Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

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BABBINGTON, Peter Murray

Captain (later Honorary Colonel)
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Peter Babbington, 'K' Company Commander, was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during operations on the Falkland Islands [1].
Citation

BARTON, Francis Christopher

Major (later Major General)
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Major Francis Barton received a Mention in Despatches in 1951 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services with 40 Commando RM in Malaya [1].
  • 31 December 1960 (Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 1 January 1964 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

BAXTER, Ian Stuart

Major General
456440
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Corps of Transport
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Colonel Ian Stuart Baxter, HQ Commando Forces RM, was appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of service within operations in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War [1][2].

BEVIS, Timothy John

Major General
N028921J
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Timothy Bevis received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland in 1986 [1].
  • 13 December 2015 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 31 May 2016 promoted Major General [3].
  • 28 December 2019 appointed C.B. (Military Divisionj [4].
Sources

BROWN, Christopher Charles

Lieutenant General
497571
29 Cdo. Regt.RA
Royal Artillery
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Captain Christopher Brown, 29 Commando Regiment RA, was a Naval Gunfire Spotter attached to Special Forces during the Falklands War. He received a Mention in despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service between 25 April to 15 June 1982 [1] [2].
  • 30 Sept 1987 promoted Major [3].

CAMPBELL, Robin Francis

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
138704
No 8 Commando
'Layforce'
General List
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Temporary Captain Robin Campbell was attached to the raiding party for Operation Flipper, an attack on Rommel's HQ in November 1941. Wounded and taken prisoner, he was subsequently repatriated in 1943 because of his wounds. He relinquished his commission 31 December 1944 with the honorary rank of Captain..

CARREL, Ian Vincent

Captain (later Major)
156172
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Ian Vincent Carrel, Captain in No. 1 Commando, received a MiD in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma [1].  He was appointed C.B.E. on the 7th June 1974 whilst Senior Technical Adviser, Ministry of Defence [2].
 

CHEESEMAN, Daniel James Edward

Major Daniel Cheeseman
Brigadier
N029047U
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Major Daniel Cheeseman, 40 Commando RM, was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2007 to 31st March 2008 [1].
  • 30 June 2010 promoted Lieutenant Colonel [2].
  • 2012 Chief of Staff, HQ 3 Commando Brigade RM [3].

COCHRANE, Archibald Leman

Known as: 
Archie
Captain
136278
'Layforce'
Royal Army Medical Corps
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Professor Archibald Cochrane, CBE, MB, FRCP, was the Medical Officer of 'D' Bn. Layforce (50 and 52 Middle East Commandos). He was taken prisoner of war during operations at Crete continuing his work as a Doctor in the prison camps.
  • 1 November 1945 appoined M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service whilst a Prisoner of War.

COPINGER-SYMES, Rory Sandham

Brigadier
N027968X
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Bronze Star Medal (USA)
Captain Rory Copinger-Symes receieved the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in rendering humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone in 1999 [1].

CURTIS, Dunstan Michael Carr

Dunstan Michael Carr Curtis RNVR
Temporary Acting Commander
30 Commando Assault Unit
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
  • 11 March 1937 enrolled R.N.V.R.
  • 28 March 1942 (Commander of MGB 314) awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for daring and valour in the attack on the German Naval Base at St. Nazaire (Operation Chariot).  Later joined 30 Assault Unit.
  • Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross for great daring and resource in successful operations in North Africa.

DAVIS, Edward Grant Martin

Lieutenant General
N028884T
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Brigadier Edward Davis, O.B.E., Commander 3 Commando Brigade RM [1][1A], was appointed C.B. E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Afghanistan during the period 1st April 2011 to 30th September 2011 [2].
  • 28 November 2011 promoted Major General [3].

DAWSON, Robert William Palliser

Lieutenant Colonel
130068
No 4 Commando
The Loyal Regt.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Robert Dawson was one of the first subalterns to join No 4 Commando in 1940, later taking part in the Dieppe raid  as Captain of 'C' troop.  
  • 1943 promoted Major and 2nd in command of No 4 Commando replacing Major Derek Mills-Roberts who left to command No 6 Commando.
  • April 1943 Lord Lovat left No 4 Commando and Major Dawson became Commanding Officer.  

DUTTON, James Benjamin

Lieutenant General
N022005F
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ)
Legion of Merit (USA)
Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton K.C.B., C.B.E., was awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) conferred by the President of the United States of America in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq [1]

FRY, Robert Alan

Lieutenant General
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Legion of Merit (USA)
  • 1978 (Lieutenant) received Mention In Despatches for distinguished service in Northern Ireland [1].

