Small point here it will be seen the Commissioned Officers are all carrying “Swagger” sticks and wearing fawn coloured short Puttees, the ORs are
wearing Khaki short Puttees. The “Swagger” sticks were leather covered
going out of use in the 1970s.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 06:01:18 EDT
The goggles the men are wearing are taken from the standard issue
Respirator (gas mask) and made of celluloid. The attack on Suez by 45
Commando RM was the first time the Corps had used helicopters in an
Assault across water from an Aircraft Carrier and the goggles were used
to counteract the blinding dust thrown up on landing. An interesting point
regards these goggles is the Field Marshall Erwin Rommel can be seen wearing these British issue items having found them perfect for the same reason (dust) in North Africa during WW2.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 05:35:36 EDT
The Grenade in this picture is the No: 94 Energa Infantry anti-tank weapon which is fired from the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle using a projector all
Men carried. The rocket shape can be seen with the tail-fins to the left of the picture. It was fired using a Ballastite Cartridge and was a ‘hollow
charge” action. It had a ‘graze-nose-fuse’ so did not have to hit square on the target. It could be fired at any target if necessary but the cartridge had
quite a kick’ so the trigger would only be stroked with a straight index finger
And the rifle butt dug into the ground if necessary.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 05:27:18 EDT
They are...not me!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 08:57:09 EDT
Should read ‘proffed’
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 06:29:02 EDT
Alan Richardson was a very Senior Fire Chief in Gwent afterwards, may even have been Fire Chief for County.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:18:17 EDT
I had great difficulty understanding what Jock was saying but every time I bumped into him after that he would buy me a pint! Drown away Royal!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:16:32 EDT
Yaffling scran (Marine term for eating food) NOT haggling,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:10:41 EDT
Dhala Camp - me goin g on overnight Sentry Duty carrying my beloved \Bren. You can see from the wet tentage that there had been a downpour. Always welcome cleared the air.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:05:56 EDT
Dhala Convoy en route to Yemen Border. This is Tom Pennington from Nottingham he was on his second Commission (tour), the Ferret in the background is from the 11 Hussars (Cherrypickers).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:04:10 EDT
RMR Mountain Training Glencoe Area, one of the breaking-in Yomps.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:47:35 EDT
RMR Mountain Training Glencoe area, two Regular RM Mountain Leaders, both Falklands Veterans. The one on the right is Corporal Fitzgerald RM.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:46:16 EDT
RMR Mountain Training around Glencoe area, Alan Richardson still yaffling scran! People say this looked like rugged Country, it was and is still perfect for Commando Training, it was the hardest thing I ever did.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:43:28 EDT
RMR Mountain and Arctic Warfare Training with 42 Commando RM. We were just going onto the Nursery Slopes to try and ‘crack’ skiiing not my strong point. I preferred “Yomping”, a modern Royal Marines term meaning Load-carrying with everything needed to fight and survive over any terrain In all weather conditions. Came in handy in the Falklands War! I did NOT serve in the Falklands War. There was a prohibition in force with regard to Reserve Forces (since lifted).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:40:13 EDT
