'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).
 
By June 1944 there were 180 all ranks, forming a small HQ with a Training Troop (the Holding Troop) and two fighting Troops. These were reorganised for the Normandy invasion with HQ and Training Troop in the UK, one Section with 1st SS Bde, one Section with 4 SS Bde, and six Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units.
 
Sections with Special Service/Commando Brigades
The Section with 1st Special Service Bde of 39 all ranks commanded by a lieutenant, landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 at H+75 minutes to demolish bridges; but these were still in enemy hands and this Section prepared the defences of Brigade HQ; later they were employed in mine clearing and building strongpoints. They also improvised bridges and fords before returning to the UK on 9 September 1944.
 
The Section which joined 4 Special Service Bde arrived in France at the end of June 1944 and served in mine clearing, demolition and other work of assault engineers.
 
In November 1943 a third Section served in the Far East. This Section joined 3 Commando Brigade in November 1943 and was increased to a Troop in the late summer of 1944. It built the roads at Myebon (from 12 January 1945) and at Kangaw (from 19 January), under appalling conditions on both occasions.
 
Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units (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. 
 
 
Linked Content: 
3 Commando Brigade, Burma Operations
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RM Engineer Commando WW2

'RM Eng.Commando Roll of Honour'

The Fallen from the Royal Marine Engineer Commando, Royal Marines
Archive pages: 
RM Engineer Commando WW2
Below is an A-Z view of the Roll of Honour with information about each of the Fallen.

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 died during operations at Normandy, France. Son of James and Elizabeth Armitage, of Sandyhills, Glasgow.

Sources
CWGC
Registers of Reports of Deaths - Naval Ratings / National Archives file ADM 104/127.

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.

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 died during operations at Normandy, France. Son of Robert and Emily Sarah Clark, of Bridgetown, Totnes, Devon; husband of Irene E. Clark.
 
Source
CWGC.

EVANS, Arthur

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

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.

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.

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.

We will Remember them

And all ranks who served in the Commando and have since passed on in the passage of time, who are also remembered by their proud families and comrades.

1st RM Engineer Cdo. Officers, Jun - Oct.'44

Extract from the Navy Lists

June 1944 Volume 1 Page 1100 (page 1016 on N.L.S. website page list).
October 1944 Volume 2 Page 1106 (page 262 on N.L.S. website page list).
Source: National Library of Scotland website.
 
Officer in Command— Act. Tempy. Major E. T. Gilbert.
2nd in Command
Captain 
Acting Temporary Captain
A. B. Jackson.
D. E, Bowerman.
Temporary Lieutenant
D. Nevile.
D. J. Cogger, M.C.
F. E. Hawdon.
P. B. Woodhouse.
H. A. P. Milligan.
H. F. Baxter.
S.A.U.D.F.
Tempy. Lieut. J. J. A. McLaren.
 
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RM Engineer Commando WW2