Honouring the Sacrifice of Royal Marines who Died in Service on October 28th

The Royal Marines Memorial

Each year on October 28th Royal Marines throughout the Globe have celebrated our Corps Birthday, the formation of which on 28th October 1664, is normally marked with cake, and a tot of Rum!

This year I would like to honour the names of 24 extraordinary individuals that exemplify courage and dedication, and have sacrificed their lives in service, listed below are the names I could find since 1914 that died on the day that we celebrate the Corps Birthday.

There are 1,138 names listed for October on the Royal Marines Roll of Honour website, there are still names missing, and most likely always will be.

The Graspan memorial in London was rededicated in October 2000 in honour of all Royal Marines who have served their country by land and sea and who are forever remembered by their friends.

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The Royal Marines who died in service on the 28th October since 1914;

1914

RND, Chatham Battalion

 BARKER, Sidney W B, Private, RMLI (RFR B 2009), 11035 (Ch), illness in UK

1917

RM Labour Corps, France

 APSLEY, Alexander, Private, RM, S 10648 (Deal) Royal Marine Labour Corps, Dunkerque

RND, 1st RM Battalion, France

 DANBY, Thomas, Private, RMLI, S 1743 (Po), DOW

 OAKLEY, Isaac, Private, RMLI, S 2001 (Ch), DOW

RND, 2nd RM Battalion, France

 CLARK, Alfred J, Private, RMLI, S 1233 (Po), DOW

 COTTON, Henry J, Private, RMLI, 17459 (Ch), DOW

 EVANS, James G, Private, RMLI, S 2013 (Ply), DOW

 GARDNER, Charles, Private, RMLI, S 2163 (Po), DOW

1918

Hussar, minesweeper, ex-torpedo gunboat

SIMPSON, Wilfred H, Private, RMLI, 21002 (Ch), illness in UK

RMA Eastney

CLARK, Arthur F, Private, RMA, RMA 16351, illness

RMLI, Chatham Division

 STEWART, William, Private, RME, RMES 7616, illness in UK

 WEBB, George E, Private, RMLI, 18639 (Ch), illness in UK

RMLI, Portsmouth Division

 DUNKINSON, Ernest C, Private, RMLI, 12424 (Po), illness

Shannon, cruiser

 SMITH, Frank H, Private, RMLI, 19015 (Ch), illness in UK

LESLIE S, Private, RMLI, 19748 (Po), illness in UK

1928

Royal Marines HQ

GOUGE, William A, Sergeant Major, 21832 (Deal), illness

1942

RM MNBDO I, Raid on Tobruk, operation Agreement, as POW

ROBB, John, Ty/Lieutenant, RM, died

1943

Sri Lanka

BATE, Marshall, Marine, EX/2099, died

RM MNBDO II (Libya)

DEWS, Thomas, Marine, CH/X 113308, died

1944

Fabius, road accident

WOOD, George W, Marine, PLY/X 1790, died

RM 47 Commando

ASHCROFT, Victor, Marine, PLY/X 112790, DOWS

1945

Colossus

PARKER, John G, Marine, PO/X 106291, DOWS

1950

Royal Marines,  45 Commando, Malaya campaign, Gopen-Kampar hills, in action with Communist insurgents

PARR, Dennis, Marine, PLY/X 111706, killed

TURNER, Leslie J, Marine, CH/X 5360, killed

The Royal Marines Roll of Honour & Graves Database

This November why not search your family name in the data base, and even if he is not related, maybe do a little research and remember him on the 11th.

If you do find out more information on someone missing or misrepresented, then please let me know.

https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/royalmarinesrollofhonour

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Related Royal Marines 'Dits':

1. Happy Birthday Royal Marines Projecting Global Power Since 1664

References/ Further Reading:

• Royal Marines Historical Society - Graves & Memorials database

• Navy-Net Casualties - The Casualty Researches of Don Kindell