124477 John St. George GUNSTON, Irish Guards and Special Air Service Regiment

Hoping that someone will have a few suggestions as to how to investigate further or if let me know if there are any refs specifically to this operation or this man, in archives or publications.

A Memoriam notice in The Times, Nov 10, 1945 reads as follows:

GUNSTON. - Previously reported missing in Italy, March, 1944, now believed to have been shot by the Germans after capture, CAPTAIN JOHN ST. GEORGE GUNSTON, Irish Guards, attached 2nd S.A.S. Regiment, elder son of Sir Derrick and Lady Gunston, Petty France, Badminton, Glos.
"Quis separabit?"

CWGC :: Casualty Details
Captain JOHN ST. GEORGE GUNSTON 124477, Irish Guards and, Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C. who died on 07 March 1944
Remembered with honour CASSINO MEMORIAL


Special forces site lists him as follows:
John St George Gunston - SAS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour

Regards,
D

 

Brian,
As ever much obliged.
Regards,
D

 

Belatedly updating this thread, thanks yet again go to Brian.

MAPLE DRIFTWOOD

Parties 5 and 6 were dropped on a Drop Zone 8 miles West North West of IOSI, on the 7 January, 1944. A Rendezvous was fixed at 5 miles South West of FERMO, near TORRE DI PALME, for the night 25/26 January for evacuation by sea. The parties did not arrive. Thereafter there is only news at second-hand.

Pct. COOK, 2nd S.A.S., while escaping, met Captain GUNSTON near FERMO at the beginning of February 1944. Captain GUNSTON told COOK that he still had a further task to complete and then would evacuate his party by sea.

The following is an extract from a report by Captain MATTHEWS, 2 Div. Signals Company S.A.C.S.:-

"On 4 February 1944 in FERMO I met a girl named Adia who helped Prisoner of War at the hospital in that town. She told me that a parachutist and some others were leaving that night by sea. Her cousin guided me to the Rendezvous where I met Captain GUNSTON. The latter said that he was leaving by sea for the Allied lines with 8 parachutists and Captain CLUBB, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and one other man.

On 7 March Captain GUNSTON's party left by boat from a point a little South of PORTO SAN GIORGIO, in a 22 foot boat. I never heard of their safe arrival and no message was subsequently received from them."

(Admiralty weather report for the Adriatic coastline 7 March 1944 was wind strength 5 - 6 easterly veering south-west, moderating towards midday.)

There seems little reason to doubt the above extract. Captain GUNSTON's party may either have attacked by Allied aircraft (who were instructed to fire on craft off the enemy coast) or have been capsized some distance from the shore.

There is also the possibility that they were forced to land again in enemy occupied territory. In this connection it is noteworthy that a German intelligence officer read out the names of Captain GUNSTON, Sergeant BENSON, and Pct. LOOSEMORE, as S.A.S. captured in ITALY when interrogating three S.A.S. prisoners in January, 1944.
Cassino MEMORIAL & war cemetery, ITALY

 

See full report here
Operation Maple (Thistledown & Driftwood)

 

Casualty

Captain GUNSTON, JOHN ST. GEORGE
Service Number 124477
Died 07/03/1944
Irish Guards and Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.
Commemorated at CASSINO MEMORIAL
Location: Italy
Cemetery/memorial reference: Panel 4.
See cemetery plan

 

Western Daily Press 25 May 1945

 

Western Daily Presss 10 November 1945

 

Personal Number: 124477
Rank: Lieutenant
Name: John St. George GUNSTON
Unit: Irish Guards

London Gazette : 2 April 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34821/supplement/1901/data.pdf
FOOT GUARDS.
The undermentioned Cadets, from Sandhurst and 163rd Officer Cadet Training Units, to be 2nd Lts. 23rd Mar. 1940:—
I. G'ds
John St. George GUNSTON (124477).

London Gazette :