Hi All, I am starting some research into a friend of mine's father Frank Williams who served with the Royal Marines between 1940-1946 and was with the MNBDO both in Egypt and in Ceylon. It is believed he was also in Burma where he was wounded in the leg. A large collection of photos mainly taken in the UK and in Egypt have survived in his old kit-bag. This is a small selection if you recognise anyone please let me know. Thank you. Trevor
There is a brief history of MNBDO 1 on Crete: https://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/124/2020/09/M.N.B.D.O.-1.pdf With a little more on Crete and afterwards on: MNBDO 1 - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives A more detailed background for service in the Far East is on: Royal Marines in the Indian Ocean There are approx. thirty threads on this site id'd by using on Google: mnbdo site:ww2talk.com
David Thank you for the links. I was aware of the threads on this site, hence I decided to put my post on here with the photos of the MNBDO. Trevor
Hi Trevor, A wonderful set of photos, thank you. Do you know when he was wounded in Burma? If 1942 he would almost certainly have been with Force 'Viper'. This was a detachment of Marines sent from Ceylon to Burma. They manned a number of river craft on the Irrawaddy throughout the British retreat. The survivors walked out of Burma to India and eventually returned to Ceylon. Rothy
Rothy, I don't know exactly when he was wounded I am afraid. Am awaiting copy of his service record from the MOD. According to his son Derek, Frank did not go to Crete but did go to Burma and the main action as you say above that the MNBDO were involved in Burma was Operation Viper. Do you have any more details on this operation and individuals involved please. Frank I know was taken ill towards the end of the war and ended up back in the UK in a Scottish Hospital which is where he met his wife. Thanks Trevor
The Commanding Officer of Force 'Viper', Major D. Johnston, wrote a narrative account of the actions of his force. A copy of this is held at The National Archives - see: WO 203/5708 - Operations on Force Viper: an account by Major D. Johnston, Royal Marines. Many years ago I began making a transcript of this file but only got as far as mid-April 1942. The file recommended in post #6 above by davidbfpo is a good summary of the story of Force 'Viper' - written by the archivist of the R.M. Museum. Rothy