M SPECIAL UNIT
In 1943, M Special Unit was formed as a successor to the Coastwatchers, with the role of the unit was focused upon gathering intelligence on Japanese shipping and troop movements. To achieve this mission, small teams were landed behind enemy lines by sea, air or land insertion. This was in contrast to its counterpart, Z Special Unit, which became well known for its direct-action commando-style raids.
A notable member of M Special Unit was Sergeant Leonard Siffleet, who was executed after being taken prisoner during Operation Whiting in 1943. A photograph of Siffleet in his last moments achieved iconic status following the war.
M Special Unit was disbanded at the end of the war on 10 November 1945.
SURNAME
Otton
FORENAME
Edward Douglas (Slim)
UNIT
M Special Unit
RANK
Private
NUMBER
NX 66265
AWARD
Silver Star (US)
PLACE
Bougainville (coastwatch)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 7.3.1917 Bega,New South Wales
next of kin Thomas Otton
enlisted 5.12.1940 Paddington,New South Wales
1...
SURNAME
Dolby
FORENAME
Robert William (Bill)
UNIT
M Special Unit
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
NX 65557
AWARD
British Empire Medal
PLACE
New Guinea 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 26.9.1905 Casino, New South Wales
next of kin William Dolby (1873-1953)
occupation Blacksmith
single...
SURNAME
Murray
FORENAME
Harold John Joseph
UNIT
M Special Unit
RANK
Lieutenant + Captain
NUMBER
VX 81160
AWARD
Military Cross,Silver Star (US)
PLACE
New Guinea 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 13.11.1898 Bowral,New South Wales (1896 falsified when enlisted)
son of James Francis...
SURNAME
Evans
FORENAME
Cecil Frank (Snow)
UNIT
M Special Unit
RANK
Corporal
NUMBER
NX 31359
AWARD
Mention in Despatches
PLACE
New Guinea 1943
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 24.3.1919 Leichhardt,New South Wales
enlisted 11.6.1940 Paddington,New South Wales
next of kin Frank Evans...
SURNAME
Plumridge
FORENAME
James Rupert
UNIT
M. Special Unit
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
VX 86704
DATE OF DEATH
25th July 1943
AGE
20
GRAVESITE
Ambon Memorial,Indonesia Column 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 24.5.1923 Croydon,Victoria
son of Rupert Stephen and Eileen Margaret...
SURNAME
McCandlish
FORENAME
Jack
UNIT
M. Special Unit
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
VX 80269
DATE OF DEATH
31st August 1943
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Ambon War Cemetery,Indonesia 7.A.15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 2.10.1915 Leeds,Yorkshire,England
son of John William and Marion McCandlish,Sea...
SURNAME
Sheldon
FORENAME
Charles Richard
UNIT
M. Special Unit
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
NX 130227
DATE OF DEATH
15th June 1943
AGE
51
GRAVESITE
Ambon War Cemetery,Indonesia 7.A.14
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 29.11.1891 Potts Point,New South Wales
son of LtColonel Richard Edward and...
John William Marsh
Sergeant NX102441 (N14787)
M Special Unit
born 13.7.1917 Dungog,New South Wales,Australia
next of kin Minnie Marsh
enlisted 6.8.1940 West Maitland,New South Wales
discharged 29.11.1945 (Sgt MSU)
photo source John Kennett
John William Marsh was born at Dungog, NSW, on 13...
SURNAME
Veale
FORENAME
Lionel Percy Vivian
UNIT
"M" Special Unit
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
NX 41042
AWARD
Mention in Despatches
PLACE
New Guinea 1943-45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 30.8.1918 Armidale,New South Wales
son of Clifford Veale
enlisted 11.7.1940 Tamworth,New South...
SURNAME
Bedkober
FORENAME
Douglas Norman
UNIT
M Special Unit (Infantry)
RANK
Lieutenant
NUMBER
NX26676
DATE OF DEATH
4th January 1944
AGE
25
GRAVESITE
Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea E.D.15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 20.04.1918, Sydney, New South...
SURNAME
Barrett
FORENAME
Francis Alfred
UNIT
M Special Unit (Infantry)
RANK
Lieutenant
NUMBER
NX18434
DATE OF DEATH
24th October 1943
AGE
32
GRAVESITE
Rabaul Memorial, Papua New Guinea Panel 11
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 03.09.1911, Sydney, New South Wales
son of Alfred...
SURNAME
Shortis
FORENAME
Gregory
UNIT
M Special Unit (Infantry)
RANK
Trooper
NUMBER
NX69784
AWARD
Mention in Despatches
PLACE
New Guinea 1944
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
killed - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Shortis
FORENAME
Gregory
UNIT
M Special Unit (Infantry)
RANK
Trooper
NUMBER
NX69784
DATE OF DEATH
25th March 1944
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Lae War Cemetery,Papua New Guinea H.A.16
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born Marrickville,New South Wales
son of John and Elsie Mary...
SURNAME
Siffleet
FORENAME
Leonard George
UNIT
M Special Unit (Infantry)
RANK
Sergeant
NUMBER
NX 143314
DATE OF DEATH
24th October 1943
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Lae Memorial,Papua New Guinea Panel 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
son of Leo Vincent and Alma Elizabeth Siffleet,Gunneda,New...