Edwards, Frank John Mole (Oral history)

British NCO served with 41 Commando, Royal Marines in GB, Sicily and Italy, 1941-1943

REEL 1 Background in Kingsteignton, Devon, 1919-1939: family; education; employment; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Marines in GB, 1940: joining Royal Marines at Exton Barracks, 9/4/1940; signals training at Stonehouse Barracks during German Air Force attacks on Plymouth; posting to 8th Bn Royal Marines at Woodbury Common Camp near Exmouth; selection exercises for 41 Commando in Wales. Aspects of period as NCO with 41 Commando, Royal Marines in GB, 1941-1943: billeting on Isle of Wight; amphibious landing exercises; role as signalman; character of Eureka landing craft. Recollections of operations as NCO with 41 Commando during Sicily landings, 1943: character of landings at Paccino; problems with plentiful grapes; German Air Force strafing attacks; abortive plans to land commandoes behind Axis lines. Recollections of operations as NCO with 41 Commando at Salerno, Italy, 1943: landing at Vietri so Mare and advance inland. REEL 2 Continues: heavy casualties inflicted on Germans near Vietri so Mare; bravery of unit padre; move to different sector; wounding by shell-fire, 17/9/1943; evacuation and medical treatment in North Africa; duties on return to GB; post war discovery that Germans mounted mortars on tanks.