Dieppe - 19 August 1942 - No 4 Commando

This message was edited 8 times. Last update was at 17/06/2013 19:00:47

Dieppe 19 August 1942 No 4 Commando

The Following pages contain the names, ranks and numbers of the officers and men of No4 Commando who attacked and destroyed the Hess Battery at Varengeville near Dieppe, on Wednesday the 19th of August 1942.
The list is the result of well over three years research and was begun solely because no record of the names of those involved in the action existed. Somewhere in the region of five hundred letters were sent to newspapers here in the UK, then Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The ensuing response was very good; contact was made with at least ninety Commandos as well as next of kin of those who are no longer with us. Each contributed with names of those they could recall as having been with No 4 Commando at Varengeville.
A number of names of those involved were already documented, the remainder, some two hundred names are the product of a consensus of opinion among the Commandos who were contacted. However, I wish to point out that opinions were not always unanimous; this was, quite naturally, to be expected but eventually sheer volume of opinion allied to personal memories persuaded me that the names submitted were clearly the names of those who were involved in ?Operation Cauldron?. The men of No 4 Commando were asked to delve deeply into their memories and recall an event that occurred forty eight years ago, this could not have been easy, their response was excellent and the rapport and teamwork which quickly materialised between us had to be experienced to be understood. Men whom I had never met became companions in the task, their constant message of advice and encouragements became the spur which enabled me to continue with what, at time was a frustrating task.
I can but once again thank each and every one of these Commandos for their inestimable assistance.
At the risk of being considered invidious I must mention the name of one person without whose help this list could not have been completed with accuracy and attention to detail such as numbers and regiments Etc. The General Secretary of the Commando Association Mr Ron Youngman proved to be a tower of strength, his patience and goodwill in the face of my interminable enquiries was exemplary.
Finally, I accept full responsibility for any errors but as Queen Victoria once remarked ?History is not what actually happened but what you believe happened?. Thus, I believe that within these pages are the names of all the men who fought and died at Varengeville.

E.W. Jones
Rhosllanerchrugog, Nr Wrexham, Clwyd.

July 1990.

Officers of No 4 Commando: Operation Cauldron:
Varengeville August 19th 1942.

Commanding Officer.

44718 Lt. Col.The Lord Lovat MC. Lovat Scouts.

Second in Command.

69334 Major Mills-Roberts D. Irish Guards.

112893 Capt. Boucher-Myers B.W.S. East Lancs.
130068 Capt. Dawson R.W.P. Loyals.
122040 Capt. Walker R.J. R.A.M.C. *
* Medical Officer
730333 Capt. Porteous P.A. R.A.
132780 Capt. Dunning-White J. V111Hussars.
120922 Capt. Pettiward R.G.P. Beds. & Herts.
130201 Capt. Smith A.D.C. Intel. Corps.
126230 Capt. Webb G.G.H. MC. R.A.
93310 Lieut. Ackernley M.C. R.Corps. Signals
155073 Lieut. Coulson L. Durham L.I.
106677 Lieut. Carr E.L.K.A. R.A.
71766 Lieut. Style D.C.W. Lancs. Fus.
90629 Lieut. Gilchrist D.J. Camerons.
15148 Lieut. MacDonald J.A. 1stDragoons (R.A.C.)
199623 Lieut. McKay D.B. R.E.
53193 Lieut. Ennis J. R.A.
149347 Lieut. Veasey A.F. Worcesters.

All awards shown are those held on August 19th 1942.

NCOs and other ranks of No 4 Commando:
Operation Cauldron August 19th 1942.

