Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:42:01 EDT
Recruit ‘on the ropes’ over water tank at CTCRM. He is NOT admiring the view! I was showing a USMC Officer around the Camp on his Acquaint Week (which was all any got in those days - no long ‘beat-up’ at RM Chivenor). They were then thrown in with a Recruit Squad and it was sink or swim, fail and pack your bags. He stood at the bottom of the main Drag looked out across the Exe Estuary and said, “This is a most beautiful place to put a Commando Training Centre.” Not commonly known is that if a US Marine fails the Course he flies home and is sacked!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:28:57 EDT
The building to their right was the Trained Ranks Galley, to the immediate rear the old NAAFI , Corporals Club and the “Blue Pig” Bar where local Scrumpy cost a tanner (sixpence about 2 1/2 pence), Happy days and nights. Out of sight to the left was the Recruits “Galley where they would rush, yaffling spanners grasped firmly anxious to top up on loads of scran and gophers!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:12:11 EDT
Back in easier times the Infantry Training Centre RM, now CTCRM, would hold Open Days to which the Public were invited and to which they would flock in big numbers. These were known as “Meet the Marines” and where they could enjoy all the fun of the fair. There was no RM Band stationed at the Camp but one would arrive. There would be all kinds of displays, including Drill, Judo, Tarzan Course with the Cliff Leaders giving demos etc. It would be hot-dogs, ice-cream and all that kind of jollification. The Main Gate Sentry routine was part and parcel of this. It was an extremely popular event, with everyone on Camp entering into the spirit of the day and all kinds of Stalls at which simple Prizes could be easily won and carried off as a nice souvenir! Happy Days!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 11:54:23 EDT
Cpl Prichard posing! Photo taken on my JCC (Junior Command Course) I was a Lance Corporal and am wearing my Course Number 39. That is my ‘Kuwait ‘ Dennison Smock courtesy of a lax Para Sentry!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 11:41:02 EDT
RM JCC Course final parade before results! I was given a ‘B’ Pass and promoted a week later, we had one ‘A’ Pass, this was Jack Ashman (Kings Badge) later Lt/Colonel RMR Newcastle, a Good Egg! He was promoted day Course ended.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 08:16:57 EDT
To the left of the 30 foot ropes are 20 foot ‘starter’ ropes.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 08:11:50 EDT
This more-or-less where the Sergeants Mess is now.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 08:07:43 EDT
Recruit on Death Slide CTCRM Tarzan Course. The ‘new’ Officers’ Mess is just visible.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 08:06:25 EDT
This was one of many Camps maintained close to Training areas for temporary accommodation. At the time the Commandant was an Officer from the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry who wore a Red Airborne Beret. I chatted to him, he had been in Major John Howard’s ‘Coup de Main’ Party who landed by Horsa Glider on D-Day 6 June 1944 and seized the bridges over the River and Canal!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 08:02:10 EDT
Firing No 94 rifle anti-tank grenade from 7.62mm SLR using Ballastite cartridge MEG Range Woodbury Common. Replaced by the 66mm Light Anti-Tank weapon which fire and ditch known as the LAW, the tube was fibre glass and US made.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 07:55:00 EDT
I believe he trained as a Cook (called a Chefs in the Corps) and married a girl from Singapore whilst serving in a Brigade.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 07:52:28 EDT
The Training Team used the .303” Lee Enfield Rifles when acting as enemy against the a Squad.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 07:49:11 EDT
I had been told to stay with him around the Course and on the run back to CTC. He was a lovely man and did well earning a well deserved Green Beret. On the Tarzan Course he had missed the turn point and was disappearing into the canopy. Cpl Healey (PTI) shouted, “ Oi, where do you think you’re going, Heaven? “ The Padres’ voice came floating back, “ I hope so Corporal, I sincerely hope so!” On one occasion we had run the Squad through the Endurance Course on Saturday morning, on conclusion I told him that he had the rest of the weekend off, he looked at me and said, “ Not for me Corporal Prichard, I have to turn to on a Sunday. “ We had a good laugh and I said, “ You work a seven day week then Sir. “
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 07:44:28 EDT
