Both the leading Troopers have their ‘Commando’ shoulder title stitched high on the right sleeve so that the epaulette can be seen. There is no room for any other badge above that single ‘flash’ they can only be Army Commandos.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 17:36:04 BST
This is quite a macabre photo as it appears to be a staged ‘execution’ with the man in trunks welding a Japanese sword (Katana) and his pals using a cape to suggest a beheading as there are two men under the cape, one crouching the other lying flat, face down. Not PC chums!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 14:08:27 BST
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 13:58:11 BST
Lewis served in the Welch Regiment
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:32:39 BST
This Trooper served in a Light Infantry Regiment evidenced by the Hunting Horn on his Cap Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:31:14 BST
The plaque on far wall is that of 40 Commando RM as the sky blue flashes are both the Unit Colour and that of the Lanyards worn on right shoulder. 42 is White, 45 is Scarlet and Brigade Commando Green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:27:18 BST
This photo taken at the Camp known variously as a Exton, the Infantry Training Centre RM, and now as The Commando Training Centre RM. The small wood behind is known as Sylvan Glade and originally housed the Tarzan Course. Behind the woods is the Drill Shed and Parade Ground (NEVER referred to as the Parade Square!). The Instructor in Battle Dress (BD) on the right of the photo will be the PW(1) Platoon Weapons Instructor 1st Class. The Sergeant in Blues is the DI1 Drill Instructor 1st Class, he holds his ‘’Badge of Office’, his traditional Pace Stick. The Officer without Medals is probably the Squad Officer. The Recruit on the left of the front rank as you view it wears Medal Ribbons which points to him having served ‘under the Colours’ but not the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 13:08:45 BST
Judging by their War worn appearance this may be Major Walls’ patrol. They are certainly near water given the RN ratings in background, who seem to be viewing the group admiringly.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 12:54:36 BST
I did not realise that, when serving with 45 Commando RM in the rugged mountains of Aden, that I was walking in the footsteps of this superb Wartime Commando Officer. We patrolled the Jebel Jihaf Massif visiting Forts manned by the Federal National Guard (FNG) a form of local Police one being at Al-Asirir. In November 1958 Major Bill Boucher-Myers of the East Lancs Regiment, on secondment to the Aden Protecterate Levies (APL) led a rescue when the local British Officer was besieged by Yemeni dissidents who had crossed the nearby Border. This was successful and Major Boucher-Myers was awarded an immediate DSO.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 10:49:19 BST
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 08:04:45 BST
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 22:21:41 BST
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 22:15:51 BST
The photo shows a fully constructed “Toggle Rope Bridge” using the items issued to each man in a Commando or Airborne Unit. The Paras were still issued with these into the 1970s. When I was at CTCRM there was a Para Colour Sergeant Dave Merry, The Parachute Regiment (3 Para), on a two year secondment and his was attached to his ‘58 Pattern Fighting Order as a norm, but the rope had been dyed dark green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:46:14 BST
The LMG is placed ready to fire from the right shoulder, the foresight being off-set to the left on the barrel as the rear sight was on the left hand side of the weapon. Earlier models had a drum sight later replaced with a leaf-sight
where the aiming point was also off-set to line up with the foresight. That was followed when the weapon was re chambered to fire the standard 7.62mm NATO round. I treasured that LMG which I carried in Aden.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:39:18 BST
The interesting point in photo is the .303” Bren Light Machine Gun (LMG) carried by the leading man. Unusually this is fitted with a handle BELOW the butt, this LMG was intended to be used in an anti-aircraft role mounted on a Tripod or similar fitting on the Bren Carrier Tracked Vehicle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:33:30 BST
The informal ‘out of Barracks’ setting means that these Troopers were probably in Civvie Digs using subsistence allowances. To someone not familiar with the set-up this was how Commando Units, with no usual Regimental Home, managed being being constantly on the move when preparing for the coming Invasion and Battles in France and beyond.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:25:44 BST
WHAT A CRACKING GESTURE!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:15:59 BST
The Commando standing centrally wears the General Service Medal with Two Campaign Bars but the right hand medal in the picture is the Pingat Jasa Malaysia awarded by the Malaysian Government to ALL British Personnel who served in either the Malay Emergency or during the Borneo Confrontation Operation (the Undeclared War) when Indonesia threatened Invasion and a bitter “Small War” broke out. There is some controversy as regards wearing of this Medal but most people wear it as seen. Only HM The Queen can grant permission for Foreign Medals/Awards to be worn by Serving or former Service men and women. It would take a brave person to tell people of this calibre to “Take it Off!”
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:13:55 BST
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 17:58:13 BST
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 17:55:29 BST
On the right lapel of his blazer he wears his original Army Commando Association badge, then a small Parachute Regiment Cap Badge and below a small set of British Military Parachute ‘Wings”, he also has a full size British Military Parachutists Badge stitched.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:46:04 BST
On his blazer lapel he is wearing his Veterans’ Badge, below that a Dutch Commando Troopen badge and the third appears to show an Elephants’ head.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:42:10 BST
Headgear back on!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:38:04 BST
The Ladies have borrowed Glengarries for this photo and the man on the right of photo a .303” SMLE Rifle!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:36:59 BST
I believe this Commando is wearing a Staffordshire Regimental Cap Badge as I can just make out the Staffordshire Knot which was designed to hang three people at a time!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:34:36 BST
