A TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN FROM
48 ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO
No.48 Commando was formed 2 months prior to D-Day from a Royal Marine Battalion that had
returned to the UK and the Royal Marine members of the recently disbanded number 2 M.N.B.D.O.. The
Command of the Commando was placed in the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton.
ROLL OF HONOUR
In the Memorial Garden at the Royal Marine Museum Portsmouth
NAMES ARE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
OPERATION “OVERLORD”, D-DAY
TUESDAY 6TH JUNE 1944
48 Royal Marine Commando was the first to land on Juno Beach with the task of securing the left
flank. Dawn revealed a grey sky, the sea was rough, and some of the assaulting flotillas were making heavy
weather. H-hour was postponed for three quarters of an hour. Then six infantry landing craft made for land and
beached. On the way in several landing-craft hit the beach obstacles and were sunk. There was a heavy swell
and a vicious tidal stream which carried away and drowned men attempting to swim. The beach defences had
been almost untouched by the naval and air bombardment.
The memorial to 48 Commando RM at Langrune-sur-Mer, which was part of the fortification
A much depleted 48 Commando RM due to losses in the landings, launched the assault on Langrunesur-Mer, a very heavily fortified position. After heavy fighting and severe losses success was complete. They
moved forward advancing to their given position to hold the line with the 6th Airborne Division, while masses of
stores, equipment and men poured ashore ready to continue the move inland when fully organised.
AMATO, DENIS Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Aged 25 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
CH/X1615 Commonwealth War Dead Grave/ Reference: 2. P. 2. Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed in
action Normandy
APPLEYARD, FRANK Lance Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of
Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X 106192 Awards: M M (in Sicily) Additional information: Son of Charles and Bessie
Appleyard, of Shaw, Lancashire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 2. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR
CEMETERY Killed in action
BISHOP, TIMOTHY ROLAND Serjeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PO/X101978 Additional information: Son of Timothy Smith Bishop and Mildred Gladys Bishop, of Dosthill..
Commonwealth War Dead Cemetery: DOSTHILL (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD Staffordshire, N W. Corner. Died of
wounds in the Normandy landings.
BOARDMAN, WILLIAM Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 28 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PO/X102664 Additional information: Son of William Henry and Martha Ann Boardman, of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent;
husband of Nina Boardman, of Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 4. Cemetery:
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY. Killed in action Normandy
BOTLEY, ALBERT GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Aged 28 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service
No: CH/X101475 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 1. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
BOURNE, FREDERICK EDWARD DONOVAN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death:
06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X106138 Additional information: Son of Frederick and Florence Bourne, of Llanelly,
Carmarthenshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 22. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
CAPPLEMAN, JOHN Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 26 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
CH/X109637 Additional information: Son of Barker and Beatrice Ann Cappleman, of York; husband of Dorothy Vera
Cappleman, of York. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 17. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Killed in action Normandy
COULSON, REGINALD Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 27 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PLY/X120489 Additional information: Son of Robert and Doris Myers, of Leeds, Yorkshire. Commonwealth War Dead
Grave Reference: XIV. A. 3. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed in action Normandy.
COULTER, WILLIAM KNOWLES Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 31 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: CH/X102466 Additional information: Son of Robert John and Jane Smith Coulter, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire;
husband of Margaret Coulter, of Bainsford, Falkirk. Commonwealth War Dead Gravel Reference: XIV. A. 8. Cemetery:
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed in action Normandy
CURTIS, EDWARD GEOFFREY Lieutenant “B” Troop 48 R.M.
Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Additional information: Son of Edward James Curtis and Jane Curtis, of
Frizinghall, Bradford, Yorkshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XV. A. 23. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR
CEMETERY
DEWHURST, FRANCIS JOSEPH Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: PLY/X109309 Additional information: Son of James and Edith Dewhurst, of Preston, Lancashire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 12. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed in action
Normandy
EDWARDS, GERARD Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 21. Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
CH/X111667 e: Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed
in action Normandy
FEREDAY, WILLIAM THOMAS GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando Age: 20 Date of Death:
06/06/1944 Service No: PO/X110732 Additional information: Son of William and Alice Fereday, of Toll End, Staffordshire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XV. A. 21. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed in action
Normandy
FORD, WILLIAM HENRY Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PLY/X104842 : Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 5. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
FOX, WALTER Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 28 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PO/X110652 Additional information: Son of William John and Rose Fox; husband of Gladys Matilda Fox, of South
Norwood, Surrey. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 6. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
HALL, LEONARD JOHN ALBERT Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age21 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: CH/X106543 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 1. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Killed in action Normandy
HILTON, ARTHUR Corporal “HQ” Troop Signals Section 48 R.M. Commando. Aged 26 Date of Death:
06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X120196 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 2. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR
CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
HUMPHREYS, CHARLES HARRY Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service
No: PLY/X120073 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 11. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Killed in action Normandy
JEHU, EDWARD Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PLY/X101133 Additional information: Son of Edward Llewelyn Jehu and Mary Elizabeth Jehu, of Llanfair Caereinion,
Montgomeryshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 7. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
JOHNSON, ALFRED GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 23 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service
No: PO/X108641 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 7. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
LARKIN, JOSEPH THOMPSON Lance Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Formerly 7th Battalion RM
Age 22 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X 104620 Additional information: Son of Joseph Thompson Larkin and
Matilda Larkin, of Belfast, Northern Ireland; nephew of Mary Agnew, of Belfast. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: Sec. M. 12. Grave 81. Cemetery: SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY KIA on LCI, Normandy
landings
LENNARD, FREDERICK CHARLES LAURENCE Captain 48 R.M.
Commando. “Z” Troop Age: 23 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Additional information: Son of William Laurence Arthur and
Marie Victoria Lennard, of Mottingham, Kent. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 23. Cemetery:
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY & Sheringham, Norfolk War Memorial drowned Normandy
McCAIN, GERALD Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PLY/X110443 Additional information: Son of Thomas Christopher and Letitia McCain, of Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 9. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
McLAUGHLAN, JOHN Marine . 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PO/X108694 Additional information: Son of William Barrie McLaughlan and Hannah McLaughlan, of Ruchill, Glasgow.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 12. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
MOSS, ALBERT Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 25 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
EX/861 Additional information: Son of Annie Moss; husband of Mary Moss, of Birkenshaw, Yorkshire. Commonwealth
War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 20. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
O'BOYLE, BERNARD Corporal “HQ” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age 22 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: PLY/X 106902 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 8. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR
CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
PERRY, JAMES LAWRY Captain “B” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age:
22 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Additional information: Son of Sydney Beecher Perry and Evelyn Perry, of St. Austell,
Cornwall. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 18. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in
action Normandy
POLLEY, JOSEPH JAMES Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
PO/X 111675 Additional information: Son of Joseph and Mary Polley, of Grays, Essex. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: XIV. A. 6. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
POOLE, ARTHUR Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 26 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: CH/X
101159 Additional information: Son of Arthur and Gertrude Poole; husband of Joyce Edna Poole, of Acock's Green,
Birmingham. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 2. P. 1. Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Normandy
RICHARDSON, STANLEY Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service
No: PLY/X 107046 Additional information: Son of George and Dorothy Richardson, of Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorkshire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 9. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
RIGBY, FREDERICK RALPH Lieutenant “Z” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 26
Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Additional information: Son of Edward and Margaret Helen Rigby; husband of Peggy Rigby, of
Skipton in Craven, Yorkshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 21. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR
CEMETERY & Slaidburn,Yorkshire War Memorial Drowned Normandy
RULE, DENNIS HAROLD GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PO/X 4819
Commonwealth War Dead Memorial Reference: Panel 87, Column 3. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Killed in action Normandy
SIMPSON, HAROLD Lance Corporal 48 R.M. Commando Age: 26 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: EX.2938(T)
Additional information: Son of John and Nora Simpson, of Witney. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: Sec N.
