Hi I have obtained the service record for Dennis C Thackray. As the information has been extracted from the P&V Ledgers there is limited information available and relates to training establishments; the other information just states Duty: 03 RNBC several times. Is there any way of finding out what this relates to? He died during the landings on Elba 17 June 1944. He was one of the 48 RN Beach Commandos attached to "Able1" I have 'googled' and can find information relating to 'Operation Brassard' but would like to try and ascertain where else Dennis would have served. Thank you
Welcome, He would have been serving with No.3 Royal Navy Beach Commando (RNBC). The Royal Naval Commandos Regards Hugh
As far as I was aware, the RN Beach Commando units were all identified with letters. The personnel taking part in Op Brassard (Elba) were A and O Commandos, with sub units including A1, A2 and O3 being involved in the attack. So the entry should probably read as 'O3' RNBC, rather '03'. Book Beachhead Assault says A1 lost 2 Officers and 18 OR killed and O3 lost 1 Officer and 16 OR killed, during an attempt to silence a 'Flak Lighter' berthed at Marina di Campo. A2 appears to have operated in a traditional support role and assisted the main landing. 'A' RN Commando had taken part in landings at Madagascar and Anzio. For 'O' RN Commando this was their first and only operation. The unit had been sent to India and then redeployed to the Mediterranean. Both units were later returned to the UK and not used operationally again. Regards, Steve
Vi5, It could be useful to post here his Service Record, as the sleuths and experts can often find more. I note his CWGC entry refers to him being posted to HMS Victory; not being immersed in naval matters, no idea why. I have added his details, as we often have others doing research and arrive here: Dennis Charles Thackray, 20yrs old at death, Service No. P/JX 384364. From: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1707494/dennis-charles-thackray/ He has not appeared here before your thread. There is a small thread on Operation Brassard: Operation Brassard (Elba) and a short 2016 thread: Operation Brassard / cut out the landing and liberation of ELBA 20 June 1944 I have not looked at them. Check out a couple of posts on a very long thread (starting 5749) by Airborne Medic: Arnhem/1st British Airborne Division/Op.Market Garden book collection This Italian website might help too: Intro Hugh's recommendation will reveal a detailed account of the oepration: Operation Brassard - The Invasion of Elba Your "fresh eyes" might spot more. I only did a simple search here using Brassard and Elba. I note you refer to thirty-seven deaths in the action and the CWGC cemetery details refer to: From: https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-...cemetery-details/164000/bolsena-war-cemetery/ I don't think there is a list of all those who fell in the operation and as a "long shot" it might be worth creating a list of them, from the CWGC and searching online for any information. Good luck.
His name is on the Commando Roll of Honour on the Commando Veterans Archive on the link below. THACKRAY, Dennis Charles | ͏ Commando Veterans Archive
The RN Beach Commando casualties at Dieppe were from C and D Commandos, but are listed variously as HMS Victory III, HMS Quebec, HMS Northney and HMS Europa. So it's quite rare to find a RN Beach Commando casualty listed with the actual unit he was with. I see most of the Elba RNBC deaths are actually listed under HMS Copra.
