AINSLEY, Ernest
No 5 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Ernest Ainsley, No. 5 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
'Special Service Roll of Honour'
Primary tabs
The Fallen from Independent Coys. and Special Service Group.
No. 1 Independent Company
No. 2 Independent Company
No. 3 Independent Company
No. 4 Independent Company
No. 5 Independent Company
Special Service Battalions
Special Service/Commando Brigade H.Q., CMWTC, and Bde. Signals
Holding Operational Commando
1 Special Service/Commando Brigade
2 Special Service/Commando Brigade
3 Special Service/Commando Brigade
4 Special Service/Commando Brigade
Service in a Commando not fully established
The following are referred to as "Commando" on either the CWGC databse, or on some other document we have discovered, but to date we have no specific official detail of their commando service. If you have such information please contact us. [go to contact form]
Deaths at Commando Training Centres
Service in a Commando has not been established for those soldiers listed below.
Notes: Prior to the establishment of the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC), from 1940 training was done on a Unit basis. Some later attended the CBTC for further training already confirmed as Commandos. In 1943 some RM Battalions were simply redesignated as RM Commando units prior to their Commando training. Therefore a few who died in training at Achnacarry are shown on their Unit ROH. Additionally units other than Commandos trained at Achnacarry on occasions, so their names will be on their Regimental ROH. If not listed here check the Roll of Honour [View] and Archive links below.
We will Remember them
and all ranks who served in the Special Service Brigades, and have since passed on in the passage of time, who are also remembered by their proud families and comrades.Archive pages:
Below is an A-Z view of the Roll of Honour with information about each of the Fallen. Displaying 1 - 77 of 77
ALLEN, Richard Henry
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Richard Allen, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
ASHLEY, Pierce
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Pierce Ashley died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds.
BAILEY, Arthur Charles
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Died in the UK
Gunner Arthur Bailey was found dead on Westhampnett Lane Chichester, a road leading to Goodwood. Ambulance men at the scene found that he had fractured his skull and it was later ascertained that he had fallen from a lorry in which he was a passenger.
BALDWIN, Charles William
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Charles Baldwin, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
BATH, William Benjamin Morris
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private William Bath, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
BECKETT, John Arthur
Brigade Signals
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Sergeant John Beckett, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
BENTLEY, Ronald Arthur
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Corporal Ronald Bentley, Royal Marines, died from a head injury which occurred in the UK.
BIXBY, Raymond Frederick George
No 3 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Raymond Bixby, No. 3 Independent Company, was killed by machine gun fire from an enemy plane during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
Sources
CWGC
BLACK, George Leonard
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier George Black, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
BURNS, Arthur Brian
Brigade Signals
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Signalman Arthur Burns, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
BUTLER, George Albert
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Died on war service
Marine George Butler, 4 Special Service Brigade HQ, died at the General Military Hospital, Barming Heath nr. Maidstone from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
CAPES, Robert Edward
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Robert Capes, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
CASSEY, Norman Walter
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Norman Cassey, 1 Special Service Bde. Signals, died during operations at Le Plein Normandy when the HQ was heavily shelled and mortared.
Sources
CWGC.
War Diary 1 Special Service Brigade Signals [more...].
CASSON, Robert
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Robert Casson, 4 Special Service Brigade HQ, died during operations at Normandy on D Day. He was shot as his Landing Craft approached Juno beach.
CHISHOLM, Alexander
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Rifleman Alexander Chisholm, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
COOK, Herbert
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Rifleman Herbert Cook, aged 18, died at the Commando Basic Training Centre. His death is recorded as by '"shell round (mortar) of head while on service training." He was "seen after death by Capt. J.H.
COWIESON, Alex, G.
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Alex Cowieson, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
CROUCH, Alfred John
SBS
Killed in action or died of wounds
Trooper Alfred Crouch, Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio.
CURRIE, John Robert Sanderson
Brigade Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Signalman John Currie, 2 Special Service/Commando Brigade Signals, died during operations in Italy.
Notes
The date of his death coincides with that of Operation Partridge.
DAVIES, Norman
Brigade Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Signalman Norman Davies died during operations in Germany.
Notes
At the time of his death his Bde. were engaged in operations near Wesel.
DAVIES, Thomas Henry
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant Thomas Davies, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
Sources
CWGC.
DILLWYN-VENABLES-LLEWELYN, George William
No 2 Independent Company
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant George Dillwyn-Venables-Llewelyn, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
He received a posthumous MiD in recognition of distinguished services in the field.
DREW, Norman
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal Norman Drew was found dead on 27 October 1942 in the River Arkaig, Achnacarry, 100 yards South of the Iron Bridge. He had been reported missing on 4 October 1942.