Grave 3295. Cemetery: WITNEY BURIAL GROUND Died of wounds in Normandy landings
SIMPSON, THOMAS Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PO/X 112911
Additional information: Son of Dinah Simpson, of Swalwell, Co. Durham. Commonwealth War Dead Memorial Reference:
Panel 87, Column 3. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Killed in action Normandy
SPRUCE, REGINALD GIBSON Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: PLY/X 112735 Additional information: Son of Samuel S. and Ethel May Spruce, of Longton, Staffordshire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
STANLEY, JAMES EDWARD Marine.48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: PLY/X 109310 Additional information: Son of Elizabeth Ann Stanley, of Darwin, Lancashire. Commonwealth
War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 11.Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
STEVENS, CYRIL ERNEST Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: CH/X 108711
Additional information: Son of Nora L. R. Read, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: XV. B. 3. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
STURMEY, FRANK ERNEST Marine 48 R.M. Commando Age: 21 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PO/X 111650
Additional information: Son of Walter and Mable Alice Sturmey, of Stroud, Gloucestershire. Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial Reference: Panel 87, Column 3. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Died of wounds Normandy
TAVOLIER, JOSEPH ANTHONY Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 26 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No:
EX/1975 Additional information: Son of Alice Tavolier, of Birmingham; husband of Eileen Tavolier, of Ashted,
Birmingham. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 13. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in
action Normandy
UPTON, LESLIE Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 29 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X 104980
Additional information Son of Harry and Alice Upton; husband of Dorothy Caroline Upton, of Nottingham.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 15. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
WARDLE, GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X 109760
Additional information: Son of Robert Watson Wardle and Irene Wardle, of Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. A. 24. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
WILLIAMS, CYRIL JESSE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: CH/X 3264
Additional information: Son of Jesse B. and Alice W. Williams. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 79, 2.
Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL Killed in action Normandy
WISE, DERRICK GEORGE Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: CH/X 109480
Additional information: Son of George and May Wise, of Luton, Bedfordshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference:
XIV. A. 5. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
YATES, THOMAS DAVID Lieutenant . “Y” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death:
06/06/1944 Additional information: Son of James and Amy Yates, of Sale, Cheshire Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: XIV. A. 19. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy (drowned at sea)
WILKINSON, WALTER HENRY Lance Corporal Royal Army Medical Corps attached. “Y” Troop 48
R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 06/06/1944 Service No: 7518277 Additional information: Son of Arthur James
Wilkinson and Sarah Wilkinson, of Blackwell, Derbyshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. B. 3.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY killed on LCI during landings Normandy
WEDNESDAY 7TH JUNE 1944
A further attempt was made in LANGRUNE on a formidable strong point with the support of three tanks. A hole was
knocked through the concrete wall by gun-fire from the tanks and an assault party moved in to take possession of the two
houses on each side of the gap. One of these was blown up by a demolition party and the rubble used to form a causeway
over the anti-tank ditch inside the wall. The tanks were then introduced into the defences and, with their support, troops
went in to clear the trenches and dug-outs that honeycombed the position. Shortly after this the Germans surrendered.
