Author |
Message |
09/08/2019 17:20:24
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
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
|
Filename |
IMG_3742.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Cpl |
Filesize |
186 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
965 time(s) |
|
Filename |
IMG_3740.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
|
Filesize |
138 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
950 time(s) |
|
Filename |
IMG_3744.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
17 Platoon, 7th Royal Marines |
Filesize |
211 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
959 time(s) |
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 15/08/2019 17:23:48
|
|
|
13/08/2019 20:59:43
|
Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4666
Offline
|
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.
|
Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
|
|
15/08/2019 13:10:37
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
Some more photographs
|
Filename |
IMG_3737.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Cpl 'Sam' Harold Wells |
Filesize |
119 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
948 time(s) |
|
Filename |
IMG_3739.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Cp 'Sam' Harold Wells |
Filesize |
197 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
962 time(s) |
|
Filename |
IMG_3743.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Letter Edith Wells, Holland |
Filesize |
241 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
947 time(s) |
|
|
|
15/08/2019 13:23:14
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
More photos
|
Filename |
navy summary.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
MOD letter to Kath Wells,Sam's widow |
Filesize |
181 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
972 time(s) |
|
Filename |
postcard2.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Overseas postcard whilst on active service |
Filesize |
148 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
957 time(s) |
|
Filename |
postcard1.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Overseas postcard whilst on active service |
Filesize |
175 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
936 time(s) |
|
|
|
15/08/2019 13:24:37
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
Service record
|
Filename |
sr3.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Service record 3 |
Filesize |
176 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
971 time(s) |
|
Filename |
sr2.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Service record 2 |
Filesize |
187 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
973 time(s) |
|
Filename |
sr1.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Service record 1 |
Filesize |
197 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
960 time(s) |
|
|
|
15/08/2019 13:27:24
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
Service record & demob documents
|
Filename |
release.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Release from service |
Filesize |
162 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
958 time(s) |
|
Filename |
tax.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
War gratuity |
Filesize |
174 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
943 time(s) |
|
Filename |
sr4.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Service record 4 |
Filesize |
209 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
951 time(s) |
|
|
|
15/08/2019 16:28:30
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
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!
|
Filename |
IMG_3745.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
22nd Independent Parachute Company, 6th Airborne |
Filesize |
141 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
942 time(s) |
|
|
|
15/08/2019 17:39:43
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
Achnacarry intake 14.3.44 - 3.4.44
|
Filename |
CBTC 1942 1944 spean.jpg |
Download
|
Description |
Achnacarry intake list |
Filesize |
199 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
938 time(s) |
|
|
|
20/08/2019 00:14:50
|
Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4666
Offline
|
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 21:48:53
|
Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
|
|
20/08/2019 00:33:37
|
Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4666
Offline
|
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
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 27/10/2021 21:49:11
|
Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
|
|
02/12/2020 12:03:27
|
Peter Wells
Forum Member
Joined: 07/08/2019 09:16:29
Messages: 9
Offline
|
Christmas postcard from Egypt, to Sam's mother in Birmingham
|
Filename |
IMG_4035.JPG |
Download
|
Description |
Christmas postcard from Egypt? |
Filesize |
216 Kbytes
|
Downloaded: |
757 time(s) |
|
|
|
|