Harry Nomburg born in Coburg, Bavaria, was of the Jewish faith. The family later moved to Berlin. Harry entered the UK via the 'Kindertransport' leaving Berlin 21 May 1939. He was then taken to a Farm School for refugees on Lord Balfour's estate at Whittinghame, Scotland*. In May 1940 he was Interred for 3 months.
He joined the Pioneer Corps at Edinburgh in 1942 and remained as such until February 1943 when he volunteered for commando service. Accepted for No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando 3 Troop, also referred to as 'X' Troop, and given a new identity with the alias of Harry Drew. Initially housed in private lodgings with landlady Winnie Evans in Aberdovey, North Wales, before moving to Eastbourne.
3 Troop were never operationally deployed as a full troop but individuals within the troop were attached as and when needed to other commando units. Assigned to a Commando unit for two reconnaisance raids along the French coast in July 1943 (believed to be two of the Forfar raids that involved a small number of commandos including some from No.12 Commando who were landed by M.T.B).  In October 1943 he successfully completed a Parachute Training Course at Ringway.
Corporal Drew, attached to No.6 Commando of 1 Special Service Brigade, landed at Normandy on DDay. He was wounded at Normandy 7 August 1944 by shrapnel after stepping on a booby trapped wire attached to a fragmentation grenade. After recovery in England he re-joined his unit for training in the UK. Late December 1944 deployed to Ostende and rejoined the Brigade in Holland. Crossed the Rhine at Wesel 23 March 1945. Post war assigned to the Corps of Military Police in Germany. Discharged UK July 1947. 
Emigrated to the United States of America and settled in New York. Reverted to his birthname of Nomburg. His parents and other relatives died in the Holocaust. Some relatives including his brother who were also evacuated before the war survived. 

 

 

Some of their videos with Harry are on the Association of Jewish Refugees website [go to .......].