45 Commando E Troop

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 20/12/2024 19:32:39

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me. This has been bugging me for years.
My Dad was RM Stanley Worsley PO/X121876 he was 45 Commando E Tp. I know that coz he?s on the Photos and records.
He Landed on Queen beach red and was captured on D Day + 2 and was a POW at Marlag and Milarg Nord. according to his records he escaped on 16 April 1945. Now here?s where something bugs me.
On the list that Bob Yaxleys so had which lists all of E Tp ( it?s on the end of the Album ?45Rm Commandos Gallery) my arl fella is not on it, I might add that my dads best mate RN Postlethwait, is not on either, so I?m wondering which Tp he landed with with. Would there be a possibility that he landed with some other Tp. I know he was mates with Syd Mundy who was in A Tp.
I know he did his Para Training at Ringway

Any answers would be gratefully received
Kindest Regards
Steve Worsley (Son)

Well, thanks for your input

Steve...the service record extract you provided does not actually state 45RM just HBL RM Commando. This is common in many RM WW2 Service Records. His identification in the 'E' Troop photo you provided had a date of 1944 but you will note that in the gallery there is an identical photo which gives a location of Sinfield Camp near Horsham and is dated 1946. Certainly 45RM were in Horsham at that time. I have no other source that mentions 45RM. If the latter is correct then that changes things.

https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/45+RM+Commando/E+Tp+photo/

Often people forget about those Commandos who served as part of the Special Service Brigades and were only ever attached to specific commando units as and when required, two examples being Signallers and Engineers. 45RM Commando were part of the 1st Special Service Brigade. These Commandos were often distinguished by the fact they would not have a commando number on their commando shoulder insignia. Certainly 45RM lost signallers on the 7th June when your father was one of the many casualties that day. Both John Day in his excellent book A Plain Russet-Coated Captain and David Young in the The Story of 45RM Commando mention replacement signallers and sets arriving after it.

I have found your fathers liberation questionnaire and he actually doesn't state his unit as 45RM just as Portsmouth Division. Interestingly he gives his trade on enlistment as Engineer. He gives his place of capture as Cherbourg which is not where 45RM were on the 7th June. However other units were there including 30 Assault Unit. So more research avenues for you in 2025 !

Pete

I have attached the liberation questionnaire I referred to above

Thankyou so much for that info. I?ll get my research head on