ASHCROFT, Arthur

Primary tabs

Known as: 
The Hawk
Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
4 Independent Company
Regiment/Corps: 
Liverpool Scottish, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
Service: 
Army
Number: 
2929623
P.O.W. number: 
18712
P.O.W. camps: 
Stalag VIII-B (8B)(Stalag 344), Lamsdorf Poland
Born: 
Thursday, April 4, 1918
Died : 
Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Place died: 
Liverpool
Age: 
85
Arthur Ashcroft 2 Commando
Arthur Ashcroft 2 Commando
Private Arthur Ashcroft, 5 Troop, was one of the Commando contingent embarked on HMS Campbeltown for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire 28 March 1942. He was assigned to Assault Party 3D under the command of Captain Donald Roy. Their task was to assault the flak positions on the roof of the Pumping Station and then to form a bridgehead to cover the withdrawal and resist any attack from vessels in the Bassin de Saint-Nazaire. Private Ashcroft was seriously wounded by shrapnel during the raid and subsequently a prisoner of war.
Additional
Enlisted and posted to 'X' Company 1st Bn., Liverpool Scottish before volunteering for special service in the newly formed Independent Companies.
25 April 1940 attached to No.4 (Liverpool Scottish) Platoon of No.4 Independent Company based at the time in Paignton.
February 1941 joined No.2 Commando on its formation and posted to 5 Troop.
Post war resided Liverpool 5. Regular attendee at the Warrington commando reunions.
 
Sources
Dennis Reeves, Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust.
St Nazaire Society website.
Prisoners of War /  National Archives file WO392/1.
Casualty Lists  / National Archives file WO417/47.
Commando Association newsletter 69 and Obituaries in newsletter 118 (Feb.2004).
Commando Benevolent Fund list of No.2 Cdo.
[Images] CVA No.2 Cdo. Gallery.
 
Photo of Commando in Gallery: 
Yes
Additional content: 
'St. Nazaire - Operation Chariot'
ASHCROFT, BROWN, CHEETHAM, SUMNER, BLYTHE - No.2 Cdo. 5 Tp. veterans
Archive pages : 
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
St Nazaire Commandos
Prisoners of War

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]. 
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.