Stalag 383, Hohenfels, Germany

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ABDALE, Edward

Corporal
2656404
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Corporal Edward Abdale from Birmingham was reported missing 2 June 1941 in Crete, later found to have been wounded and taken prisoner of war. Liberated 1945. Medically discharged from service 4 March 1946. Conduct exemplary.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/54.

ADAMS, William John

Sergeant
5828073
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Suffolk Regiment
Sergeant William Adams was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Member of the Commando Association from Lowestoft, Suffolk.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/34.

ALVAREZ, Jose

Corporal
6100504
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment
Corporal Jose Alvarez, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..

ANDREWS, William

Sergeant
6397511
50ME Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.
Sergeant William Andrews was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bow, London.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

BARROSO, Montiano

Served as : 
Surname seen elsewhere as Banoso and Banosa
Lance Sergeant
6100505
50ME Commando
Queen's Royal Regiment

Lance Sergeant Montiano Barroso, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35..

BATEMAN, Sidney Gordon

Bombardier
930701
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Sidney Bateman, a Covent Garden Wholesale Salesman from London, enlisted 18 December 1939. Volunteered in 1940 for the commandos and attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked with Layforce for operations in the Middle East. Bombardier Bateman was reported missing 2 June 1941 at Crete, later confirmed slightly wounded and a prisoner of war.

BLAKE, Dennis Lester

Corporal
295168
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Household Cavalry Regiment
Dennis Lester Blake from Morden, Surrey, enlisted 19 November 1936. Corporal Blake was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28, WO417/30, and WO417/93 (1945).

BOAST, Edward Albert

Corporal
6457716
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Edward Boast from Walthamstow, London, enlisted 1 January 1934. Corporal Boast was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BUCKLEY, Alfred, J.T.

Corporal
4856362
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Corporal Alfred Buckley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

BURFORD, Norman Alan

Corporal
5571232
No 7 Commando
Royal Engineers
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal Norman Burford was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field [1]. This occurred during No.7 Commando's rearguard action on Crete. On 2 June 1941 he was reported missing; found to have been taken prisoner and later transported to Stalag 383 [2][2a].

BUTLER, Ronald Herbert

Ronald Butler 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant
5774300
No 1 Commando
Royal Norfolk Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
Lance Sergeant Ronald Butler was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during Operation Chariot, the raid on St. Nazaire. He was one of the Commando contingent on board HMS Campbeltown and was a prisoner of war after the raid.
Recommendation

CHAPPELL, Ernest Lionel Desmond

Des Chappell 1 Commando
Lance Sergeant
4198350
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers

Lance Sergeant Ernest Chappell, known as Des, was one of the commando contingent who embarked on Motor Launch ML 306 for Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire 28 March 1942. Wounded and taken prisoner he was subsequently transported to Stalag 383 at Hohenfels Germany.

CLARK, William

Corporal
318423
No 7 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps

Wiliam Clark, a Corporation Transport Driver from Manchester, enlisted into the Armed Forces in November 1938 later volunteering for the commandos. Corporal Taylor, No.7 Commando attached to Layforce, was reported missing later confirmed a prisoner of war 20 April 1941 during an operation at Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya.

CLAY, Alfred

Bombardier
815069
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery

Bombardier Alfred Clay was reported missing in Crete on 2 June 1941; found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.
RA Attestation records.

DIAZ, Juan

Corporal
6100509
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment
Corporal Juan Diaz, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war [1][2][3].
Extracts from WO344/91/1 [3].
10.08.1940 enlisted, former trade Carpenter.

DREWITT, Glanville

Private
3959808
52ME Commando
50ME Commando
Welch Regiment

Private Glanville Drewitt, 52 Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. He also served in 50 Middle East Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association, London Branch.

DUMPER, Denis

Denis Dumper 3 Commando
Corporal
6139501
No 3 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Denis Dumper from Brentford enlisted into the Armed Forces on 30 June 1931 aged 15. In 1940 he volunteered for special service and was subsequently attached to the newly formed No.3 Commando. Corporal Dumper was reported missing after Operation Ambassador, a raid on Guernsey in July 1940, later confirmed a prisoner of war until 1 May 1945.

FARRINGTON, John Beddell

John Beddell Farrington
Private (Acting Lance Corporal)
5111475
No 4 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Lance Corporal John Farrington was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete with Layforce. He was held as a prisoner in both Germany and Poland, and later awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for his numerous escapes from different camps.
Citation

FELLOWES, Hubert, H.

Corporal
5497866
50ME Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Corporal Hubert Fellowes was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

FENTON, David

Acting Lance Sergeant
2754192
ME Commando Depot
Black Watch

Lance Sergeant David Fenton, attached Middle East Commando Depot, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 

GRAY, John, B.

Lance Corporal
3132719
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Royal Scots Fusiliers

Lance Corporal John Gray was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/92.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO392/11.

