[Photo courtesy of his son Richard Mitchell].
Captain Ronald England Mitchell joined the strength of No.2 Commando on 5 March 1941 and appointed Administration Officer. In February 1944 he was attached to HQ, 2 Special Service (Commando) Brigade.
In 1945 Temporary Major Ronald Mitchell, HQ 2 Commando Brigade, was appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Italy during operations at Lake Comacchio. Recommendation
"Operation Roast Italy 1 April 1945.
This Officer has served as Administration Officer for No.2 Commando for nearly 3 years during which time it was administered with the utmost efficiency. He took part in the Scaletta and Salerno landings where, with complete disregard for personal danger saw that his commando were never in want for food or ammunition in spite of their isolated positions, all in close contact with the enemy.
From February 1944 to date he has carried out the duties of Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General of 2 Commando Brigade and apart from dealing with the Army side of the Brigade has equally well administered the Royal Marine Commandos for whom a different system is in operation. He has done excellent work in the many Brigade operations in the Dalmatian islands on the coast of Yugoslavia, Albania and in Greece.
During the recent Operation Roast (the attack and capture of the Spit East of the Valli di Comacchio) the Brigade had under command and in support an exceedingly large number of units of various arms, including armour, artillery, engineers, stormboat crews, supply and medical services, etc. the total force being approximately equivalent in numbers to divisional strength.
In spite of the size of the force, the diversity of the supplies, ammunition, etc. and the very inadequate administration staff available in a Commando Brigade, this Officer organised his administration staff so efficiently and untiringly, that at no time throughout the operation, did any unit or sub unit lack for supplies, water, ammunition, or any other form of maintenance.
The fact that throughout the first night and day the only routes available for the maintenance of the force and the evacuation of prisoners of war and casualties were by ferry across the River Reno and by stormboats across the Valli Di Comacchi serves only to emphasise the size of the task confronting him, the efficiency of his organisation, and the unsparing efforts he made to achieve such success.
The success of the operation was very greatly dependant on the solution of this maintenance problem. That it was solved successfully is largely due to the unsparing efforts, determination, and drive of Major Mitchell."
Recommended by Brig. R.J.F. Tod, DSO, Officer Commanding 2 Cdo Bde.
16 February 1951 awarded the Territorial Efficiency Decoration.
Ronald England Mitchell
b. 26.02.1915
d. 25.10.2005.