DRYSDALE, Kenneth J.H.
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Kenneth Drysdale drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whislt serving at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
FLAVELL, Roy Russell
No 5 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Gunner Roy Flavell, No. 5 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
GODSELL, Ernest
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Ernest Godsell, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
HARE, Owen Stewart
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Second Lieutenant Owen Hare, 1st Special Service Bn., was killed during training at STC Lochailort. His death is recorded as "mountaineering accident " with the informant being Padre Basil Pitt, Army Chaplain.
HAYDON, Alan Albert
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Gunner Alan Haydon died by accidental drowning whilst at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. He had been posted from 34th Signal Training Regiment, RA, to the Commando Depot on 8 November 1941.
Also recorded as dying by drowning on this date were Private Patrick McCarthy, Fusilier James Scullion, and Corporal Frederick Turner [see Linked Content below].
HENDERSON, John Patrick Leo
No 2 Commando
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Military Cross (MC)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Major John Henderson MC, 2 Special Service Brigade, died during operations in Italy [1].
On the 8th May 1940 he transferred from the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry to the Royal Engineers retaining his seniority as 2/Lieutenant. [2].
HOCTEL, Lamont Durward
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Lamont Hoctel, 1st US Rangers, Company 'E', drowned whilst training at Achnacarry. The date of his death is during the period that the US 1st Ranger Bn., led by Colonel W. Darby attended the Commando Basic Training Centre for their training. His death is noted in their War Diary as "drowned during stream crossing exercise.".
HOWIE, Alexander Lugton
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Signalman Alexander Howie, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
HOWIE, Gavin Dalzell
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Gavin Howie, HQ 4 Special Service Bde., died during operations at Normandy.
HUGHES, John
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Hughes, HQ 4 Special Service Bde., died during operations at Walcheren.
HUGHES, Stanley Raymond
SBS
Military Medal (MM)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Stanley Hughes M.M., Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio.
Sources
HUGHES, William Nichol
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Guardsman William Hughes was found dead at 3pm on 27 October 1942 in Loch Lochy at Bunarkaig, 25 yards West of the boathouse. He had been reported missing on 4 October 1942. His death is recorded as by drowning and he was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson, the Medical Officer at the Commando Depot, and the informant was an officer from the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
JACKSON, Graham Montague
No 3 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Second Lieutenant Graham Jackson, No. 3 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
Source
CWGC
JOHNSON, Herbert
Commando Basic Training Centre
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lieutenant Herbert Johnson died of illness at the Military Hospital, Buchanan, Stirling at 3.45 am on the 17th March 1944. The Register of Deaths records the cause of death as "chronic interstitial nephritis". His profession is shown as "(Detective Sergeant, Police Force) Lieutenant KOY Light Infantry (att. Commandos)".
KERLOGUE, Leslie Walter
No 3 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Leslie Kerlogue, No. 3 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
LASSEN, Major, Anders Frederick Emil V. Schau, VC
SBS
Victoria Cross (VC)
Military Cross (MC)
Bar to the Military Cross
2nd Bar to the Military Cross
Killed in action or died of wounds
Major Anders Lassen, MC and 2 bars, Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, was killed during operations at Lake Comacchio. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
LAVENDER, Ivor William
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Ivor Lavender, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
LAYMAN, William Walter
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant William Layman, SA Forces attached to 4 Special Service Bde., died during operations at Walcheren.
LEES, Archibald
Training Centres
Died on war service
Private Archibald Lees drowned in Loch Lochy during training. He was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
LEWIS, Francis
Brigade Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Signalman Francis Lewis, 2 Special Service/Commando Brigade Signals, died during operations in Italy.
Notes
LYONS, Frank
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Marine Frank Lyons died of gunshot wounds and shock at The Military Hospital, Onich, near Fort William, believed to be located at the time in the grounds of Alltshellach House. His death occurred during an operation to treat the wounds to his left leg and right foot.
MARTIN, Alexander George
Died on active service
Private Alexander Martin, 1st Bn. Gloucester Regt. was reported missing in action on the 17th May 1942 and believed to be a prisoner of war. He died In November whilst still a prisoner of war.
MARTIN, Robert George
No 4 Independent Company
Died on active service
Private Robert Martin, No. 4 Independent Company, was accidentally shot and killed returning from the British Expedition to Norway. His Company were part of Scissors Force.
MASON, James
Died on active service
Company Quartermaster Sergeant James Mason contracted a fatal illness whilst engaged in East Africa as a Physical Training Instructor for the indigenous troops there. His secondary unit is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commissi
MATSON, Alexander
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Alexander Matson, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
MCCARTHY, Patrick
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Patrick McCarthy, aged 18, died by drowning whilst at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
MCLEAN, George
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal George McClean was killed in an explosion at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge.