5183147 Sgt. Adlam W. Glosters.
3249930 L/Cpl. Aitken J. Camerons
6918457 Pte. Allan W. S. Staffs.
T/71345 Sgt. Allsop W. R.A.S.C.
7017211 Rfn. Anderson R.J. R.U.R.
3965128 Pte. Andrews V.W. Welch Rgt.
1504772 Sgt. Austin A. R.A.
3319294 Pte. Bagdonas E. H.L.I.
3445730 Pte. Banks A. Lancs. Fus.
5345368 Pte. Barnes W. R. Berks.
7662631 Fus. Barnett G. R. Fus.
5382464 Pte. Bateman L. Ox & Bucks.
5389646 Cpl. Batty R. Ox & Bucks.
7901939 Sgt. Bend F. R.A.C.
7013529 Cpl. Birmingham C. R.U.R.
5674696 L/Cpl. Bishop J. Somerset L.I.
6905806 Cpl. Blunden G. Rifle Brigade
3187064 Pte. Bowskill W. K.O.S.B.
6980161 Fus. Boyd J.M. R. Irish Fus.
5389958 Pte. Bradbury G. Ox & Bucks.
6297735 Pte. Bradshaw S. Buffs.
4206261 Fus. Bramwell T. R.W.F.
5619678 Pte. Brooking A. Glosters.
3134093 Pte. Bryne C.W. Borders.
6292500 Pte. Burnett J. Buffs.
3317331 Pte. Burrell J. H.L.I.
6087599 Fus. Burrows P. R. Fus.
4346042 Pte. Burrows C. East Yorks.
2719257 Gdsm. Byrne P.J. Irish Guards
3313393 Pte. Campbell T. H.L.I.
3194284 Pte. Carlin J. K.O.S.B.
2618377 Gdsm. Chamberlain P. GrenadierGrds
53811205 Tsm. Chattaway L. Ox & Bucks.
6850530 L/Cpl. Chitty J. K.R.R.C.
5880377 Pte. Clark M. Buffs.
6028720 Pte. Clement D.R. Suffolks.
5186173 L/Cpl. Cleveley E. Glosters.
2619831 Gdsm. Clewes J.D. GrenadierGrds
206488 Fus. Cook G. R.W.F.
6292556 Pte. Coote A. Buffs.
3248703 Pte. Craig G. Camerons.
4036812 Sgt. Cross E.W. K.S.L.I.
5953035 Pte. Dale J. Beds & Herts.
868384 Gnr. Davies B.K. R.A.
734604 Gdsm. Dennis A. Welsh Guards.
6340886 Sgt. Desmond M. R. West Kents
6291999 L/Cpl. Diplock A. Buffs.
4914037 Sgt. Dobbs A. S. Staffs.
4914036 Pte. Dobbs C. S. Staffs.
3962136 Pte. Doubler C.A. Welch Rgt.
364981 Pte. Donkin H. S. Lancs.
6293173 Pte Duhig J. Buffs.
7893672 Tsm. Dunning J. R.A.C.
3673408 Pte. Elliot G. Somerset L.I.
4031772 Sgt. Evans J. K.S.L.I.
889636 Gnr. Evans H. R.A.
5957221 Pte. Farnborough F. Beds & Herts.
7903742 Tpr. Finney W. R.A.C.
3858160 L/Cpl. Fletcher A. Loyals.
5342083 L/Cpl. Flowers D. R. Berks.
3199275 L/Cpl. Flynn J. K.O.S.B.
S/7896 Cpl. Ford V.E. R.A.S.C.
5347572 Pte. Fraser E.L. R. Berks.
2737968 Gdsm. Fraser L.J.E. Welsh Guards.
1642259 L/Sgt. Garnett C.V. R.A.S.C.
3854009 Pte. Garthwaite W.O. Loyals
5111581 Pte. Goff S. Warwicks.
6145770 L/Cpl. Gooch F.M. E. Surreys.
3969776 Pte. Grace G. Welch Rgt.
4350446 Cpl. Graham G. E. Yorks.
2619786 Cpl. Grocock W. GrenadierGrds
1426804 Sgt. Halliday J. R.A.
876901 Gnr. Halmshaw A. R.A.
5186589 Sgt. Ham F. Glosters.
1398036 Gnr. Hampton H. H.A.C.
3861617 L/Cpl. Hampton G. Loyals.
3601406 Pte. Harris G.F. Borders.
8271943 Gnr. Harvey W. R.A.
