Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Marine W. H. Rhodes, 40 Commando, Royal Marines, who was killed in action in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (PO. 21781 W. H. Rhodes, Mne., R.M.), this last with severe edge bruise, otherwise generally very fine or better (4) £700-900

William Henry Rhodes was born in 1906 and enlisted in the Royal Marines in 1923. Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in February 1939, he was serving in the battleship H.M.S. Ramillies on the outbreak of hostilities but removed to the aircraft carrier Illustrious before coming ashore to an appointment at Chatham towards the end of 1941.

On 15 February 1942, he transferred to the newly raised R.M. Commando and it was in that capacity that he was killed in action during the Dieppe raid on 19 August 1942. On that fateful date, the unit was diverted from its original task and landed in part on White Beach in support of the Canadians. Most of the unit’s landing craft were hit and damaged and casualties were high - 23 being killed and 76 wounded.

Rhodes left a widow, Hilda May Rhodes of Southsea, Hampshire; his name is commemorated on a special memorial in Pihen-Les-Guines War cemetery.