In this photo the Regimental Numbers of some of the Royal Marines is shown and anyone studying may wonder what the odd sequence means. Back in the day there were three Grand Divisions of the Royal Navy which are Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. A RM posted to those would be issued with his Regimental Number denoting which Division he was in, ie: Ch/X (Chatham), Po/X (Portsmouth) and Ply/X (Plymouth) the odd one out In this is Ex/ denoting that the man had joined the Corps at Exton probably as a Hostility Only Rating (HO). Surprisingly perhaps is that the Corps maintained the training of Regular Recruits throughout, at a time when there were RM Detachments on all ‘Big Ships’ including a Band. The Band manned the Magazines supplying RM manned Guns and once at Action Station were locked in. This accounts for the massive casualties suffered by the RM Band Service, if there was a fire in a Magazine it was flooded with no chance of escape, hard times! Exton Camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM at...
In this photo the Regimental Numbers of some of the Royal Marines is shown and anyone studying may wonder what the odd sequence means. Back in the day there were three Grand Divisions of the Royal Navy which are Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. A RM posted to those would be issued with his Regimental Number denoting which Division he was in, ie: Ch/X (Chatham), Po/X (Portsmouth) and Ply/X (Plymouth) the odd one out In this is Ex/ denoting that the man had joined the Corps at Exton probably as a Hostility Only Rating (HO). Surprisingly perhaps is that the Corps maintained the training of Regular Recruits throughout, at a time when there were RM Detachments on all ‘Big Ships’ including a Band. The Band manned the Magazines supplying RM manned Guns and once at Action Station were locked in. This accounts for the massive casualties suffered by the RM Band Service, if there was a fire in a Magazine it was flooded with no chance of escape, hard times! Exton Camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM at Lympstone, Devon, near Exmouth where all RM Basic Training is concentrated together with most Specialist Infantry
Skills.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 14:01:08 BST
On first glance this appears to be a Knuckleduster/Knife but it appears to also include a Skull in the design which might be deliberate.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 13:43:10 BST
The creature in this Crest is a Salamander which in myths is claimed to survive fire.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 13:39:23 BST
Lord Lovat is wearing the Cap Badge of the Lovat Scouts in the photo.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 13:31:54 BST
The standard 18” bayonet for use with the .303” SMLE Rifle is in clear view In this photo.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 13:29:51 BST
Rifles in the photo are the standard British Sniper Issue being the.303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) which been picked out after production by being test fired and then selected because of the accuracy in that test, the magazine holds 10 rounds. The Sniperscope attached to these rifles had a magnification of 4 providing accuracy up to 600 yards plus depending on the skill of the individual man. The tubular items on tripods are the War Department issue “Scout” 4-draw Telescopes each marked with a Broad Arrow. Snipers always operate in twos, known as a “Sniper Pair” the reason being that one would be observed to the front using binoculars whilst the other rested. They have a number of roles of which excellent shooting is only one. A further role is that of gathering Intelligence to be passed back to the Unit Intelligence Officer under whose Command they would normally work.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 13:26:00 BST
Lt/Colonel Ries RM was badly injured during the landings and Major NicoL
Gray RM took Command on the Unit thereafter. His actual rank was as a
Temporary Major, Acting Lt/Colonel. He was awarded the DSO for
personal Bravery in the resultant actions. Promoted to Lt/Colonel, and
winning a Bar to his DSO following Rhine Crossing and capture of the
Wesel. Post War he was appointed Inspector-General Palestine Police during the British Mandate. Later appointed as Companion to the Order of the Order of St Michael and St George.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 11:37:37 BST
The Machine Gun on the Tank Turret is the famous Browning .5 inch Heavy
Machine Gun quite recently bought by the British and issued for Active
Service. It is one hell of a weapon. When Prince Harry was pictured firing
aMachine Gun with the Gurkhas is was this type,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 11:12:13 BST
The very shiny bolt handle and well worn magazine of the rifles and both men nearest camera is evidence of hard usage recently. They have been engaged in heavy firing.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 11:05:16 BST
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 11:01:18 BST
Cap Badge is South Wales Borderers.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:54:22 BST
The Fusilier central in the 3rd rank/file is wearing SAS “Wings” above left breast pocket.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:52:13 BST
Should read: ‘ prior to being......
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:45:24 BST
The canoe in the picture was specifically developed for SBS use being
collapsible and capable of being assembled on a Submarine Deck toBeing being used on a clandestine mission. May still be is just in a modified form
by todays’ SBS. Still is use in the 1970s.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:44:06 BST
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 10:35:36 BST
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 10:27:18 BST
This is an interesting photo, the men are definitely Commandos and are carrying the standard “A” Frame Rucksacks not issued to Line Infantry. The Tanks in view are US made Shermans which have ‘swum” ashore being fitted with collapsible equipment and came a a huge surprise to the German defenders. Many were lost when they sunk particularly on the US Beaches where they had been released into the sea too early and too far out. Many of those still lie where they sank that day, not many of the crews survived. Imagine that predicament!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:16:37 BST
I would venture to suggest that this photo was taken before D-Day as no man, not even the NCOs is wearing any medal ribbon(s). The webbing belts are an old Pattern replaced by ‘37 Pattern before that day. They are wearing Battle Dress and not Denims as the man on the left (as you look at the photo) is wearing one Long Service Stripe denoting 4 years under the Colours, this would not be worn on denims (fatigues).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 10:08:13 BST
Everything in these photos point to them being taken in the Far East.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:59:11 BST
The Rifle pictured would be issued with an 18” Bayonet.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:58:00 BST
The leading Commando has a slung .303” SMLE Rifle as evidenced by
the two studs just under the muzzle so this might be an early photo I. By
mid-1944 the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle with a pig-sticker bayonet was
on issue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:57:10 BST
The caption states “Mortars on Fire!” But this probably means the a Mortar
is BEING fired as there are casings for the Bombs for the 3 inch Mortar visible on the grass on the low right of this picture. A Mortar is simply a strong steel tube and the only thing that can burn are the ‘charges’ attached to the Bombs by the 3 man crew. The type of charge and number being governed by the type of target and range. These charges look similar to the phials of petrol which could be bought in a Tobacconist for lighter fuel.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:52:39 BST
The item low centre is a No: 36 HE Grenade which has a distinctive shape
similar to a pineapple, they must be expecting trouble having this so close
to hand! The segmentation design meant that the Grenade exploded into
many pieces propelled outwards by 1lb of HE.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:42:47 BST
This looks like “Letters from Home” being distributed by the man standing
who might be the Unit “Postie”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:39:31 BST
