VI COMMANDO

Tpr. Frederick Amos Preece served in No.1 (later becoming No.101) Troop of No.6 Commando from March 1941 (Glencoe) until, at least, 13^th March 1942 when the Troop transferred out of No.6 Commando to become No.2 Special Boat Section.

Tpr. Frederick Preece was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) during his time with No.2 Special Boat Section (SBS).  The citation read:

‘On the night of 11^th/12^th April 1942, Captain Montanaro, accompanied by Trooper Preece, entered Boulogne Harbour in a canoe which had been taken by motor-launch to about 1.5 miles from the harbour entrance.  Successfully avoiding detection by the breakwater forts, and a number of vessels which were active in the harbour, they manoeuvred the canoe alongside an enemy tanker to which eight explosive charges were attached below water.  They withdrew still undetected and commenced their return across channel without great expectation of being picked up until daylight some four hours later.  Their canoe had suffered some damage during the operation and the sea conditions were deteriorating so that it was fortunate that as planned the motor launch was able to make contact and pick them up an hour after they had left Boulogne harbour by which time they were 2 to 3 miles clear of the enemy coast.

Subsequent air reconnaisasance has established that the tanker was damaged and beached.

Trooper Preece contributed his share in the success of the operation by carrying out implicitly the orders of Captain Montanaro and by showing courage and endurance over a long period spent in imminent danger of discovery by the enemy.’

He was later promoted to Sergeant.

Picture courtesy of John Roberston