CONNER, CHARLES GEOFFREY LANGDALE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 07/06/1944
Service No: CHX106558 Additional information: Son of Albert and Jessie A. Conner, of Whetstone, Middlesex.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: XIV. D. 14. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY Died of wounds
Normandy
GOSLING, THOMAS GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 07/07/1944 Service No: CH/X
104974 Additional information: Son of Thomas Frank and Annie May Gosling; husband of Ellen Gosling, of Stepney,
London. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: III. D. 3. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Died in
Normandy
DIED OF WOUNDS FROM THIS PHASE OF THE OPERATIONS
HEDLEY, STANLEY Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 08/06/1944 Service No: C/X 106534
Additional information: Son of Amos and Mary Ann Hedley, of North Shields. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference:
Sec. K. Grave 14461. Cemetery: TYNEMOUTH (PRESTON) CEMETERY Died of wounds in the UK following D-Day
landings
STEVENSON, DONALD HENRY Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 23 Date of Death: 11/06/1944 Service No: PLY/X
3839 Additional information: Son of Henry and Laura M. Stevenson, of Barnehurst. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: Row 16. Grave 14. Cemetery: CRAYFORD (ST. PAULINUS) CHURCHYARD died of wounds as result
Normandy landings
NORMANDY
WEDNESDAY 12TH JULY
BURKE, JAMES MICHAEL Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 12/07/1944 Service
No: PO/X115910 Additional information: Son of James and Winefred Burke, of Widnes, Lancashire. Commonwealth War
Dead Grave Reference: IA. E. 11. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
CLARK, HERBERT Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 12/07/1944 Service No:
PLY/X103629 Additional information: Son of Sydney James Clark, and of Matilda Winifred Clark, of Bootle, Lancashire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: IA. D. 11. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Normandy
HOSKINS, EDGAR JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 12/07/1944 Service No:
CH/X 113425 Additional information: Son of Gerald and Laura Mary Hoskins, of Boughton, Norfolk. Commonwealth War
Dead Grave Reference: IA. F. 11. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Normandy
SATURDAY 15TH JULY 1944
DORMAN, JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 15/07/1944 Service No:
CH/X103744 Additional information: Son of William Robert and Alice Dorman, of Muswell Hill, Middlesex.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: IVA. C. 15. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Died of wounds
Normandy.
WHITE, ANTHONY ALBAN Marine . 48 R.M. Commando Age: 23 Date of Death: 15/07/1944 Service
No: PLY/X 104833 Additional information: Son of Alban and Margaret White, of Beswick, Manchester. Commonwealth
War Dead Grave/ Reference: IVA. D. 15. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Died of wounds Normandy
CAEN OPERATIONS
MONDAY 7TH AUGUST 1944
SILK, ERIC JOHN: Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 07/08/1944 Service No:
PO/X 107314 Additional information: Son of George Robinson Silk and May Silk, of Humasdorp, Cape Province, South
Africa. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: IV. A. 4. Cemetery: LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY,
DOUVRES Died Normandy in the operations near Caen
TUESDAY 8TH AUGUST 1944
JOHNSON, CHARLES STEPHEN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 08/08/1944 Service No: PO/X
113092 Additional information: Son of Robert Burns Johnson and Annie Johnson, of Ruchill, Glasgow. Commonwealth
War Dead Memorial Reference: Panel 93. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Killed in Normandy in the
operations at Caen
SUNDAY 13TH AUGUST 1944
LAMB, JOHN MCCRAE KIRKPATRICK Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 13/08/1944 Service No:
EX/5054 Additional information: Son of Alexander B. and Mary Kirkpatrick Lamb, of Dumfries. Commonwealth War Dead
Grave Reference: IA. H. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Died in Normandy in the operations at Caen
SUBSEQUENTLY
HILLS, HENRY JOSEPH Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 21/09/1944 Service No: PO/X 110743 Additional
information: Son of Henry G. and Sarah L. Hills, of Tonbridge, Kent, England. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference:
3. C. 7. Cemetery: CALAIS CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, LEUBRINGHEN Died of wounds in Normandy
TUESDAY 29TH AUGUST 1944
FOX, ARTHUR THOMAS Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 29/08/1944 Service
No: PLY/X108266 Additional information: Son of Arthur and Ellen Fox, of Birmingham; husband of Amy Fox, of Short
Heath, Birmingham. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: IIA. B. 4. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
Killed in Normandy in the operations at Caen
WOODBINE, BERT Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 22 Date of Death: 29/08/1944 Service No:
PO/X 110733 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Woodbine, of Tipton, Staffordshire. Commonwealth War
Dead Grave Reference: IIA. C. 4. Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Killed in action in Normandy in the
operations at Caen
BELGIUM
SEPTEMBER -OCTOBER 1944
REEVES, JONATHAN ALBERT Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 28 Date of Death: 25/09/1944
Service No: CH/X 105599 Additional information: Son of Jonathan Albert and Phyllis Virtue Reeves, of Streatham, London,
England. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: VI. B. 3. Cemetery: ADEGEM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Died in Belgium
PUGH, HAROLD Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 16/10/1944 Service No:
PO/X 112224 Additional information: Son of Arthur and Ethel J. Pugh, of North Walsall, Staffordshire. Commonwealth
War Dead Grave Reference: Plot 63. Row 1 Grave 9. Cemetery: BRUGGE GENERAL CEMETERY Died of wounds in
Belgium
“OPERATION INFATUATE” –WALCHEREN
.
