Harold Plank Service Record

Just got the service record of my great uncle Harold Plank T.S.M. 47 R.M. Commando. It's very interesting to read but I have several queries.
1. what are the second and third names under the section headed Name of Division or ship?
2. What does No/S.C. '44 M.P.B.201N mean at the end of his record?
R.102
3. What were good conduct badges like?
4. What does P.P.T.V.G. stand for in the section about swimming?
5. Can anyone tell me what any of the stuff in the Dates of passing and revision of drills section means?
i would be most grateful if anyone could help me with any of this.

Thanks. Mark Smith.

Mark
In answer to No.1 ...one of them looks like Plymouth Divn.
In answer to No.3 ...good conduct badges were stripes as seen two thirds of the way down the attached link. You could have up to 3 stripes and you got extra pay:
http://www.naval-history.net/WW2aaRN-PayTables00Ranks-Badges.htm

Thanks Pete,
Thats very helpful. I think he is wearing the good conduct badge in one of the photos of him.

Mark.

Just found the photo of Harold Plank and he appears to have two chevrons on his left sleeve so is that two good conduct badges or are they something else? Also does anyone know what the dark virtical stripes are on his left shoulder?

Mark.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 28/04/2009 21:18:01

Hi Mark

I think that the chevrons that you are referring to are his Corporals stripes, in other words his rank, a third stripe would denote that he was a Seargent. Sorry if I am pointing out something that you already know, however can't see any other chevrons that you could be referring to. Perhaps the vertical stripes are the afore mentioned Good Conduct badges that you were previously talking about?
With ref to his army records that you have recently received, it might be worth actually phoning up the records dept to ask them what a particular abreviation means. I recently applied for my father's records and the person that dealt with my request was very knowledgeable and was able to diciphere quite a lot of the seemingly meaningless entries.

Cheers Andy

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 28/04/2009 21:54:34

Hi Mark

Andy is correct they are his stripes of corporal rank. The service record in the corner shows he was promoted corporal and then sgt. He is shown as having one good conduct badge as far as I can see on the record. As he was in the Marines this would be a Navy record. The stripes above his Corporal stripes may be the good conduct format for the Marines at the time - not sure. You should contact the Royal Marines Museum.

http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/index2.html

For those that have not seen it here is a link to a roll of honour for 47 RM Commando on which Harold Plank is named

http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/rm-museum/47_commando.htm

Finally Mark I have created an album in the CVA Gallery for 47 RM Commando and placed Harold's picture there. Here is a quick link to view it:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/47RM+Commando/TSM+Harold+Plank+47+RM+Cdo.JPG.html

Regards

Thanks very much for your help and thanks Pete for adding the picture to the album. Now I've looked at other pictures of him such as his wedding photos I can see he has tree stripes so that must have been after he was promoted. I'll try and find out about the other badge.

Thanks again.
Mark.

Pete wrote:Hi Mark

Andy is correct they are his stripes of corporal rank. The service record in the corner shows he was promoted corporal and then sgt. He is shown as having one good conduct badge as far as I can see on the record. As he was in the Marines this would be a Navy record. The stripes above his Corporal stripes may be the good conduct format for the Marines at the time - not sure. You should contact the Royal Marines Museum.

http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/index2.html

For those that have not seen it here is a link to a roll of honour for 47 RM Commando on which Harold Plank is named

http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/rm-museum/47_commando.htm

Finally Mark I have created an album in the CVA Gallery for 47 RM Commando and placed Harold's picture there. Here is a quick link to view it:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/47RM+Commando/TSM+Harold+Plank+47+RM+Cdo.JPG.html

Regards

Hi Pete. Ido have another photo of Harold in his dress uniform if you would like to put that in the album.

Regards. Mark.

Hi Mark...I have created a sub album for Harold in the 47 RM Commando album with 3 pictures of him that you have previously posted on the CVA forum. I have included details from the CWGC certificate which can be seen when the pictures are clicked on. Here is a quick link to the album:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/47RM+Commando/

High,
The two vertical stripes show that he was in the 2nd RM Battalion. They were red in colour.

The 2nd Battalion started forming at the end of 1939 and was disbanded in August 1943.

Regards

Danny

Thanks Danny that's very helpful.

Mark.