41 independent Commando Royal Marines 1950-1952

Can anyone help.

My name is Graham Cooper,an Associate member.

I am looking for names and service details of those Royal Marines who served with 41 Ind.Cdo.R.M. from 1950 - 1952 during the Korean war.

It would appear that between 200 and 260 men were enlisted into 41 Ind Cdo,to date approx. 170 names have been found,so there is still a few to be found.

This nominal roll can/will be added to the R.M.commandos who are already noted by the CVA.

Thanks again.

Graham

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 07/10/2018 13:29:02

For those who aren't aware of 41 Ind Cdo RM, here is an excellent article about their activities in Korea where, under their CO, Lt Col Douglas B Drysdale, RM, DSO, MBE, the Commando served as part of a 900-man Allied Marines task force, Task Force Drysdale, winning the awe and respect of their brothers-in-arms.

http://www.koreanwaronline.com/arms/41RMCpub.htm

There is one book I have seen, but not read, "41 Independent Commando RM, Korea 1950-1952", by Lt Col Peter Thomas, RM.
Published by the RM Historical Society and illustrated throughout with several black and white photographs, chapters include:
Background and formation
Early Raids
Attachment to the First US Marine Division
The Advance to the Sea
The Sorye Dong Raid
Wonsan Harbour and Further raids
Disbandment and Conclusions
Several appendices, detailing raiding techniques, organisation of 41 (Ind) Commando, Command and Control, Roll of Honour, Honours and Awards, POW's, and more...

Nick

Nick,

As always many thanks for your reply,

Another good book is Fred Hayhurst and "The Green Berets in Korea".

I have trawled both books and found the names I have,at present I am trying to find those that were injured and sent to American hospitals for recovery.Even 5 - 6 years after the war there is nothing simple in find info on the commando.

Thanks

Graham

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/10/2018 23:59:21

Hi Graham

There is an interesting article on this link which has 9 names half way down: http://www.gunnygenes.koreanwar-educator.org/korea/41commandos.htm

David Albert
Charles Creech
Fred Hayhurst
E.C. Hayter
C.H. Prescott
Jack Purkiss
Patrick Saunders
Albert Toogood
H. C. Ashton

I will go through Train Wreckers and Ghost Killers again and see what names are there.

Graham,

Some men listed as wounded in December 1950

Wounded

CRUSE Ernest Corporal PLY/X4655 (Exmouth)
CULLY James Marine (Stirling)
DICKENS L.F.J Sergeant PLY/X3522 (Killwinning, Ayrshire)
DUMBRICK Thomas Marine RM8762 (Torquay)
HARPER A.H. Marine (Newport I.o.W.)
HAYES Leonard Arthur Marine RM9037 (Chard)
HURD Desmond Marine (Inverkeithing)
IRISH Walter G. Marine (Newton Abbott)
JOHNSTON Sydney Connor Marine PO/X6161 (Exeter)
KING G. Marine (Shipley, Yorkshire)
M?ROBERT G.J.C.H. Bugler (Kirkhill, Inverness)
PAYNE Gordon J. Marine (Burton-upon-Trent)
PAYNE J.S. Marine (Elgin)
PEPPER James Marine (Bloxwich, Staffordshire)
PERKINS S.P. Marine (Kingston-on-Thames)
STANLEY J.A. Marine CH/X 2809 (West Appledore)
STOCK E.J. Marine (Bournemouth)
TOOGOOD Albert V.H. Marine RM9060 (Radstock)
WEBB E.H. Corporal (Banbury)

Other sources (not wounded)

BYRNE Marine (Liverpool)
HODGES P. Corporal H.Q. Troop (Northampton)
MAILL Jeremiah J. Sergeant (Westerhope)
ROBERTS Frederick Marine (Liverpool)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/10/2018 11:34:55

Here is a newspaper article about the preparations of 41 Independent Commando RM for Korea. Some names are included and it should be noted that it mentions that the RN Sick Birth Attendants that were assigned to the Commando also received the same training.

From the same newspaper

One more

Marine William Clive Cox on the right

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/10/2018 12:17:08

The above Marine W.C. Cox was reported missing in action by the Admiralty this being published in the Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press - Friday 15 December 1950. On Friday 9th March 1951 the same paper reported

CODNOR MARINE PRISONER IN KOREA. A message broadcast over Peking Radio on Monday has allayed anxiety in the Codnor home of Mr. and Mrs. William Cox. The message said that their 23-year old son, Marine Commando William Clive Cox who was taken prisoner by the Communists in Korea, is in good health and being well treated. Marine Cox was reported missing last November, but in January his parents received official notification that he had been captured. Marine Cox, who had previously served in the Royal Engineers, joined the Marines last June alter finding civilian life dull. He was flown out to Korea last autumn in civilian clothes. He is single and was formerly employed by G. C. Ogle and Sons. Ltd., of Ripley.