Information regarding my father Marine Gordon Richard Wilson POX 100817

I am at the beginning of researching my late fathers war record i.e where did he serve etc. I have obtained his details of Attestation Papers, Medical Entitlement Card and his RM Record. However the records do not show which arena(s) he fought in. I cannot even find out which unit/brigade etc he was assigned to. The only clue that I have is that there is mention to RM46 from 1/1/44 to 15/5/44 and possibly "I" company.
On 15/8/44 he appears to have been transferred to Achnacarry which he eventually seems to have left on 31/12/45.
I have a small number of photographs with dad and some friends on, but without dates/places or names. I hope to post these on this site later. It is clear from these photographs that he served in Africa at some time.
Any guidance would be very much appreciated

Brian.

Your dads service number is a Portsmouth Division No. POX is the abbreviation for Portsmouth. Can you post the photos and copies of records as there?s a lot can be learnt from this site. It may also help others. As for abbreviations there are a list on the RM museum website.

Hope this helps in some way. Look forward to viewing your photos and documents.

Regards. Craig.

Hi Brian

Many things in your message will resonate with others who have posted messages on our Forum. Whilst both Army and Royal Marines service records can sometimes be lacking in detail, they are without doubt the first place to start. Craig is absolutely right when he says post your photos particularly of the service record as there can be clues in there that are not always obvious at first sight.

Pete/Craig,
Many thanks for your prompt reply. I will try to post the documents together with photographs, although my first attempt didn't go too well. ( File size too large). I will try a document at a time.
Brian

That page came through ok.

I can interprete some of the names and will do so over the weekend.

Regards.

Another attempt.
Brian

Another attempt.

First photograph of dad. Marine POX/100817 Gordon Richard Wilson enlisted 9th July 1940.
Brian

Dad and a pal details unknown.
Brian

Dad and another pal.
Brian

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 28/09/2018 13:36:49

Hi Brian,

Thanks for uploading the photos & record sheets to the Forum.
From these I can state that your father, although he was a Royal Marine, he was not a RM Commando. Not many people realise that up to 1942, there was no such beast as a RM Commando. The Royal Marines did not have a Commando Role until the first RM Commando was formed in 1942, there then followed a program of converting eight other RM Infantry Battalions to become RM Commandos.
Only RM Cdos wore the Green Beret - all other RMs wore the Navy Blue beret.
[It wasn't until the 1960s that all Royal Marines had been converted to become commandos that all, apart from Trainees, became entitled to wear the Green Beret as we see these days]

I've only had a quick glance but will study closer asap.
So your father was posted to 'R' S/L Battery (S/L = Searchlight) and then moved between a number of S/L Regiments.
You will notice the acronym L.U.C.A. as in 'Cease LUCA' & 'Commence LUCA'
The acronym stands for Living Under Canvas Allowance.
Another - MEF - stands for Middle East Force.

On 9/7/43 he is recorded as receiving the 1st Good Conduct Badge.

Other acronyms and abbreviations include R.M.T.G.D. / RM Trg Gp Devon - This is the RM Training Group, Devon.

M.N.B.D.O.

Here is a link to the RM Unit Histories which will help give you a better understanding of your father's time in the RMs and what each Unit did.
And then you can come back at us with all any questions that you may have...

https://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/sites/default/files/RM%20Unit%20Histories%201919-1997.pdf

Nick

Nick,
Many thanks for the swift reply - this site is amazing.
I will try to attach further documents in dads record. Which includes reference to C.B.T.C at Anacharry.
Brian

Nick,
More documents.
Brian

Nick,
A few more. Sorry its in bits and pieces.
Brian