3965370 Sgt. Heaynes L. Welch Rgt.
5344513 L/Cpl. Heckman E.P.H. R. Berks.
7010953 Rfn. Heggarty J. R.U.R.
7264010 Cpl. Henry A. R.A.M.C.
2931557 Pte. Hesketh G. Liverpool Scottish
3534999 Pte. Hibbert J. Loyals
2735047 Gdsm. Hill S. Welsh Guards
2077980 Cpl. Hinton M. R.E.
2619941 Gdsm. Hodgson T. GrenadierGrds
6478881 Pte. Hoodless D.S. R. Fusiliers.
6297771 Pte. Hooper O. Buffs.
5118341 Pte. Horne F.J. S. Staffs.
5948229 Sgt. Horne G. Beds & Herts.
889681 Bdr. Howat G. R.A.
2734873 Gdsm. Howells G.T. Welsh Guards.
5111985 Sig. Hughes C.J. R. Warwicks.
2927941 Cpl. Hughes A.H. S. Lancs.
2621891 Gdsm. Humphreys H. GrenadierGrds
2620946 Gdsm. Hurd A.E. GrenadierGrds
4983150 Pte. Hydes F. Sherwood Foresters
4337783 Pte. Ibbotson J. E. Yorks.
1398027 Gnr. Iveson G.H. R.A.
5111228 L/Cpl. Jackson J. R. Warwicks.
915014 L/Cpl. Johnson F.C. R.A.
5110959 L/Cpl. Johnson J. R. Warwicks.
79055832 L/Cpl. Jones G.E. R.T.R.
6849921 Pte. Kealy T. J. K.R.R.C.
7012717 Rfn. Keenan J. R.U.R.
4694937 Pte. Keighley J. K.O.Y.L.I.
3968414 Pte. Kendall G. R. Warwicks.
5336379 Pte. Kendrick P.G. R. Berks.
5781656 Sgt Kennedy S. R. Norfolks.
20733019 Spr. Kennet K.K. R.E.
3864762 Pte. Kerr R. Loyals.
2620144 Gdsm. King C. GrenadierGrds
6297700 Pte. Knowles M. Buffs.
3604647 Pte. Lane J.E. Borders.
2765791 L/Cpl. Laing D. Black Watch.
5675016 Sgt. Langlands G. Somerset L.I.
3968864 Pte. Lansley F. R. Warwicks.
884501 L/Bdr. Larment H. R.A.
4546257 Pte. Leach C. W. Yorks.
3970069 Sgt. Lewis E.J. Welch Rgt.
5494647 Pte. Le Maitre W. Hampshires.
6291391 Cpl. Lilley J. Buffs.
2073383 Sgt. Lillicoe R.E. R.E.
4345289 Sgt. Lindley H. E. Yorks.
5730322 L/Cpl. Long E. Dorsets.
2733639 L/Cpl. Lloyd C.L. Welsh Guards.
5344652 L/Cpl. Mann R. R. Berks.
2614151 Gdsm. Marchant J. GrenadierGrds
5435059 Pte. Martyn L.S. D.C.L.I.
2621497 Gdsm. Marshall E. GrenadierGrds
26199554 Gdsm. Marshall R. GrenadierGrds
4350439 Pte. Mather B. E. Yorks.
10503256 Gnr. Maund F. R.A.
5111136 Pte. May J. R. Warwicks.
2621526 Gdsm. Maybury J. GrenadierGrds
3775704 L/Sgt. McCarthy F. Kings Rgt.
9426250 Gnr. McCartney J. R.A.
828757 Gnr. McCormack J. R.A.
3310783 Pte. McDermott J. H.L.I.
4390628 Gnr. McDonic J. Green Howards.
2198211 Gnr. McDonough T. R.A.
3653925 Pte. McGann S. S. Lancs.
3778700 Pte. McGlory J. Kings Rgt.
7516695 Pte. McLean J. R.A.M.C.
5341993 Pte. McLoughlin W.J. R. Berks.
3853876 Cpl. McVeigh P. Loyals.
2693943 Pte. Mellis J. Lovat Scouts
3773037 L/Cpl. Mercer D.T. Kings (Liverpool)
7902963 L/Cpl. Middleton F. R.A.C.
3777204 L/Cpl. Mills A. S Lancs.
2661694 Gdsm. Moore J.O. Coldstream Gds
7878047 Rsm. Morris W. R.A.C.