The Dutch island of Walcheren stands at the mouth of the River Scheldt and controls access to the port of Antwerp,
which was still in German hands. With the Allies still being supplied mainly through the Mulberry Harbour in Normandy,
the importance of Antwerp close to the line of advance was critical to the Allies.
“Operation Infatuate” was the major amphibious invasion of the island involving landing against heavily fortified
and entrenched German positions. Prior to the landings the RAF had breached the seawall flooding the interior of the
island.
48 Commando Royal Marines had to go south of the gap. The first flight ashore consisting of three troops; each
Troop in a tank landing craft, they touched down with Moulton being one of the first on the beach. Though constantly shelled
on the way in their casualties were not heavy. They fought their first objective; a row of concrete pill boxes, on the southern
shoulder of the gap. When this was accomplished they moved on to the next a radar station, only to find it had been hastily
abandoned.
Intense machine-gun fire met Major de Stacpoole and 'Y' Troop as they went into attack; they were all killed or
wounded before they could reach the enemy.Before artillery could be bought to bear on the position embedded in concrete,
further assaults would suffer the same fate
WEDNESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 1948
BROWN, WILLIAM Private Royal Army Medical Corps attached 48 Commando RM16 Lt. Field
Ambulance Age: 26 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: 7404141 Additional information: Son of George and Jeannie
Lawrence Brown, of Aberdeen; husband of Mary Brown. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 6. C. 5. Cemetery:
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
BURGESS, NORMAN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Aged 23 Service No: PO/X 108636
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 5. B. 8. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Walcheren
DAVIS, ANTHONY DAVID Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: CH/X 107012
Additional information: Son of John and Elizabeth Jane Davis, of Watford, Hertfordshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 6. A. 9. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY killed in actionWalcheren
De STACPOOLE Derick Roderick “Y” Troop 48 RM Commando Major Date Of Death: 1st
November 1944 Age: 25 Additional Information: son of George,5th Duke de Stacpoole and Duchess (nee Palmer),
Tobertynan, Enfield, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland "A gallant, handsome Irish gentleman and most admirable soldier, we
owed much to the standards he had set" (Lt-Col J.L.Moulton) Gravesite: Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery,Netherlands 6.B.2
Wounded in action 6.6.1944 Normandy. Killed in action Walcheren
HAINES, LESLIE JAMES Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 23 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X104936
Additional information: Son of James and Ethel Haines, of Radstock, Somerset. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: Sp. Mem. 6. D. 9. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died at Walcheren
HUGHES, HAROLD Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 109789
Additional information: Son of Harold and Ada Hughes, of Hanley, Staffordshire. Commonwealth War Dead Memorial
Reference: Panel 92, Column 1. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Killed in action Walcheren
JORDAN, KENNETH JOSEPH Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X
113603 Additional information: Husband of Kitty Evelyn Jordan, of Ashton, Lancashire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 6. B. 1. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
