HISTORICAL CONTEXT

48 (Royal Marine) Commando, part of 4 Special Service Brigade, embarked from Warsash on the afternoon of 5 June 1944 and landed on the morning of D-Day on Juno Beach near Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.

They were tasked with taking the enemy strong point at Langrune-sur-Mer.

Some men from Y and Z Troop were drowned when the landing craft they were on got caught on beach obstacles and they were unable to get close to shore so they attempted to swim instead.

Once ashore, 48 Commando proceeded to Langrune-sur-Mer which was eventually liberated after heavy fighting and severe losses.