CSM John Charles Hughes Southworth MM, No.1 Commando 4 Troop

[Photos and information courtesy of his daughter Elaine].

03.07.1939 enlisted in the TA South Wales Borderers (The Monmouthshire Regiment).
28.04.1940 volunteered for and posted No.9 Independent Company;
10.11.1940 posted 'A' Coy., No.1 Special Service Bn.,
04.03.1941 posted No.1 Commando 4 troop.

Extracts from his Army Service record:
5/11/41 Promoted War Substantive Corporal; 2/3/42 - 10/3/42 Attached to Commando Depot; 27/4/42 Promoted Lance Sergeant; 21/7/42 - 24/9/42 attached to Commando Depot; 8/11/42 disembarked with No.1 Commando North Africa; 27/2/43 wounded in action at Sedjenane. Subsequently awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry; 7/6/43 disembarked UK; 6/8/43 - 6/10/43 attached to Commando Depot as an acting Sergeant; 11/11/43 Embarked for overseas service with No.1 Commando; 13/12/43 Disembarked Alexandria and attached to 158 Transit Camp; 8/1/44 embarked for India with No.1 Commando; 21/1/44 Disembarked India; 5/2/44 Promoted War Substantive rank of Sergeant; 12/2/44 - 5-3-44 Attached for a course to the Jungle Warfare School at Shimoga; 9/9/44 Disembarked Ceylon with No.1 Commando; 3/10/44 (X List) Embarked Ceylon for India; 10/10/44 Disembarked India and entered Concessional Area Arakan; 18/10/44 Posted to x(1) list; 4/12/44 Concessional Area Arakan Promoted A/C/Sgt; 14/3/45 returned from Concessional Area and Embarked Akyab for Madras; 18/3/45 disembarked Madras; 15/4/45 - 31/5/45 attached to 81(WA) Div. as an Instructor; 31/5/45 slightly injured reverts to WS rank of Sgt.; 6/6/45 Posted to HC(O) Holding Commando Overseas and SOS (struck off strength) No.1 Cdo.; 27/6/45 SOS Holding Commando India and all X lists. Posted to BBRC (British Base Reinforcement Camp) Narvik Road;
24/3/46 embarked India for UK rank of A/WOII;
14/7/46 Released to Class'Z'(T)Reserve List Rank shown as Paid Acting Warrant Officer 2

Citation for the Military Medal
On the afternoon of 27th February 1943 Davidson's Troop put in an attack on the steep side of a hill north of the Sedjenane Valley. L/Sgt Southworth was i/c Sub Section of this Troop. The Troop attacked under very heavy MG fire and several times were pinned down. Finally the position was taken by assault and L/Sgt Southworth led his Section in the forefront of the assault. During this action he was severely wounded in the leg and although in great pain he still led his Section forward and urged them on. The assault was successful.The great powers of leadership, courage and devotion to duty displayed by this NCO was largely responsible for the success of the assault. (L.G. 23.9.43).

John Charles Hughes Southworth
b. 04.02.1921
d. 26.02.2010.