GROVE, Ronald

Ronald Grove 3 Commando
Troop Sergeant Major
7882436
No 3 Commando
Royal Tank Regiment
Manchester City Police
Mentioned in Despatches
Ronald Grove first enlisted on 16 March 1931 and served until 1936 when released to Reserve List. He then joined the Manchester City Police Force, Police Constable B193, until recalled on 1 December 1939. His home address was in Middleton, Manchester [1][2].

HARRISON, Charles, F.

Corporal
4856341
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Corporal Harrison, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/29.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

HARTLEY, Christopher Lancelot

Corporal
6846173
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
9th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (Rangers)

Corporal Christopher Hartley was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/32, and WO417/102.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

HEWITT, W.

Sergeant
4858688
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment

Sergeant Hewitt, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/11.

HOLT, Frederick

Corporal Fred Holt 2 Commando
Corporal
2929875
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Liverpool Scottish QOCH

Frederick Holt enlisted into the Liverpool Scottish before volunteering for the Independent Companies when formed. Joined No.4 Independent Company and deployed with them to Norway (Operation Scissorforce). In February 1941 Cpl.Holt was attached to 5 troop of No.2 Commando on its formation under Col. Newman.

HOPKINS, William Henry

Private (later Corporal)
6350108
No 3 Commando
Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
William Henry Hopkins enlisted into the Armed Forces on 13 July 1940 and later volunteered for the commandos. Corporal Hopkins, No.3 Commando, was reported missing 5 October 1943 during operations at Termoli, Italy, later confirmed wounded the previous day and a prisoner of war.

HOROBIN, Gilbert Crawford

Private
7632126
No 7 Commando
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Private Gilbert Horobin was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war since the previous day. In 1939 Gilbert, an ARP Warden, was residing in Fulham, London, and employed as a wholesale tea salesman. Enlisted 25 May 1940. 
 
Sources

HOWLAND, William John

Regimental Sergeant Major
6077878
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment
28.03.1941 Regimental Sergeant Major of 'D' Bn. Layforce.
01.06.1941 prisoner of war Crete.
 
Sources
52 Middle East Commando War Diary 28 March 1941 (List of Oficers for 'D' Bn).
The book 'The Middle East Commandos' by Charles Messenger.

HUCKSTEP, Joseph Henry

Sergeant
4450128
52ME Commando
Durham Light Infantry 1st Battalion
Joseph Henry Huckstep from Hull enlisted 2 May 1933. During the war Sergeant Huckstep served in 52 Middle East Commando which became part of 'D' Bn., of Layforce for operations in Crete. He was captured there on 1 June 1941 remaining a prisoner of war until April 1945.
 
Sources

IVES, Edwin Isaac

Company Quartermaster Sergeant
2694795
'Layforce'
Scots Guards
16.04.1934 enlisted Scots Guards aged 18.
01.11.1940 attached 52 Middle East Commando
28.03.1941 Geneifa, Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 'D' Bn. Layforce.
02.06.1941 prisoner of war Crete.
15.04.1946 released to Royal Army Reserve Class 'Z'.

JONES, Colin

LSgt. Colin Jones MM 2 Commando
Sergeant
2931662
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Liverpool Scottish Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Military Medal (MM)
Colin Jones from Fazakerley, Liverpool, enlisted 3 May 1939, formerly employed as a Clerk. Sergeant Jones, 5 troop, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during Operation Chariot at St Nazaire.
Recommendation

KING, Alfred William

AlfredKing1Commando
Lance Sergeant
5774460
No 1 Commando
Norfolk Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Sergeant Alfred King received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the Commando raid at St Nazaire on 28/29 March 1942. He embarked on board HMS Campbeltown. Taken prisoner after the raid he was transported to Stalag 383 at Hohen Fels, Bavaria, Germany.

MALLETT, John

Acting Sergeant
5333348
No 7 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Sergeant John Mallett was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 and WO382/11 (Stalag 383).

MARIN, Basil

Sergeant
6100528
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Basil Marin, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 1 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists  / National Archives files WO417/37.

MCHUGH, Gerard Thomas

Lance Corporal
2929858
No 7 Commando
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Lance Corporal Gerard McHugh was reported as a prisoner of war 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. He had been captured on 1 June 1941.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/30 and WO417/96.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383)

MUNACHEN, James

Corporal
3318575
No 7 Commando
SAS
Highland Light Infantry

Corporal James Munachen served in No.11 Commando before joining 'L' Detachment Special Air Service. He was reported missing 16 November 1941 during Operation Squatter, the first parachute raid carried out by the SAS on the enemy fighter bases at Gazala and Timimi, Libya. Later found to be a prisoner of war.

MURRAY, Alfred

Sergeant
408834
Middle East Commando
Royal Armoured Corps

Sergeant Alfred Murray was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/29 and WO417/30.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

O'DONNELL, Laurence Patrick Thompson

Corporal
6896969
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)

Laurence P.T. O'Donnell from London enlisted in to the Armed Forces on 25 August 1939 later volunteering for the Commandos. Corporal O'Donnell, No.2 Commando 3 Troop, was wounded and taken prisoner on 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire. Embarked for the raid on HMS Cambeltown. 

