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ROBERTS, William Tudor

Private
No 1 Commando
1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
No.1 Commando and 1 Special Service (Commando) Brigade (MT Section). Post war member of the Commando Association from Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, North Wales. Married to Lilian Evans in November 1944. 
 
Sources

RODNEY, John Francis

Lieutenant
No 1 Commando
SBS
Mentioned in Despatches
Baron John Francis Rodney served as a Lieutenant in No.1 Commando HQ and also as an Operational Officer in HQ, 2 SBS. Post war member of both the Commando and Burma Star Associations.
 
Sources

ROGERS, George Montague

Lance Corporal
5828060
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal George Rogers died during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. Son of Thomas and Grace Rogers; husband of Ada May Rogers, of Wrentham, Suffolk.
 
Sources
CWGC.
 

RUSCHKEWICZ, James R.

Ranger
36165787
US Rangers 1st Bn.
Died on war service
Ranger James Ruschkewicz, US Rangers 1st Bn. 'C' Company, died in an accidental explosion of a landmine at Barry Rifle Range, near Dundee, during a training exercise.  
  • 33068148 Ranger Aaron M. Salkin, 'C' Company, was severely injured.

RUSHTON, Harold George

Lance Corporal
7366356
No 1 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Harold Rushton died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Leonard Bertram and Esther Rushton; husband of Elsie Rushton, of Hatton, Derbyshire.   
 

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.

SALTER, John Arthur

Sergeant
5676395
No 1 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Mentioned in Despatches
Private John Arthur Salter received a Mention in Despatches for "gallant and distinguished service in North Africa." On 2 February 1944 promoted from Lance Corporal to Corporal. Member of the Commando Association from Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
 
Sources

SANDO, Thomas

Private
3969167
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas Sando was reported missing 6 December 1942 in North Africa, later reported as dying of wounds the following day whilst a prisoner of war [1][1a].
At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in operations at Bizerte, Tunisia.

SCALLY, Augustine

Private
3964285
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Private Augustine Scally from Wigan was reported wounded and missing on 6 December 1942 during operations in North Africa, later found to have been captured on the 2nd December. Enlisted 16 October 1939, former trade - French Polisher.
Prison Camps

SCANTLEBURY, John

TSM John 'Jack' Scantlebury MM
Troop Sergeant Major
6096409
No 1 Commando
Middlesex Regiment
Military Medal (MM)
16.05.1940 enlisted The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) [1].
25.10.1941 transferred to 10th Middlesex Regiment [1].

SCOTT, Walter

Private
No 1 Commando
-

Post war member of the Commando Association from St Helens, Lancashire.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 65 (1977).
Obituaries in the No.1 Commando Winchester Reunion Programme in gallery.

SEMPLE, Robert William

Lieutenant
289675
No 1 Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Lieutenant Robert Semple received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Field.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37425, page 383.
Burma Star Assn. Membership List.

SHARMAN, Sidney Charles

Sergeant
No 1 Commando
3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade
Also served 3 Special Service (Commando) Brigade. Post war member of the Commando Association from Littleover, Derbyshire.
 
Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119.
 

SHORT, Bert

Private (later Warrant Officer Class 1)
7263761
No 1 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Military Medal (MM)
Private Bert Short was awarded the Military Medal, announced in Gazettes on the 13th October 1939, for "gallant and distinguished service in recent operations."
 

SIMPSON, John

Private
No 1 Commando
Post war Army Recriting Sergeant from Kirkcaldy, Fife. Member of the Commando Association.
 
Sources

Commando Association newsletter 13 (1951).
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 71 (1980).

SIMPSON, Sydney

Private
4036306
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Private Sydney Simpson from Stoke on Trent was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations at Tunisia (Operation Bizerte), later found to be a prisoner of war since 2 December 1942. Enlisted 17 January 1940. Former trade - Potter.
 
Sources

SINCUP, Arnold William

Arnold Sincup MM 1 Commando
Lance Sergeant
4035009
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Lance Sergeant Arnold Sincup was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma.
Recommendation
Arakan 1945.

SLAVIN, Gerrard

Private
7942540
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Gerrard Slavin was reported missing believed wounded 6 December 1942 during operations in North Africa (Operation Bizerte), later presumed died of wounds. He has no known grave. Son of James Slavin, and of Annie Slavin (nee Ward), of Rosyth, Fife.
 

SMITH, James

CSM Jimmy Smith 1 Commando
Troop Sergeant Major
No 1 Commando
Served in 3 Troop. Married Betty in 1938 in Leighton Buzzard. CSM Jimmy Smith produced the 'Commando Performance' a series of entertainment productions that commenced in February 1943 at Sedjenane and concluded in India.

