Dave Kershaw MM. Original L Detachment, Special Air Service (1 SAS)
Dave Kershaw is confirmed as an original member of L Detachment, SAS, serving during the unit’s initial operational phase in the Western Desert in 1941. His service is documented as operational and front‑line in nature, distinct from later post‑war groupings.
Kershaw was employed as a field operative and took part in the detachment’s earliest airborne-raiding activity.
Operation Squatter (November 1941):
Inserted by parachute during the detachment’s first large-scale operational deployment.
Sustained a broken arm on landing.
Despite the injury, marched with full kit to the rendezvous (RV) and remained with the party. This incident is consistently cited as evidence of his physical resilience and determination under operational pressure.
Before joining L Detachment, Kershaw had previous combat experience in the Spanish Civil War. Contemporary recollections attribute to him the remark that he had “got a taste for killing,” a phrase reflecting a hardened combat outlook rather than formal doctrine. Based on confirmed service with L Detachment in the Western Desert during 1941, he earnt a MM. Dave Kershaw’s entitlement is assessed as:
1939–1945 Star – Qualifying operational service during the Second World War.
Africa Star – Service in North Africa, Western Desert, 1941.
War Medal 1939–1945 – Standard award for qualifying full-time wartime service.
Defence Medal: Unconfirmed. Award dependent on qualifying non-operational service conditions; no surviving documentation verifies entitlement.
No record exists of gallantry awards, foreign decorations, or post-war special distinctions. This is consistent with early L Detachment service, where individual actions— including injuries sustained during Operation Squatter— were rarely formally recognised.
This background marked him out as:
Already blooded under fire
Familiar with irregular warfare conditions
Less susceptible to shock during early SAS operations
Such experience was uncommon among British soldiers in 1941 and contributed to his suitability for L Detachment service.
Military Medal Citation:
This N.C.O., during the parachute operation against GAZALA LG'S 4th Nov. 1941 broke an arm on landing. Although in severe pain, he insisted on continuing with his full load of 50 lbs for over 40 miles and on carrying out all the duties of an NCO in very difficult circumstances. By his example he was primarily responsible for getting the rest of his party back to their R.V. He has continued since then to show the same high quality of determination in many operations and has been responsible for the destruction of much equipment valuable to the enemy.
Parent unit 6 Bn Grenadier Guards
International Brigade, Spanish Civil War
8 Commando 1941-42
L Detachment SAS 1942 (Sgt)
1 SAS 1942-43 (Sgt)
Special Raiding Squadron 1943 (Sgt)
2 SAS 1943 (Sgt)
1 SAS 1944 (Wo2)
Parachute Regiment 1944 (WIA - lost leg at Arnhem)
Greek War Cross 1950.