POSTILLO, Rafael

Lance Corporal
6100531
'Layforce'
50ME Commando
Queen's Royal Regiment
Lance Corporal Rafael Postillo was a Spanish volunteer who served in 'D' Bn., Layforce. He was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/20.

REED, Robert Middleton

Lance Sergeant
913695
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Lance Sergeant Robert Reed was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/28.
POW Lists / National Archives file WO392/11.

RELF, Arthur Charles

Arthur Relf RAMC and 45RM Commando
Lance Corporal
7348669
45RM Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Arthur Charles Relf, from Maidstone in Kent, enlisted on 27 April 1939. Formerly employed in the Service Department of the Maidstone Electricity Works. Lance Corporal Relf, R.A.M.C. attached 45RM Commando, was reported wounded and missing 7 June 1944, and a prisoner of war 9 June 1944 at Normandy, France. 
 

RODD, Stanley William

Stanley Rodd 2 Commando
Lance Sergeant
6465544
No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Stanley Rodd from London N1, enlisted 19 October 1939, formerly employed as a Salesman. Lance Sergeant Rodd, 6 Troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed as wounded and a prisoner of war. Embarked for the raid on ML 192.
 
Sources

ROWLANDS, Eric Douglas

Eric Douglas Rowlands 6 Commando
Lance Corporal
7598224
No 6 Commando
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Eric Douglas Rowlands, a Motor Mechanic from Liverpool, enlisted into the Territorial Army 29 May 1939. Lance Corporal Rowlands, R.E.M.E. attached to No.6 Commando, was reported missing 14 December 1942 during operations in the Mateur Sector of Tunisia, later confirmed wounded and prisoner of war.

SAINT, Reginald George

Guardsman
5671207
52ME Commando
Coldstream Guards

Guardsman Reginald Saint was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/27 and WO417/31.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

SALISBURY, Glyn

Corporal
4191846
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Glyn Salisbury from Wrexham enlisted into the Territorial Army in February 1936, civil trade Coal Miner. He volunteered for the Commandos during the war. Corporal Salisbury, No.1 Commando, was wounded and taken prisoner of war after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, France, on 28 March 1942.

SHIPTON, Herbert John

Bert Shipton 9 Commando
Lance Corporal
2041795
No 9 Commando
Royal Engineers

Lance Corporal Bert Shipton from Peckham, London, embarked on Motor Launch ML 457 for Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire 28 March 1942. Reported missing after the raid later found to be a prisoner of war. Enlisted April 1937. Civilian employment - Salesman.

SMITH, George

Sergeant
833291
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Sergeant George Smith was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later confirmed captured 1 June 1941 and a prisoner of war. Enlisted 6 December 1933. Discharged 15 January 1946. Resided Doncaster 1949.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/30.

STEINKE, Roy Frederick

Corporal
6207800
No 7 Commando
Middlesex Regiment
Corporal Roy Steinke was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/33.
Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/1 (Stalag 383).

STEWART, Charles

Sergeant
2979811
No 7 Commando
'Layforce'
Highland Light Infantry 2nd Bn.
Charles Stewart from Glasgow enlisted on 2 March 1936. He volunteered for the Commandos in WW2 and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce. Sergeant Stewart was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 

TAYLOR, Stanley Benjamin

Stanley Bernard Taylor 50 ME Commando
Sergeant
2657671
50ME Commando
Coldstream Guards
Sergeant Stanley Taylor from Hull was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. 50 and 52 Middle East Commandos formed 'D' Battalion of Layforce for this operation. Prior service in Palestine with the Coldstream Guards. Received the General Service Medal (Palestine Clasp).
 

THEOBALD, Richard

Sergeant
4857854
52ME Commando
Leicestershire Regiment
Sergeant Richard Theobald was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 383. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Leicester.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.

THOW, Henry Beverley

Bombardier
897673
No 7 Commando
Royal Artillery
Henry Beverley Thow, a Glazier and Painter from Ayr, Scotland, enlisted 29 August 1939. Volunteered for Special Service and attached to No.7 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East with Layforce. Bombardier Thow was reported missing, later confirmed prisoner of war 1 June 1941, during operations at Crete.
 

TRILL, Jaime

Private
6100540
50ME Commando
'Layforce'
Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Jaime Trill, a Spanish volunteer attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists  / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/35.

WEBB, Frederick, C.

Lance Sergeant
7911147
No 3 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Lance Sergeant Frederick Webb was one of the commando contingent who embarked on Motor Launch ML 262 for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire on 28 March 1942. Reported missing after the raid, found to have been taken prisoner and transported to Stalag 383 at Hohenfels, Germany.
 
Sources

WILLIAMSON, Charles Edward Filling

Acting Lance Corporal
4855100
'Layforce'
Leicestershire Regiment
Lance Corporal Charles Edward Filling Williamson, 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/28.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

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