11th Battalion Royal Marines

My Father in the above picture Mne Leslie James Nutt back row number 9 from the left.

 

Hello Malcolm. Thank you for posting. Do you know the date of the photo? Or any information identifying others in it?

 

Hi, my paternal Grandfather served in the MNBDO and was one of the last to leave Crete in the Garret Barge, which they sailed to Alexandria. He was also involved in Operation Agreement and was aboard during the sinking of HMS Sikh, Zulu, or Coventry (I am unsure which, but I believe it was more than one of the three).

Robert Pemberton Allen CH/X 101125 Royal Marines, RM Group MNBDO 1

I'm wondering if he might be the first listed in the No. 1 Detachment, 3" Mortar Platoon, 11 Bn. RM in the attached image?

I've also attached some info on the Garret Barge evacuation from Crete.

https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/11th-rm-battalion-operation-agreement-raid-on-tobruk

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/11565

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/11566

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/barge-crete-peter-mcintyre-1941

As an aside, Senior Drum Major Charles Henry Bowden, who commanded the RM Band that recorded the Thunderbirds theme tune, was also aboard the barge:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80024160

https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/charles-henry-bowden-bem-corps-drum-major




Very best,

Richard

 

A few more items on the Garrett Barge

 

Apologies, I posted the wrong service record for my grandfather - it's not Robert Pemberton Allen as stated above:

He enrolled in London/Chatham (28/5/23) and he was attached to HMS Royal Oak (I have a photo of him in the football team with the Captain in 1932) and HMS Shropshire (1934-37).

Robert John Allen CH 23349

MNBDO 1 - 1/3/40 to 14/9/42
MNBDO 1 21/3/43 to 10/5/44
RMTG 11/5/44 to 12/4/45
Discharged 12/4/45