The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

The story of Ivan Lyon and the deeds he and his men carried out during Operations Jaywick and Rimau should be better known.

Ivan Lyon DSO, MBE (17 August 1915 – 16 October 1944) was a British soldier and military intelligence agent (S.O.E.) during WW2. As a member of Z Special Unit Lyon took part in a number of commando operations against the Japanese and was subsequently killed during Operation Rimau while attempting to infiltrate Singapore harbour and destroy Japanese shipping there in 1944.

In Australia they are looked upon as national heroes.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_Special_Unit

Memorial plaque in Orchard Road Presbyterian Church, Singapore by kind permission of Rev. Peter Poon.

Ivan Lyon's grave in Kranji Cemetery, Singapore by kind permission of Mrs. Rev. Peter Poon.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that Jim. Operation Rimau has been mentioned on the forum before as one of the officers killed is listed on a Black Isle memorial at Killearnan.

See here:

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1438

LYON, Ivan
Service number 66175
Date of death 16/10/1944
Decoration D.S.O., M.B.E.
Place of birth Kent
Other
SNWM roll THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS and THE LONDON SCOTTISH
Rank Lt.-Col
Theatre of death Far East.

LYON, IVAN
Initials: I
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Secondary Unit Text: Attd. 'Z' Special Unit
Age: 29
Date of Death: 16/10/1944
Service No: 66175
Awards: D S O, M B E
Additional information: Son of Brigadier General Francis Lyon, C.B., C.M.G., C.V.O., D.S.O., and Winifred Jane Lyon; husband of Gabrielle Lyon, of Farnham, Surrey.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 27. A. 14.
Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

Thanks

Adam