304543 Montague STAPLES, 1 SAS: KIA 1943

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by jager1, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. jager1

    jager1 Junior Member

    CORPORAL OF HORSE, MONTAQUE STAPLES 1ST SAS KIA 20.1.43

    I’ve been doing some research on this soldier but I’m stuck as to who exactly he was with when killed. I’ve a copy of the PRO ME Special Forces book and I’d checked the records for the cemetery at Sfax where he is buried to see if I could see any other men killed around this date but of 1203 graves, only one other is for Jan 1943; a pilot of 272 Squadron, a handful are for late Feb 1943 and the majority are Mar-May 1943 as expected.

    With my limited knowledge, I think I’m right in saying that the Army as such had not advanced nearly as far as the Gabes/Sfax area by 20th Jan 1943 but the SAS were. At bit of a standstill at where to go from here

    I got hold of his Service records and they are as follows but any help would be greatly appreciated, as would any info anyone can add. Oddly one entry of his records gives MIA 20.1.43 Libya!:

    Attested as Trooper Royal Horse Guards – 5.10.22
    Reserve – 4.10.30
    Re-engaged Reserves – 5.10.34
    Re-engaged Reserves – 5.10.38
    Rejoined RHG’s on mobilisation – 1.9.39
    Posted to No 8 Commando – 19.8.40
    Posted to No 4 Special Service Battalion – 10.11.40
    To Middle East - 31.1.41
    Posted to No 8 Commando – 1.2.41
    Promoted Act Cpl of Horse – 20.3.41
    ‘B’ Battalion Layforce – 20.3.41 – ‘X’(i) List
    Posted to ME Depot Commando – 29.8.41
    Attached Transit Security Unit – 27.12.41
    Posted to Middle East Commando – 20.1.42
    Attached 122 R.C? Coy R.E (Syria) – 27.4.42
    Ceased Attachment to above – 14.5.42
    Admitted 170 Field Ambulance – 26.8.42
    Discharged Hospital to ‘X’(i) List – 20.10.42
    Posted to 1st SAS – 26.9.42 – remains on ‘X’(i) List
    KIA 20.1.43 Tunisia, Sfax area

    Promotions:
    Appointed Act L/Cpl – 1.9.40
    Appointed Act Cpl of Horse – 20.3.41
    Promoted Cpl of Horse – 16.9.41

    Foreign Service:
    Served Middle East 31.1.41 – 20.1.43
    Egypt from 31.4.41
    ‘B’ Battalion – Embarked Destination unknown 5.7.41 - 25.8.41
    Syria 17.4.42
     
  2. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Jager

    On 20th January 1 SAS were at Ksar Rhilane. Can I suggest that you get hold of a copy of the file CAB 44/152 from the National Archives - this covers all of the Special Forces and Commando Actions in North Africa with some excellent maps.

    John
     
  3. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Jager, The info in this link is similar to that you have posted but I see it mentions 51 commando and a link to thier ROH, Montague Staples - SAS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour which ties in with this, "Corporal Leslie Jock Brown. Former 11 Cdo and 51 Cdo. Moved into 1 SAS B Squadron.

    He was killed in January 1943 in the same ambush as my grandfathers brother, Fred Senior in Libya. I have very detailed info on the ambush" 51 Middle East commando/ SIG
     
  4. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello jager1,

    Most of the burials at Sfax are of those killed at Medenine, the Mareth Line and Wadi Akarit, in March and April 1943 and could only have been laid to rest there after Sfax was taken by the 8th Army. This suggests therefore that someone who was KIA in January 1943 wasn't originally buried there, but was exhumed and re-buried there at a later date. The Sfax connection is probably therefore a red herring as to 1SAS' whereabouts.

    John and Jason's suggestions are better leads!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  5. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

  6. jager1

    jager1 Junior Member

    Many thanks for your posts guys, a huge help with some good pointers

    The link on the Special Forces RoH was actually just updated from info I sent the site owner, before it just had what was on the Commonwealth Graves site. This mentions 51 Commando, However Staples papers make no mention of 51. I’m guessing where it gives him as ME Commando, this would be 51??

    John, your suggestion for a copy of the file CAB 44/152 from the National Archives, I’ll get my researcher to go through this or even better note it for a future visit.

    Steve, what your saying about burials makes sense to me , I was finding this a bit perplexing, think you’ve saved me a good bit of lost research time. Since there are no other SAS men buried/moved with him, I guess its more probable he would have been a single casualty, as opposed to a larger ambush??

    I read the link you sent, I hadn’t noted the similarities with Cpl Brown and that’s very interesting about Fred Senior. I wonder if there is more of a connection with Staples, perhaps not kia at the exact time, maybe DOW’s a few days later as you suggest, would certainly tie in with what Steve suggests.

    Great stuff!
    Jager1
     
  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Jager1,

    Here's a definite and official connection with No. 51 compliments of the CWGC.

    Name:STAPLES, MONTAGUE
    Initials:M
    Nationality:United Kingdom
    Rank:Corporal of Horse
    Regiment/Service:Royal Horse Guards
    Secondary Regiment:Commando
    Secondary Unit Text:and No 51
    Age:38
    Date of Death:20/01/1943
    Service No:304543
    Additional information:Son of William and Alice Harriet Staples; husband of Lilian Maud Staples, of Harringay, Middlesex.
    Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference:VI. A. 10.
    Cemetery:SFAX WAR CEMETERY

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  8. jager1

    jager1 Junior Member

    Thanks for that Steve

    Jager1
     

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