Layforce

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TAYLOR, Stanley Benjamin

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.

TEVENDALE, Lewis Legertwood Legg

Regimental Sergeant Major (later Major)

2873628 and 226916

No 11 Commando

Gordon Highlanders

Royal Leicestershire Regiment

Kincardineshire Constabulary

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Warrant Officer Class 1 Regimental Sergeant Major Lewis Tevendale, No.11 Commando ('C' Bn., Layforce), was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of his distinguished service during the battle of Litani River, Syria, on 9-10 June 1941.

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

THOMAS, John Smith

Private

3319284

Independent Companies and Special Service Battalions

'Layforce'

Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)

Private John Thomas, 3 Special Service Bn. was reported missing in the Middle East on 20 April 1941 (Bardia Raid) later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/24 and WO417/27.

THOMAS, Leslie

Trooper

406292

52ME Commando

'Layforce'

Royal Armoured Corps Staffordshire Yeomanry

Killed in action or died of wounds

Trooper Leslie Thomas, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn. Layforce), died during operations in Crete. Son of George Henry and Mary Thomas, of Leicester.

Sources

CWGC.

THOMAS, Norman

Private

6088017

'Layforce'

The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 2nd Bn.

Died on war service

Private Norman Thomas was reported as missing in action on Crete on the 2nd June 1941, however he had been taken prisoner. He died whilst a prisoner of war cause of death not known to this archive.

THOMPSON, Alfred

Private

3771992

No 7 Commando

'Layforce'

King's Liverpool

Alfred Thompson, a Painter from Liverpool, enlisted on 27 October 1938. Private Thompson volunteered for the Commandos in 1940 and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

THOMPSON, Royce

Private

2984367

No 11 Commando

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Killed in action or died of wounds

Private Royce Thomspson died during operations at Litani River. He has no known grave.
Son of Harry and Charlotte Thompson, of Monk Bretton, Yorkshire.

Sources

CWGC.

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.

TITTERTON, Cyril Arthur

Lance Corporal

3604006

No 11 Commando

Border Regiment

Killed in action or died of wounds

Lance Corporal Cyril Titterton died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Son of Arthur Titterton and of Mary Annie Titterton, (nee Ratcliffe); husband of Helen Titterton (nee Casson), of Skerton, Lancaster.

TORRALBO, Miguil

Private

6100538

50ME Commando

'Layforce'

Queen's Royal Regiment

Private Miguil Torralbo, a Spanish farmer who volunteered for the British Army in Egypt, was attached to 'D' Bn. Layforce and reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources

TOWNSEND, Charles

Corporal

50ME Commando

Post war member of the Commando Association from Kings Norton, Birmingham.

Sources
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 65 (1977).

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.

TRUSTY, Robert

Private

4858686

'Layforce'

Leicestershire Regiment

Private Robert Trusty, '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.

TUFNELL, Kenneth Edward Mortimer

Captain (later Major)

23953

No 8 Commando

Grenadier Guards

Military Cross (MC)

15 February 1943 Tunisia 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards awarded the Military Cross having left the Commando. Post war member of the Commando Association.

TURNER, Edward

Corporal

5496525

50ME Commando

Hampshire Regiment

Corporal Turner was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to have been captured and transported to Stalag 344.

VARNEY, Frank Ernest

Lance Corporal

4977399

No 11 Commando

'Layforce'

Sherwood Forresters

Lance Corporal Frank Varney, 10 Troop, was reported missing on 24 November 1941 after Operation Flipper, the raid on Rommel's HQ in Libya, and later found to be a prisoner of war.

VAUGHAN, John Henry

Sergeant

305373

52ME Commando

Household Cavalry Regiment

John Henry Vaughan, a Farmer from Kent, enlisted into the Household Cavalry Regiment 12 December 1938. He was later attached to 52 Middle East Commando which formed part of 'D' Battalion Layforce for operations in Crete.

WAINWRIGHT, Terrance

Lance Corporal

3958400

52ME Commando

Welch Regiment

Lance Corporal Terrance Wainwright was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO392/1.

