Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 329331

Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps, 3rd Cavalry Training Regiment

Secondary Unit/Regiment: and No. 11 Commando

Died: 9th June 1941

Age: 28 years old.

William was born on the 9th April 1913 in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was the son of Thomas Barclay Ainslie and Isabella Williamson Ainslie (née Bain). Thomas and Isabella had nine children but sadly four of them, Mary, Thomas, Robert and Alexander all died in infancy. William, the youngest surviving son, had four other siblings. Elizabeth, Bella, George and Margaret. The family lived at 92 George Street in Aberdeen. Further tragedy was to follow when their father Thomas was killed near to the end of WW1. He had been serving as a Private in the Gordon Highlanders when he was killed in action on the 31st August 1918. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

After leaving school William was employed as an Attendant at the Grand Central Cinema in Aberdeen. He married a local girl, Margaret Mathie McLellan and they had one daughter. William and his family lived at 42, East North Street in Aberdeen.

William joined the army in April 1941 and was quickly selected for Commando training. He joined the newly formed No. 11 (Scottish) Commando. This unit was raised on the 23rd June 1940 in Galashiels. After formation it marched from Galashiels to Ayr and then on to the Isle of Arran for amphibious training.

As part of this unit, William sailed to the Middle East at the end of January 1941 to take part in Operation Explorer, the invasion of Vichy French Syria. As part of a wider force, No 11 Commando was designated as 'C' Battalion Layforce and the Operation Explorer commenced on the 8th June 1941.

The original objective assigned to C Battalion "Layforce" (11 Scottish Commando) was to land on two beaches to the north of the River Litani and one to the south, seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge over it until relieved by 21 Australian Infantry Brigade.

Heavy sea swell and the risk of capsizing their landing craft, resulted in the first attempt being aborted in clear view of the enemy. A second attempt to land was carried out the following night. Delays during embarkation result in the landing craft reaching the beach with day light breaking and heavy losses. 

Despite being out numbered and suffering incredible misfortune and difficulties the Commando were able to hold the line long enough for the Australians to cross the river and continue with their advance to Beirut. 

However their bravery was not without loss; of the 406 men that landed 130 were killed or wounded in nearly 29 hours of fighting, for which they only had enough ammunition and food to last eight hours.

The operation was ultimately a success but William as well as his Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Dick Pedder were among those killed. Both men are buried in Sidon War Cemetery in South Lebanon.

William is commemorated on the Special Forces Roll of Honour.

(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Commando Veterans Archive, Special Forces, Litani River by Ian McHarg, Newspaper Archives)

(Bio: Woose)