Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Commando’ B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant W. Twohig, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and No. 3 Commando Unit

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (10553025 Sgt. William Twohig R.E.M.E.) in card box of issue with named Buckingham Place enclosure; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr W. Twohig, 27 Kirkside Rd, Blackheath, London, S.E.3’, extremely fine (7) £400-£600

B.E.M. London Gazette 9 January 1946

William Twohig of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers served with No. 3 Commando during the Second World War from 20 May 1942 until 31 October 1945.

No. 3 Commando took part in the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 1942 and the capture of key targets during the advance landings of Operation Husky - the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 - including the assault on a battery near Cassible and the capture of the Ponte dei Malati bridge, behind enemy lines at Agnone Bagni. Afterwards on 3 October 1943, their capture of Termoli on 3 October 1943 was led by their highly respected leader, Brigadier John Durnford-Slater, who later described it as ‘probably their finest performance of the war’.

Returning from Italy, No. 3 Commando became part of the 1st Special Service Brigade commanded by Brigadier The Lord Lovat. On D-Day they landed at La Breche, west of Ouistreham in the second wave. Durnford-Slater’s memoir ‘Commando’ records how they were engaged before they hit the beach with three of the landing craft that the Commandos were travelling in being hit by high-velocity shells. Casualties were high, with No. 6 Troop suffering at least 20 wounded, but ultimately were lower than had been expected. Breaking out of the beachhead, the unit, as part of No. 1 Special Service Brigade, continued to advance until relieved on 26 August 1944.

Deployed to Asten on Maas in January 1945, No. 3 Commando, as part of the now renamed 1st Commando Brigade, continued to advance and ultimately crossed the Rhine on 23 March 1945. On 7 May when the Germans surrendered, No. 3 Commando was established in Lübeck, where they remained in service as occupation troops before disbandment in January 1946.

No recommendation for Sergeant Twohig’s B.E.M. has yet been found.