Sgt Thorpe Royal Marines

Discussion in 'Non-Commemorated War Dead' started by Oriel Benfro, Nov 13, 2010.

  1. Oriel Benfro

    Oriel Benfro Junior Member

    Sgt Thorpe’s wife was informed of her husbands death at Dieppe on her arrival in Plymouth after leaving her home in Priory Road Milford Haven Pembrokeshire 2 days previous.
    Sgt Thorpe was a native of Rochdale and had been in the Marines since the outbreak of war.
    I have been unable to find any reference that might fit Sgt Thorpe on the CWGC database and would appreciate any further information anyone may have on this person.
    The sister of Mary Thorpe nee’ Williams was married to C.S.M. Harwood who was also on the Dieppe raid, Mrs Harwood was residing with her mother at Precelly Place Milford in 1942.
    If anyone can assist I would like to find a headstone or memorial to Sgt Thorpe to add to my over 2,500 jpegs of Pembrokeshire related military headstones.
    Rgds
    Orielbenfro
    ORIEL a welsh window on a surname
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    There are 7 Royal Marines buried in Dieppe cemetery all from 40 Commando, as you righty state he is not among them or anywhere else on the CWGC, site nor could I find him using Geoffs search engine. Geoff's Search Engine Geoff's 1939-47 Search Engine
     
  3. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Some background seems RM 40 CDO came into being after Dieppe.
    The first Royal Marines commando unit was formed at Deal in Kent on 14 February 1942 and designated ‘The Royal Marine Commando’. Before long it was re-designated RM ‘A’ Commando. Col J Picton Phillips was the Commanding Officer.
    Dieppe Raid

    The Commando’s baptism of fire was at Dieppe on 19 August 1942. In support of the main Canadian assault force, Nos. 3 and 4 (Army) Commandos were to destroy the enemy coastal batteries covering the main landing beaches, whilst No. 40 had selected tasks in the port area and was to be responsible for reinforcements as required. In the pre-dawn run-in the landing craft of No. 3 were fired upon and scattered with the result that only two small parties managed to land, one was overwhelmed, but the other successfully engaged the Berneval battery for some hours before withdrawing. On the other flank at Varengeville No. 4, under the command of Lord Lovat, carried out what was officially hailed as a 'classic operation of war' and completely destroyed the Hess Battery, successfully withdrawing and re-embarking with prisoners. Unfortunately, No. 40, when committed to their landing, under well-nigh impossible conditions, suffered severe casualties. Of the 370 officers and men 76 were lost on the beaches. Among those killed was the CO. Royal Marines Online - 40 Commando Found this as well. The other part of the reserve comprised 369 men of No.40 Commando Royal Marines, (their first engagement and at this time termed 'A' Commando Royal Marines), who were ordered to White Beach. The first of their craft landed under withering machine gun fire and their commander, Colonel Joseph Phillips, donned white gloves to semaphore away the following craft, being hit and killed in the process. All but one saw the signal and complied, though several craft were already hit and whose landing capabilities were questionable. None ashore achieved more than a matter of yards.Dieppe Raid
     
  4. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

  5. Oriel Benfro

    Oriel Benfro Junior Member

    I found this guy:unsure: CWGC :: Casualty Details

    This could well be him. I will research further, based on your info, thankyou.
    Rgds
    Orielbenfro
    ORIEL a welsh window on a surname
     

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