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 Langrune-sur-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.