Educated at Lancing College, he was on the shooting team, winning the Girling Rifle prize in 1930. He was in the school Officer Training Corps gaining his Certificate A. He became a chartered accountant on leaving school.
Before the war he raced his 348cc Velocette, coming second in his first race at Brooklands, in the Clubman's junior time trial over 10 laps at the British Grand Prix event in 1938. He was a member of the Tunbridge Wells Motorcycle Club.
While setting some booby traps around the Clapham Patrol OB, designed to deter locals from getting too close after they wandered nearby, he accidentally triggered a device, peppering his face and chest with soil. He spent two weeks in Worthing Hospital recovering.
On 21 Jun 1941 it was reported that he was fined at Worthing Police Court for leaving his car on the road at night without lights (parking lights presumably as the blackout was in force) and for parking it on the wrong side of the road. He was fined £1 including costs.
After service with the Scout Section he joined the Commandos, he joined No.4 Troop, No.6 Commando on 21st June 1943. On D Day he was with No.1 Troop, joining up with the Airborne Forces around Pegasus Bridge. Coming under mortar fire, he was killed 7 June 1944.
His Brigadier, in a letter to his parents, wrote: " You will be proud to hear that you splendid son was killed while blowing up a vital bridge over which enemy armour had to be prevented from crossing. He died in the best tradition of Commando service, and the job he carried out was a complete success".
He is buried at Ranville War Cemetery, France.
He would have served in 6 Commando with Dorset Auxilier Len Mills.
His father also served in the Royal Sussex Regiment in the First World War, with his brother Roy Fazan being killed 9 May 1915 at Aubers Ridge while serving in the same regiment, along with 25 other men from Wadhurst. His brothers were Flying Officer NG Fazan DFC and Capt BJ Fazan 3rd Carabineers (Royal Dragoons).
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sussex Scout Section | Scout Section Commander | 18 Jan 1941 | 21 Jun 1943 |
St Andrew's, Forest Row, Sussex
Lancing College, Sussex
Accountant
2 Oct 1939 Enlisted at Armoury House in Finsbury into the Royal Fusiliers (Territorial Army) as Private 6464551 and immediately posted to Army Reserve (this was due to lack of training capacity). His enlistment papers record that he was 5 feet, 11 1/2 inches tall (181.6cm) and weighed 147 lb (67kg) with green eyes and black hair.
8 Dec 1939 Joined for service and posted to 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit
19 Apr 1940 Discharged on appointment to a commission
20 Apr 1940 Emergency Commission as Second Lieutenant Royal Sussex Regiment
4 May 1940 Posted to Infantry Training Centre
8 Jul 1940 Medically graded unfit G.S. [unclear if this is General Service or Gun shot]
17 Dec 1940 Graded medically A1 (fully fit)
13 Jan 1941 Posted to 29th Brigade Group
18 Jan 1941 Posted to Auxiliary Units as Scout Section Officer
20 Jan 1941 Promoted to War Substantive Lieutenant
13 Apr 1943 Posted to Commando Depot
28 July 1943 Posted to No.6 Commando
The son of Dr Eric and Mrs Alide C Fazan. He was a great lover of bird life and was a member of the Tunbridge Wells Pigeon Club. He also took up motor racing and competed in races at Booklands and Donnington Park.
Secret Sussex Resistance, Stewart Angell
Sevenoaks Chronicle 29 Jul 1938
Worthing Gazette 25 Jun 1941
Kent & Sussex Courier 23 June 1944
Lucy Betteridge-Dyson (shows memorial stone)
Ancestry.co.uk
Service Record