Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 11:24:49 EDT
RAS - Replenishment at sea.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 11:16:12 EDT
This is the 105mm Artillery Piece used by Commando Gunners and was designed by the Italians as a Mountain Gun as it is claimed it can be moved by man and mule once disassembled. It has three roles, A Howitzer B Artillery C Anti-Tank. When withdrawn it was replaced by the 105mm Light Gun which weighed twice as much and which Pussers’ Helicopters could not lift in one piece!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 06:02:22 EDT
The kit being filled with water in the photo are widely used in hot climates and were known, in Aden, as “Choggles” the material used is canvas which is not waterproof so it leaks leaving the outside continuously wet. The wind acts to cool this and that means you have ready access to a cool drink but the “Choggle” needs topping up regularly.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 05:54:15 EDT
Unform
These are pre Lovat uniform days, so the Royal Marines in the photo are still wearing Battledress (BD) and what appears to be the '44 pattern webbing belt, blackened. It's hard to be certain, but the RM Recruits appear to still have the Cash's name tape bearing the words "Royal Marines". This rule was maintained until a controversial Royal Marines Routine Order (RMRO) declared that from 1960 all trained ranks would wear the "Royal Marines Commando" flash and wear the green beret. This meant that RMs that had never completed commando training, or even attempted it, fell into this category, including members of the Royal Marines Band attached to 3 Commando Brigade RM in the Far East. The RM recruits also appear to be still wearing the blue beret with a red patch, having not yet earned the right to wear the green "lid" - but, again, I cannot be certain of this.
Cpl. Jack French is still a PW2 at this stage.
Posted by Victor Balsdon on Fri 02 Oct 2020 05:18:51 EDT
You will note the A/WO1 Langdale MBE(Mil) RM has a large First Field Dressing (FFD) strapped to his webbing on the right shoulder. Given his Service he is probably a RM Mountain Leader as Brigade Reconnaissance
Force is drawn from that group of Specialists (now Special Forces).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 06:44:37 EDT
The Royal Marine in this famous photo has been immortalised by the erection of the ‘Yomper’ Staute on the grounds of the former Royal Marines Barracks Eastney. As the Royal Marines Museum is moving into HM Dockyard at Portsmouth there is some discussion as to the future location of this landmark.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 06:24:55 EDT
The rank of QMS has been replaced by Warrant Officer 2 in the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 05:18:49 EDT
The rank of QMS has been replaced by Warrant Officer 2 in the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 05:17:49 EDT
A couple of months after this was taken I popped down the Sick Bay get my ears syringed because of persistent ringing, Diagnosis: Tinnitis (Stereo) and Perceptive Traumatic Deafness, end of a promising Career. I could have gone (T) but I was getting Married so I thought time to move on , I was accepted by a number of Police Forces (Pusser helped) but chose my Home City Cardiff and that is all she wrote. I was going bonkers so applied to join RMR Bristol and that was where I spent 19 years getting some good “Runs” in usually back with the Corps as I could pick my own Training, This was ‘Dawn Patrol’ with 41 “Clockwork” twice with 42, Mountain Training at
Kinlocleven and even a trip to Nantes in France when HMS “Cardiff” made a Courtesy Visit and Captain wanted RM Guards for VIP Visits. Took some of my Lads over and we had a cracking time, doing the business and ashore........
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 29 Sep 2020 13:27:17 EDT
The River Orne and Caen Canal Bridges now named Pegasus Bridge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 16:44:21 EDT
The photo is taken at the Infantry Training Centre Royal Marines during initial training, this is the bottom road where the new Accomodation Blocks were built in the 1960s. Dutchys’ Hot Dog Caravan would be parked further down to the left in later years. The camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM. ‘X’ Troop Recruits would ‘live’ to the left of the photographer whilst undergoing Commando Courses in identical huts.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:34:36 EDT
Corporal Jack French RM went on to become RSM (WO1) firstly with 40 Commando RM and then at CTCRM. One of the finest Marines I had the privilege of serving with and true Corps Legend.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 16:38:32 EDT
These are Army Ranks undergoing Commando Training and negotiating the Water Tunnel on the Woodbury Common Endurance Course. The men are taught to work in a Syndicate of three, one swimming, one pushing, one pulling, they then change places until all three have gone thru and move on to the next obstacle before the 4 and a half mile double back to CTCRM . They are wearing ‘58 Pattern Webbing and would be carrying a 7.62mm SLR. Three different Corps shown in this Syndicate, one an Officer.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 15:19:56 EDT
