C/Sgt. R.T. 'Beau' Ghest

C/Sgt Bob (Bo/Beau) Ghest. PLY/X100233. Photos and information from his grandson Steve George who adds the following:

Born on the 22nd August 1911 my Grandfather had already had a life of adventure emigrating with a 'boy's club' to Canada. Here he worked as a farm labourer and after suffering cruel treatment by the farm owner he eventually ran away. With nothing but the clothes he was wearing he made his way to America by 'riding' the trains. It was the time of the Great Depression and he scraped by until managing to bluff his way onto the crew of a merchant ship, sailing to various countries before eventually returning to the UK. By the start of the the war my Grandfather was married, living in Beeston, Nottingham, and working for a local newspaper. He enlisted into the Royal Marines on the 3rd June 1940 at Eastney Barracks as a Driver Mechanic (Tradesman). Promoted Sergeant, he served with the motor transport section, 9th RM Battalion. In 1943 he volunteered for Commando training and joined 46RM Commando on it's formation in August 1943. At the end of hostilities he was now a C/Sgt. Demobbed in October 1945 he returned to his job in Nottingham. In 1955 the family moved to a small village in the fens of south Lincolnshire. Here the family settled running the village Post Office and shop and he became a well respected member of the community. I remember him as someone who could turn his hand to anything. An active man, he was always keen to take us swimming or go for long walks. He died on the 11th July 1983 and is still missed.