MOORES, William
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sapper William Moores, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
O'NEILL, Robert
No 1 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Robert O'Neill, No. 1 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
PATERSON, Andrew Gray
Brigade Signals
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Lance Corporal Andrew Paterson, Brigade Signals 2 Section, died in a road traffic collision along with two others.
PICKERING, Robert Anthony
Killed in action or died of wounds
Telegraphist Robert Anthony Pickering is listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as serving attached to HMS Nile when he died. [1] HMS Nile was a RN shore establishment in Alex
PIRIE, James
Special Service Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain James Pirie, Royal Engineers, was attached to 2 Special Service Brigade at the time of his death.
Notes
During this period the Brigade were involved in operations against the German garrison on the Island of Brac.
PORTER, Alexander
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Alexander Porter, HQ 4 Special Service Brigade, died during operations at Normandy, France.
Sources
CWGC.
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/135.
PRITCHARD, William Henry
Special Service Brigade
No 2 Commando
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
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].
RICHARDSON, Sydney
4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Sydney Richardson died during operations at Flushing whilst attached to HQ 4 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
ROBERTS, Edward
SBS
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Edward Roberts, Special Boat Service, SAS Regiment, AAC, attached to 2 Commando Brigade, died during operations at Lake Comacchio.
ROBERTS, Edward James
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Edward Roberts, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
SCULLION, James
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Fusilier James Scullion, aged 18, died whilst at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
SENTANCE, Arthur Francis Geoffrey
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Died on active service
Corporal Arthur Sentance died in Italy. The CWGC show no specific unit other than 'RM Commando' on their records including on his headstone which can be viewed HERE.
SIMPSON, John Denys Stenhouse
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Captain John Simpson from Stockport died in a road traffic accident whilst driving a tracked vehicle on Devonshire Road, Weston-super-Mare [1][2][3]. He was an Instructor at the Comman
SMITH, Andrew Henry
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Captain Andrew Smith, formerly a civil engineer, died of a gunshot wound at STC Lochailort. The informant on the Register of Deaths was Major Hodges, Medical Officer STC Lochailort.
STOCKBRIDGE, William
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Rifleman William Stockbridge, aged 18, died at the Commando Basic Training Centre. His death is recorded as being by "shell wound (mortar) of head and chest while on service training." He was seen after death by Capt.
STOCKWELL, John Neville
Brigade Signals
44RM Commando
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine John Stockwell, 3 Commando Brigade Signal Troop, died during operations at Kangaw, Burma.
SUMMERHAYES, Arthur James
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Arthur Summerhayes, 1 Commando Brigade HQ, died at the 22nd British Field Dressing Station, Germany. At the time of his death 1 Commando Brigade were engaged in operations at the River Aller near Issel.
SWEENEY, Charles Henry
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Charles Sweeney drowned at Mucomir, Gairlochy, whilst serving at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.
TARRANT, George Francis
Died in the UK
Private George Tarrant died in the UK. His status at the Holding Operational Commando is not known. He is buried in a joint grave with Rfn. George William Tucker, aged 31, Royal Ulster Rifles.
[Source: CWGC Grave Registration report]
TERRY, Bernard
Died in the UK
Private Bernard Terry was killed in a car accident in the UK.
THOMAS, Lewis
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sapper Lewis Thomas, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
TRAYLOR, George Lewis
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier George Traylor, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
TURNER-HUGHES, Reginald Tudor
Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions
Died on war service
Captain Reginald Turner-Hughes, No 3 Special Service (SS) Bn., from Lillington Manor, Leamington Spa*, died on war service. Precise details on how he met his death are not known to this archive.
VINCENT, Douglas George William
No 2 Independent Company
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Douglas Vincent, No. 2 Independent Company, died during operations in Norway as part of Scissors Force.
WAKEFIELD, Edward Roger
2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Edward Wakefield was killed whilst attached to 2 Special Service Brigade during an operation involving Nos. 40 and 43RM Commando and Partisan forces, against German forces on the island of Brac.
He received a posthumous Mention in Despatches in 1945.
Sources
CWGC
WELCH, Frederick Edward
Training Centres
Died on war service
Died in the UK
Private Frederick Welch died at the Military Hospital, Onich, of multiple gunshot wounds. His occupation is shown as Policeman on the Death Register.
In 1939 he was Metroplitan Police Constable 262G and based or residing at The Metropolitan Police Convalescant Depot, Chigwell Hall, High Rd., Chigwell.
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