Report in the Perthshire Advertiser 19 July 1941 about Private Jack Adams, Black Watch attached to No.11 Commando killed in action during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Operation Partridge, Italy 30 December 43. Published in the Daily Mirror 13 January 1944.

Article about film interviews with service personnel called Calling Blighty published in the Fulham Chronicle 23 February 1945.

Marine Walter Bateman died on 31 January 1945 during operations in Burma.

Provided by Trevor Webster who adds "My father, Edward Webster, obviously knew RSM Beesley as they had served together in the 13th/18th Hussars."

This is a transcript of a letter sent by LCpl. Philip Bennett 42RM Commando to his wife recounting recent actions at the battle of Hill 170 at Kangaw. Courtesy of his son Chris Bennett who also provided the photo which has been added to the letter.

Stanley Bissell joined the Metropolitan Police on the 1st March 1926. In 1930 & 1934 he won silver medal at the British Empire Games middleweight freestyle wrestling events in Canada and London. He was then posted as self defence instructor at the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Peel House. He attended the Army School of Physical Training to assist him in this new Police role.

During WW2 he volunteered to be part of the new Police intakes into the Commandos and in 1942 was sent to the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry. After completing his Commando training the Commandant of the CBTC, Lt Col Charles Vaughan, recognising the potential in Stanley Bissell, immediately transferred him onto the Staff at the CBTC where he joined CSMI Frickleton as an Instructor on the Physical Training team. His role involved many aspects of training in physical fitness and included methods and techniques of Close Combat. Sgt Stanley ' Sonnie ' Bissell played a pivotal role in this training until the end of the war, making the Commandos fit to fight, and instilling in them the qualities that are to this day still recognised and respected worldwide.

In his spare time he also ran 3 youth clubs, and was a member of both the Orion Gymnastic Club and the Herne Hill Harriers. Stanley Bissell rejoined the Metroplitan Police at the end of the war serving as an Inspector in charge of Physical Training at the Recruit Training Centre. In 1953 he was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Coronation Honours. He retired from the Police in 1955 but would return 5 years later after a brief spell in Canada to take up the post of Director of Physical Training at the new Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps. 

nb. The nickname "Sonnie" was given to him by his sister Leah. He was known as Sonnie by family and friends, and "Stan" by work colleagues.

There are more photos in our gallery.

Follow this link to read more on Commando Training History

Private James Wesley R. Boyce No.1 Commando was killed in action in Burma during the Battle of Hill 170. Various newspaper cuttings of the time.

Norman Burns joined Aberdeenshire Constabulary in 1939. In 1942 he volunteered for the Commandos and was part of the 2nd Police Intake. This newspaper obituary was published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal 04 December 1984 provided by Geoff Marston and George Barnsley.

Pictures, letters, and a newspaper article all relevant to the death of Lance Corporal Alan Carlisle of No.3 Commando, and his burial at sea.

Published in the Nantwich Chronicle 1st May 1991.

Captain Samuel Corry M.B. was reported missing 19 August 1942 at Dieppe, France, later confirmed as having died of wounds. This report was published in the Larne Times 17 September 1942.

A report in the Staffordshire Evening Sentinel on the death of Private Robinson Craig during operations on 11 September at Dragone Hill, near Vietri, Salerno. He was buried there the following day, his grave being marked with a cross. However it was never again found and Private Craig is one of the many who now have no known grave. Son of Jackson Turner Craig and Sarah Craig, of Seaton, Cumberland. 

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Photos and information about Thomas Daly who served in No.12 Commando and the Holding Operational Commando (HOC), including letters from Fred Hunt who served with him in the HOC. Courtesy of his son Richard Daly.

Sergeant Duncan Dundas, No.9 Commando, died in Italy during Operation Partridge. 

Report in the Staffordshire Sentinel newspaper 17 July 1941 about the death of Lance Corporal Albert Eardley who was killed in action during operations at Litani River, Syria.