WALDOCK, Harold Frank

Private

5497482

50ME Commando

Hampshire Regiment

Harold Frank Waldock enlisted 18 November 1935, civil trade Cook. Corporal Waldock, 50 Middle East Commando, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete later found to be a prisoner of war.

WALLACE, Hugh

Corporal

3130762

No 11 Commando

Royal Scots Fusiliers

Killed in action or died of wounds

Corporal Hugh Wallace was reported missing presumed killed in action at sea on 5 December 1941.

Sources

CWGC.

Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/35 and WO417/52.

WALSH, Percy John

Bombardier

786833

No 7 Commando

Royal Artillery

Bombardier Percy Walsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete. Later found to have been captured and later transported to Stalag 4C.

Sources
Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives files WO417/28 and WO417/34.

WALSH, Stanley, G.

Private

6402554

52ME Commando

'Layforce'

Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Bn.

Private Stanley Walsh was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war having been captured on 1 June 1941.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.

WALSH, Thomas

Sergeant

2754819

Middle East Commando

Black Watch

Military Provost Staff Corps

Died in service

Sergeant Thomas Walsh, Black Watch attached Middle East Commando, was reported missing 14 September 1942 during operations in the Middle East (Tobruk), later found to be a prisoner of war in Italy before being transported to captivity in Germany. After his release at the end of the war all the

WAND-TETLEY, Peter Michael

Lieutenant (later Captain)

6463867

143484

No 7 Commando

Middle East Commando

Wiltshire Regiment

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Military Cross (MC)

19 October 1939 attested into the Honorable Artillery Company [1].

26 April 1940 to 168th Infantry O.C.T.U. [1].

17 August 1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Wiltshire Regiment [1][2].

WARBURTON, Kenneth

Private

2821591

No 11 Commando

SAS

Seaforth Highlanders

Died on war service

Private Kenneth Warburton died in training as a result of parachute failure whilst attached to 'L' Detachment SAS. He had

WARD, Alfred George

Private

5951286

No 7 Commando

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Private Alfred Ward was reported missing on 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/33.

WARD, S.

Trooper

406676

52ME Commando

'Layforce'

Household Cavalry Regiment

29.05.1941 'D' Bn. Layforce wounded in Crete [1].

15.07.1941 'D' Bn. Layforce wounded in the Middle East [2].

WELLS, Percy Arthur

Gunner

798608

No 8 Commando

Royal Horse Artillery

Killed in action or died of wounds

Gunner Percy Wells was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert.

Sources

CWGC.

Casualty Lists 1939-45 / National Archives file WO417/48.

WESTWATER, Alexander

Sergeant

876932

No 7 Commando

SAS

Royal Artillery

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Died on war service

Sergeant Alexander Westwater DCM, formerly 7 Commando and SAS, was killed in Italy after an explosion in what is described as a battle accident whilst serving with the Royal Artillery (AFHQ).

WHALEY, James Arundel

Corporal

5950224

No 7 Commando

'Layforce'

Royal Marines

James Arundel Whaley enlisted in 1939, civil occupation Electricity Meter Reader. In 1940 he volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking with them for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

WHITE, Harold

Corporal

154976

No 7 Commando

SAS

Royal Army Service Corps

Military Medal (MM)

Corporal Harold White was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry whilst serving with 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, having left the Commando after operations in Crete.

Recommendation
(by Lt. Col. A.D. Stirling, D.S.O.)

WILLCOCKS, William Arthur

Trooper

556474

52ME Commando

Royal Armoured Corps

Killed in action or died of wounds

Trooper William Willcocks, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn. Layforce), died during operations at Crete. Son of William E. Willcocks and Ellen Willcocks, of Chester.

Sources

CWGC.

WILLETT, Douglas

Trooper

7913048

'Layforce'

Royal Armoured Corps

Trooper Douglas Willett was reported missing on 20 April 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica, Libya (Bardia raid), later found to be a prisoner of war.

WILLIAMS, Albert Ivor

Trooper

553121

Middle East Commando

Household Cavalry Regiment

Trooper Albert Williams, Middle East Commando, 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).

WILLIAMS, George James

Fusilier

6465623

50ME Commando

'Layforce'

Royal Fusiliers 1st Bn.

George James Williams, a Glass Blower from London, enlisted 1 October 1939. 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.

