Uncle Eric Aldridge - not a Commando?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 01/05/2021 16:04:18

Firstly, may I say what an amazing site this is and truly inspiring.

I have been researching my Great Uncle Eric born 26th March 1925. I knew very little of him growing up, my Mum could only tell me he joined the Federation of Malaya Police and died in ambush. I was very curious that my Nan was a twin and it wasn't until curiousity finally got the better of me that I just had to find out what happened to him. My only surviving relative from Mum's family is my aunt who told me the family never spoke of Eric. She too only knew of what my Mum had told me. I had nothing to go on but a name and date of birth but thankfully a couple of photos.

Fast forward and I now know he enlisted with Royal Marines on 26th May 1942 and later the Palestine Police (30/09/46) followed by Federation of Malayia Police approx 08/1948. Sadly, it was only after a short time in the Malayia Police that he died. I seem to have hit a wall with regards to this service record as the only info from Malaysia that I could obtain states he was in fact killed in a motor accident on the 11th January 1949, the year my Mum was born. He was 23. Thanks to some incredible people like yourselves, I now know he rests in Kranji Military Cemetry, Singapore and is my very wish to one day stand at his grave and honour his memory. I'm still determined to find out more about his death but understand I may never do so.

I was very proud to discover that he is on the Roll of Honour which led me to find a newspaper clipping that reads he 'joined the Royal Marines when he was 17' and 'took part in the Normandy Invasion'. I don't have any other info to confirm this.

I was able to obtain his Marines service record and have tried to decipher as much as I can. I certainly began to get confused when I came to the Flotilla's and various numbers (such as 807 Flotilla) on his conduct sheets and some of which are a little difficult to read.

I would have loved to know a little more of his story during his time in the Marines. From what I have read, and going by Uncle Eric's records, would I be correct in understanding that Uncle Eric's documents indicate service in combined service therefore not in the Commandos? I have various bits of info with his service record such as record of training and company conduct sheets that obviously state where he was based etc. so not sure exactly how much info you would need and how much I can attach due to size? I'll try and attach a photo of him too (unable to do as file too large). Please let me know if you require further info. I do also have doc for war medal service for 1939 - 1945 star noting Flotillas. It states 'unable to trace' and 'awaiting claim'. Not sure if he ever did.

Anything that you can offer would be greatly appreciated. There are now very few of Uncle Eric's family and it is my wish to leave his story with my young niece and nephew so that he is never forgotten and with the hope that they too will pass on his story.

Thank you
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PS Am only able to send 1 page!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 01/05/2021 18:12:50

A maximum of 3 attachments can be added per message post which in total cannot exceed 1mb file size. If the others did not load the total must have been exceeded and the system has accepted just your first file. So just add the other pages as replies.

More files attached.

Please see attached.

Photo of Uncle Eric. Thank you.

Hi,
Some bits and pieces about a couple of the Flotilla's below.

Any chance you could post the page with the Flotilla/Medal information on please.

Regards

Danny

7/12/43
807 Build Up Flotilla, Birdham, Portsmouth Command. Location : Birdham.
16 LCV(P) in Flotilla. LCV(P) 1160, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178

5/6/44
807 Build Up Flotilla, "B" Build Up Squadron, Not Attached to Groups, Force "G". Location : Beaulieu River.
16 LCV(P) in Flotilla. LCV(P) 1160, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178

807 Flotilla - D Day
Based at HMS Mastodon prior to D Day.

5th June.
21.00 Hrs. Left Beaulieu River and anchored off Hayling Island.

6th June.
Weighed anchor at 04.30 and proceeded towards the French coast. Rough weather and seasickness was rife throughout the Squadron on the way to France.
Arrived in Gold Sector at 22.00 hrs.

7th June
One craft sunk on beach.

7/8th June. Night.
One craft sunk by cannon fire, two Marines wounded. Three Marines from other craft wounded in this attack.

A variety of jobs were carried out, carrying dispatches, taking troops and stores ashore, removing casualties.

31/7/44
807 Build Up Flotilla, Ferry Service, Expeditionary Force. Unit Allocated to S.S. Thysville.
14 LCV(P) in Flotilla. LCV(P) 1160, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1168, 1169, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1285

September 1944
Flotilla returned to UK.

9/10/44
807 Build Up Flotilla, Formed Units, Minor Landing Craft, Portsmouth Command.
Administered by C in C Portsmouth.

5/3/45
450 ( X & D) Flotilla, Minor Landing Craft, Plymouth Command. Location : Appledore.
Experiment & Development Flotilla.
21 minor landing craft in Flotilla.

Hi Barry,

Thank you so very much.

As requested, please see attachment.

Althea