Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:32:39 BST
This Trooper served in a Light Infantry Regiment evidenced by the Hunting Horn on his Cap Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:31:14 BST
The plaque on far wall is that of 40 Commando RM as the sky blue flashes are both the Unit Colour and that of the Lanyards worn on right shoulder. 42 is White, 45 is Scarlet and Brigade Commando Green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:27:18 BST
This photo taken at the Camp known variously as a Exton, the Infantry Training Centre RM, and now as The Commando Training Centre RM. The small wood behind is known as Sylvan Glade and originally housed the Tarzan Course. Behind the woods is the Drill Shed and Parade Ground (NEVER referred to as the Parade Square!). The Instructor in Battle Dress (BD) on the right of the photo will be the PW(1) Platoon Weapons Instructor 1st Class. The Sergeant in Blues is the DI1 Drill Instructor 1st Class, he holds his ‘’Badge of Office’, his traditional Pace Stick. The Officer without Medals is probably the Squad Officer. The Recruit on the left of the front rank as you view it wears Medal Ribbons which points to him having served ‘under the Colours’ but not the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:08:45 BST
Judging by their War worn appearance this may be Major Walls’ patrol. They are certainly near water given the RN ratings in background, who seem to be viewing the group admiringly.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 12:54:36 BST
I did not realise that, when serving with 45 Commando RM in the rugged mountains of Aden, that I was walking in the footsteps of this superb Wartime Commando Officer. We patrolled the Jebel Jihaf Massif visiting Forts manned by the Federal National Guard (FNG) a form of local Police one being at Al-Asirir. In November 1958 Major Bill Boucher-Myers of the East Lancs Regiment, on secondment to the Aden Protecterate Levies (APL) led a rescue when the local British Officer was besieged by Yemeni dissidents who had crossed the nearby Border. This was successful and Major Boucher-Myers was awarded an immediate DSO.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 10:49:19 BST
The photo shows a fully constructed “Toggle Rope Bridge” using the items issued to each man in a Commando or Airborne Unit. The Paras were still issued with these into the 1970s. When I was at CTCRM there was a Para Colour Sergeant Dave Merry, The Parachute Regiment (3 Para), on a two year secondment and his was attached to his ‘58 Pattern Fighting Order as a norm, but the rope had been dyed dark green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:46:14 BST
The LMG is placed ready to fire from the right shoulder, the foresight being off-set to the left on the barrel as the rear sight was on the left hand side of the weapon. Earlier models had a drum sight later replaced with a leaf-sight
where the aiming point was also off-set to line up with the foresight. That was followed when the weapon was re chambered to fire the standard 7.62mm NATO round. I treasured that LMG which I carried in Aden.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:39:18 BST
The interesting point in photo is the .303” Bren Light Machine Gun (LMG) carried by the leading man. Unusually this is fitted with a handle BELOW the butt, this LMG was intended to be used in an anti-aircraft role mounted on a Tripod or similar fitting on the Bren Carrier Tracked Vehicle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:33:30 BST
The informal ‘out of Barracks’ setting means that these Troopers were probably in Civvie Digs using subsistence allowances. To someone not familiar with the set-up this was how Commando Units, with no usual Regimental Home, managed being being constantly on the move when preparing for the coming Invasion and Battles in France and beyond.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:25:44 BST
Headgear back on!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:38:04 BST
The Ladies have borrowed Glengarries for this photo and the man on the right of photo a .303” SMLE Rifle!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:36:59 BST
The Officer wears the Campaign Service Medal awarded after WW2 with the Medals awarded during that War.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:12:00 BST
The Troopers are wearing the Gas Capes which proved so useful being waterproof but never intended for this usage,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:09:04 BST
Bob holds the Military Cross and fought in Korea. Janet has ‘pinched’ his Commando Association tie and wears a Royal British Legion Blazer Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 16:59:53 BST
His Regiment is the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Light Infantry) and he wears the black Corporals stripes of his ‘home’ Regiment. All SAS Troopers today have this same “home Regiment” and if killed that is used avoiding a SF reference.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 16:56:35 BST
This is a very interesting photo as there are weapons here which might not be that well known. The long barrelled weapon is a .55” Boyes anti-tank rifle, the other two are both .303” Bren Light Machine Guns but what is most unusual is that these are fitted with a 100 round circular or drum magazine. The Landing Craft is heading ashore to rescue members of the Parachute Regiment who had taken part in the Bruneval Raid where vital German Radar equipment was seized and the Regiment earned its First Battle Honour. In the Raid a RAF Radar Specialist jumped with the Troops and was awarded a very rare Military Medal for a member of the RAF at that time.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:27:27 BST
This Obstacle Crossing was known as “The Postmans’ Walk” and what can be seen is the rope tension is not adequate. This same sort of obstacle was built into all Commando Tarzan Courses and heavy duty pulley blocks used to get that tension right. The CTCRM Tarzan Course had a steel cable for the lower ‘rope’ which was caught against the heel-block when sliding the foot along.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:14:59 BST
Trooper Machin is wearing ‘Ever Open Eye’ shoulder flash designed by Lt. Rex Whistler, Welsh Guards, a famous Artist, KIA 1944. This badge was worn by those serving with the Guards Armoured Division formed 1941.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:01:00 BST
These Troopers are “enjoying” a hot meal and tea probably from the Field Kitchen seen in a previous photo. There are a lot of them which must be more than one Troop and they look quite relaxed in what must be a quiet time in the continuing actions.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:43:28 BST
The photo shows the Commando issue ‘A’ Frame Rucksacks with good detail. These were an immense improvement on the previous ‘37 Pattern Large Pack. The WO1 on the right wears the Cap Badge of the Reconnaissance Regiment and is armed with a pistol or revolver which is attached by the lanyard which can be clearly seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:39:51 BST
This is a ‘flash’ demo over a swimming pool and getting the tension on the rope may have been problematic. There are 2 US Navy men sat watching from the flat-roofed building distinctive in their Tropical Whites and the small round issue hat.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:24:30 BST
These Troopers are carrying the folding bicycles issued to Commando and Airborne Forces and which had been specially developed for that purpose.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:15:45 BST
Good photo all heavily armed but the give-away is the GPO (Red) Telephone Kiosk to the rear! Also stamp machine to the right of group.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 22:51:35 BST
I have been trying to work out what is being issued and can only come up with cigarettes given the neat packaging and exact quantities. Apologies if wrong guys!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 20:57:32 BST