WILLIAMS, Hubert

Lance Corporal

325648

50ME Commando

'Layforce'

Cheshire Yeomanry

Royal Corps of Signals

Lance Corporal Hubert Williams, 50 Middle East Commando attached to 'D' Bn., Layforce, was reported missing 2 June 1941, later confirmed a prisoner of war, during operations in Crete. Prior to enlisting in April 1939 he was employed as a Stockkeeper.

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.

WILSON, Arthur

Trooper

409682

50ME Commando

'Layforce'

Yorkshire Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps

Trooper Arthur Wilson was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war.

Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/31, WO417/32, WO417/94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO3921/1.

WILSON, Matthew Steel

Private

2824820

No 11 Commando

Seaforth Highlanders

Matthew Steel Wilson enlisted 2nd April 1940, civil occupation Salesman. He later volunteered for the Commandos and was attached to No.11 Commando embarking for the Middle East as part of Layforce.

WILSON, Peter

Lance Bombardier

947129

No 7 Commando

Royal Artillery

Lance Bombardier Peter Wilson from Thornley, Durham, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to have been taken prisoner the previous day. Enlisted 17 October 1939. Civil trade - Bricklayer.

WINTERBOTHAM, Sydney, J..

Lance Corporal

T/2574005

No 7 Commando

'Layforce'

Royal Army Service Corps

Lance Corporal Sydney Winterbotham, 'F' Troop, was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete, later found to be a prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association from Nottingham.

Sources

WOOD, Alfred Joseph

Sergeant

3054128

No 11 Commando

Royal Scots attd. 2nd Bn. Queen's Own Cameron Highalnders

Killed in action or died of wounds

Sergeant Alfred Wood was killed in action during operations in the Western Desert.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Joseph Wood; husband of Eliza Wood. of Warrington, Lancashire.

Sources

CWGC.

WOOD, Wilfred Edward

Lance Corporal

4747183

'Layforce'

York and Lancaster Regiment

Lance Corporal Wilfred Wood was reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations on Crete, later confirmed prisoner of war. Post war member of the Commando Association. Emigrated to Australia.

Sources

WOODING, Frederick Reginald

Private

5572396

No 7 Commando

'Layforce'

Wiltshire Regiment

Private Frederick Wooding 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, WO417/33, and WO417/94.

WOODNUTT, Desmond

Sapper

1894107

No 11 Commando

Royal Engineers

Killed in action or died of wounds

Sapper Desmond Woodnutt died during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/27.
RE Enlistment Register for 1939 (enlisted 16 Oct. 1939).
RE Casualty Card.

WORRALL, Frederick William Gordon

Sergeant

877988

No 11 Commando

Royal Artillery

Military Medal (MM)

Sergeant Frederick Worrall was awarded the Military Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during Operation Exporter [more....], otherwise known as the Battle of Litani River [2].

WRIGLEY, John William

Private

47045203

52ME Commando

'Layforce'

York and Lancaster Regiment

John William Wrigley, a Labourer from Bradford, enlisted into the Armed Forces on 13 January 1933. Private Wrigley, 52 Middle East Commando which was part of 'D' Battalion of Layforce, was reported missing later confirmed prisoner of war 1 June 1941 during operations in Crete.

WYLIE, Kenneth Neil

Major (later Honorary Colonel)

51356

No 7 Commando

Royal Engineers

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Temporary Major Kenneth Wylie, B.A. was second in command of No.7 Commando. During operations on Crete he was placed in command replacing the sick Lt. Col. Colvin and was subsequently captured by the enemy [1].

YOUNG, D.A.

Private

5955706

No 7 Commando

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Private D.A. Young was reported missing believed prisoner of war on 2 June 1941 during operations in Crete. Later found to be imprisoned at Stalag 4B.

YOUNG, George Alan Dawson

Temporary Lieutenant Colonel

23734

52ME Commando

50ME Commando

Royal Engineers

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Mentioned in Despatches

Lieutenant Colonel George Alan Dawson Young R.E., was the Commanding Officer of 50 Middle East Commando until November 1940 when he assumed command of 52 Middle East Commando after its former commanding officer, Harry Fox-Davies, was taken ill.