SMITH, John Henry

John Henry Smith 1 Commando
Gunner
1797299
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery

Gunner John Henry Smith was reported missing 6 December 1942 during operations in North Africa (Bizerte, Tunisia), later found to be a prisoner of war. Served in the Commando from July 1942 until December 1945. 

SMITH, Kenneth, N.

Sergeant
4036459
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Sergeant Kenneth Smith was reported wounded and a prisoner of war on 4 March 1943 during operations in North Africa. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/58, WO417/59, WO417/63.

SMITH, W.S.

Rifleman (Acting Lance Corporal)
14603190
No 1 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps

Lance Corporal W.S. Smith, 3 Troop, was wounded January 1945 during operations in Burma.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.
Linked Content below.

SOWERY, Jack

Corporal
7896145
No 1 Commando
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) 6th Bn.
Died in service
Corporal Jack Sowery, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own), died as a result of an accident in the UK on 16 February 1946. Son of John and Ada Sowery, of Hull. 

STEWART, James Constantine

Fusilier (later Second Lieutenant)
6970882 and 340072
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Military Medal (MM)
Fusilier James Stewart was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa in December 1942 [1][2].
Recommendation
Operation Bizerte 1st to 5th December 1942.

STRAIN, John

John Strain 1 Commando
Gunner
5252482
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Worcestershire Regiment
Served in 3 Troop. Member of the Commando Association last known residing Barnstall, Worcester.
 
Sources
Commando Association Lost Legion List 11.
[Image] Dan Strain, son.
 

SUMMERHAYES, Charles

Private
4076802
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Charles Summerhayes died on 28 January 1943 from wounds received on 14 January 1943 during operations in North Africa. Son of Charles and May Summerhayes, of Newbridge, Monmouthshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

SUTHERLAND, Alexander

Private
3970806
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Alexander Sutherland died of wounds during operations in North Africa. Son of Alexander and Beatrice Sutherland; husband of Thomasina M. Sutherland, of Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
 
Sources
CWGC.

SWEENEY, Daniel

Private
5437882
No 1 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Private Sweeney, 3 Troop, was wounded on 31 January 1945 during operations in Burma. 
Post war member of the Commando Association from Kilwinning. They record his last rank as Lance Corporal and that he also served in No.3 Commando.
 
Sources

TAYLOR, Clifford

Private
4078961
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Clifford Taylor was killed in action during operations in North Africa. Son of William and Sarah Anna Taylor, of Cwm, Monmouthshire.

Sources
CWGC.

Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/58.

TAYLOR, William Ronald

Fusilier (Lance Corporal)
14604392
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier William Taylor died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William George Thomas Taylor and Lilian Josephine Taylor, of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

THOMPSON, Malcolm

Malcolm Thompson 1 Commando
Private
5826923
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Private Malcolm Thompson, 4 Troop, was from a family of nine brothers and five sisters residing in Lowestoft. Eight of the nine brothers served in WW2.

THOMSON, John, D.

Lance Corporal
14241720
No 1 Commando
Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Tynemouth Police

John Thomson was a serving Police Officer who had volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes. In 1939 he was Police Constable No.84 residing at the Police Billets, Albion Assembly Rooms, Norfolk Street, Tynemouth.

THORPE, J.

Lance Corporal
5628253
No 1 Commando
Devonshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches

Lance Corporal J. Thorpe received a Mention in Despatches for "gallant and distinguished service in North Africa." 

Sources
London Gazette 36180 page 4226.

THURSBY, John Fortescue

John Thursby 1 Commando
Second Lieutenant
337612
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Died on war service
Second Lieutenant John Thursby, 5 Troop, died after contracting polio during his posting to the Far East with No.1 Commando. Son of Walter and Lucy Thursby, of Copthorne, Sussex.
Extract  from the Third Jungle Book

TOMBLIN, Edward Charles

Private
6144878
No 1 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Edward Tomblin was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 306.
Son of Frank and Mary Ellen Tomblin; husband of Eleanor Margaret Tomblin, of Wandsworth, London.

TREVOR, Thomas Hoult (Lt Col)

Lieutenant Colonel
53563
No 1 Commando
No 2 Independent Company
Welch Regiment
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Thomas Trevor was 2i/c of No 2 Independent Company when they sailed as part of Scissors Force (Operation Avonmouth) to take part in the Combined Operations raid on Norway. After this, with the disbandment of the Independent Companies, he joined the newly raised No 1 Commando.