3850897 Pte. Moss J. Loyals.
3771020 Pte. Mullaniff J. R.A.C.
2075499 L/Cpl. Mullen B.J. R.E.
2721240 Gdsm. Moloughney J. Irish Guards.
5123514 Cpl. Nankivell J. R. Warwicks.
3189059 Pte. Notman J. K.O.S.B.
805120 Gnr. Norris A. R.A.
3319042 Pte. O?Donnell R. H.L.I.
5833286 Pte. Ong R. Suffolks.
2718837 Gdsm. Orr J. Irish Guards.
5111978 Pte. Overbury T. R Warwicks.
5342934 Pte. Paget E. R. Berks.
7597121 Pte. Pardoe D. S. Staffs.
3709917 Pte. Park J. R.A.O.C.
7262386 Pte. Pasquale Jim. R.A.M.C.
7359503 Pte. Pasquale Joe. R.A.M.C.
5618281 Pte. Patey F.S. Devons.
843165 Pte. Payne W. R.A.
1427522 Bdr. Pike H.J. R.A.
1870112 Sgt. Portman I. R.E.
2617353 Gdsm. Powell J. GrenadierGrds
5110316 Pte. Price J.E.D. R. Warwicks.
947113 Gnr. Price J. R.A.
3970880 Pte. Richards N. Welch Rgt.
4469318 Pte. Richards T. Durham L.I.
7013052 Rfn. Rogers W. R.U.R.
3600232 Pte. Rudd R. Borders.
11000189 Pte. Ruskin L.J. R.A.
1509732 Gnr. Ryan F.J. R.A.
6850526 Rfn. Seal A. K.R.R.C.
6142679 L/Cpl. Sellars W. E. Surreys.
7386392 L/Cpl. Scanlon G. R.A.M.C.
855693 Bdr. Shailes R. R.A. (added 27/2/13 originally wrongly entered as Swailes - details in later thread of this forum post)
6144649 L/Cpl. Skerry J.C. E. Surreys.
5672383 L/Cpl. Skinner B. R. Berks.
2616557 Gdsm. Smith S.R. GrenadierGrds
T/99352 L/Cpl. Smith E.A. R.A.S.C.
3188233 Pte. Somers J. K.O.S.B.
2616669 Cpl. Spearman W.J. GrenadierGrds
6910706 Tsm. Stockdale W.R. Rifle Brigade
4347101 Pte. Sutton G.H. E. Yorks.
6291136 Pte. Swailes G. Buffs. (not on the raid - see entry for Shailes)
4038517 Pte. Swinson T. K.S.L.I.
815495 Pte. Taylor T. R.A.
6297957 Pte. Tilly S.V. Buffs.
2615853 Gdsm. Tombs P.G. GrenadierGrds
2586214 Sig. Tucker G.A. R. Corps Signals
7903221 Tpr. Thompson J. R.A.C.
5343090 Pte. Vestey J. Worcesters.
1891290 Spr. Vickers G. R.E.
180262 L/Cpl. Vowles G. R.A.S.C.
6291393 Pte. Waddington C. Buffs.
3657617 Pte. Walker A. S. Lancs.
889072 L/Cpl. Wall D. R.A.
8835093 Cpl. Wallace J. Suffolks.
7014930 Rfn. Wallis F. R.U.R.
4346253 L/Cpl. Walsh J.W. E. Yorks.
2620747 Gdsm. Walters K. GrenadierGrds
7012390 Rfn. Watters J. R.U.R.
5946788 Sgt. Watkins S. Beds & Herts. (added 17/6/13 Ron Youngman advises initials should read A.W.B. rather than S)
53365587 Pte. Webb D.H. R. Berks.
2619850 Gdsm. Webster L.G. GrenadierGrds
5958490 Pte. Wells P. Beds & Herts.
5387562 L/Cpl. Whatley J. Ox & Bucks L.I.
3387224 Sgt. Wharf J. E. Lancs.
2620598 Gdsm. Whitaker J. GrenadierGrds
5831129 Pte. White M. Suffolks.
5338629 Pte. Whitling W. R. Berks.
60097739 Tsm. Williams C. Essex Rgt.
7903178 Cpl. Woodward L. R.A.C.
5388317 Sig. Woodyer K. Ox & Bucks L.I.

