In the Royal Marines the term ‘Heavy Weapons’ meant either
1 3 inch Mortar
2 .303 inch Vickers Machine Gun (MMG)
3. Assault Engineers
The Mortar Men and MMG Gunners would wear the sleeve badge HW in a Wreath. One star means 3rd Class, Two stars 2nd Class and a Crown over the letters First Class by which time the man would probably be a SNCO. An Assault Engineer would wear AE in the same sequence. Nowadays there are Anti-Tank Marines, who wear the same HW badge. They would all be in Support Troop/Company.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:51:46 BST
This photograph would have been taken at a Camp initially known as RM Exton, then the Infantry Centre Royal Marines and is now entitled The Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:30:34 BST
Sam was a a Sergeant of the Cardiff City Police when I joined, there were a few Police Officers in the Force at that time who volunteered for service with the Commandos when the ban was lifted allowing Officers to either go RAF Aircrew or to the Commandos. The ones I can remember is Frank Kirby, Ray Sparkes, Bill Everett.They were highly respected in both aspects. I took some joshing having come from the Royal Marines Commando Training where I had been JNCO Instructor until I mentioned I was 4 on D-Day and shorter than their ‘A’ Frame rucksack. I believe they all served with 3 Commando. On retirement he took up a position as Chief Security Officer at The University Hospital of Wales. He was a fine man and extremely popular in the Force.
‘
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:10:32 BST
This Officers’ Sam Browne has a fitting for his whistle on the shoulder strap normally seen on those worn by Light Infantry Officers although his ‘collar dogs’ are either Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:48:59 BST
Marine Harvey is holding a .303” Bren with a Magazine fitted which may indicate the Unit was expecting trouble. He is also equipped with an issue handgun for personal close-quarter protection as the Bren is not the most suitable weapon to bring to bear at close-quarters.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:27:10 BST
Now amalgamated with the Royal Welch Fusiliers to form the Royal Regiment of Wales who wear the Fusiliers Hackle in the beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:02:12 BST
I believe that Brigadier Thomas wears the Cap Badge of the Welch Regiment (the story is that when serving in India a local contractor made the badges thus and it was then adopted).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:59:38 BST
This Commando is wearing a ‘collar dog” of The Royal Regiment of Artillery in his Green Beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:54:03 BST
A Light Infantry Commando.
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
