Unit Sign outside 45 Commando RM Guardroom in. Little Aden showing signs of wear!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 03:44:51 EDT
Kuwait (1961) this is Tony ‘Mad Mara’ Thompson, ex-miner from Durham. His nickname was arrived at as he was crackers, he always insisted he was NOT a Geordie but was a Durham Lad! He was a cracking Signaller and one of my mates from Recruit Training in 723(CS) Squad RM, we ran the 30 Miler Pass Out together came in at 6 Hours 17 minutes, there were two 3-Tonners at finish the first left dead on 7 hours (Time Allowed) and the other remained for the failures!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 03:41:23 EDT
Dhala Camp Taff Davies filling rifle magazine pre-patrol, he had 100 round Bandolier slung over shoulder (just in case).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 03:36:20 EDT
Dhala Camp Taff Davies on Sentry Duty with Bren (loaded), Dhala Town is in background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 03:34:28 EDT
Dhala Camp near old Yemen Border, this is Mick Davidson (ex-RN) holding 7.62mm Bren Gun together with Adeni Camp Worker we nick-named Elvis, he was very popular with the Marines, and when 45 left in 1967 they had a whip-around so left him with some money to survive on.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 03:32:46 EDT
The other man was RN an Officer and Unit Dentist.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:51:30 EDT
This Officer is armed with the 5.56mm SA80 Rifle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:46:32 EDT
The photo taken at CTCRM on his Kings Squad Pass for a Duty. The 30 Foot Wall on the Tarzan Course can be seen in the background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:44:29 EDT
Royal Marines National Servicemen carried out 26 weeks rigorous training including the full 6 week Commando Course either at Bickliegh, or later at Lympstone before being awarded a well earned Green Beret. They went on to soldier in some tough and dangerous places and always a Credit to The Corps and themselves, Salute!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:25:36 EDT
The Jebel Jihaf Massif towering in the background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:28:04 EDT
Life at a Dhala was fairly primitive as can be seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:27:03 EDT
This now fully Trained Marine is wearing a Red Diamond on his left shoulder to indicate he has been spotted as potentially NCO material. He is also now a Marksman on a Rifle, Section Light Machine Gun and Sterling Sub-Machine Gun.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:25:47 EDT
Back in the day this is exactly how any Recruit would be rigged (dressed) to ‘Go Ashore’ (into Town) including Parade Boots! We had to be back in Barracks by 2359 hours and the sound of all these returning at the double sounded like a train coming, they would all be in step!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:20:00 EDT
The Sergeant at left is holding the 9mm Sterling Sub-Machine Gun which is not dis-similar the the Wartime Sten firing a parabellum round.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:13:00 EDT
