THE hit BBC One series SAS Rogue Heroes has raised memories of a Norton Fitzwarren man who died on active service with the elite force.

As well as being a member of the SAS, Tom Sillett was in the fabled Long Range Desert Group (LRDG).

The SAS has always been held in awe and is currently the subject of the BBC series Rogue Heroes.

Tom joined the Somerset Light Infantry early in the Second World War and soon became a Royal Marine Commando.

Interestingly, the current base of 40 Commando Royal Marines - Norton Manor Camp - is in the area where he used to play as a schoolboy.

His family home was in Station Road, Norton Fitzwarren and his parents, Mr and Mrs Victor Sillett, were well known in the area.

He was born on November 29, 1918, and died of diptheria on October 31, 1942, age 23, while serving with 1st SAS A Squadron.

He had joined No 8 Commando in 1940 and embarked with them for the Middle East at the end of January 1941 as part of Layforce.

He later left the Commandos and joined 'L' Detachment SAS in June 1942.

He is buried in Alamein Memorial Cemetery, in Egypt.

*With thanks to Basil Trump for his research.