Served as a Lance Corporal in No.11 Commando. Commissioned into the Royal Scots Greys in 1943. Lieutenant Gordon Edmiston was awarded the Military Cross in 1945 for gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe. Post war in 1976 he was Principal Collector, Board of Inland Revenue when appointed O.B.E. (Civil Division).

Marine Arthur Evans, RM Engineer Commando, was killed in action on 6 June 1944 at Normandy. Published in the Nottingham Journal newspaper 08 July 1944.

Served as a Corporal in No.8 Commando, 'B' Bn Layforce. Later served 1 Special Boat Section (Middle East). When the Special Boat Section was reformed he was made Sergeant Major of the Unit (1 Special Air Service Regiment). Recommended by Major T.B. Langton MC.

Victor G. Gall R.E. served in Nos.3 and 8 Commandos, Layforce, and later in the Far East possibly with Mission 204. This report published in the Edinburgh Evening News 6 January 1943.

Lancashire Evening Post 29 September 1941. Newspaper report about the death of Private Denis Gallagher, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders attached to No.11 Commando, who was killed in action at Litani River.

A year after this letter was written Lance Corporal James Gardner was killed in action during operations at Lake Comacchio, Italy, on 16 April 1945.

Second Lieutenant, RM Holding Commando 1945; Colonial Police Service 1946; awarded the C.P.M. and O.B.E

Published in the Birmingham Evening Despatch 19 May 1945.

Article in the Newcastle Journal, p4, published 20 June 1944, about Marine Charles Hall who was wounded during the landings at Normandy on D Day. Read more on the link below.

Gunner Bill Harvey, No.4 Commando, was killed by enemy machine gun fire during commando operations at Flushing, Holland. The attached photos and documents are from his son Bill.

Rifleman Harold William Hones served in No.12 and No.6 Commandos. Article published in the Mid Sussex Times 19 May 1994.

Corporal Johnston 41 Independent Commando RM was wounded during the Korean War. Report from the Belfast Telegraph 7 December 1950.

Published in the Western Mail 25 August 1950. Marine Jones 41 Independent Commando RM from Penarth was later killed in action. Article also includes some detail about Marine  Maldwyn Humphreys from the Rhonnda Valley.

Marine William Trevor Kidwell was killed during the River Aller Crossing. This letter, which can be downloaded above, is from the 46RM Commando Chaplain to Mne. Kidwell's wife and is provided courtesy of Mne. Kidwell's daughter Lyn.

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Lance Corporal Richard McCarthy, R.A.M.C. attached to 46 RM Commando, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Rots and Le Hamel, France. Newspaper extracts from the Liverpool Echo, Monday Sept. 25 1944, page 4, and the Kent and Sussex Courier 5 April 1996, page 2.

• They were crack Herman Goering Panzer Grenadiers who had been sent from the Russian Front to strengthen the German/Italian front.
• They had seen the activity at Bastia (On Corsica) from Mount Rambone and knew we were coming to Elba 24 hours before we arrived.
• They were able to lay the Land Mines on the Jetty with cables going to one of the houses from where they could be detonated.
• They had evacuated the civilians from the Village.
• Official sources claim that the land mines on the jetty were exploded by German artillery from across the bay. We found a six barrelled rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer) on the hill above the village. It was aimed directly at the jetty and some barrels had been fired.

Corporal Edward McGrath, from Kirkdale Liverpool, died during fighting between dissident tribesmen in the Radfan mountains. This report published in the Liverpool Echo 5 September 1964.

Lieutenant Gordon McKenzie, a South African seconded to the RM Commandos, died during operations at Walcheren, Holland. From June 1944 he was attached to 41RM Commando. Lieutenant McKenzie has no known grave. Remembered on the Groesbeek Memorial.

From Hill 170 to Spean Bridge - A Son's Story by John Mewett in memory of his father Private Robert Mewett who served in both No.12 and No.1 Commando.

