John William James Green, 45 Commando

Hi All, Sorry for the repost in this forum which is probably the best one for this..

My Father was John William James Green, he was 45 Cdo by 1947, joined in 1939. Attached is a pic. Has anyone any info on him, other pics of the unit??

There are a small number of photos of 45 Cdo in 1946 here: http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/laterday/RM+Commandos/

If you have documentation or a photo showing his attachment to the Commandos can you post it here. I will then be able to add the photo to our gallery.

Regards

Pete

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 01/12/2014 15:33:21

Here is a pic I found of his unit. His unit was in burma in 45 according to his diary. Perhaps someone recognizes others in this photo as well. I believe it is an early picture of his group, circa 1940

Hi Alex

The pictures that you have posted are indeed of Royal Marines. However unlike today, in WW2 not all Royal Marines were Commandos. The uniforms in both pictures do not assist as they are wearing their RM uniform forage caps and peaked caps rather than the Green Beret of the Commandos. Thus they are likely to have been taken before any 45 Commando posting. Do you have any of him wearing a green beret, or that show RM Commando insignia on his uniform such as shoulder patches? Any documentation that mentions his Commando service either during or after the war. If not you will have to apply for a copy of his service record which hopefully will show such Service. Once we establish which unit he was in and when, we can determine which gallery to post any photo in.

Regards

Pete

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/12/2014 16:05:46

Hi Pete, I have indeed sent for his service record. Attached is a pic of his flashes found in his estate belongings along with his discharge papers and diary sheets.

Alex

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/12/2014 18:58:17

Service record obtained... Yes indeed a 45 Cdo as of Aug 1, 1943 - Dec 11, 1946. Was on ships to Sri KLanka, Burma. One C.O. was W. Roberts. He was also listed on the HMS Chinthe, Dolphin and High flyer throughout 45-46.

Hi Alex

Good news about the Service record. All the names you mention are shore bases. After 45 RM Commando returned to the UK from NW Europe in September 1945 there was a reorganisation and in Jan 46 they sailed to Hong Kong where they would adopt the new variant of their title 45 Commando RM.

HMS Chinthe (Naval Party 1031) was in Rangoon: http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-2917.html

IWM of the Mountabatten's vist to the location: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060031786

HMS Dolphin was the base of the Royal Navy Submarines service in Gosport.

HMS Highflyer (RN base, Trincomalee, at the time ) have a website http://hmshighflyer.org/

Pete

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/02/2015 21:22:21

Here is the card that ID's him as 45 Cdo. As an additional note dad was also awarded the Burma star. His record clearly indicated he served in Burma and the 1938 card review missed this fact.

Thank you Alex. I have now posted the image of your father in our 45RM Commando gallery. Here is a direct link to it: Mne John William James Green

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/01/2015 05:25:08

Another picture from HMS Dolphin posting. Third in line.

1939 Photo. 353 Kings Squad? Not sure how this fits into the RM groups.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 11/11/2015 02:22:46

His record shows he received these medals. Left to Right> Defense Medal, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Burma Star.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 19/03/2015 15:48:10

Hi,
Judging by the 3 medal ribbon group in the first photo of his badges etc., I would say that he got his Burma medal from his being in Ceylon earlier in the War, as a RM, and not his time in Burma, as a RM Cdo, (as he'd already qualified & received the Star).

The 3 medal group (which is upside down in the photo) should read 39-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal.

I'm assuming that his time in France/Germany came after Ceylon - which would account for why he has the Burma Star but not the France-Germany Star in the 3 medal group.

Stars take precedence over the two medals and are worn in order of qualification.
Therefore, as he was, subsequently, awarded more medals, I believe (and stand to be corrected) the order they should be worn/displayed is:

39-45 Star, Burma Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal

Nick

According to his service record he was only in Burma in 1945. The medals are arranged in the photo in no particular order. Thanks for your info on the medals, we always appreciate hearing from others who are more familiar with the WW2 RM history.

NIC wrote:Hi,
Judging by the 3 medal ribbon group in the first photo of his badges etc., I would say that he got his Burma medal from his being in Ceylon earlier in the War, as a RM, and not his time in Burma, as a RM Cdo, (as he'd already qualified & received the Star).

The 3 medal group (which is upside down in the photo) should read 39-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal.

I'm assuming that his time in France/Germany came after Ceylon - which would account for why he has the Burma Star but not the France-Germany Star in the 3 medal group.

Stars take precedence over the two medals and are worn in order of qualification.
Therefore, as he was, subsequently, awarded more medals, I believe (and stand to be corrected) the order they should be worn/displayed is:

39-45 Star, Burma Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal

Nick

Hi,
Any mention of Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) on his records prior to 1 Aug 43?

It's just that he was obviously awarded the 39-45 Star, Burma Star & Defence Medal before he was awarded the France-Germany Star (otherwise the F-G would be on the same ribbon strip as the others).

Obviously, as I don't have access to his records, so I'm just guessing that he saw service that qualified him for the Burma Star prior to him becoming a RM Commando.

Was he on board a ship that saw service in the Bay of Bengal - the Burma Star was awarded to R N personnel for service at sea in the Bay of Bengal.
Was he in 5 RM Battalion?
Any mention of MNBDO?

Nick