RESEARCH UPDATE No.2 - JUNE 2026 (Part 2)

PROGRESS

All known fatalities now have a paper (old fashioned) file and are also included in the project database. Not all fatalities are directly linked to Commando training or at Achnacarry. Several men died in associated training and in different locations, one died of an illness in Stirling. Two drownings occurred during an off-duty fishing trip with a local lad. There are two American Rangers who died in separate incidents, and the Rangers archivist, Jane, has been extremely helpful in providing really useful information on both men. Private (Ranger) James ‘Rusty’ Ruschkewicz was killed in an explosion on Barry Buddon ranges near Carnoustie in Scotland on the 11^th of September 1942. The attached newspaper (below) clipping wrongly states England. At that time the Rangers were billeted with families in Dundee. A letter to the local paper asking for help prompted an elderly lady, Rhoda, to get in touch. She told me that Rusty had been billeted with her family home and regarded as an adopted son. She vividly recalled the deep sense of loss when Rusty was killed.

Rhoda had several affectionate anecdotes of

the happy memories from over 80 years ago. He may have been far from home but he was surrounded by his adopted Scottish

family and wasn’t forgotten.

Four families of the deceased have been located and are now part of the emerging story that provides them with information they may not have been aware of and to help provide valuable information about their loved one.

Therefore, the research for all men will be conducted and treat them as equals, regardless of the circumstances of their death. They will be focused on with the consistent aim of reuniting them and their story with surviving relatives to create a further layer of history to the commando community.