GRIFFITHS, Patrick

Patrick Griffiths MC
Lieutenant (later Colonel)
45 Cdo. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant Patrick Griffiths was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in operations in Malaya during the period 1st August  to 15th November, 1950 [1].
  • 11 June 1977 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [2]. 
Sources
[1] London Gazettes Supp. 39215, page 2389.

HARDY, Campbell Richard

Lt Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy
General
46RM Commando
Royal Marines
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
2nd Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, commanded the 9th RM Bn., until it was redesignated as 46 RM Commando on 1 August 1943. He remained as Commanding Officer 46RM Commando until the end November 1944 when he left to take up the post of  Brigade Commander 3rd Special Service Brigade which was operating in the Far East.

HOLMES, Matthew John

Major General Matthew Holmes
Major General
N028280S
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Died in service
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Holmes, Commanding Officer 42 Commando RM, was appointed D.S.O. in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007 [1].
  • 19 March 2013 (Colonel) promoted Brigadier [2].
  • 9 May 2018 promoted Major General [3].

HOOK, David Arnold

Major General David Hook RM
Major General
N028857Q
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Lieutenant Colonel David Hook was appointed Commanding Officer 42 Commando RM on 27 April 2001 [1].
  • 2009 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan [2].
  • 3 October 2011 promoted Major General [3].

KEELING, Andrew Myles

Major General
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Major General Andrew Myles Keeling C.B.E. was appointed C.B. on 11th June 1994 [1].
  • 13 October 1987(Lieutenant Colonel)(Local Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland [2].

LANE, Roger Guy Tyson

Brigadier
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Roger Lane received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland in 1980 [1].
  • 1990 he received a second Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland [2].
  • 31 December 1993 (Major) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

MAGOWAN, Robert Andrew

Brigadier Robert Magowan RM
Lieutenant General
N028330Y
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Lieutenant General Rob Magowan joined the Royal Marines in 1989. After successfully completing his training he assumed several Troop Command roles, including a tour of Northern Ireland [1].
  • 2002 posted 42 Commando as Second in Command, deploying to both Kuwait and Iraq for Operation TELIC 1 [1].

MASON, Alexander Malcolm

Colonel
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Alexander Mason received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland in the period 1st May 1976 to 31st July 1976 [1].
  • 1978 (Captain) appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st August 1978 to 31st October 1978 [2].

MILLS-ROBERTS, Derek

Brigadier
69334
No 6 Commando
Irish Guards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches

Born in 1908; educated at Liverpool College and Oxford University; worked for his father's firm of solicitors, 1935; joined Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Irish Guards, 1936; joined 1 Bn, Irish Guards, 1939-1942, and served in Norway; transferred to special services No 4 Commando, 1942; took part in Dieppe Raid, Aug 1942; Lt Col, 1943; Commanding Officer, No 6 Commando, North Africa, 1943;

NAPIER, Bevil Charles Alan

Known as: 
Charles
Major
85692
No 11 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Major Bevil Charles Alan Napier was attached to the Commandos from the Gordon Highlanders. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1941.
  • August 1943  (Temporary Major) awarded the Military Cross for "gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East."  (London Gazette 35077 and 36146.)

NEWBY, George Eric

Known as: 
Eric
Lieutenant
153984
SBS
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant George Eric Newby, 'M' Section of the  Special Boat Section, was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1][2][3]. He had previously served in 1 Special Service Regiment.

NONWEILER, Wilfrid Ivan

Major General
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Brigadier Wilfrid Nonweiler RM was the first Commanding Officer of 3rd Special Service Brigade when it was formed in1943 [1].
  • November 1944 returns to the UK [2].
  • 9 June 1949 appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

O'FLAHERTY, Denis William Venables Patrick

Denis William Venables Patrick O'Flaherty
Brigadier O'Flaherty
Lieutenant (later Brigadier)
106695
No 3 Commando
Royal Artillery
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Mentioned in Despatches
Bronze Star Medal (USA)
Lieutenant Denis O'Flaherty, No. 3 Commando 6 troop, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and additionally Mentioned in Despatches, in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy on December 27th 1941 [1][1a][2].

PORTER, Matthew Edward

Brigadier
N028377H
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Captain Matthew Porter was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division)  31 December 1999 [1].
  • 29 December 2007 (Lieutenant Colonel) appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) [2].
  • 29 December 2012 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].
  • 21 July 2014 promoted Brigadier [4].

