Messages posted by: Gow67

My Great Uncle Tom McMeeking joined the Royal Marines at Fort Cumberland, Southsea on 2 Dec 1941. His Division and Register Number is PO X 108567 (T).

He survived the war but died in the 1990s.

Tom?s RM Service records show the following entries:

??
HBL Eg. Cdo RM - From 1 Aug 43 to 5 Nov 45
HBL Hld. Op. Cdo R.M - From 6 Nov 45 to 28 Nov 45
??

I am assuming that the above shows that he became a RM Engineer Commando?

I also have his Commando Service Certificate showing he served in the Commandos from Dec 43 until 9th November 45. It also states that his Service No: has changed to PO X 108577 (T)

The RM Museum website states,

?RM Engineer Commando
This unit had developed from units in the RM Battalions which were trained in demolitions and as assault engineers. From 25 October 1943 the first War Establishment was: HQ; Holding Troop; and two fighting Troops (RM Circ 1303/43G dated 26 November 1943).
By June 1944 there were 180 all ranks, forming a small HQ with a Training Troop (the Holding Troop?) and two fighting Troops. These were reorganised for the Normandy invasion with HQ and Training Troop in the UK, one Section with 1st SS Bde, one Section with 4 SS Bde, and six Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units.

Sections with Commando Brigades:
The Section with 1st Special Service Bde of 39 all ranks commanded by a lieutenant, landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 at H+75 minutes to demolish bridges; but these were still in enemy hands and this Section prepared the defences of Brigade HQ; later they were employed in mine?clearing and building strongpoints. They also improvised bridges and fords (?wet bridges? lying below the surfaces of rivers), before returning to the UK on 9 September 1944.
The Section which joined 4 SS Bde arrived in France at the end of June 1944 and served in mine?clearing, demolition and other work of assault engineers.

Landing Craft Obstruction Clearance Units:
In the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, Nos 7 and 8 were with Force S, Nos 9 and 10 with Force G, and 11 and 12 with Force J. They were all intended to clear paths through beach obstacles, but owing to the conditions of the tide and dangers from incoming craft the men were unable to use their shallow?water diving gear, but nevertheless cleared obstacles?.
http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/unit-history-summaries

My question is: How can I find out what Brigade or Unit Tom McMeeking was attached to on D-Day?

Can anyone help me or point me in the right direction?

All the best.

G67