Early Parachute Training when there was no reserve ‘chute.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 00:09:14 BST
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 23:30:19 BST
WO2 Wright RE is a Qualified Army Diver evidenced by the small badge
under his Crown and Wreath sleeve badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:39:02 BST
This shows a Royal Marines Colonel and RSM (WO1) with the Corps
Wreath.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:33:36 BST
Captain Murdoch wears the a Cap Badge of The Welch Regiment.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:07:31 BST
Colonel Macpherson wears Parachute “Wings” above the Medal Ribbons
on his left breast this was an early placement eventually all ranks would wear these on the right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:03:46 BST
Corporal Lappin wears SAS “Wings” on the right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:58:24 BST
Captain Carr served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery., and wears the
Ribbon of his Military Cross.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:50:17 BST
This photo must have been taken after Corporal Beattie returned from the PoW Camp as he is wearing his Green Beret and the Ribbon of the Africa
Star.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:44:45 BST
Corporal Ainslie is wearing the dress uniform of his Corps derived from the
days of Cavalry and the leather bandolier worn across his chest would
have held 10 X .303” Rounds for his Rifle. The jodphurs have the same
Horse-mounted origins.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:40:14 BST
That is a serious “Chest full of Medals” by any standard., It is interesting that that General Purdon chooses to wear his original Regimental Cap
Badge rather than his entitled Generals’ gold braid badge.
‘
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:32:21 BST
Trooper Burrows wears the original REME Cap Badge in his Green Beret.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 16:02:07 BST
The photo tri-stud hob-nails are clearly visible on Colonel Newman’s boots and I have read the style dates back to the Romans!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 10:20:52 BST
This is probably a Recruit Squad photograph taken at RM Exton (Lympstone) as the set up is typical. It was probably taken at the bottom end of Sylvan Glade and quite near to the Parade Ground,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 10:14:31 BST
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 23:45:44 BST
Corporal Cant was the holder of The British Empire Medal and the Police Long Service Medal shown with his Commando Medals. The Police Medal does not include the usual term ‘and Good Service ‘ , with the Police that is a given.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:39:21 BST
Colonel Sankey RM was a former CO at Lympstone, his son Bob joined the Corps in the Ranks where I served with him, later Commissioned and made at least Captain. I believed he emigrated to Rhodesia and that his Son is a serving RM Officer.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:25:26 BST
This photo taken at RM Exton (CTCRM) in Nutwell Square in front of the NAAFI , the building to the right is No: 1 Galley. The Drill Instructor is a Colour Sergeant holding his Pace Stick. He is to the right as you look at the photo.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:15:50 BST
Ian Gourlay
Lt Col Gourlay was 42 Commando RM 2i/c for some of the time when I was in the unit. He was a gentleman through and through and returned to 42 as CO in 1963. He became Commandant General Royal Marines and was described by Lord Mountbatten as "the best Commandant General that the Royal Marines had ever had". His decorations and awards were: KCB, CVO, OBE, MC.
Posted by Victor Balsdon on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:10:40 BST
I had a pal who was a Royal Marines Sergeant Weapons Instructor. He was on secondment to the French Marines and on the anniversary of Trafalgar was surprised to be invited to a Celebration of Trafalgar. He told them that they lost there and was told, “ We shot Nelson!”
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:00:54 BST
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 21:15:48 BST
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 20:56:21 BST
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 20:32:27 BST
The weapon in the picture is the famous and very effective Vickers .303” Medium Machine Gun, belt-fed and water cooled it was extremely sturdy and reliable capable of laying down heavy protective fire in any action, the Heavy Weapons gunners loved it.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 20:11:43 BST
Captain Gray RM wears a colourful line in sweaters and is also holding the
famous Thompson Sub-Machine Gun easily identified by the top cocking
handle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 20:04:35 BST
