ETCHES, William Whitson
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Known as:
Bill
Rank:
Lieutenant (later Colonel)
Unit / Base:
3 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Service:
Army
Service Number:
112866
P.O.W. number:
18713
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Sunday, May 15, 1921
Birthplace:
Brookwood
Died :
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Operations:
Lieutenant William Etches, a veteran of the Lofoten and Vaagso raids in Norway 1941 (he received a Mention in Despatches during the latter) [1], was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at St Nazaire in March 1942 during Operation Chariot [2]. He was assistant to Captain Robert Montgomery, RE, supervising demolition parties in the dry dock area [2a].
Lieutenant Etches was severely wounded on the approach on board HMS Campbeltown but continued with his duties, only withdrawing when the demolition was complete. He was later taken prisoner of war. [2][2a][3][3a].
Post War
- 1961-1963 commanded the 3rd Bn. Nigeria Regiment with United Nations forces in Congo. There is an IWM interview with him available at the IWM, but unfortunately it is not yet available online. However they have a lot more information on their description of the interview: [View the IWM entry.]
- 30 September 1963 (Lieutenant-Colonel) formerly on loan to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, appointed OBE (Military Division). [4]
- 8 January 1966 promoted Colonel of the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers with seniority from 25th August 1965 [5].
- 27 March 1971 retired from military service [4], and became the regimental secretary of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers [6].
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