Served in Burma AND Italy?

This message was edited 6 times. Last update was at 07/04/2021 19:43:07

Hello, I am trying to discover more about my grandad David McCarthy. I have his RM cap badge. I also have his Burma Star. Yet he also has an Italy Star and Atlantic Star. As I am trying to ascertain which troop he was in, this is a bit confusing, as I thought 40, 43 were in Burma and 42, 44 were in Italy. As for the Atlantic, I have no idea yet. He does not have any other stars.
How could he have served in All these campaigns? Many thanks.

Hi Sinead
Unlike today not all Royal Marines were Commandos in WW2. The Army Commandos were formed in 1940 but the first RM Commando units were not formed until 1942 and Nos.42, 43, and 44 RM Commandos were not formed until mid 1943. Nos.40 and 43 RM Commandos were in the Central Mediterranean and Nos.42 and 44 RM Commandos were in Burma, each serving along with their Army Commando counterparts in the Special Service Brigades. So his Royal Marines service could have been in a different theatre of war to that of his RM Commando service. Why don't you post some photos of what you have in a reply here and a photo of him if you have it. Do you have his service number? Any problems just email me below.

Hello Pete, thank you so much for your kind message. I had no idea you had replied as I mistakenly had my settings set to no notifications. I have nonetheless been researching and have new information. If it?s not too late?.

His service number was CH/X 108244. In June 1942 he was at Deal, then I have him travelling 18 Sept 42 - 28 oct on the Gosling. 29 Oct Condor, 5th July 43 Gosling, 7 Aug 43 Rajaliya, 21 Dec 44 Ukassa, 25 Apr? 45 Highflyer, 7 June 45 Braganza (NP2436), 1 Oct 45 Sultan.
I have a record of him (9 June 45) as a Royal Marine Camp 39, last ship Ukussa. I have an initial training record 9 June 42 at Chatham, rank MNE. C Company.
He served until 23 May 1946.
There was also a comment he made once about being part of a secret operation involving a submarine.
I?ve attached a photo, although he is about 45 here.

Again, I?m so sorry I only just saw your message Pete. Although I have discovered more information, I still feel very much in the dark! I still don?t really know much about where he went and what he did. He was such a wonderful man, and I don?t want his service story to die with me. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Sinéad

Hi Sinead

Many of the postings you mentioned were in fact Royal Naval Air Station shore establishments rather than ships. I have added a few useful links below:

Gosling https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/FAA-Bases/Risley.htm

Condor https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/arbroath

Rajaliya and Ukussa https://www.defence.lk/Article/view_article/27236

Highflyer https://www.defence.lk/Article/view_article/27236

Highflyer https://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/thread.php?threadid=1103

Sultan https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/locations-and-operations/bases-and-stations/hms-sultan

HMS Braganza, a RN Base in Bombay, India.

Pete

Thank you so much Pete.