TUCKER, Ivan Henry

Pte Ivan Tucker 1 Commando
Private
5621153
No 1 Commando
Devonshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Ivan Tucker was killed in action during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Charles Henry and Florence Annie Tucker, of Kingsnympton, Devon.
 
Sources
CWGC.

TUFFY, William

Lance Corporal
7370100
No 1 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Corporal William Tuffy, Medical Section, received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in Burma. He additionally received a Certificate of Gallantry.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Irvine.
 
Sources

TURNER, Alfred James

Gunner
993754
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Alfred James Turner was a Cabinet Maker from Bow East London prior to enlisting into the Armed Forces on 22 August 1940. He volunteered for special service and was attached to No.1 Commando. Gunner Turner was reported missing 4 March 1943 during operations at Sedjenane, Tunisia.

WALLIS, Reginald

Corporal
5933005
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Reginald Wallis died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William Edmond and Dora Emily Wallis. Previously received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa.
 

WARD, William G.

Private
5052724
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
North Staffordshire Regiment
Private William Ward, No1 Commando, 12 Troop, was wounded 31 January 1945 during operations at Kangaw, Burma. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Duston, Northampton.
 
Sources

WARE, Henry Arnold

Private
5510944
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery

Private Henry Ware, 3 Troop, was wounded on 31 January 1945 during operations in Burma. He had previously served in No.12 Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association from Bournemouth. They record his last rank attained as Sergeant.

WARNER, Arthur Henry

Arthur Warner 12 Commando
Sergeant
6205797
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment, 2nd Bn.
Arthur Henry Warner enlisted on 13 April 1939. Trade on enlistment - Gardener. Volunteered in 1942 for the commandos. Served in No.12 and No.1 Commando. Overseas service with No.1 Commando included India, Ceylon, Arakan Burma, and Hong Kong.
Commando timeline

WATERHOUSE, W.

Lance Sergeant
3392797
No 1 Commando
East Lancashire Regiment

Lance Sergeant Waterhouse, 5 Troop, was wounded on 23 January 1945 during operations in Burma.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.

WATTS, Robert Edward

Private
14241839
No 1 Commando
Royal Norfolk
Norwich City Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Robert Watts died during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Walter and Thirza Agnes Watts, of Norwich; husband of Gladys Georgina Eliza Watts, of Old Catton, Norwich.

WEAVER, Edward Walter

Private
3973708
No 1 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Edward Weaver was killed in action during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of David William and Constance Weaver, of Christleton, Cheshire.

WEBB, George Henry

Private
14604144
No 1 Commando
Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Metropolitan Police
Military Medal (MM)
Private George Webb was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in Burma.
Recommendation
"Arakan 1945.

WEBB, Henry, T.

Fusilier
6482293
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers
Metropolitan Police
Henry Webb was a serving Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos as part of the 1st Police Intake of 1942. 
  • 1939 Metropoltan Police Constable at the Police Station, 370 Romford Rd., East Ham.

WEEKES, Sydney George Douglas

Fusilier
6482277
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Sydney Weekes was killed in action during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia, and has no known grave. Son of Edward and Emma Weekes; husband of Muriel Hartnoll Weeks, of Stoke Newington, London.

WEIGHT, Donald Ernest

Gunner (Acting Lance Bombardier)
2055627
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Post war member of the Burma Star and Commando Association residing Epsom, Surrey.
 
Sources
Burma Star Membership List.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119.
 

WESTCOTT, Samuel Charles

Lance Corporal
5671053
No 1 Commando
Somerset Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Samuel Westcott died during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. Son of Samuel and Annie Myria Westcott; husband of Agnes Westcott, of Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

Sources
CWGC.
 

WESTLEY, Stanley Charles

Troop Sergeant Major
5825978
No 1 Commando
Suffolk Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Lance Sergeant (later TSM) Stanley Westley received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service during operations in North Africa. He was wounded there on 3 March 1943. Post War member of the Burma Star Association.
 
Sources

WHELAN, Jack

Private
4867187
No 1 Commando
Leicestershire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Jack Whelan was initially reported missing, later presumed to have died of wounds during operations at Bizerte, Tunisia. He has no known grave. Son of John and Elizabeth Whelan; husband of E. Whelan, of Wandsworth, London.
 
Sources

WHITTINGHAM, Laurence

Whittingham 1 Commando
Corporal
No 12 Commando
No 1 Commando
Served in No.12 Commando and later in the far East with No.1 Commando 5 Troop.
Post war Laurence Whittingham from Wallasey, Cheshire, died of illness at Batu Gaja Hospital, Perak, Malaya, whilst serving as a Police Lieutenant in the Federation of Malaya Police.

