Mne Frank Williams MNBDO Egypt and Burma

Discussion in 'Commandos & Royal Marines' started by TrevorHH, Jan 10, 2022.

  1. TrevorHH

    TrevorHH Junior Member

    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
     

    Attached Files:

  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

  3. TrevorHH

    TrevorHH Junior Member

    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
     
  4. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    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
     
  5. TrevorHH

    TrevorHH Junior Member

    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
     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Rothy likes this.
  7. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    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
     

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