Posted by Jackie Birtles on Mon 22 Jan 2024 13:28:58 EST
The photo is taken at the Infantry Training Centre Royal Marines during initial training, this is the bottom road where the new Accomodation Blocks were built in the 1960s. Dutchys’ Hot Dog Caravan would be parked further down to the left in later years. The camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM. ‘X’ Troop Recruits would ‘live’ to the left of the photographer whilst undergoing Commando Courses in identical huts.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:34:36 EDT
The 11 Hussars earned the nickname ‘The Cherrypickers’ during the Peninsular War after being forced to take cover in a Cherry Orchard’ and wear a badge-less beret in two shades of red.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 09:41:18 EDT
The aircraft is an Army Air Corps Auster ‘Air Observation Platform (AOP) used to spot targets and call for Air or Gunfire support for Troops on the ground.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 18:45:44 EDT
In 1960 45 Commando RM moved to Aden relieving the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who were returning to the U.K.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:36:18 EDT
3 Commando Brigade consisting of Brigade HQ, 40, 42 & 45 Commando Royal Marines would train regularly in Libya at that time it being ruled by King Idris who was very pro-British.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:14:02 EDT
The photo shows the Commanding Officer together with the RSM , Quarter Master Sergeants, Colour Sergeants and Sergeants of the Unit The man in the Centre rank , ninth from the left is RN Petty Officer and Royal Navy Medical Assistant (then called a a Sick Bay Attendant or SBA) who would have completed the Commando Course and been awarded the Green Beret. The SNCO on right of the rank with a white webbing shoulder strap is the Unit Provost (Police) Sergeant. The rank of Quarter Master Sergeant is now Warrant Officer 2nd Class. A RSM is now a WO1 and Senior.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:08:24 EDT
The Sangar is a Pashto word for fortification made using local Stone and similar immediately to hand. Dhala Camp was surrounded by a 5 foot, dry stone wall and barbed wire entanglements. There were two Sanger’s, Mortar and Machine Gun plus three Sentry Posts in early days but much improved latterly as the situation and threat changed. One thing that is not local are the sandbags forming part of this position.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 12:10:19 EDT
The face of the right hand man in the front rank wearing a Green Beret has been blanked out may indicate a Royal Marine serving in SF (SBS?)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 11:58:15 EDT
We would patrol the plateau at the top of the Jebel Jihaf Massif visiting 4 local militia Forts. The Forts were Shima, As-arir Hiab and Khana. In1958 rebels besieged the Fort at As-arir trapping the the British Political Officer (Advisor to the local Emir) they had come across from The Yemen for that purpose. Major Bill Boucher-Myers of the East Lancs seconded to the Aden Protectorate Levies led a fighting patrol up the Jebel (Mountain) taking four hours hammered the rebels and saved the day! He was a Commando Officer in WW2 under Lord Lovat getting a MiD after Dieppe. He was awarded an immediate DSO for this action!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 17:37:47 EDT