George Harry Birtles

Great photo.

Too dark to make out but never mind papers will help when they arrive. Can you upload the full pics of service papers. Might help.

I?ve messaged the 46 commando family and friends to see if your dad is listed in their records.

Thanks Craig. I believe my sister is going to give all of the records to my brother. He will scan whatever she gives him. Then they will make their way to me? by which time, I will probably have the records for MOD

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 29/09/2022 23:33:39

Lt. A.W.E. Willingale was the Asst. Paymaster Home Base Ledger Office so does not help.
There was a Captain Charles Edwin Ernest Wildey in 40RM Commando in August 1943 but the initials look different ?.or perhaps just my ageing eyesight.
The next one I can?t work out the name.
In Jan. 1945 V.R. Weymouth was a Temp. Supt. Clerk (Pay Section) Home Base Ledger Office
The last one is Major Joseph Harold Cawley-Way RM.

Right! Finally get some names but can?t read them. I keep hunting through the photos on here to see if I can see him. They are all starting to look the same now. I?ll have another look at 40.

My sister just noticed this? could this be his unit number? #45?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 30/09/2022 16:18:45

Jackie you will see AS before that. It means Age and Service Group. Service personnel were placed into groups for demobilisation based on their age and service. So nothing to do with unit served.

:( 45 trained in Lympstone and were also around Bergen.
Belsen, which I know he was near there, so it?s still a possibility I think. :)

45 trained in Portsmouth after forming up in the New Forest area. Hilsea Barracks and Portsdown Hill then onto Achnacarry.

Elements of 45 and 46 were at Belsen concentration camp as they were close by after crossing the river Aller.

I have the Wartime history of 45 if you want an electronic copy.

Hi Craig,

I would love that, thank you. My sister said that my Dad was in the woods on the way to Belsen. They were told they couldn?t go into Belsen as the Red Cross and another unit was there, and because of the Typhoid and TB. I have looked at all of the photos of all of the commando groups and can?t seem to pick him out in any of them. :( Not sure if my eyes are focused on who I remember him to look like??
Do you know when the MOD send records, if they send any photos??
My email is [email protected] thank you again for all of your info. As always. Thx

No photos are sent. Will email later. I?ll bet your dad was in 45 oh he was near Belsen.

45 seems to be the one that makes the most sense, with what little info we have so far. He talked a lot about someone named ?Taffy? to my sister. I?m going to see if there was a ?Taffy? in 45. I know it?s common for a Welshman, but curious to see if there is one.

Exert from Commandos and Rangers of WW2.

There were several I know of. Inc my mums dad. Lists of Marines in 47 commando in link below. Couldn?t find your dad but worth a look.

https://www.47commando.org.uk/

Thank you! I have some reading to do. :)

I just found this picture. Do you think it could be the 3rd signature on my Dad?s paperwork?