LINDREA, CYRIL BRIAN Lieutenant 48 R.M. Commando. “Z” Troop Age: 19 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Additional
information: Son of John Graham Lindrea and Mary Lindrea, of Clifton, Bristol. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 6. A. 10. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
McARTHUR, Marine “S” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: CH/X 107114
Additional information: Son of William and Isabelle McArthur of Oatlands, Glasgow Commonwealth War Dead Memorial
Reference: 79, 2. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL Killed in action Walcheren
McKENZIE, GORDON MALACHY CRAWFORD South African Lieutenant South African
Armoured Corps SECONDED 48 Commando RM Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: 110297V Casualty Type:
Commonwealth War Dead Memorial Reference: Panel 11. Memorial: GROESBEEK MEMORIAL
SAMWELL, LAWRENCE ARTHUR Marine 48 R.M. Commando Age: 21 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: CH/X
106993 Additional information: Son of Arthur Alfred and Violet Emily Samwell, of Lodge Hill, Rochester, Kent. His
brother Vernon James Samwell also fell. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 6. A. 7. Cemetery: BERGEN-OPZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
SHEARS, PHILIP DESMOND Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 21 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: PO/X 116356
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 5. D. 11. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action
Walcheren
STEVENTON, THOMAS Corporal 48 R.M. Commando Age: 21 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: PO/X 117135
Additional information: Son of Thomas Steventon, and of Florence Steventon, of Wednesbury, Staffordshire.
Commonwealth War Dead Memorial Reference: Panel 87, Column 2. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Missing presumed killed Walcheren
WINSER, DAVID MICHAEL DE REUDA Lieutenant Royal
Army Medical Corps attached 48 Commando RM Age: 29 Date of Death: 01/11/1944 Service No: 305697 Awards: M C
Additional information: Son of Comdr. Alfred Michael Winser, R.N. (Rtd.) and Elizabeth Marjorie Winser, of Hampstead,
London. B.M. Scholar of Winchester and of Corpus Christi College, Oxford; rowed three years for Oxford; Newdigate Prize
Winner. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 6. B. 3. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed
in action Walcheren.
PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF ZOUTELANDEIN
COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH. ANNIVERSARY
OF THEIR LIBERATION BY"A" TROOP 48 COMMANDO, ROYAL MARINES
AT 11.00 HRS. ON 2ND. NOVEMBER 1944
FRIDAY 3RD - SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 1944
MACKENZIE, RODERICK GIMSON GRANT Captain “X” Troop 48 R.M.
Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 03/11/1944 Awards: M C Additional information: Son of John Ross Mackenzie, and of
Elizabeth Mackenzie (nee Gimson); nephew of Alice M. Gimson, of Leicester. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference:
Plot 9. Row 7. Grave 2. Cemetery: OOSTENDE NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY Died of wounds received 1.11.1944
Walcheren died of wounds in hospital, Belgium
GODKIN, NOEL HERBERT Captain “HQ” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 32
Date of Death: 04/11/1944 Awards: M.B.E Additional information: Son of Herbert and Emily Mary Godkin, of
Loughborough, Leicestershire Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: Plot 9. Row 7. Grave 5. Cemetery:
OOSTENDE Died of wounds
To the citizens of Serooskerke (W)on the 40e anniversary of liberation 8e nov: 1984 for their friendship and hospitality
to old comrades of 48 commando Royal Marines over the 40 years this plaque was unveiled by
Maj. D.J. Flunder. M.C., V.R.D., (A Troop)of 48 commando.
WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 1944
BEAN, WILLIAM GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. “A” Troop, formerly 7th Battalion RM. Aged 22 Date of
Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: CH/X 103570 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 15. B. 1. Cemetery: BERGENOP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
BRANCH, WALTER JAMES Private Royal Army Medical Corps attached 48 Commando RM Age 23 Date
of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: 7387468 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 15. C. 3. Cemetery: BERGEN-OPZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died Walcheren
ENGLAND Walter Hugh 48 RM Commando (A Troop) Lieutenant Number: 92327 V Date Of Death: 8th November 1944
Age: 25 Additional Information: parent unit South African Tank Corps son of Henry W.T. and Janet K .England, Durban,
Natal, South Africa Gravesite: Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands 21.B.1 Killed in action Walcheren
FOGG, DENNIS Lance Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PO/X
115897 Additional information: Son of Thomas Harvey Fogg and Lydia Maria Fogg, of Alum Rock,
Birmingham. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 16. B. 11. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR
CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
GIBBS, ROBERT MAURICE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PO/X 121475
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 5. C. 6. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY killed in action
at Walcheren
LAW, JAMES ERNEST Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: CH/X 105624
Additional information: Son of Arthur Law, and of Annie Millicent Law, of Ashwell, Hertfordshire. Commonwealth War
Dead Grave Reference: 21. B. 2. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
MEE, ALFRED JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 23 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: CH/X 105114
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Jewell, of Kentish Town, London. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 16. B. 8. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY killed in action at Walcheren
PEACE, HAROLD Sergeant 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 104977
Additional information: Son of William Bryan and Rebecca Peace, of Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Commonwealth War Dead
Grave Reference: 16. A. 7. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
POTTER, FREDERICK Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 107809
Additional information: Son of Fred and Mary E. Potter, of Hull. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 16. B. 9.
Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
SAVAGE, CYRIL CHARLES Royal Marines 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X
110740 Additional information: Son of Kate Savage, of Patchway, Gloucestershire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 16. B. 10. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
SHRIGLEY, ERNEST Corporal 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 29 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 120590
Additional information: Son of Thomas Arthur and Emma Jane Shrigley, of Talke, Staffordshire. Commonwealth War Dead
Grave Reference: 15. C. 8. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
SKELLAND, COLIN Marine “A” Troop 48 R.M. Commando Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 1909
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 15. C. 9. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY killed in action
Walcheren
STEPHENS, KENNETH WILLIAM Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 22 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X
108058 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: Panel 103. Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Died Walcheren
TITMUSS, PHILIP GEORGE Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 108464
Additional information: Son of James and Violet Mary Titmuss, of Lilley, Bedfordshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 15. C. 7. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY & Lilley (now Herts) War Memorial Killed in
action Walcheren
WALL, NORMAN F. Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 19 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PLY/X 4240
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Daisy Wall. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 6. B. 2. Cemetery:
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Killed in action Walcheren
WARE, CHARLES JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 29 Date of Death: 08/11/1944 Service No: PO/X 100016
Additional information: Son of James and Anne Ware, of Copnor, Hampshire. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference:
15. C. 2. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died of wounds Walcheren
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER 1944
SAGE, WILLIAM COLSTON Marine .48 R.M. Commando Age: 21 Date of Death: 13/11/1944
