L. Bryer 42 RM Commando

I just wanted to give a face to the name of my grandfather who I believe was in 42 RM Commando and has his name on the Japanese Flag captured on Hill 170, Burma (https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/documents/Flag/58+-+L+Bryer+-+Police+Station_+Fakenham_+Norfolk.jpg.html). This is the only photo that I've managed to find of him during his service. Any further details on him or his battalion's activity in 1944-45 would be welcomed.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/01/2024 11:35:36

Hi and thanks for providing the photo of your Grandfather which I will add to the gallery. On the flag your grandfather gives his address as a police station at Fakenham. This is likely to indicate that he was one of the Police Officers who volunteered for commando service in 1942 as part of the Police Intakes to the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. I am in the process of adding these Police Officers to the main archive and to date have over 300. I would like to add your grandfather's name if this is the case. Was he by any chance Leonard George Bryer son of Arthur who was also in the Police? If you have any other details such as his dates and places of birth and death, service number, details of police service, please let me know here or you can contact me by email below. I need to place a credit for any photos so could you also leave your full name. Many thanks.

Pete

Some links of interest where your Grandfather's name may eventually appear.

42RM Commando were part of 3 Special Service Brigade which was renamed 3 Commando Brigade. here are some links to information:

https://www.commandoveterans.org/3SpecialServceBrigadeContent

https://www.commandoveterans.org/42RMCommandoContent

https://www.commandoveterans.org/police_volunteers_ww2

Pete wrote:Hi and thanks for providing the photo of your Grandfather which I will add to the gallery. On the flag your grandfather gives his address as a police station at Fakenham. This is likely to indicate that he was one of the Police Officers who volunteered for commando service in 1942 as part of the Police Intakes to the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. I am in the process of adding these Police Officers to the main archive and to date have over 300. I would like to add your grandfather's name if this is the case. Was he by any chance Leonard George Bryer son of Arthur who was also in the Police? If you have any other details such as his dates and places of birth and death, service number, details of police service, please let me know here or you can contact me by email below. I need to place a credit for any photos so could you also leave your full name. Many thanks.

Pete

Some links of interest where your Grandfather's name may eventually appear.

42RM Commando were part of 3 Special Service Brigade which was renamed 3 Commando Brigade. here are some links to information:

https://www.commandoveterans.org/3SpecialServceBrigadeContent

https://www.commandoveterans.org/42RMCommandoContent

https://www.commandoveterans.org/police_volunteers_ww2

Hi Pete, Many thanks for your message. My Grandfather was actually in service as a footman before joining up and lived in accommodation attached to the Police Station in Fakenham because his father (Arthur George Bryer) was a police inspector. Actually on arriving home after the war he went to the Station only to find his family had moved without providing him with their new address. As an aside I have copies of most of Arthur's police records and from my research I believe that he was in the Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) during WWI, and joined the police force in 1919 when discharged.

Leonard was born on 25 March 1923 and died on 13th February 2002.

Unfortunately, I don't know his service number. He never talked a great deal about his time during the war, which is why I'm so intrigued. At various points he mentioned spending time in the South West and Scotland. I understand that he was injured while in Burma (shot I believe) and that he spent time in India (I'd assumed being treated). I'm also aware that at some point he spent a brief time in Egypt (possibly only days), which I assumed might have been on his way back to Britain, and that he landed in Liverpool on his return. I also believe that he served with his friend Vic Rose. That's about as much as I know.

He gave me his medals and cap badge, but other than that I have very little other than the photograph. I found the inscription on the flag via a Google search, which is how I ended up on the forum. Naturally any pointers for further research would be gratefully received.

In terms of credit for the photo my name is Lee Bryer.

Thanks.

Hi Lee and thank you for the explanation. I have now updated our archive. If you get a copy of his death certificate and send it with an application for his service record which is free this may confirm dates and other specifics such as wounds etc. and will show his service number. If you send it without a copy of his death certificate you may find it refused due to the 116 year rule that the MOD apply. Here is how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service

Commando Veterans Archive

https://www.commandoveterans.org/Leonard_Bryer_RM

https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/42/