Viaques is on Puerto Rico where the US Marines have Training Area.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 14:42:16 EDT
This is not Bisley and is probably a similar Competition being held on Malta judging by the burnt appearance of the general terrain, There are British personnel present wearing uniform shorts and US Naval Members in ‘whites’. The Shottist next to QMS Lyon is using the issue US military Rifle, the .30-06 M1 Garand used by them up to, and including Vietnam.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 09:10:00 EDT
The right hand medal with red and white ribbon is the Naval General Service Medal (NGS) it has one bar for the Malayan Emergency, also the two Korean War Medals awarded for his Service with 41 (Independent) Commando RM where they fought alongside the US Marine Corps being awarded the US Presidential Citation for their Conduct in support of the USMC particularly for the Chosin Reservoir Action. A streamer is attached the the Unit Colour Commemorating this. Also his small Corps lapel badge, Blazer badge and Commando ‘Flash’
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:58:11 EDT
We were using Foggin Tor Quarry for this which is located North-West of Princetown and Dartmoor Prison and was one worked by Convicts back in the day, a wild place in Winter. We also used it for a “Cordon and Search” Exercise as part of the Commando Course Training Recruits in that Skill.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 03:04:45 EDT
This Range was near Falais Camp being built for British Troops to move into when we handed over to the new Federal Army being formed from the Aden Protectorate Levies and Federal National Guard (FNG) but it would all end up as a ball of chalk when the Government pulled us all out and left them to stew!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:21:41 EDT
Marine Pearson was an Oppo and must have been one of the first to fire the84mm Carl Gustav on the a short Range at Bir Fukum. The problem with the weapon was that when it was fired the Venturi Tube (no breech) rang with ultra sonic sound causing serious hearing loss. Once this was discovered a canvas ‘gag’ was strapped to the tube to prevent the actual vibration causing that noise. In all later pictures that addition can be seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:15:51 EDT
Judging by the embroidered Cap Badge I am guessing this Commando is an Officer. Rank badges are now worn of a small frontal chest flap.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:58:13 EDT
When skioring Troops are towed behind an over-snow tracked vehicle hanging onto an attached rope of cable. Vehicles used previously was the BAE (Sweden) BV but that has now been replaced by the “Viking” Armoured Fighting Vehicle. Skioring is a hard art to acquire as seen in the photo!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:55:29 EDT
The sign behind this Gallant Royal Marine was designed for ‘X’ Troop 45RM Commando during WW2 and had it returned to ‘X’ Company by a former member of that original Unit when WW2 Commandos visited RM Condor in Scotland.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 07:32:19 EDT
This Battery is a mix of RN, RM and Army Commandos who operate in very close liaison with SF out of a South Coast Base, I had a RA Oppo Radio Op who served with this Special Unit. Gunner John Mahoney RA (RIP). They are all Parachute Qualified.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 05:40:56 EDT
I was stationed at CTCRM Lympstone when the first Gunners were going through training. Colonel O”Flaherty RA was very much in evidence during that time with his distinctive eye patch. The ‘buzz’ that went around was Spot On with regard to his Bravery at Vaagso but someone did say he had been awarded the VC. He was the holder of the DSO and from a distance the Medal Ribbon might have been mistaken.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 05:35:58 EDT
The SNCO central is the Squad Drill Instructor holding his ‘Bsdge of Office’ the standard issue Pace Stick.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:56:06 EDT
This interesting photo was taken at the Infantry Training Centre RM at Lympstone (now CTCRM) in front of Sylvan Glade where the original Tarzan Course was built. The brick building to the left of the picture was the old Camp Cinema. It can be seen that the already Commando trained NCOs are wearing the same dark blue beret with the scarlet patch as the Recruits as the decision that all Trained Ranks would wear their Green Beret at all times lay in the future.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:53:20 EDT
See ROH
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:16:31 EDT