Service No: PLY/X 106647 Additional information: Son of Edward Colston Sage and Ethel Elizabeth Sage, of Bristol.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: Plot 9. Row 7. Grave 33. Cemetery: OOSTENDE NEW COMMUNAL
CEMETERY died of wounds Walcheren
ANTWERP OPERATIONS
SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER
HALL, TOM Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 21 Date of Death: 16/12/1944 Service No: PLY/X
110485 Additional information: Son of Eddie and Matilda Jane Hall, of Morley, Yorkshire. Commonwealth War Dead
Grave Reference: V. A. 57. Cemetery: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY Died in Belgium, Antwerp operations
LEE, REGINALD JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 20 Date of Death: 16/12/1944 Service
No: PO/X117881 Additional information: Son of Reginald and Jessie H. Lee, of Westminster, London. Commonwealth War
Dead Grave Reference: V. A. 47. Cemetery: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY Died in Belgium Antwerp operations
DUTCH OPERATIONS 1945
After Walcheren 48 Commando raided across he Maas river into Holland
COLEMAN, ARTHUR DOUGLAS Marine “A” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 26 Date of Death: 12/03/1945 Service
No: PLY/X 120111 Additional information: Son of Thomas and May Coleman, of Wraxall, Somerset; husband of Eileen
Beryl Coleman, of Bedminster Down, Bristol. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 22. B. 9. Cemetery: BERGENOP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY batman to Lt Collins both killed in action Holland
COLLINS, PETER STRATFORD Lieutenant “A” Troop 48 R.M. Commando. Age: 24 Date of Death:
12/03/1945 Awards: M C Additional information: Son of Herbert Stratford Collins and Ellen Louise Collins, of
Hollingbourne, Kent. Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 22. B. 10. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR
CEMETERY also Queen's College Roll of Honour. killed in action Holland
FINDLAY, MARTIN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 22 Date of Death: 26/03/1945 Service No: CH/X 106200
Additional information: Son of Alexina Findlay, of Chapelton, Newmuir, Brechin, Angus. Commonwealth War Dead Grave
Reference: 15. A. 1. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died in Holland
STEWART, JOHN Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 23 Date of Death: 21/02/1945 Service No: PLY/X 100796
Additional information: Son of David and Mary Stewart; husband of Ellen Pauline Marjorie Stewart, of Stoke, Plymouth.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 5. A. 4. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died of wounds
in Holland
TAYLOR, ROBERT WILLIAM Marine 48 R.M. Commando. Age 21 Date of Death: 08/01/1945 Service No: CH/X
107296 Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: 15. A. 8. Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY Died of
wounds in Holland
WHITNEY, ROBERT DESMOND Marine (shown 45 Commando by CWGC).
Age: 24 Date of Death: 28/06/1945 Service No: PLY/X108404 Additional information: Son of James and Rose Whitney, of
Glyn Neath; husband of Gwenllian Whitney, of Glyn Neath Commonwealth War Dead Grave Reference: West of Church.
Cemetery: ABERPERGWM (ST. CADOC) CHURCHYARD AND PRIVATE EXTENSION Died of illness in UK.
BULL Robert Roy 48 Commando RM Marine Number: PO/X 109104 Date Of Death: 12th
November 1945 Age: 20 Gravesite: Brierley Hill (St Michael) Churchyard,Staffordshire South of Tower Row 10 Grave 16
Additional Information: son of Frank and Minnie Bull,Brierley Hill,Staffordshire died UK following road accident. He is not
shown on the 48 Commando Memorial
Post war 4 Special Service Brigade became 4 Commando Brigade Royal Marines & became the home of the Reserve
Units. 48 Commando in the 1950s became 48 Commando RNSR & provided the ex-National Service RM commandos
with the reserve training.
Editors notes. This is a compilation of many people’s work on the internet honouring those members of 46 Commando RM..
References :
1.
4th Special Services Brigade Diary
National Archives catalogue number ADM 202/99.
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_4ssbde.htm
2.
Walcheren landings http://www.modern-day-commando.com/48-Commando-RM.html
3.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission http://www.cwgc.org/debt_of_honour.asp?menuid=14
4.
" Kind permission has been given to use the pictures of the graves, which are from the WAR GRAVES
PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT. The copyright on these pictures rests with the CWGC/ TWGPP/ DONOR. Original
versions of the pictures are available on the website http://www.twgpp.org in hard or soft copy format..
5.
6.
Special Forces Roll of Honour http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php
7.
Royal Marine Memorials at Portsmouth http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/index.htm
8.
NAVAL-HISTORY.NET 1998-2010 archived by British Library & U.S. Library of Congress working with
National http://www.naval-history.net/index.htm
9.
http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/index.htm for memorials to 48 Commando
10. Pictures of the officers are from the following website
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/w/units/Royal%20Marine%20Commando%20Units/48%20RM%2
0Cdo/