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View the 40RM Commando Roll of Honour]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:21:34 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/1774-14/40+RM+Cdo.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/R_J_Ford_40RM.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/R_J_Ford_40RM.png.html
[Photo courtesy of Tony Foster whose wife is the niece of LCpl Ford].

PO/X2366 Lance Corporal Reginald James Ford was wounded twice whilst with 40RM Commando. He was subsequently medically discharged as a result of his wounds. Active service in 40RM Commando included Sicily, Italy, and the Dalmatian Islands.
Service timeline extract
26.01.1937 attested into the Royal Marines. 
14.06.1938 RM Detachment on HMS Effingham. 
25.07.1938 HMS Effingham, Marine Officers Attendant to Lieut's Stibley and Harkness.
18.01.1939 posted from HMS Effingham to Portsmouth Division.
02.02.1939 - 01.11.1042 RM Detachment on HMS Ramillies included a period as Marine Officers Attendant for Lieut. Bennett. HMS Ramillies deployments included convoy escorts and Operation Ironclad at Madagascar.
02-11-1942 - 16.04.1943 Portsmouth Division.
17.04.1943 posted to 40RM Commando.
28.06.1943 embarked on H.M.T. Dunnottar Castle for overseas service.
13.07.1943 disembarked Sicily.
16.07.1943 embarked H.M.S. Queen Emma at Syracuse Harbour for Augusta Harbour..
17.07.1943 wounded in action on board H.M.S. Queen Emma during an air attack on Augusta Harbour which caused an explosion on board the ship with many casualties.
19.07.1943 evacuated by hospital ship.
20.07.1943 admitted to No.2 General Hospital. Transferred to No.7 Convalescent Depot.
13.08.1943 rejoined 40RM Commando (see unit history for ops. timeline).
16.02.1944 appointed Lance Corporal. Admitted to hospital
18.03.1944 rejoined 40RM Commando (see unit history for ops. timeline).
03.06.1944 wounded during a raid on the Dalmation Island of Brac (Operation Flounced).
01.08.1944 struck off strength 40RM Commando on evacuation to UK on HMHS Atlantic.
12.08.1944 to Royal Naval Auxiliary (RNAH) Hospital Barrow Gurney.
13.10.1944 struck off strength Holding Operational Commando. Taken on strength Royal Marine Training Group (RMTG) 'D'.  Present disposal RNAH Barrow Gurney.
10.04.1945 transferred to RNAH Sherborne where he remained until medically discharged December 1945.
04.03.1946 discharged from military service.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:35:30 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/j_h_lewis_3.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/j_h_lewis_3.png.html
[Photo from the collection Mne. John H. Lewis 40RM Commando courtesy of his niece Joy Cann].

Photo annotated "The only survivors of 7 Platoon 'B' Coy. after Dieppe". Followed by the names below.

Top: Mne J.H. Lewis; L. Kellett; T. Gardner; O. Wharton.

Bottom: J. Masterson; Jones; Mann; Hammersley.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:45:35 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/David_Charles_Turner_40RM.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/David_Charles_Turner_40RM.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his nephew Barrie Crick].

CH/X101283 Corporal David Turner, 40RM Commando, received a Mention in Despatches for services in Italy 1st April to 8th May 1945.

David Charles Turner
b. 24.05.1921
d. 08.02.2020 Cambridge.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:07:06 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/William_Heffernan_40RM_Cdo_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/William_Heffernan_40RM_Cdo_copy.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Terry Heffernan].

William John Heffernan joined the Royal Marines in 1938. After a call for volunteers he joined the RM Commando (later re-designated 40RM Commando) on its formation in 1942. Corporal Heffernan was wounded and a prisoner of war on 19 August 1942 during operations at Dieppe, France. Hospitalised first in Rouen, then from 29th August 1942, in the Stalag’s hospital until November when transferred to the main camp. Repatriated October 1943 in the first prisoner exchange. Post war member of the Commando Association from Chigwell, Essex.

William John Heffernan
b. 24.10.1919 London
d. 11.01.1995 Essex.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:25:19 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/James_Major/Insignia_Mne_James_Mason_40RM.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/James_Major/Insignia_Mne_James_Mason_40RM.jpg.html
[Photos courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck].
In album Mne. James Albert Major, 40RM Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:40:14 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/James_Major/James_Albert+Major_RM_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/James_Major/James_Albert+Major_RM_.jpg.html
[Photos courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck].

RM Service
06.10.1942 - 23.11.1942 Depot RM Lympstone.
24.11.1942 - 17.05.1943 RM Division.
18.05.1943 - 24.12.1944 40RM Commando.
03.10.1943 40RM Commando wounded Termoli, Italy.
25.12.1944 - 10.04.1945 Byrsa (shore base Naples).
11.04.1945 - 15.08.1945 St Angelo (shore base Malta).
25.08.1945 - 22.10.1945 Chatham Division.
23.10.1945 - 02.11.1945 RM Training Group (RMTG).
03.11.1945 - 24.04.1946 Royal Albert (Naval Party 1739).
28.10.1946 - 10.07.1946 Chatham Division (released Class A).
In album Mne. James Albert Major, 40RM Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:40:14 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/group+from+40RM+Cdo+Y+troop+_copy_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/group+from+40RM+Cdo+Y+troop+_copy_.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Mne. James Albert Major courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck].
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:45:27 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/40RM+Commando+2+section+_copy_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/40RM+Commando+2+section+_copy_.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Mne. James Albert Major courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck].

From annotations on reverse:
left to right
(standing) 1. Mne. James Albert Major; 2. Mne. Merritt; 3. Mne. Leek.
(sitting) 1. Mne. Goldsmith; 2. Cpl. Routley; 3. Mne. Langdon.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:45:02 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/40RM+Commando+B+troop+_copy_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/40RM+Commando+B+troop+_copy_.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Mne. James Albert Major courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck].
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:45:48 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/Peter_Coombes_40RM_CH_X110269+_copy_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/Peter_Coombes_40RM_CH_X110269+_copy_.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Mne. James Albert Major courtesy of his daughter Gillian Buck.]

In Memory of CH/X110269 Marine Peter Lonsdale Coombes
No.40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines.
who died aged 20 on 2 April 1945 at Lake Comacchio.
Remembered with honour at Ravenna War Cemetery, Italy.
In album 40 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:52:19 +0100