STURGES, Robert Grice

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Title: 
Sir
Rank: 
Lieutenant General
Unit / Base: 
Special Service (Commando) Group, Brigade, and Brigade Signals
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Marines
Service: 
Royal Navy
Honours & Awards: 
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Born: 
Tuesday, July 14, 1891
Birthplace: 
Wokingham, Berkshire
Died : 
Saturday, September 12, 1970
Place died: 
Exeter, Devon
Age: 
79
Robert Grice Sturges
Major General Robert Grice Sturges, a veteran of WW1, commanded the Special Service Group, later re-titled Commando Group, from August 1943 until June 1945.
Early Service and World War 1 [1].
  • 15 May 1904 entered Royal Navy service as a Naval Cadet aged 12.
  • 15 May 1909 Midshipman.
  • 15 May 1912 Sub Lieutenant RN applied for and posted to the Royal Marines Light Infantry.
  • July 1914 - June 1915 served on the battleship HMS Exmouth (Home Fleet) in operations off the Belgian Coast and the Gallipoli Peninsula.
  • June 1915 landed Cape Helles, Gallipoli Peninsula. Served with the Deal Battalion.
  • Aug.1915 left Cape Helles and hospitalised with jaundice.
  • Dec.1915 to Jan.1917 served on the battleship HMS Monarch (Grand Fleet) taking part in the Battle of Jutland.
  • Jan.1917 promoted Captain R.M.L.I.
  • Feb.1917 - Feb.1918 served on the Light Cruiser HMS Isis North America and the West Indies Station; 
  • Feb.1918 to Mar.1919 served on the battleship HMS Iron Duke (Grand Fleet).
World War 2
  • 5 July 1940 (Colonel) (Royal Marines) Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of his service as Commander of 'Force Sturges' to establish a base on Iceland [2].
  • 19 May 1942 (Acting Major General) (Royal Marines) appointed Royal Marine Aide-de-Camp to The King [3].
  • May 1942 - Dec.1942 Joint Commander of British Forces in Madagascar (121 Force) [1].
  • 7 January 1943 (Colonel Commandant)(Temporary Brigadier) awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations in Madagascar [4].
  • 19 August 1943 Commander of the Special Service Group [1].
  • June 1945 (Major General) (Commando Group) appointed K.B.E. (Military Division) [5].
  • 9 June 1945 promoted Lieutenant General [1].
  • 1 February 1949 (Lieutenant General, late Royal Marines) appointed Honorary Colonel Commandant Plymouth Group [6].
Sources
[1] Service Record / National Archives file ADM196/64/78.
[2] London Gazette 34890, page 4152.
[3] London Gazette 35584, page 2435.
[4] London Gazette 35853, page 209.
[5] London Gazette 37119, page 2940.
[6] London Gazette 38556, page 1204.
[Image] Illustrated London News 13 April 1946.
 
Photo of Commando in Gallery: 
Yes
Archive pages : 
Special Service (Commando) Group

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