RN Beach Commando

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'RN Beach Cdo. Nominal Roll'

A Nominal Roll for the Royal Naval Beach Commandos. For historical & research purposes, we have tried to compile the names of all RN Commando volunteers. Details were obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Lists of Casualties,  the RN Commando War Diary,  papers from the National Archives, books, documents and various other sources of research carried out by fellow members of the CVA .

'RN Beach Commando units'

Initially raised as 'Naval Beach Parties', they were redesignated as Royal Naval Beach Commandos. At the end of the war they were again redesignated as Naval Beach Control Parties'
 
The transcripts of National Archives document file DEFE 2/987 relating to each RN Beach Commando unit are listed below.
 

BAILEY, Reginald John William

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Reginald Bailey died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

BALLARD, Alfred Hunter

Temporary Lieutenant
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross
Lieutenant Alfred Ballard, RNBC 'A', was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy June 1944 [1][2].

BEVIS, Kenneth John

Petty Officer
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Petty Officer Kenneth Bevis, RN Beach Commando 'O' ,  died at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba"[3].

BIBBY, Desmond Terence

Temporary Lieutenant
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Lieutenant Desmond Bibby, RNBC 'C', was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for coolness, courage and efficiency as Beachmaster in a sector of the beach in the raid on Dieppe 19 August, 1942. As the advance of the troops was held up his sector was throughout the operation under conitinuous fire.

BRIGGS, Thomas Devlin

Petty Officer
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Petty Officer Thomas Briggs died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

CHAMBERLAIN, Charles Edward

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Charles Chamberlain died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

COPPOCK, Robin Leslie

Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Sub-Lieutenant Robin Coppock, RNBC 'C', was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallant and distinguished services and untiring devotion to duty in operations which led to the capture of Sicily by Allied forces.

Sources
London Gazette 36295, page 5540.
Beachhead Assault: The Story of the Royal Naval Commandos in World War II, author David Lee.

COUCH, John

John Couch RNBC
Able Seaman
RN Commando

Served in the Royal Navy between 3rd June 1942 and 11th June 1946. From 2nd June 1943 his unit was Royal Naval Beach Commando 'N2' (Nan 2). Awarded the Italy Star, 1939-45 Star and 1939-45 War Medal.

Sources
RN Pay and Victualling Record in CVA Gallery.
[Image] Bob Couch (son).
 

COVENEY, Eric Frank

Petty Officer
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Petty Officer Eric Coveney died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

CULLENS, John David Ferguson

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman John Cullens died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

DAVIS, Alan

Sub Lieutenant
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Sub Lieutenant Alan Davis  died during operations at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba" [2].  He was an Assistant Beachmaster during the operation [3].

ENEFER, Roland

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Roland Enefer died during Operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

FAIRWEATHER, George Paton

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman George Fairweather died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

GODDARD, Henry John

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Able Seaman Henry Goddard, RNBC 'A', was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba.

HALL, Robert

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Robert Hall, RN Beach Commando ‘K’, died in Italy. 

Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/131.

HALLOS, Harry

Leading Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Leading Seaman Harry Hallos died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

HAYWARD, Jack Percy

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Jack Hayward died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

HILLS, Leonard Matthew

Stoker 1st Class
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Stoker Leonard Hills died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

HODGSON, Alan Burnet

Sub Lieutenant
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sub Lieutenant Alan Hodgson died during operations at Elba [1][2].
He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba" [2]. He was a Beachmaster during the operation [3].
 

HONEYWOOD, Douglas Alan

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Douglas Honeywood died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

HOUGH, James

Petty Officer
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds
Petty Officer James Hough, RN Beach Commando 'L', was killed during operations at Walcheren.
 
Sources:
CWGC 
History of RN Commando 'Love' National archives ref. DEFE2/987.
 

HUGMAN, Henry Kent

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Henry Hugman died during operations at Elba [1][2].  At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

KENT, Douglas Thomas

Temporary Sub-Lieutenant
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross
Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Kent, RNBC 'C', was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallant and distinguished service in the successful Combined Operations on the enemy-occupied coast in the Boulogne Area [1][2].
  • December 1943 (COPP 5) (Sicily) awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Cross for great bravery and enterprise [3][4].

