George Harry Birtles

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 20/09/2022 14:51:02

Hello, can anyone advise on how I find out which unit my Dad was in? He passed away 33 years ago and this is the only info I have. I live in the U.S and am struggling to find anything online. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
He signed up on 10th may 1942.
George Harry Birtles
Trained at Depot RM
Lympstone Devon.
Division reg no. Po/× 111896
HBL RM Division 28th April -
31 July
HBL RM Commando 1 Aug 43 - 25
March 46
26 March- 8 June 46
Released in class A

Thanks so much!
Jackie

Your dad was a hostilities only Marine originally in the Portsmouth division hence the No PO/X111896 which was a number for Hostilities only Marines there were also Chatham and Plymouth divisions.

HBL RM is a Home based ledger or a U.K. base.

The dates are when the RM divisions became Commandos.

Have you applied for his service documents as he passed over 25 years ago you can claim his full records, Pete or Nic on this site best placed to advise.

I have checked the nominal rolls on this site but no luck, will check the 47 web site, check the photo gallery for WW2 Commandos - Royal Marines and post any photos as some badges can narrow the search down.

Just for info my own grandad was a Ports div marine and his number was PO/X111957 so not far away from your dad but joined March 42.

Hi Craig,
What does a hostilities only Marine mean?
The only story I remember was him going to the Belsen POW camp. They were supposed to help get them out, but I believe another unit got there before them?

I tried at one point to claim his records but it wouldn?t allow me to pay in $$. UK pounds only and don?t believe, they send overseas either. If Pete or Nic has anymore info as to where I could claim his records, it would be greatly appreciated. I can have them sent to someone in the uk and have them scan them to me.

Thank you so much for responding. :) A glimmer of hope :)

Hi Jackie

I live in New zealand and had my father's records sent to me so hopefully they should still send to you in the US.
The records are very useful and I certainly found out alot of information.
Don't give up im sure someone on this site will help.

Reguards

Phil

Thanks Phil, it was a few years ago, so will try again. Do you happen to k ow the website I go to, to request the info?

Thanks so much :)

Hi.

Hostilities only was they joined for the duration of the war. You mentioned Belsen, my grandfather was at Belsen as well, 45 and 46 Royal Marines Commandos were not far away when it was discovered after they had recently crossed the River Aller (I think) need to check my reference library.

Belsen wasn?t well documented by the Commando brigade and I found out 45 were there through an obituary I read of a 45 veterans passing.

The search fee is £30 and there are 2 forms required to be filled in takes up to 3 months.

Have you any photos of your dad in uniform, as I said look in the photo gallery I found my grandad in there then took 2 years to confirm as it was a dark picture.

If I find anything I?ll add to the thread.

I am on my phone and not seeing where I can attach a photo. I will look on my computer tonight.

My Dad, never spoke about any of it, but he did mention to my sister that when they arrived at Belsen, another unit was already there. It sounded awful. I think he?d rather put it out of his mind.

I will also see if they take any other forms of payment now, and get the records ordered. It?ll be lovely to have them.

I?ll see if I can find any other war pics. There weren?t many and I think they were distributed when he passed.

Thanks again for your help. :)

i tried to upload a few pics of my Dad, but it said it was too large and it was only one pic. :(

Hi Jackie

Try this web site for guidance

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel

Also try scanning your picture on a computer and resizing it to a smaller size you might be able to upload to this site.

Good luck

Phil

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/09/2022 09:25:43

Jackie

If you still cannot resize or upload the pic then email me (the email button is below my name at the bottom of this message) the pics I will upload them for you on my return home which will be the weekend. The link Phil posted for service records is correct but I should point out what it says on that page under ?How long does it take?. Since COVID a backlog of applications occurred and the waiting time has increased dramatically.

Pete

Thank you Pete. I will send before the weekend if my attempts don?t work. My brother sent me a couple so will see if those attach. Thanks everyone for all of your help. I didn?t realize how hard it would be to find which unit it was in. Will send the paperwork in this weekend.

Few more pics. The one that is with my Dad, I believe they called him Taff or Taffy, which I believe is common so won?t be of much help. I have no idea who the last one is, but obviously someone my Dad knew as we have always had this photo. If he is related to someone on here, I would be happy to send them the original.

Okay the pics show up in a different order as to how I added them. So it?s the first one on the second batch that I don?t know, he has a Pom Pom on his beret. Is that Scottish?

Great photos second photo shows the commando and combined operations badges, there should be a number above the Royal Marines flash on shoulder, for European theatre will be either 41,45,46,47,48.

Any others send over will try and blow up to identify.

This is a photo of B troop 45 Commando have a look to see if he?s in the ranks, also check out the troop photos in the gallery when your on your PC.