Cpl 'Sam' Harold Wells PO/x/107289 Y Troop ? 48 Commando

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 15/08/2019 17:23:48

Cpl 'Sam' Harold Wells (DOB 16/3/22) joined the Royal Marines (17 Platoon, 7th Royal Marines, middle row, 4th from the right) 24/7/41.

He served with the 7th Brigade (not sure where but photos suggest north Africa?) until 1/3/44.

From 2/3/44 until 15/2/46 he was in 48 Commando, Y troop we think. He talked of their landing craft hitting objects way off the beach, many men drowning. Luckily he swam and was picked up by another landing craft and returned to UK. He rejoined the unit on June 8. At some point we know he met up with his brother, Sgt Fred Wells of the 22nd Independent Parachute Company, 6th Airborne division (pathfinders on D-day).

He also took part in operation 'Infatuate' landing at Westkapelle on Walcheren, Holland. We know he was billeted in Winterswijk, Holland on 21/6/45, as we have a letter written by the local headmaster to his mother, Edith Wells, describing how helpful he was.

He was demobbed 5/5/46 and ten years later I was born. He married Kathleen Brookes who is still alive, had five children (Philip, Martin, Peter, Lee & Samantha) but sadly died in 1978. We are all incredibly proud of him and all his comrades who enable us to live the life we do today.

I have; a paper copy of his service record; a services postcard 'home'; various demob & tax(!) documents; a letter to his widow dated 15/10/2007 from the Naval Historical Branch (MOD), Portsmouth, outlining some of his service; plus other photos. I would be grateful if he could be added to the '48RM Commando Nominal Roll' if appropriate. Thank you, Peter Wells

Hi Peter

Would you contact me please by email (see below) and attach the relevant documents referencing 48RM Commando and I will facilitate an appropriate entry in our Archive.

Thanks.

Some more photographs

More photos

Service record

Service record & demob documents

Sgt Fred Wells (on left) - 22nd Independent Parachute Company (Pathfinders), 6th Airborne Division. Sam's older brother who also took part in D-day. They met up by chance somewhere in Normandy after D-day. Both survived as did their younger brother Tom who was a Royal Marine gunner on a battleship. Amazing!

Achnacarry intake 14.3.44 - 3.4.44

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 27/10/2021 21:48:53

48RM Commando Nominal Roll and Obituaries updated with the details of Corporal Harold 'Sam' Wells. 48RM Commando Gallery entry created with some of the above photos which can be viewed here [Harold 'Sam' Wells].

7th RM Bn photo entered in 48RM Commando gallery and updated with additional details of a RM Commando pictured there who died on 25 September 1944 [View Here].

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 27/10/2021 21:49:11

The Commando identified above was Marine Jonathan Albert Reeves who was serving in 'Y' Troop at the time of his death. Read more here:

https://www.commandoveterans.org/JonathanReeves48RMCommando

Christmas postcard from Egypt, to Sam's mother in Birmingham