- SURNAME
March-Phillipps
- FORENAME
Gustavus Henry
- UNIT
Small Scale Raiding Force (62 Commando)(Commanding Officer)
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
39184
- DATE OF DEATH
12th September 1942
- AGE
34
- GRAVESITE
St Laurent-sur-Mer Churchyard,France Grave 2
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Artillery
born London
resided Oxfordshire
son of Lisle and Isabel Forbes March-Phillipps
husband of Marjorie Frances Esclairmonde (nee Stewart) March-Phillipps, Chelsea, London (married 18.4.1942) (served with SOE - see Gallery)
7 Commando (B Troop)
Maid Honor Force (SOE) 1941-42
Small Scale Raiding Force 1942
awards D.S.O., M.B.E., Mention in Despatches
"March-Phillips" (PRO)
KIA Normandy (Op.Aquatint)
DATE OF DEATH:
12-Sep-1942CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : Major March-Phillips was responsible for the original conception of the S.S.R.F. and was its first Commander. He formed and trained the force, and due to his energy and personality the force was ready for its first operation within six weeks of the directive authorising the formation of the force being signed. The first operation (the 1st attempt at "DRYAD") was unsuccessful owing to fog.
In a period of less than three weeks Major March-Phillips planned and executed three successful small scale raids, all of which he commanded himself, both from the Naval and the Military side. In the first of these, Operation "BARRICADE", a coast defence installation on the East side of the Cherbourg peninsula was attacked, and a number of casualties were caused to the enemy with bombs and small arms fire. The second. operation, "DRYAD", resulted in the capture of the CASQUETS lighthouse from which seven German Naval prisoners were taken together with valuable code books and other papers. The third operation was a reconnaissance in a particularly difficult part of the Channel Islands, and was in every way completely successful. The S.S.R.F. suffered no casualties in any of the operations.
On three other occasions a force commanded by Major March-Phillips put to sea in M.T.B. 344, but owing to weather conditions having changed on arrival the other side of the Channel the operations had to be abandoned.
He has been at all times an inspiring leader to his force, with a complete personal disregard for danger or hardship, and has in every way shown himself to be a most vigorous and determined Commander.
Major March-Phillips is reported missing after operation "AQUATINT" and is believed to have been killed. In the event of his survival and return to allied occupied territory, he is strongly recommended for a bar to the D.S.O. If he is subsequently reported as killed, it is recommended that his name should be mentioned posthumously in despatches.
In a period of less than three weeks Major March-Phillips planned and executed three successful small scale raids, all of which he commanded himself, both from the Naval and the Military side. In the first of these, Operation "BARRICADE", a coast defence installation on the East side of the Cherbourg peninsula was attacked, and a number of casualties were caused to the enemy with bombs and small arms fire. The second. operation, "DRYAD", resulted in the capture of the CASQUETS lighthouse from which seven German Naval prisoners were taken together with valuable code books and other papers. The third operation was a reconnaissance in a particularly difficult part of the Channel Islands, and was in every way completely successful. The S.S.R.F. suffered no casualties in any of the operations.
On three other occasions a force commanded by Major March-Phillips put to sea in M.T.B. 344, but owing to weather conditions having changed on arrival the other side of the Channel the operations had to be abandoned.
He has been at all times an inspiring leader to his force, with a complete personal disregard for danger or hardship, and has in every way shown himself to be a most vigorous and determined Commander.
Major March-Phillips is reported missing after operation "AQUATINT" and is believed to have been killed. In the event of his survival and return to allied occupied territory, he is strongly recommended for a bar to the D.S.O. If he is subsequently reported as killed, it is recommended that his name should be mentioned posthumously in despatches.
WEB LINKS:
• https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7395757 (MiD - Was recommended for DSO Bar)FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51049444/gustavus-henry-march-phillipps
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