Military decorations for Operation Cauldron were awarded to the following:

Lt. Col. The Lord Lovat MC. Distinguished Service Order.
Major. D Mills-Roberts. Military Cross.
Capt. P.A. Porteous. The Victoria Cross.
Capt. G.G.H. Webb. Bar to Military Cross.
Capt. B.W.S. Boucher Myers. Mention in despatches.
Lieut. D.C.W. Style. Military Cross.
Lieut. J. Ennis. Mention in despatches.

Tsm. W.R. Stockdale. Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sgt. I. Portman. Military Medal.
Sgt. F McCarthy Military Medal.
Cpl. G. Blunden. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. R Mann. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. J.C. Skerry. Mention in despatches.
Tpr. W. Finney Military Medal.
Gnr. T. McDonough. Military Medal.
Pte. F.J. Horne. Mention in despatches.
Pte. J. Dale. Mention in despatches.
Cpl. F.M. Koons Military Medal
(American Rangers Detachment)

Roll of Honour

L/Cpl. L. Bishop. Somerset Light Infantry.
Pte. W.O. Garthwaite. The Loyal Regt. (N.Lancs.)
L/Cpl. F.M. Gooch. The East Surrey Regiment.
L/Cpl. E.P.H. Heckman The Royal Berkshire Regt.
L/Cpl. J. Keenan. The Royal Ulster Rifles.
Lieut. J.A. MacDonald. 1st Royal Dragoons. (R.A.C.)
Pte. S. McGann. The South Lancashire Regt.
L/Cpl. D.T. Mercer. The Kings Regt (Liverpool.)
L/Cpl. A. Mills. The South Lancashire Regt.
L/Cpl. J. Moss. The Loyal Regt.(North Lancs.)
Capt. R.G. Pettiward. The Beds & Herts. Regiment.
Pte. G.H. Sutton. The East Yorkshire Regiment.
Sigmn. G.A. Tucker. The Royal Corps. of Signals.
Rfn. J. Watters. The Royal Ulster Rifles.
L/Cpl. J. Whatley. The Ox & Bucks. Lt. Infantry.
Gdsm. J. Whittaker. Grenadier Guards.

The following Commandos were taken prisoner:

Pte. G. Cook. ?F? Troop.
L/Cpl. A. Diplock. ?A? Troop.
Pte. C.A. Doublair. ?A? Troop.
Sgt. G. Horne. ?F? Troop.
Gnr. G.H. Inverson. ?B? Troop.
Pte. J. Pasquale. ?HQ?
Pte. W. Rogers. ?A? Troop.
L/Cpl. G. Vowles. ?F? Troop.

?Operation Cauldron? Allied personnel attached to No 4 Commando:

First American Ranger Battalion.

Cpl. William R. Brady.
Cpl. Franklin M. Koons.
Sgt. Kenneth D. Stempson.
Sgt. Alec J. Szima.

