https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/
All photos subject of copyright © 2010. Contact the CVA for further details.

A document about the formation of 2 SBS is held on our website and can be viewed HERE

See also our album for the Greek Sacred Squadron with whom the SBS operated in the Aegean HERE]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:06:36 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/11952-15/sbs.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/Joe+Pagnam+_2_.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/Joe+Pagnam+_2_.png.html
Second Lieutenant Joe Pagnam received a Mention in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service during the Oran landings at Algeria [1][2].
Recommendation
Oran Landings - Assault on port by H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland 8th November 1942.
"This Officer displayed great coolness and courage in the face of intense fire, when H.M.S. Hartland was the target for every gun on the shore. When the ship was abandoned he got several wounded Americans away on a Carley Float, and later helped to rescue them from drowning when the float was abandoned due to heavy S.A.A. fire." [2].
Service
2 May 1942 commissioned Second Lieutenant at O.C.T.U. from the ranks of the Gordon Highlanders [3][3a].
2 August 1942 arrived 2 Special Boat Section [4].
December 1942 assumed duties of Administration Officer at 2SBS HQ [4].
Promoted Captain [4].
November 1943 posted Staff Captain, Liaison, Special Service Group HQ [4].
20 January 1947 relinquished commission, granted honorary rank of Captain [5].
Post war 1946 resided in Argentina [6].

Sources
[1] London Gazette 36486, page 1928.
[2] Award Recomendations / National Archives file WO373/94/449.
[3] London Gazette 35562, page 2168.
[3a] Gordon Highlanders Museum curator.
[4] 2 SBS Timeline [see Linked Content below].
[5] London Gazette 37876, page 695.
[6] Commando Association newsletters 3 and 108.
[Image] His son Joe Pagnam.
In album Special Boat Section and the Special Boat Squadron SAS]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:13:16 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/SBS2_group+_761780_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/SBS2_group+_761780_.jpg.html
Lt Peters, 2nd from the left in the middle row of 4 men seated, was in 'B' Group 2SBS. Photo courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.

left to right

Top: 1-7. nk; 8. Cpl Thomas Ivor Williams.

Middle (all sitting): 1. nk; 2. Lt Richard Peters; 3-4: nk.

Bottom: 1 (kneeling). nk; 2-5. nk

In Memory of 226391 Lieutenant Richard James McGregor PETERS
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 7th(1st Bn Queen Victoria's Rifles) Bn., and Special Boat Service SAS Regt., AAC.,
who died on the 8th February 1945.
Remembered with honour at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
In album Special Boat Section and the Special Boat Squadron SAS]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 09 Oct 2021 15:22:51 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/SBS2_Group2+_761781_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/SBS2_Group2+_761781_.jpg.html
Lt Peters, 2nd from the left in the middle row of 4 men seated, was in 'B' Group 2SBS. Photo courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.

In Memory of 226391 Lieutenant Richard James McGregor PETERS
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 7th(1st Bn Queen Victoria's Rifles) Bn., and Special Boat Service SAS Regt., AAC.,
who died on the 8th February 1945.
Remembered with honour at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
In album Special Boat Section and the Special Boat Squadron SAS]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 08 Jun 2016 21:12:42 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/Lt+Peters+and+2+SBS.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/Lt+Peters+and+2+SBS.jpg.html
Lt Peters (nearest the camera with hat on), 'B' Group 2 Special Boat Section, was later killed in action. Photo courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.

In Memory of 226391 Lieutenant Richard James McGregor PETERS
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 7th(1st Bn Queen Victoria's Rifles) Bn., and Special Boat Service SAS Regt., AAC.,
who died on the 8th February 1945.
Remembered with honour at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
In album Special Boat Section and the Special Boat Squadron SAS]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 08 Jun 2016 21:03:34 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/SBS_RJMP_Montgomery+_761778_+-+7+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/SBS_RJMP_Montgomery+_761778_+-+7+copy.jpg.html
Photo courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:42:43 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Report+on+how+he+died+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Report+on+how+he+died+copy.jpg.html
Photo courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:33:30 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Lt+Peters+insignia.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Lt+Peters+insignia.jpg.html
[Photos from the family courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.]
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:23:32 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Lt+Peters+2SBS+meets+Mountbatten.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Lt+Peters+2SBS+meets+Mountbatten.jpg.html
[Photo from the family courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.]

In Memory of 226391 Lieutenant Richard James McGregor PETERS
Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 7th(1st Bn Queen Victoria's Rifles) Bn., and 2nd Special Boat Service SAS Regt., AAC.,
who died on the 8th February 1945.
Remembered with honour at Taukkyan War Cemetery.
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:19:59 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Letter++from+Maj+Kealy+to+parents+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Letter++from+Maj+Kealy+to+parents+copy.jpg.html
The letter relates to the death of Lt Peters 2SBS and is provided courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:16:53 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Letter+from+laycock+to+his+father+-16+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/sbs/peters/Letter+from+laycock+to+his+father+-16+copy.jpg.html
This letter relates to the death of Lt Peters 2SBS and is provided courtesy of his nephew Robert Barton.
In album Lieutenant Richard James McGregor Peters]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:54:40 +0100