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06/11/2014 17:02:09
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BillP
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Joined: 27/05/2013 00:49:26
Messages: 28
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Hi all
I would like to know the nominal manpower strength of both No 1 & No 5 Commando when they left for India in November 1943, could anybody help please?
Regards
Bill
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Proud son of Sgt Alexander Pirie MM Royal Marines 1935 to 1947 |
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08/11/2014 16:33:21
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GrahamCooper
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Joined: 20/08/2011 23:29:50
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Can help just a little, its no answering your question,but think it may help.
In 1 Cdo war diary for Dec 1943 is a field return of the units strength,this is the first month in the far East:
Officers
Lt Col x 1
Major x 1
Capt x 10
Lt x 14
TOTAL 26
Other Ranks
WO 1 X 1
WO 11 X 7
Sgt X 17
Cpl X 51
Pte X 404
TOTAL 479
These figures give a unit strength of 505 in total,
These figures are on arrival in India.
I am trying to find if I have the same info for 5 Cdo,hope this is of some help
The above info is from 1 Cdo war diary WD 218/49
Regards
Graham
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By their deeds they shall be known |
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08/11/2014 19:18:37
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BillP
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Joined: 27/05/2013 00:49:26
Messages: 28
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Graham
Thanks for the reply. I have the following figures, that I am trying to confirm for Convoy KMF 26 of 3542 troops on HMT Ranchi (No 1 Cdo, 42 RM Cdo & 3 Commando Brigade HQ) and 3046 troops for HMT Reina del Pacifico ( No 5 Cdo & 44 RM Cdo). It was a large convoy of about 17,000 troops I am trying to get the total for 3 Commando Brigade when it sailed for India. If I work on the figure of about 500 per Commando then there must have been other troops on the ships that, as yet, I cannot identify.
Regards
Bill
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Proud son of Sgt Alexander Pirie MM Royal Marines 1935 to 1947 |
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11/11/2014 16:50:51
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Julie W
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Joined: 30/03/2011 16:35:24
Messages: 155
Location: Essex
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In the section about 5 Cdo in the final edition of the Third Jungle Book it says there were 27 officers & 430 men on board the Reina del Pacifico.
There were also 40 wrens (see http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/1754:babs-fraser-drennan/)
I hope that is of some help.
Julie
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Cousin of Capt. Larry Stephens, No. 5 Commando 1943-1946
His biography is available from all good bookshops from April 2020 https://www.waterstones.com/book/its-all-in-the-mind/julie-warren/9781783528622 |
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11/11/2014 17:40:11
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BillP
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Joined: 27/05/2013 00:49:26
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Julie
Thanks for the information on numbers, it`s pretty much confirmed what I thought. With regard to the link to the Wrens being on board it just proves the more you look into it the more comes to light.
Many thanks
Bill
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Proud son of Sgt Alexander Pirie MM Royal Marines 1935 to 1947 |
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14/11/2014 19:23:38
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Stephen Donnison
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Joined: 08/04/2007 10:16:31
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Reina Del Pacifico
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