MALYON, Charles Frederick

Able Seaman (Acting Leading Seaman)
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Able Seaman Charles Malyon was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry in carrying a wounded man to safety under shell and machine gun fire during operations in the Arakan.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36593, page 3145.
Burma Star Association Membership List.
 

MCGRANN, George

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman George McGrann died during operations to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the island of Corsica. 

Sources
CWGC.
The Beachhead Commandos author A. Cecil Hampshire.

MOONEY, Edward

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds
Able Seaman Edward Mooney, RN Beach Commando 'P', died during operations at Normandy [1].  Beach Commando 'P' was attached to Force 'J' for Operation Overlord [2].  

MORAN, Patrick

Leading Seaman
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Leading Seaman Patrick Moran, RN Beach Commando 'S', died during operations in Normandy. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches.
 
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazette 36676, page 4008.
 

MURRAY, William John

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman William Murray died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

NICHOLL, Hugh Rowley Mount

Commander
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Commander Hugh Nicholl served with 'G' Beach Commando [1][6][7]. 
  • 20 January 1941 (Acting Commander) appointed Distinguished Service Order for coolness, skill and devotion to duty while serving in the Mediterranean [2].

O'CONNOR, Desmond Gordon Anthony

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Desmond O'Connor died during operations at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba" [3].

O'NEILL, John Joseph

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman John O'Neill died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

PALMER, Terence Patrick

Leading Seaman
RN Commando
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds

Leading Seaman Terence Palmer died during operations at Elba [1][2]. He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for "distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba" [3].

PEASLEY, Edward John

Leading Seaman
RN Commando
Royal Navy
Mentioned in Despatches
Died on active service

Leading Seaman Edward Peasley, RN Beach Commando 'H', died by drowning in a diving accident in Genoa, Italy [1][1a][2][Notes B].

He had earlier received a Mention in Despatches for outstanding services in planning and carrying out an operation in the Arakan, Burma, in close co-operation with the Army [3].

PHIBBS, David Kenneth

Temporary Lieutenant
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant David Phibbs, RNBC 'A', received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba [1][3].

POMFRET, Fred

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Fred Pomfret died during operations at Elba [1][2].  At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

SCOTT-WILSON, James Alfred

Temporary Acting Lieutenant Commander
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross
Lieutenant Commander James Alfred Scott-Wilson D.S.C., RNBC 'F', was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallant and distinguished service and untiring devotion to duty in operations which led to the capture of Sicily by Allied forces [1][3].

SLYFIELD, Malcolm David

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Able Seaman Malcolm Slyfield, RNBC 'A', was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba.

SMITH, Francis Sidney

Petty Officer
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Petty Officer Francis Smith, RNBC 'A', was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba.

SOALL, John James

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds
Able Seaman John Soall, RN Beach Commando 'K', died during operations at Salerno [1][2].
 
Sources
[1] C.W.G.C.
[2] National Archives file ADM 358/1892 - Admiralty: Casualty Branch: Enquiries into Missing Personnel, 1939-1945 War.
 

STANLEY, Wallace Victor

Acting Temporary Petty Officer
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Petty Officer Wallace Stanley, RNBC 'A', was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36783, page 5088.

THACKRAY, Dennis Charles

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds
Able Seaman Dennis Thackray died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].
 

TIDDER, Alfred

Leading Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Leading Seaman Alfred Tidder died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

TURNBULL, William, R.

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman William Turnbull during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard [3].

WELSH, William McNaughton

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman William Welsh died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

WHITTINGTON, John William

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman John Whittington died during operations at Elba [1][2]. At the time of his death RN Commandos were involved in the operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard. The operation was launched from the liberated island of Corsica [3].

WOOD, Sydney

Able Seaman
RN Commando
RN Beach Commando R2
Killed in action or died of wounds

Able Seaman Sydney Wood, RN Beach Commando ‘R2’,  died during Operations at Normandy.[Source: CWGC]  

WOODALL, Cyril

Able Seaman
RN Commando
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Able Seaman Cyril Woodall, RNBC 'O', was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished service in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy, which led to the capture of the island of Elba.

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