WILES, Geoffrey Charles

Geoffrey Charles Wiles 1 Commando
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
1448482
No 1 Commando
Royal Artillery
Mentioned in Despatches

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Geoffrey Wiles, No.1 Commando, was attested into the Royal Artillery in 1938. He received a Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North Africa. Post war member of the Commando Association from Harlow Essex.

WILLIAMS, Frank

Private
3778254
No 1 Commando
The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Frank Williams died during operations in North Africa. Son of John Henry Williams and of Sarah Ellen Williams (nee Hughes), of Wigan, Lancashire; husband of Edith Williams, of Pemberton, Wigan.
Extract from the No 1 Commando War Diary for 28 March 1943

WILLIAMS, John Arthur

Corporal
4032283
No 1 Commando
The King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Military Medal (MM)
Corporal John Williams was recommended for the M.M., and the D.C.M., in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during two events in North Africa on the 2nd and 4th  March 1943. He was No. 1 on a Bren gun team [1].

WILLIAMS, Thomas Ivor

Thomas Ivor Williams MM, SBS
Sergeant
3909922
SBS
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Military Medal (MM)
Mentioned in Despatches
Sergeant Thomas Ivor Williams, 'B' Group 2 Special Boat Section, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in Burma between August and November 1944 [1][1a].
Recommendation

WILLIS-JONES, John

John Willis-Jones 1 Commando
Served as : 
JONES, John Willis
Sergeant
3962861
No 1 Commando
Commando Basic Training Centre
Welch Regiment
John Willis-Jones enlisted in the Welch Regiment in May 1939 before volunteering for the Commandos in 1940. He was attached to No.1 Commando as a Signalman and took part in their North African campaign.

WILSON, Graham Charles

Fusilier
6482243
No 1 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Metropolitan Police (War Reserve)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Graham Wilson was killed in action during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of Charles Lawrence Wilson and Alberta Louisa Wilson; husband of Marjorie Wilson, of West Wimbledon, Surrey.

WITTON, Frederick

Private
5628227
No 1 Commando
Devonshire Regiment
Wounded North Africa 4 March 1943. Member of the Commando Association from London.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/58.
No.1 Commando newsletter 27/2/44.

WOOD, John

Private
3915316
No 1 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Formerly employed as a Shipbreaker in civilian life. Private Wood, 12 Troop, was wounded on 28 January 1945 during operations in Burma. Post war member of the Commando Association from Newport, Gwent.
 
Sources

WOODING, Joseph Henry

Lance Sergeant
4202517
No 1 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
13.06.1940 attested into Royal Welch Fusiliers. Later volunteered for the Commandos and attached No.1 Commando.
02.03.1943 North Africa (Battle of Sedjenane) reported missing, later confirmed prisoner of war in Italian hands. 1944 reported no longer a prisoner of war.

WOOLLARD, George

Private
14241724
No 1 Commando
No 12 Commando
Black Watch
Liverpool City Police
Private George Woollard served in No.12 Commando and later No.1 Commando. He was wounded 31 January 1945 during operations with No.1 Commando 6 Troop at Kangaw, Burma.

WRIGHT, Edward Robin McMurdo

Lieutenant Colonel
EC29
338194
Indian Armoured Corps 19 Lancers
Royal Armoured Corps
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Edward Wright was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Myebon, Burma on 15 January 1945 whilst temporarily attached from the Indian Army to No.1 Commando as a F.T.O.

YANDELL, James Albert

Private
14353401
No 1 Commando
Gloucestershire Regiment
Private James Yandell, 5 Troop, was wounded on 23 January 1945 during operations in Burma. Post war member of the Commando Association from Cornwall whose obituary records last rank attained as Sergeant.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88.

YEOMANS, Albert Henry

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (later Major)
5435853
350508
No 1 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Post war member of the Commando Association from West Wellow, Hampshire [1].
  • 30 July 1945 commissioned Lieutenant (QM) [2].
  • 20 June 1956 promoted captain (QM) [3].

YOUNG, James Alfred

Lance Corporal
3596431
No 1 Commando
Border Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal James Young, Mortar Platoon, died of wounds during operations at Kangaw, Burma. Son of William Henry and Mary Young, of Newport, Monmouthshire.  
Extract from Appendix 2 of the Timeline Report.

YOUNG, Ronald Herbert

Sergeant
4105327
No 1 Commando
Herefordshire Regiment
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Sergeant Ronald Young was reported wounded and a prisoner of war on 4 March 1943 during operations in North Africa. 
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/58, WO417/59, WO417/63.

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