A Second World War Royal Marines North West Europe operations group with supporting documentation and Combined Operations badges as awarded to Marine F. Etchells, Royal Marines, who was from Royton, Lancashire, and was a qualified Royal Marine Labour Corps driver from August 1944, and saw operations in North West Europe during 1944 to 1945.
Group of 4: 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal. Mounted swing style as worn.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Together with the following:
Recipient’s original canvas Royal Marines Certificate of Service, issued in the named of Frederick Etchells (PO/X 113450) and covering his service from 2 June 1942 through to 7 June 1946.
Recipient’s Company “D” The Depot R.M. Lympstone Squad Card issued on his joining in June 1942.
Two of the recipient’s original wartime Combined Operations cloth arm badges, one in very good condition, the other slightly moth eaten.
Pair of the recipient’s original wartime machine woven Royal Marines cloth shoulder title.
Recipient’s original pair of brass Royal Marines ‘RM’ badges.
Recipient’s original pair of brass Royal Marines collar badges.
Recipient’s original Royal Marines brass cap badge.
Also a pair of brass tunic buttons, one large, the other small.
A Seaman’s Pocket Book, June 1943 issue, as published by authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Recipient’s June 1943 printed Royal Navy note book., this filled with notes written in the recipient’s own hand, the front and inside cove inscribed to the recipient when a Marine with 2nd Star 76 Division.
Recipient’s National Defence Notebook.
Frederick Etchells was born on 24 May 1922 in Royton, Lancashire, and was working as a general labourer, when owing to the Second World War, he enlisted into the Royal Marines and was posted to the Depot Royal Marines at Lympstone on 2 June 1942 as a member of “D” Company.
On completion of his basic training he passed out as a Marine (No.PO/X.113450) and was posted to Home Base List Royal Marine Division on 21 July 1942, and then underwent his advanced training, and on completion of this, was posted to the records of COPRA for active service on 25 September 1943, this being the Combined Operations Pay Records & Accounts.
Etchells was qualified as a Royal Marines Labour Corps driver as of 29 August 1944, and was present on operations in North West Europe. He was posted home for service with the Royal Marine Training Group from 9 February 1945 until 11 August 1945 when he returned to service under COPRA, but owing to the end of the war, he was posted to the Portsmouth Division on 28 March 1946 and discharged on 7 June 1946.
