Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:38:58 BST
This Commando is from a Light Infantry Regiment, his Cap Badge bears the LI Hunting Horn.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:36:54 BST
The Identity Discs shown serve a number of purposes. They show Name, Regimental Number, Religion with Blood Group on the reverse. If killed the red circular disc is removed and sent back to the Pay and Records, the other buried with the body. In the case of a Royal Marine his Personal Record is endorsed, “Discharged Dead” and closed. They should be knotted so that the red disc can be cut off with the other above the knot remaining secure. You will note that the RM Cap Badges bear the Kings Crown (King George Vl)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:32:17 BST
Interestingly this Commandos’ Cap Badge is the 17/21 Lancers, and is the Skull and Crossbones Emblem of that Regiment with the Motto “Or Glory”. It must have looked well impressive on his Green Beret!
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:19:29 BST
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me...
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me and the Bugler (from CTCRM) took a Tot of Rum with him afterwards as is a Custom!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 18:11:37 BST
Operation Chess
Hi Graham
My father was on this raid and I'm pretty sure he is the commando in the middle at the back possibly making a V sign. I have no pictures of him, in uniform other than http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/panorama/Numbered+No1+Panorama_.jpg.html. He is number 19 at the back again. Could I possibly have a professional copy of your photo or a more detailed scan if that is possible. I don’t care how much it would cost and would be very happy to pay.
I have a letter from Malcolm Parr, who should be in the picture too, who was probably a corporal at the time although later made sergeant. He talks about being fired on and grenading the German post as well as the fact that two were killed. I hope to hear from you.
Best Regards
Richard Allum
Posted by Richard Allum on Fri 21 Aug 2020 15:26:54 BST
The men are draped in belted ammunition and there is a German machine-gun to the right so this ammo is also captured. The right hand weapon is the famous .303 Bren which they would always carry.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 23:22:26 BST
The right hand man is ready to fire his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun known as a “Tommy Gun” or Chicago Piano.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 23:15:29 BST
The gun referred to and mounted on the US made a Jeep is a .303 Vickers Machine a Gun (MMG) so fair chance prisoners will behave! The gun is loaded you can see a pale coloured stripe down side of gun that is a belt of ‘live’ ammunition!
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 23:07:50 BST
The man on the right is a despatch rider dressed for riding motor cycle. These men are grouped around the ubiquitous Bren Gun Carrier.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 23:00:34 BST
The right hand man has a pussers Revolver in holster which might mean he is in Support Troop and carries this for personal protection. “Pussers” means issue.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 22:52:30 BST
This Royal Marine has a .303” Lee Enfield rifle slung over his right shoulder the standard British Infantry weapon. It appears to be “Cocked” which might be standard practice so he is ready to fire the round in the breech if he comes under attack.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 22:41:39 BST
Photo updated
You are correct David. Ralph Bazeley was the 43RM Commando M.O. and I have now updated the photo accordingly.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 16 Aug 2020 19:27:52 BST
In clear view are the ‘A’ frame Bergen Rucksacs issued to all Commandos and a vast improvement on the ‘37 Pattern Large Packs, we were still using them into the 1960s
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 19:12:26 BST
MOA means Marines Officers Attendant which was the Corps term for a Batman. He would move close to ‘his’ Officer in a Battle usually carrying the inter-Unit radio.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 16:59:31 BST
Some of these men are wearing Brown Leather Jerkins which might mean they were Drivers (MT) but these were so good if you could ‘proff’ one you did as they had a blanket lining and as they would frequently live very basic and rough these were magic!
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 16:29:56 BST
The fourth Officer from left is not a Royal Marine but may be a Royal Army Medical Corps (different Cap Badge).
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 16:17:27 BST
Another sign this is old style BD is the small pocket on the right front of their trousers which would hold a First Field Dressing in action (FFD). It should only be used on the man himself if wounded, that is what the Rule Book states but who can say?
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 16:14:56 BST
Although these officers are wearing battledress and white web belts which would normally be that of “ other ranks” they are wearing collar and tie, but the giveaway is the ‘Split’ Cap Badge Which has a silver Globe with gold a Kings Crown and gold Wreath.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 16:08:42 BST
These Royal Marines are wearing early style Battledress. The right hand man is a Quarter Master Sergeant he is wearing his badge of rank on lower left sleeve which is a Crown surrounded by a wreath. He would have been addressed as, “ QMS “ or perhaps more informally as, “ Q “. He would be the most senior NCO in a Commando Rifle Troop. This rank was changed in the late 1970s to Warrant Officer 2nd Class who are addressed as,“ Sir.”
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 15:58:13 BST
From left Nos: 5 and 9 have large first field dressing (FFD) being pre-packed sterile bandages.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 13 Aug 2020 18:28:35 BST
RM Commandos showing captured German items. The left hand man, rear rank, is holding a Panzerfaust hollow charge anti tank Infantry weapon.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 23:05:33 BST
These Royal Marines Commandos are showing captured souvenirs, the fact that both men on each side of the flag are wearing SS Daggers may mean they had been fighting this type of a German formation.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 22:58:39 BST
This a Royal Marine is wearing the a Winter Cap in dark blue material at that time the Corps would change into a white topped Cap in the Summer. That is now worn all the time.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 22:19:05 BST
This Royal Marines Commando wasa Driver and wears the MT Badge. This Would later be changed to the letter ‘D’ still worn today.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 22:16:41 BST
