The Censor has blanked the Thompson Sub-Machine Guns held by the leading three Troopers and some-one off-camera but has left the one held by the right hand grinning man, who has had his Bren blanked instead. The guy second from left has his gas cape on. The men are donning life-belts and are all wearing brown Army pumps/daps issued for PT. Considering what they have been through these guys look remarkably chipper and up for it!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:24:42 BST
Troopers serving in Support Troops would often be issued revolvers for personal protection in the event that their firing position was attacked.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 09:58:56 BST
Henry Loudon
Number five, top row , is my Grandfather Henry Loudon. Also confirmed by my Mum.Amazed to find this as, apart from knowing where he served, we had very little information on his particular unit. Just new that he was a very proud Royal Marine. He lived in Alva, Scotland and passed away in 1984.
Posted by Pam on Thu 17 Sep 2020 09:11:25 BST
The bolt is drawn brawn back, you stick the thumb in front of the breech and light is reflected up the barrel, simple!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 22:12:54 BST
Note the No: 36 HE (High Explosive) Grenade clipped to his belt by the fly off handle. It holds one pound of HE and has an immediate killing zone of 25 yards with the base plate up to 100 yards. If it comes off he has 4 seconds to get to safety!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 20:29:19 BST
This Marine is undergoing Commando Training as the Bren LMG he holds is for Weapon Handling Drills ONLY as it is marked with the white ‘flash’ which means it is NOT to be used for live firing. He will be instructed in all necessary and safety drills on this type of Bren before moving on to live fire on Range and Field Firing to include Group Handling and a Section Attacks )live),
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 20:11:28 BST
Trooper Mason served in the Durham Light Infantry.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 19:12:42 BST
Interestingly in this impressive set is the UN Korean War Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 16:51:10 BST
I should add the plate across the barrel ‘broke up’ the wooden bullets being fired.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 21:20:21 BST
This is quite a macabre photo as it appears to be a staged ‘execution’ with the man in trunks welding a Japanese sword (Katana) and his pals using a cape to suggest a beheading as there are two men under the cape, one crouching the other lying flat, face down. Not PC chums!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 14:08:27 BST
Lewis served in the Welch Regiment
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