PURDON, Corran William Brooke

Corran Purdon 12 Commando
Lieutenant (later Major General)
112917
No 12 Commando
Royal Ulster Rifles
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Colonial Police Medal
Lieutenant Corran Purdon volunteered for the Commandos whilst serving as a young officer with the Royal Ulster Rifles, and was attached to No.12 Commando. He took part in raids on Norway and St Nazaire.

QUILL, Raymond Humphrey

Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill
Colonel
30 Commando Assault Unit
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Legion of Merit (USA)
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Humphrey Quill was the Commanding Officer of 30 Assault Unit from November 1944. A veteran of World War 1 he had served with the RM Brigade at the Dardanelles 1914/15 and on board HMS Lord Nelson from October 1916 to November 1918 [1]. 
  • 28 March 1935 (Major) appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order [2].

RICHARDSON, Sam Scruton

Acting Temporary Captain (later Major)
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Captain Sam Richardson RM, 3 Commando Brigade HQ Signal Officer, received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India [1][1a][4].
  • 31 December 1960 Commissioner for Native Courts, Northern Region, Federation of Nigeria, appointed O.B.E. (Civil Division) [2].

RIES, Norman Charles

Known as: 
Charles
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ries RM
Colonel
45RM Commando
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel Norman Charles Ries was the first Commanding Officer of 45 RM Commando on its formation in August 1943 [1] and remained as such until June 1944 when wounded by enemy gunfire in Normandy. Post war he returned to command the restructured unit from December 1948 until August 1950 [2].

SECCOMBE, Thomas

Colonel
41 Cdo. RM
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Seccombe was appointed O.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland in 1978 [1].
  • 1982, Colonel, Military Force Commander, SS Canberra, Falklands Campaign [2].
  • 15 June 1985 (Colonel) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

STILWELL, Michael William

Captain Stilwell MC 2 Commando
Lieutenant Michael Stillwell MC
Captain (later Honorary Major)
149313
No 2 Commando
Coldstream Guards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Michael Stilwell was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment on the 22nd Sept. 1940. On the 20th August 1943 he was promoted Lieutenant, serving with the Coldstream Guards before volunteering for the Commandos and being posted to No 2 Commando. He was later promoted war substantive Captain.
 

THOMAS, John Francis

Known as: 
Jack
Brigadier Jack Thomas
Lieutenant (later Brigadier)
296218
346187
No 6 Commando
1st Lifeguards
Welch Regiment
Parachute Regiment
Royal Artillery
Corps of Royal Military Police
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
No.6 Commando. President of the Commando Veterans Association until November 2016.
Military Service
Enlisted 1st Lifeguards rank Trooper [1][1a].
21 April 1945 commissioned from O.C.T.U. Second Lieutenant, Welch Regiment [2].
Attached No.6 Commando [1][3].

THOMSON, Jonathan James

Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier)
45 Cdo. RM
SBS
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thomson O.B.E., was awarded The Queen's Gallantry Medal in recognition of gallantry within the operations in Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey  in 1991[1].
Citation 

TOD, Ronald John Frederick (Brig)

Known as: 
Ronnie
Brigadier
32187
No 9 Commando
No 6 Independent Company
No 11 Independent Company
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Commissioned  into the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in 1925. Served in No 6 Independent Company and was  Officer Commanding No 11 Independent Company in 1940 and later took command of No 9 Commando in 1942.  Awarded DSO, and later a Bar to the DSO, each for "gallant and distinguished services in Italy " whilst commanding No 9 Commando in 1944.  Promoted Brigadier and Officer Commandi

VAN DER HORST, Rupert Cornelius

Brigadier
3 Cdo. Bde. RM
Royal Marines
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Brigadier Rupert Cornelius Van Der Horst, O.B.E., was appointed C.B.E.,(Military Division), 31st December 1991 [1].
  • 1982 (Major) (45 Commando RM) Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of service in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War [2].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 52767, page 5

WILLIAMS, Ernest Peter James

Lieutenant (later Brigadier)
85081
No 3 Commando
Royal Engineers
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Ernest Peter James Williams received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of distinguished service on 4 March 1941 during operations on the Lofoten Islands (Operation Claymore) [1][2].
Post war remained in military service final rank attained Brigadier.
  • 15 June 1974 (Brigadier) appointed C.B.E. (Military Division) [3].

WILLS, Richard Lloyd Joseph

Captain
129346
No 3 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Captain Richard Wills was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Dieppe 19 August 1942 during which he was shot in the neck and became a prisoner of war [1][1a][2]. There is an additional reference to this in our entry for Gunner Hubert Wadsworth [view....].

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