A very nice example recently purchased directly for the family of Royal Marine veteran from a Royal from The Aden and Falklands campaigns.
Formed from the disbanded 2nd RM Battalion as 43 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, on the 1st August 1943 under the command of Acting Lieut. Colonel R.W.B. Simonds. Not all however would become Commandos. Converting the one hundred man companies of 2RM to sixty man troops of 43RM meant many would not. Those who did not join the Commando were moved to other duties primarily in Combined Operations as Landing Craft crew. Soon afterwards 43RM moved to Achnacarry for their Commando training at the CBTC. Once completed 43RM moved to Ramsgate. In November 1943 they embarked for Algiers. The Commando now consisted of five fighting troops each 65 strong, four commanded by a Captain, one by a Major, and each with its own Troop HQ consisting of a Troop Commander, Troop Sergeant Major, a signaller, a RAMC orderly, the 2" mortar group and the PIAT (Projector Infantry Anti Tank) group. They were supported by a Heavy Weapons Troop of four 3" Mortars and four Vickers Medium Machine Guns. Early January 1944 they embarked for Naples and moved to the village of Vico Equense. They were now part of No.2 Special Service Brigade commanded by Brigadier Tom Churchill. This Brigade consisted of Nos 2 and 9 Commandos (both Army) and Nos.40 and 43 RM Commandos. On 22 January 1944 43RM were part of the major allied offensive at Anzio. This was the beginning of a series of operational deployments in WW2. From the the action at the Garigliano River, Monte Ornito and Monte Faito, to the Jugoslav based operations from Vis, including Brac, Hvar, and other enemy held islands. In April 1945 their last action would be at Lake Comacchio and the Reno River. It was here that Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter of 43RM Commando would be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. After the war ended dispersion quickly followed. 43RM was disbanded in September 1945. Some went to occupation duties in Germany. Others to 45RM or 46RM Commandos. Those who had been in longest were due for early demobilisation.
In superb original condition.