The bar you can see crossing the down rope was a ‘new’ addition after a Review of the Course following an accident when a a Recruit failed to loop his toggle OVER the Death Slide Rope and fell 60 feet resulting in serious injury. A Catch-Net was also placed in front of the Platform to ensure no repition of this dreadful incident. The PTI on the Platform failed to check! Previously the man coming down the rope was stopped by NCOs hanging onto a brake rope.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 12:41:35 EDT
He was a a Sergeant in the FNG who acted as armed Militia or Police and
carried .303” SMLE Rifles (Short Magazine Lee Enfield)
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 20:14:21 EDT
I mentioned the Aden Protecterate Levies in my first comment. They had a large camp near us andhad been originally raised, trained and Officered by the RAF Regiment to standard British military standards. They were Adenis and as smart as paint. On occasion we were carrying out a joint patrol with them in the Dhala area near the border with The Yemen we were fired on and a 3” Mortar Team of the APL swung into action near me, it was textbook, straight out of a training manual soon putting bombs down on suspect locations. I watched In total admiration, there was no more unfriendly fire needless to say. All small guys built like Japanese wrestling snakes.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 20:09:37 EDT
We are wearing the SV Commando sole boots mentioned elsewhere
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 20 Aug 2020 19:44:07 EDT
The crippler was we were paid 6s 8p per week Kit Upkeep Allowance (KUA) and we had to buy new boots ourselves. These only lasted two or three patrols. They were known as SV Boots (Service Viulcanised) the original Commando sole and they were expensive. They would be sent up from Little Aden by convoy, you signed a chit and the full price was docked from Pay
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 19 Aug 2020 13:02:23 EDT
The guy just in view left was Scouse Griffith’s (722(CS) Kings Squad RM. The tall guy centrally was a Jock, name may have been Ferguson, good egg! The others are then”newbies” who were to relieve so we could go home to Blighty! Note bandolier of 100 rounds on tall Marine in centre (worn around waist)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 19 Aug 2020 03:21:36 EDT
Sunny Malta with chums from the a Royal Navy.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 07:24:36 EDT
This document is a paper made with linen quite old style, if the top right Hand corner is cut off it means a Dishonourable Discharge!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 07:20:51 EDT
The ‘split’ Cap Badge can be seen in this picture, he is shooting using a 303” Lee Enfield No 4 Rifle, standard issue Corps Personal Weapon.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 06:52:59 EDT
Looking at his history it is probable he was a top rate Armourer responsible for all a Commando weaponry.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 06:48:49 EDT
This Royal Marine was a Quarter Master Sergeant (Technical) or QMS(T) he is wearing a blue beret with a scarlet ‘flash’ but his Cap Badge is that of Sergeant/Colour Sergeant as it is Matt/Gilt finish so was taken before promotion to QMS. At that time all ranks in the UK would wear that form of beret except Green Berets were worn in the UK by all ranks serving in either 41 or 42 Commando RM (Bickliegh Camp) and Instructors in “X” Troop (Commando Training) at the Infantry Training Centre RM, later renamed Commando Training Centre RM. The rank of QMS later changed to Warrant Officer (Second Class) in line with the whole UK Forces. A QMS would be addressed by his title and a WO(2) as “Sir”. Technical means he would be a Specialist as one of the many skilled Tradesmen supporting the Corps. His history makes in clear he was Commando Trained. A QMS or WO2 would wear a ‘split’ Cap Badge.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 06:45:19 EDT
Look at the way they are leaning into this, still in step and going strong with one turning to grin at me, they know they are making good time and they have this cracked. Time allowed is 7 hours. As their Instructor it gave me a great feeling seeing them looking this good. It was never our job to fail people, there was a job waiting for them either on a Course or Brigade. No water stops and they were expected to arrive at finish with a full water bottle!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 19:18:29 EDT
The snake has eaten something swallowed whole the shape of which can be seen!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 07:34:49 EDT
The Marine nearest camera is carrying the British Jungle Carbine which was a .303’ Lee Enfield Rifle with minor alteration.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 07:32:51 EDT
