Marine Walter Bigland joined the Royal Marines in 1942 aged 18, serving in the 2nd Field Regt. Artillery of the RM Division and from August 1943 in 'A' Troop, 45RM Commando. He took part in operations from DDay onwards at Normandy, France, for seven weeks before injuring his hand which developed into blood poisoning. Walter was returned to England after surgery. He re-joined his commando as a Bren Gunner serving in Holland and the advance into Germany.