Royal Marine Training

More questions than answers,

I am researching my farther in law's (Stan Bruton) Service records

Stan seems to have Enlisted in October 1942 at Lympstone in the ITC Infantry Training

In December he transferred to Fort Cumberland for "Technical Training " What type of Training was delivered Here ??

Later he joined the Provost Company is this the Military Police ??

Then to 3 Special Services Brigade I can't find any info on this Brigade ??

then to 22TYBN not sure what the abbreviation is ??
Also RNVMB ?? CMQ ???

Stan seems to have disembarked HMT D13 in Bombay 14-02-44 to 44 CDO then on to Ceylon in September 44

I would appreciate any comments on the above , including Abbreviations ?

I have read Tony Mackenzie's Diary and Stan seems to have made a similar Journey to Burma, india,
burma,India, Ceylon, Hong kong and Home in 1946.

Thanks in anticipation
Keith Lewis

Fort Cumberland was the RMTTD Royal Marines technical training depot in Portsmouth, driver/ fitters trained here. Provost are the marine police. Can you post his service documents that would help

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 26/11/2020 11:12:24

Hi Craig,
I have scanned the first three pages , help in de-syphering would be appreciated , It looks as though Stan joined 44 in India just before they left to travel to Burma for Operation Screwdriver.
His Journey to India looks like this,Researching Troop Ship Movements Either of these ships fits the bill :-
On 6 November 1941 RMS Maloja was returned to P&O and was converted to troopship duty.
Described by one passenger, as "very crowded" (with troops) she sailed from Liverpool on 14th Jan 1943 for Bombay,
but heading first for Greenock on the Firth of Clyde (arriving 15th Jan) to join the rest of the convoy KMF28, To Port Said 30 Jan 1944,
Suez 31 Jan 1944, then Aden, Convoy AB29A 5th Feb 1944, arriving Bombay 13th Feb AM.
1939 the Admiralty requisitioned RMS Otranto and had her converted into a troop ship. In 1942 she was modified to carry landing craft as a Landing ship, infantry. She took part in the invasion of French North Africa later that year and the landings in Sicily and Salerno in 1943.
She was subsequently reconverted back into a troop transport and served as such until released from government service in 1948.
She also Departed Clyde on Convoy KMF28 and AB29A arriving Bombay 13th Feb AM .

I notice that around 40 marines joined 44 just before they left Kedgaon

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Kind Regards Keith

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 26/11/2020 11:13:03

Hi Craig,
I have scanned the first three pages , help in de-syphering would be appreciated , It looks as though Stan joined 44 in India just before they left to travel to Burma for Operation Screwdriver.
His Journey to India looks like this,Researching Troop Ship Movements Either of these ships fits the bill :-
On 6 November 1941 RMS Maloja was returned to P&O and was converted to troopship duty.
Described by one passenger, as "very crowded" (with troops) she sailed from Liverpool on 14th Jan 1943 for Bombay,
but heading first for Greenock on the Firth of Clyde (arriving 15th Jan) to join the rest of the convoy KMF28, To Port Said 30 Jan 1944,
Suez 31 Jan 1944, then Aden, Convoy AB29A 5th Feb 1944, arriving Bombay 13th Feb AM.
1939 the Admiralty requisitioned RMS Otranto and had her converted into a troop ship. In 1942 she was modified to carry landing craft as a Landing ship, infantry. She took part in the invasion of French North Africa later that year and the landings in Sicily and Salerno in 1943.
She was subsequently reconverted back into a troop transport and served as such until released from government service in 1948.
She also Departed Clyde on Convoy KMF28 and AB29A arriving Bombay 13th Feb AM .

I notice that around 40 marines joined 44 just before they left Kedgaon

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Kind Regards Keith

Dear Craig,
In forgot to mention:-
I Have noticed a few references to X list , I believe that Like lots of Soldiers in the far east Stan contracted Malaria, and after the War he suffered also with Malaria. He had at least two long episodes in Siam India and Hong Kong with field hospital visits .

Kind Regards
Keith

Keith.

Great documents.

It looks like he was a driver and was posted to ITC on loan for a few days at the beginning.

ITC Infantry training centre Lympstone.

Provost Coy is unit police.

22TYBN I think is a training battalion

3rd SS Brigade is what it says.

Holding Cmdo is the holding depot from where marines/ commandos would be held awaiting posting.

HMT is a transport ship I think

Will get a better look but it appears he had a busy time.

44 Cmdo.

Not sure on RNVMB or CMQ.

Think you did a great job yourself mate.

Dear Craig,
We really appreciate your help ,
I was surprised by the Driving / Mechanic training , I Know Stan had to carry a (Bren?) Heavy Machine Gun In Burma , He also Guarded A Landing Craft in Hong Kong delivering Supplies to outlying US? and Allied Bases.

The next 4 Scans roughly follow the script of "44RM Commando Achnacarry to the Arakan" written by Tony Mackenzie (Great Guide)
We also think there is a reference to Louis Mountbatten visiting 44 and Stan talked of being his personal Body Guard for a short time (unsubstantiated)

We also know that Stans signature was on one of the flags on display in the Commando Museum (more research needed) Possible Hill top Battle , Quoted Massive piles of Jap bodies and Unrelenting machine gun fire.

Once again thanks for your help in the "TLA" abbreviations.

More Records