https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/45+RM+Commando/Z427-A+Troop+45+RM+Commando+at+Southampton+before+setting+off+for+France-seated+right+LCpl+Henry+Harden+who+would+win+the+VC.jpg.html
This photograph shows a group of 'A' Troop, 45 Royal Marine Commando - prior to embarkation June 1944. The L/Cpl seated on the far right is L/Cpl Henry Eric Harden(RAMC)who would later be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

IWM collection title "Men of 45 (RM) Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, in high spirits as they prepare to embark for the invasion, 3 June 1944."

*** Update 5/1/2013 *** Fred Harris 45RM Commando states it was taken at the Staging Camp in Southampton on the 5th June 1944 rather than the 3rd.

Big Jimmy Tew holding the Piat and giving the V for victory salute; L/Cpl. William Boniface (kia); Mne. Tommy Lovett (kia); L/Cpl. Freddie Stallwood (kia); Mne Tommie Kilkie ? ; Mne. Bowen; Mne. John Timmins (kia); Cpl. David Reed (kia), Mne Neil Brown; Mne John Haville; Mne. 'Nipper' Lee (holding bike) (kia); Mne. Bill Barclay; Mne. Robert 'Dinger' Bell (holding rifle up)(kia); Mne Derrick Cakebread; Mne 'Taffy' Whitney; Mne Sid Mundy; unknown; Cpl. Tasker; Mne. 'Ginger' Young (wounded - leg amputation); Mne Fred Cheesemuir; LCpl Eric Harden(sitting)(kia) (awarded VC).]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 02:39:19 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/4026-11/Z427-A+Troop+45+RM+Commando+at+Southampton+before+setting+off+for+France-seated+right+LCpl+Henry+Harden+who+would+win+the+VC.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/45+RM+Commando/Z427-A+Troop+45+RM+Commando+at+Southampton+before+setting+off+for+France-seated+right+LCpl+Henry+Harden+who+would+win+the+VC.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=comment.ShowAllComments&g2_itemId=4025