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All photos subject of copyright © 2010 CVA. Contact the CVA for further details]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:23:18 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/2569-10/Middle+East+Commandos.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty_ME_Signals_Course.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty_ME_Signals_Course.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son and namesake Robert Trusty].

Robert is 2nd from the left, second row from the top.

Admin Note
Not all in this photo will be Commandos. The Middle East Signal School was located at Helwan, Cairo.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 20:58:52 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty_50ME_Crete_Dec_1940.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty_50ME_Crete_Dec_1940.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son and namesake Robert Trusty].

Robert is sitting at the back in the middle below the man standing.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:30:39 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Robert_Trusty_Layforce_and_others_Dec_1940.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Robert_Trusty_Layforce_and_others_Dec_1940.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Robert Trusty].
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:31:53 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty/Robert_G_Trusty_Layforce.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty/Robert_G_Trusty_Layforce.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Robert Trusty].

Robert Trusty enlisted 4 April 1938 as a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, service number 4858686. Served in Palestine, later volunteered for the Middle East Commandos.
Private Trusty, 'D' Battalion, Layforce, was reported missing during operations at Crete, later confirmed a prisoner of war, captured 1 June 1941. Prisoner of war number 12181. 50 and 52 Middle East Commando formed 'D' Battalion of Layforce for the Crete operation. Resided Fulham after repatriation to the UK in May 1945.
Camp timeline
04.06.1941 - 04.07.1941 Malame Transit Camp, Crete.
07.07.1941 - 12.08.1941 Dulag 183, Greece.
17.08.1941 - 19.08.1941 Stalag 3A, Germany.
19.08.1941 - 21.04.1945 Stalag 3D, Germany (Work Camps E401 and E428).

View A-Z page: https://www.commandoveterans.org/R_Trusty_Layforce

Robert George Trusty
b. 23.10.1919 Catford.
d. 16.03.1959 Upton Hospital, Slough.
In album Pte. Robert George Trusty, 50 Middle East Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 20:47:50 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty/Robert_George_Trusty_Layforce.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Trusty/Robert_George_Trusty_Layforce.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Robert Trusty].

Robert Trusty enlisted 4 April 1938 as a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, service number 4858686. Served in Palestine, later volunteered for the Middle East Commandos.
Private Trusty, 'D' Battalion, Layforce, was reported missing during operations at Crete, later confirmed a prisoner of war, captured 1 June 1941. Prisoner of war number 12181. 50 and 52 Middle East Commando formed 'D' Battalion of Layforce for the Crete operation. Resided Fulham after repatriation to the UK in May 1945.
Camp timeline
04.06.1941 - 04.07.1941 Malame Transit Camp, Crete.
07.07.1941 - 12.08.1941 Dulag 183, Greece.
17.08.1941 - 19.08.1941 Stalag 3A, Germany.
19.08.1941 - 21.04.1945 Stalag 3D, Germany (Work Camps E401 and E428).

View A-Z page: https://www.commandoveterans.org/R_Trusty_Layforce

Robert George Trusty
b. 23.10.1919 Catford.
d. 16.03.1959 Upton Hospital, Slough.
In album Pte. Robert George Trusty, 50 Middle East Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 20:48:21 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Harry_+B_Collett_52ME_900.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/Harry_+B_Collett_52ME_900.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Mark Morreau].

09.02.1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Yorkshire Hussars.
02.06.1941 Lieutenant, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), reported wounded and missing in Crete, later confirmed wounded and prisoner of war since 30 May 1941.
03.08.1941 imprisoned at Oflag VIB.
---.06.1943 escaped from Oflag VIIB. Recaptured.
21.06.1943 imprisoned at Oflag IVC, Colditz.
26.09.1951 Lieutenant, Yorkshire Hussars, relinquished commission..

Harry Burke Collett
b. 02.07.1908 Richmond, Surrey
d. 17.04.1993 Orford, Suffolk.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:52:28 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/H_B_Collett_52ME_Cdo_Sydney_1936.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/H_B_Collett_52ME_Cdo_Sydney_1936.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Mark Morreau].

09.02.1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Yorkshire Hussars.
02.06.1941 Lieutenant, 52 Middle East Commando ('D' Bn., Layforce), reported wounded and missing in Crete, later confirmed wounded and prisoner of war since 30 May 1941.
03.08.1941 imprisoned at Oflag VIB.
---.06.1943 escaped from Oflag VIIB. Recaptured.
21.06.1943 imprisoned at Oflag IVC, Colditz.
26.09.1951 Lieutenant, Yorkshire Hussars, relinquished commission..

Harry Burke Collett
b. 02.07.1908 Richmond, Surrey
d. 17.04.1993 Orford, Suffolk.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:52:28 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/ba09ddd2-1045-4dc5-9ff7-2298fec224fc-new.jpeg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/ba09ddd2-1045-4dc5-9ff7-2298fec224fc-new.jpeg.html
Roland Elliston, a farm worker from Colchester, Essex, enlisted into the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment on 1 July 1936, army number 5949114 . Served in Palestine; awarded the General Service Medal Palestine Clasp March 1940. Posted 52 Middle East Commando 1 November 1940 on its formation at Geneifa. Active service included Egypt, Sudan, and Crete. Reported missing 2 June 1941 during operations at Crete, later confirmed captured 1 June 1941. His Commando at the time formed part of 'D' Bn., Layforce. Full details in the archive Personnel A-Z.

Roland Desmond Elliston
b. 11.05.1920.
d. 25.11.1997.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 05 Feb 2024 13:40:32 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/RWA_Mills_52.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/RWA_Mills_52.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Stephen Mills].

Regiment/Corps: North Somerset Yeomanry, Number: 409536
15 November 1935 attested into the Corps of Dragoons, North Somerset Yeomanry T.A., aged 18. Civil occupation - Clerk. 2 September 1939 embodied for active service. 11 February 1940 embarked for overseas service Palestine. Posted 52 Middle East Commando sometime after it was formed at Geneifa on 2 November 1940. Transferred to the Royal Signals 9 July 1942. Autumn 1942 only survivor after his troop carrier struck a mine.

Robert Walter Anthony Mills
b. 24.04.1917
d. 11.09.1996.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:59:36 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/RWA_Mills_52ME.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Middle+East+Commandos/RWA_Mills_52ME.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Stephen Mills].

Regiment/Corps: North Somerset Yeomanry, Number: 409536
15 November 1935 attested into the Corps of Dragoons, North Somerset Yeomanry T.A., aged 18. Civil occupation - Clerk. 2 September 1939 embodied for active service. 11 February 1940 embarked for overseas service Palestine. Posted 52 Middle East Commando sometime after it was formed at Geneifa on 2 November 1940. Transferred to the Royal Signals 9 July 1942. Autumn 1942 only survivor after his troop carrier struck a mine.

Robert Walter Anthony Mills
b. 24.04.1917
d. 11.09.1996.
In album Middle East Commandos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:59:00 +0000