Honouring the Sacrifice of Royal Marines who Died in Service on October 28th
- Si Biggs
- Oct 28, 2025
- 2 min read
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.
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.
Related Royal Marines 'Dits':
References/ Further Reading:
Royal Marines Historical Society - Graves & Memorials database
Navy-Net Casualties - The Casualty Researches of Don Kindell
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Reading this really hits a different kind of tone most people only see the celebration side of Corps Birthday, the cake, the rum, the tradition… but rarely pause to think about the names behind the date. Listing those 24 individuals adds weight to the history, makes it feel personal instead of just ceremonial. Respect for putting this together, honestly. Also interesting how records like these are still incomplete even after so many years it shows how much history can quietly slip through the cracks. On a side note, I’ve been exploring different platforms lately and came across Skyinplay, which has some engaging real-time features. Different space entirely, but still about staying connected and involved. Appreciate the effort behind this post…
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