LCOCU
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18'Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units'
Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Unit - 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. The Unit comprised of 120 men from the RN and RM including the RM Engineer Commando.
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. The Unit comprised of 120 men from the RN and RM including the RM Engineer Commando.
6 June 1944
'LCOCU image'
Men of the Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Unit (LCOCU) changing into their shallow water diving suits before going in to clear explosives from a beach obstruction.
Photo © IWM A 28996 (non commercial use licence).
'LCOCU title'
Confirmation from Admiralty Fleet Order A.F.O. 3440/45 page 14 of the correct unit title of the Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units (LCOCU).
'RM Engineer Commando'
History of the Unit
Extracts primarily from their War Diary
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....].
- 25.10.1943 War Establishment: HQ; Holding Troop; and two fighting Troops (RM Circ 1303/43G dated 26/11/43).
BRIGGS, K.M
Lance Sergeant
PO.X.3095 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
06.06.1944 commander LCOCU Team 12 disembarked Normandy H +20.
Lance Sergeant Briggs RM was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallant and distinguished service during the initial landings of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.
COGGER, David John
Temporary Lieutenant
CH981
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Military Cross (MC)
Lieutenant David Cogger was awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service while operating with the Army in Normandy [1]. He was an Officer in the 1st RM Engineer Commando from August 1943 [2].
DARBY, Edward
Marine
CH/X105451
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
6 June 1944 wounded whilst attached to LCOCU No.10.
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary 6 June 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
DAVIES, Francis
Corporal
PO/X110106
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
02.01.1944 to Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.) at Appledore.
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary January 1944.
DEANS, Eric
Marine
PO/X115500 (T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Marine Eric Deans from Barrow was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.
HEDLEY, Ralph
Marine (Acting Temporary Lance Corporal)
PO/X107241(T)
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Lance Corporal Ralph Hedley was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.
JACKSON, A.B.
Captain
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
08.02.1944 Troop Leader No.2 Troop delegated the powers of Company Commander.
06.06.1944 LCOCU Team 7 commander disembarked Normandy H +20.
30.09.1944 to Special Service Group Far Eastern Warfare School.
Sources
JONES, Peter Henry
Corporal (Acting Temporary Sergeant)
PO/X101924
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
6 June 1944 LCOCU Team 10 commander disembarked Normandy.
LEWIS, K.W.
Marine
CH/X103959
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
6 June 1944 wounded whilst attached to LCOCU No.9.
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary 6 June 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
MORSS, Donald James Robert
Company Sergeant Major
PO/X.1808
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Mentioned in Despatches
21.04.1944 posted from Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.), Appledore, to Force 'S'.
06.08.1944 in command of LCOCU Team No.8 disembarked Normandy H +20.
26.08.1944 to Parachute Training School, Ringway. Passed having completed 8 descents.
NICHOLSON, R.L.
Lieutenant
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
27.06.1944 assumed command of RM LCOCU Teams 11 and 12 at HMS Appledore.
Sources
RM Engineer Commando War Diary 27/6/1944.
ROSSON, Horace Walter George
Marine
CH/X 104901
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
Killed in action or died of wounds
Marine Horace Rosson attached to LCOCU 10 was killed in action on DDay during operations at Normandy.
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] RM Engineer Commando War Diary, Casualties 6 June 1944, ref DEF 2/49.
ROWBOTTOM, E.R.
Marine
PLY/X106039
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
02.01.1944 to Combined Operations Experimental Establishment (C.O.X.E.) at Appledore.
18.08.1944 to RM Training Group, Devon.
Sources
SMITH, D.J.
Lieutenant
RM Engineer Commando
Royal Marines
06.06.1944 commander LCOCU Team 11 disembarked Nomrandy H +20.
15.08.1944 assumed command of 2 Troop RM Engineer Commando in absence of Captain A.B. Jackson RM.
Sources
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