Hi Tom
I cross referenced the two documents and wrote a short summary, which is on http://www.relaysystem.co.uk/id8.html
Royal Naval Beach Commando Uncle
R.N.B.C. Uncle National Archives Record
The unit was formed in September 1943 at HMS Armadillo. It was reported they did not show up too well in initial training and subsequent exercises because of the bad influence of a number of General Service ratings.
The unit remained in Scotland at HMS Armadillo, Gailes Camp (HMS Dundonald I) at Inverary and HMS Brontosaurus at Castle Toward until July 1944 when they were moved to HMS Foliot in Devon.
There they were designated Naval Party 1516 in October 1944 and moved to HMS Mylodon in Lowestoft in November 1944, a base used for Landing Craft Training for RM Commandos and Combined Operations.
Designated Naval Party 4009 in December 1944 whilst still at HMS MYLODEN they then returned to HMS Armadillo on the 2nd of January 1945 prior to their embarkation for SEAC, South East Asia Command on the 5th, 7th of January 1945.
Arriving in Bombay on the 2nd of June 1945. They were in Cocanada (Kakinada today) in July 1945, returning to Bombay on the 10th of August 1945.
The Naval History records show the Naval party arriving in Madras on the 8th of September 1945 however the RN Beach Commando records indicate they took part in the Malaya Landings in September 1945. The Japanese in Malaya signed their surrender document on the 2nd of September 1945. The British then landed in Malaya on the 9th of September in the Port Swettenham area, as part of Operation Zipper. Able Seaman Alf Humberstone of 'U' RN Beach Commando recollects the landing in the book Beachhead Assault by David Lee, so at least part of the Commando was there possibly as part of the 46th Indian Beach Group.
In October 1945 they were in Singapore but returned to Bombay in November 1945 where they were disbanded on the 15th of December 1945.
Regards
Griffin
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 16/11/2014 11:39:25
|