband of Edythe Nuttall, of Hollywood, Worcestershire. His death is recorded in the War Diary for the RM Engineer Commando dated 19th October 1944.

PALMER, Percy

Marine
PO/X113515
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
17.08.1944 - 23.08.1944 with  No.4 Commando for mine clearance in the advance through Les Bois de Bavent, Normandy, and with No.3 Commando for the same purpose in the advance to Varraville, Normandy. 
26.08.1944 wounded in Beuzeville, Normandy.
 

PATON, Charles White

Marine
PO/X 108528
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Military Medal (MM)
Marine Charles Paton, 4 RM Engineer Commando, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe.
Recommendation

PEPPER, W.

Marine
PO.X.102946
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
25.02.1944 awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 
Notes

RHODES, J.

Marine
CH/X109318
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

16 August 1944 arrived in France as 1st reinforcements for RM Engineer Commando Detachment.
 
Source
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.

ROBERTSON, A.T.

Marine
CH.X.102082
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
22.02.1944 returns from Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.).
02.03.1944 to RM Training Group, Dalditch Camp, Exmouth.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

ROPER, Stanley

Staff Sergeant
CH/X4551
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade

Served 1 Commando Brigade HQ. Believed RM Engineer Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Plymouth.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 120.

List of RM Commandos provided by RY (former CA Sec and CBF).

SAYCELL, Thomas

Marine
PO.X.102028
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
08.02.1944 joined from Holding Operational Commando to Holding Troop.
21.02.1944 posted to No.2 Troop at C.O.X.E.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

SMITH, R.W.G.J.

Corporal
CH/X102060
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
24 June 1944 seriously wounded whilst laying an Anti-Personnel Minefield during operations at Normandy, France.
 
Sources
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.
 

SPEAKMAN, John

Lance Corporal
PLY/X110084
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
16 August 1944 arrived in France as 1st reinforcements for RM Engineer Commando Detachment.
 
Source
War Diary RM Engineer Commando 1 Troop.
 

STOCKHILL, E.

Marine
CH.X.105890
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
14.02.1944 to RM Training Group, Dalditch Camp, Exmouth.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
 

SUMNER, Harold

Marine
PLY/X102031
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
17.08.1944 - 23.08.1944 with  No.4 Commando for mine clearance during the advance through Les Bois de Bavent, Normandy, and with No.3 Commando for same purpose during the advance to Varraville, Normandy. 
23.08.1944 - 03.09.1944 to Base Hospital with blood poisoning.

THOMAS, D.J.

Marine
CH.X.105947
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

10 February 1944 joined from Holding Operational Commando.

Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

THOMSON, Donald (Cpl)

Corporal
PO/X110320(T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Donald Thomson, RM Engineer Commando Detachment, HQ 4 Commando Brigade, died during operations in Holland. Son of Janet Williams.

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/138.

TIMBERS, B.

Marine
CH.X.110238
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines

10 February 1944 joined from Holding Operational Commando.

Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.

WOODHOUSE, P.B.

Captain
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Lieutenant 1 Troop
Captain 3 Troop Far East.
 
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary February 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
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