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Writer's pictureSi Biggs

Portland Royal Naval Cemetery - Remembering Royal Marines who gave their lives

2 Royal Marines, killed in France during WW2 and more recently Afghanistan, lay at Portland Royal Naval Cemetery;


WRIGHT, James Robert


Rank: Marine

Unit/Base: '42 Commando RM'

Regiment/Corps: Royal Marines

Service numbers: 30071798

Born: Friday, November 18, 1988

Died : Friday, August 5, 2011

Killed in action or died of wounds

Age: 22

Cemetery/Memorial: Portland Royal Naval Cemetery



Marine James Wright, Juliet Company, died during operations as part of Combined Force Nad ‘Ali (North), Helmand. His patrol was involved in a significant engagement with insurgents in the Shpazh Gerebian area of Nad ‘Ali district. After being pinned down by accurate fire for several hours, the patrol managed to extract themselves back to their base at Checkpoint Kamiabi. The checkpoint then came under attack from small arms fire and underslung grenade launchers.


Marine Wright was wounded by a grenade which was fired into the checkpoint. He was extracted to the hospital at Camp Bastion where sadly, despite medical treatment, he later died of his wounds.



Mne. Wright joined the Royal Marines in November 2008. He passed fit for duty in July 2009 and joined Juliet Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, making many close friends and carving a very successful career. He was an immensely proud Juliet Company ‘Jester’ and lived up to the true spirit of the Company; hard working, professional yet socially robust. Before deploying to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 14 he participated in many exercises and adventures including summiting Ben Nevis, conducting amphibious assault training in America on Exercise AURIGA and mastering the slopes during the Navy ski championships in France. [Source: MOD].


 

ROBERTSON, George

Rank: Corporal

Unit/Base: 47RM Commando

Regiment/Corps: Royal Marines

Service numbers: CH/X 109679

Died : Wednesday, June 14, 1944

Killed in action or died of wounds

Age: 28

Cemetery/Memorial: Portland Royal Naval Cemetery


Corporal George Robertson, 47RM Commando, CH/X 109679, Killed in action Port en Bessin. Image reproduced with the kind permission of his family

Operations:

Operation Overlord

'Battle for Port-en-Bessin'


Lieutenant-General Sir Brian G. Horrocks, commander of XXX Corps towards the end of the Normandy Campaign, wrote of 47 Royal Marine Commando’s capture of Port-en-Bessin: "It is doubtful whether, in their long, distinguished history, the marines have ever achieved anything finer."


Battle of Port-en-Bessin also known as Operation Auberytook place from 7–8 June 1944 read more here


Corporal George Robertson died of wounds on the 14th June 1944 inflicted at Port-en Bessin, Normandy.

The Medical Officer, Capt. Forfar M.C., described Cpl. Robertson as a "distinguished Scottish athlete."


Source: http://www.commandoveterans.org


 

The Cemetery also has the grave of Leading Seaman Mantle VC, the only Navy Victoria Cross won on the British mainland





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