Some dates and places where Sgt. Moffat served during the war.

Published in the Leicester Daily Mercury 07 December 1950.

Letter from Captain John Day to Sergeant William Noakes on the award of his Military Medal

A newspaper obituary about the passing of Jimmy Norton.

An article about Lance Corporal Roland Oliver, 'F' Troop, No.4 Commando, meeting his sister in belgium during the war. Published in the Western Gazette 24 November 1944.

Newspaper report dated 1946 about his former Police Service in Hartlepool.

Lt Peters, 2 SBS 'B' Group, was killed in action whilst leading a small reconnaissance operation on the 8th February 1945 in Burma.

Captain Keith Douglas Ponsford describes his time in training, and at Normandy on DDay and after as a Lieutenant and then Acting Captain in 3 Troop, No.3 Commando. Written after he had emigrated to Australia and later submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs in Australia. Home address removed. Provided to the Commando Veterans Archive by Pam Waterhouse. 

Gunner Eric Rabbitt, No.1 (Army) Commando, was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service at Alethangyaw, Arakan, Burma. This article about his funeral was published in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 4 February 1987.

Corporal George Robertson died at the 50th Field Hospital US Army, Portland Island Dorset, of wounds inflicted at Port-en-Bessin, Normandy. 

Newspaper report of the death of Acting Corporal Raymond Ryder who was shot and killed in 1951 whilst part of a patrol that was ambushed by a strong force of communist terrorists about eight miles from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Also killed was Lieutenant J.B. Coop. Published in the Sheerness Times Guardian 13 April 1951.

Captain Ralph Schooley, 'B' troop, died during operations on the enemy held island of Brac, Yugoslavia. Mentioned in Despatches for outstanding service whilst operating with the Allied Armies in Italy. Son of Wilfred John and Gladys Schooley; husband of Catherine Margery Schooley (nee Evans), of Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan. Educated at Warwick School.

A Letter of thanks to Pte. Thomas Cyril Sharpe, 1 Special Service Brigade HQ, Intelligence Section, for his design of the 1st Special Service/Commando Brigade Memorial at Amfreville. 

Sergeant Nelson Smallbone, No.2 Commando, was killed in action in Italy in March 1945. Article published in the Streatham News 23 March 1945.

The last letter home of Corporal Roy Montague Smith, which can be downloaded above, was written 5 days before he died serving with 43RM Commando in Italy. There are other letters including letters of condolence in our Gallery entry for him. 
Courtesy of Corporal Smith's nephew Roy Smith.

Norwood News 10 August 1945. Report about the award of the Military Medal to Marine Johnny Squire for saving the life of his friend Marine David Losban in 1945 at Argenta, Italy. Both were in 43RM Commando.

Lance Corporal James Standerwick was reported missing, later confirmed died of wounds, during operations in Tunisia. Extract from the The Middlesex Chronicle newspaper 17 April 1943.

Newspaper clippings on the death of Sgt.Charles Robert Stanford, Commando School RM, Commando Cliff Assault Wing, who drowned on 24 April 1948 during a training exercise at Porthmeor beach, St. Ives, Cornwall (download above image).

Published in the West Lothian Courier 05 October 1945.

Driver Dougie Stocks, 'C' Bn Layforce, was wounded and a prisoner of war in Italian hands before repatriation. This newspaper report was published in the Fife Free Press, & Kirkcaldy Guardian 08 May 1943.

Corporal Sidney Storer was a Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos in 1942 joining No.9 Commando. Article published in the Stratford-upon-Avon hearld Firiday 16 July 1944

Newspaper article about an action involving these two commandos published in the Birmingham Evening Despatch 07 February 1945.

Report in The Streatham News published 28 April 1944 about the death of Gunner John Williams, No.5 Commando, in Burma on 23 March 1944.

Published in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal 24 Februrary 1944.

Lance Sergeant Wilson was killed in action in Italy. This article was published in the Falkirk Herald 15 January 1944.