Free French.

Baloche.
Rabouhans.
Taverne.

Two signallers of the South Saskatchewan Regiment were landed on Orange One Beach with ?C? Troop; their task was to provide a lateral link between the two units, the other unit being the Canadians who landed at ?Green Beach? Pourville.

Pte. Michael Faille.
Pte. Paul J. Karesa.

Three men from the ?Phantom? group of signallers were also at Orange Beach One.

Capt. A.R.M. Sedgwick. R.T.R
Tpr. B. Randell. The Royal Scots.
Fus. C. King. The Royal Fusiliers.

The names of the four German prisoners brought back to the UK:

Bronislaw Wesierski.
Max Kussowski.
Otto Samuelowitch.
Leo Marsiniak.

This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 17/08/2023 15:04:05

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This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 12/09/2010 22:58:23

Hi

Having read through the list i was surprised to find the name Swinson. Grandad never talked much about the war. The entry you have is for a T Swinson but the service number is my Grandfathers 4038517 KSLI Swinson Stanley.

Will be requesting as per instruction.

Regards

Mike Swinson

12/9/10 pm sent by Pete R. to Mike re this message

Have updated our Master list to reflect Stanley Swinson, many thanks.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 15/03/2013 13:33:45

The list has been amended to reflect the following in response to a message from the son Richard Shailes of No.4 Commando, and after enquiries by myself as detailed below:

I have made some enquiries with Ron Youngman and Major James Dunning, and I can now confirm that L/Cpl Gerry Swailes was indeed not on the Dieppe Raid. He responded to a questionnaire sent out by Major Dunning whilst researching his book later published as The Fighting Fourth. On that questionnaire Gerry Swailes wrote and signed that he was NOT on the Dieppe Raid.

I understand that this was accepted some while ago by the original Commando Association, which has now stood down, and that on the list of participants on the raid, compiled by a Mr Jones, they accepted that G. Swailes had indeed been added erroneously instead of R. Shailes.

Update 15/3/13: Link to photo of Richard Shailes http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/Richard+Shailes+No+4+Cdo.jpg.html

I am the son of William Pearson King who was a member of Segdwick?s Phantom Group attached to 4 Commando. In the list he is erroneously recorded as Fus C King athe Royal Fusiliers.

It should be listed as Fus W P King The Royal Scots Fusiliers.

I have three photographs of my father and a colleague, probably Tpr Randell. On the back Capt Sedgwick has given his signature and written, a momentous of Dieppe. It was most likely taken while they trained in Dorset for the raid. Are you interested in those photographs?

I should have said the photos show them wading ashore with their communication equipment held aloft

Hi Bob
As you will have read the compiler of the list acknowledges that there may be errors. In such circumstances can you provide us with relevant detail in order for any amendment to be made. Please post the photos you mentioned and the detail you mention on the reverse. Also your Fathers service number and anything else referencing service in the Phantoms. Do you have a copy of his service record by any chance.

Hi Pete,

His service number was 3135995 and his record only states that he was in the RSF from 27/6/40 to 27/6/44 and the Royal Signals from 28/6/44 to 15/9/46. Phantom was not a proper regiment. He would have worn his RSF badge throughout his time with them and the only indication of Phantom would have been a small square patch below his right shoulder with the letter P in white against a black background. There is a photo on the internet of him disembarking at Newhaven with lots of commanders and it shows that during the raid, he wore the same head covering as the commandos and not his normal cap with the RSF insignia.

Can you give me your email address so I can send the photos to you. I'm familiar with that process rather than trying to post them here

Hi Pete,

By coincidence, one of my cousins on my mother's side made the memorial plaque in English at No 4 Commando Square in Ste Marguerite. He was a signwriter in Romsey and knew Jimmy Dunning who also lived in Romsey.

Hi Bob

There is an email link below at the foot of this message. Click on that and you can email me direct.