The 11 Hussars earned the nickname ‘The Cherrypickers’ during the Peninsular War after being forced to take cover in a Cherry Orchard’ and wear a badge-less beret in two shades of red.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 09:41:18 EDT
The Royal Marines in this photo are wearing Battledress (BD) with the RM
Shoulder ‘Flash’ and Commando Dagger. This was worn in the Corps until
the mid-1960s when the Lovat Uniform was introduced. The ‘Flash’ was later introduced again and worn on the Jersey Wool Heavy, known in the
Corps as a ‘Woolly Pulley’.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 11:01:06 EDT
Good shot of a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun in the light role as used in a Commando Rifle Section, it is belt-fed and ammunition comes in the metal liner seen alongside, and the belt fed into the gun ready for action, this comes as 4 ball rounds and 1 tracer., known as 4 and 1
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 05:43:34 EDT
Richard Green is wearing his Green Beret with a cloth Royal Navy badge which probably means he was a Sick Berth Attendant (SBA - Medic, now known as a Medical Assistant - MA) who completed a full Royal Marines Commando Course prior to being posted to 42 Commando RM. These guys were very highly regarded in the Corps. His badge is picked out in red over dark blue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 18:30:19 EDT
The aircraft is an Army Air Corps Auster ‘Air Observation Platform (AOP) used to spot targets and call for Air or Gunfire support for Troops on the ground.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 18:45:44 EDT
I think the right hand man holding the SBS Colour holds the Royal Fleet Reserve Medal and if I am right it means he is RMR. Members of the RMR could train as Swimmer Canoeists but this required massive dedication and severe training.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 16:15:48 EDT
All Otther Ranks accommodation was to the LEFT of the Main’Drag’, the two Galleys, JNCOs Club, and the ‘Blue Pig’ Marines Bar (Devon Scrumpy 6d or 2p) also on the left just past Sylvan Glade with the Camp Cinema and Gymnasium on the right at the bottom. There was no Camp Railway Station, we used Exton and yomped up to Dutchys for Goodnight scran!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 15:56:21 EDT
This is a good picture showing the Main Gate, the main ‘drag’ running down towards the beautiful Exe Estuary. This is how all older Royal Marines will remember it. The Guard Room is to the right of the Gate with the small Gate Sentry Post visible just inside the Gate. The second building down on the left had a small shelter where there were slot machine for nutty and gophers (chocolate and drinks), the big trees half way down is a Sylvan Glade where the old Tarzan Course was sited. The Camp is shown much as it was originally built and can be dated as the Squad is armed with the 7.62mm Self Loading Rifle first issued to 728(CS) Squad RM in 1959. All OR accommodation was to the left of the picture and the build had commenced on the ‘new’ Officers’ Mess to the right and behind the Guard Room. Dutchys’ Hot-Dog and gophers caravan would be parked during the evening to the right of the Gates and outside the Camp. HappyDays.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 15:32:27 EDT
In 1960 45 Commando RM moved to Aden relieving the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who were returning to the U.K.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:36:18 EDT
3 Commando Brigade consisting of Brigade HQ, 40, 42 & 45 Commando Royal Marines would train regularly in Libya at that time it being ruled by King Idris who was very pro-British.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:14:02 EDT
The photo shows the Commanding Officer together with the RSM , Quarter Master Sergeants, Colour Sergeants and Sergeants of the Unit The man in the Centre rank , ninth from the left is RN Petty Officer and Royal Navy Medical Assistant (then called a a Sick Bay Attendant or SBA) who would have completed the Commando Course and been awarded the Green Beret. The SNCO on right of the rank with a white webbing shoulder strap is the Unit Provost (Police) Sergeant. The rank of Quarter Master Sergeant is now Warrant Officer 2nd Class. A RSM is now a WO1 and Senior.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 14:08:24 EDT
Here the same Officer is helping the ‘next man’ through the Water Tunnel, something he had to do unaided, although the tunnel is short if a man panics it can be very dangerous. I only ever saw one Royal Marines Recruit refuse to go through. He was eventually discharged.’Services nolonger required.’ (SNLR)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 04:11:17 EDT
This Officer seemingly has no-one pulling him through the Water Tunnel Obstacle, he should be in a Syndicate of three, one pushing, one swimming and one pulling, this is a safety measure.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 04:04:38 EDT
There is no demonstrable technique for crossing the Endurance Course Bogs , it is simply a case of, “There it is, get through it .” The Instructor must stand clear and shout encouragement not get this involved, all he is doing is getting filthy.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 03:58:12 EDT
