This is the man himself enjoying delicacies with local Dignitaries. The Red, White and Blue sashes the wear means they hold Office. It is interesting to
Mention that the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines have formed a four week Recruit Orientation Phase (ROP) for people joining the Corps to prepared them mentally and physically before entering the 32 week full Training Cycle. In this training and preparation Phase they are members of Howards Troop named for Major Howard and are accommodated in Normandy Block at CTCRM which is wholly appropriate. Two little known facts are that the Coup de Main Bridge Assault Group carried out hard training on the Exeter By-Pass, and Exeter Ship Canal Bridges at Countess Wear in Exeter because of the physical similarity to their impending target. On a lighter note the soldiers began fighting with locals in Town on a final night out resulting in some being arrested. The Chief Constable had to be called out to authorise the mans’ release immediately but...
This is the man himself enjoying delicacies with local Dignitaries. The Red, White and Blue sashes the wear means they hold Office. It is interesting to
Mention that the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines have formed a four week Recruit Orientation Phase (ROP) for people joining the Corps to prepared them mentally and physically before entering the 32 week full Training Cycle. In this training and preparation Phase they are members of Howards Troop named for Major Howard and are accommodated in Normandy Block at CTCRM which is wholly appropriate. Two little known facts are that the Coup de Main Bridge Assault Group carried out hard training on the Exeter By-Pass, and Exeter Ship Canal Bridges at Countess Wear in Exeter because of the physical similarity to their impending target. On a lighter note the soldiers began fighting with locals in Town on a final night out resulting in some being arrested. The Chief Constable had to be called out to authorise the mans’ release immediately but without being told why that was an absolute imperative!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 06:15:53 EDT
The Airborne Trooper (centre) in the Maroon Beret wears the beret and blazer badge of The Army Air Corps so may have been the Pilot of a Horsa Glider used in the Bridges attack. The man in the same beret behind looks like Major John Howard DSO (Ox & Bucks LI) who led the Coup de Main Assault on D-Day 6 June 1944 with a party drawn from his Regiment and other Supporting Arms.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 05:49:07 EDT
The buildings along the edge of the Parade Ground were Accommodation Blocks for JNCOs and Marines and the Barracks the former home of the Royal Marines Artillery which amalgamated with the Royal Marines Light Infantry on St Georges’ Day 1923 when the present style of Cap Badge was introduced.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:30:17 EDT
Major John Howard DSO (Ox & Bucks LI) led Operation “Deadstick” the Glider-borne Coup de Main Assault on two bridges over the River Orne and Caen Canal in the early hours of D-Day 6 June 1944. This proved successful and the bridges were held until his party was relieved by Lord Lovat and Commandos who had Speed Marched up from Sword Beach. The Horsa gliders landed exactly as planned totally surprising the Germans guarding these vital bridges. Major Howard was a former Police Officer in the Oxford City Police efore the War. The bridge is now known as Pegasus Bridge after the Formation Sign of all British Airborne Forces the Mythical Winged Horse.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 21 Sep 2020 18:06:43 EDT
Trooper Kealy wears the Cap Badge of The Kings Royal Rifle Corps, and with his WW2 Medals, the Police Long Service Medal for 22 years Service.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 21 Sep 2020 17:38:58 EDT
The right hand man in the photo wears his Police Long Service Medal for 22 years Police time, alongside his Wartime Medals.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 15:24:23 EDT