The Bench has been carved with the Insignia of the Special Boat Service.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:34:15 BST
This photograph would have been taken at a Camp initially known as RM Exton, then the Infantry Centre Royal Marines and is now entitled The Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:30:34 BST
Sam was a a Sergeant of the Cardiff City Police when I joined, there were a few Police Officers in the Force at that time who volunteered for service with the Commandos when the ban was lifted allowing Officers to either go RAF Aircrew or to the Commandos. The ones I can remember is Frank Kirby, Ray Sparkes, Bill Everett.They were highly respected in both aspects. I took some joshing having come from the Royal Marines Commando Training where I had been JNCO Instructor until I mentioned I was 4 on D-Day and shorter than their ‘A’ Frame rucksack. I believe they all served with 3 Commando. On retirement he took up a position as Chief Security Officer at The University Hospital of Wales. He was a fine man and extremely popular in the Force.
‘
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 18:10:32 BST
This Officers’ Sam Browne has a fitting for his whistle on the shoulder strap normally seen on those worn by Light Infantry Officers although his ‘collar dogs’ are either Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:48:59 BST
This is a small map case with fitment for pens, pencils etc.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:42:32 BST
’38 Pattern holster for .45 Webley Service Revolve small pouch above was for spare rounds (bullets for the uninitiated).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:40:43 BST
This waistcoat was designed to carry loaded curved magazines for the .303” Bren, there were a few at CTCRM used by Camp Staff who laid on flash demos or acted as “Enemy” in the early 1960s, there were also some WW2 German helmets. At CTCRM there was a group of Trained Marines who formed the Field Training Staff (FTS) who would lay on ‘flash’ demos as part of Recruit Training and would show the right and wrong methods to be used so it formed part of the harsh learning curve.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:34:54 BST
Marine Harvey is holding a .303” Bren with a Magazine fitted which may indicate the Unit was expecting trouble. He is also equipped with an issue handgun for personal close-quarter protection as the Bren is not the most suitable weapon to bring to bear at close-quarters.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:27:10 BST
Now amalgamated with the Royal Welch Fusiliers to form the Royal Regiment of Wales who wear the Fusiliers Hackle in the beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:02:12 BST
I believe that Brigadier Thomas wears the Cap Badge of the Welch Regiment (the story is that when serving in India a local contractor made the badges thus and it was then adopted).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:59:38 BST
This Commando is wearing a ‘collar dog” of The Royal Regiment of Artillery in his Green Beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:54:03 BST
A Light Infantry Commando.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:38:58 BST
This Commando is from a Light Infantry Regiment, his Cap Badge bears the LI Hunting Horn.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:36:54 BST
The Identity Discs shown serve a number of purposes. They show Name, Regimental Number, Religion with Blood Group on the reverse. If killed the red circular disc is removed and sent back to the Pay and Records, the other buried with the body. In the case of a Royal Marine his Personal Record is endorsed, “Discharged Dead” and closed. They should be knotted so that the red disc can be cut off with the other above the knot remaining secure. You will note that the RM Cap Badges bear the Kings Crown (King George Vl)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:32:17 BST
Interestingly this Commandos’ Cap Badge is the 17/21 Lancers, and is the Skull and Crossbones Emblem of that Regiment with the Motto “Or Glory”. It must have looked well impressive on his Green Beret!
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 16:19:29 BST
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me...
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me and the Bugler (from CTCRM) took a Tot of Rum with him afterwards as is a Custom!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 18:11:37 BST
The bar you can see crossing the down rope was a ‘new’ addition after a Review of the Course following an accident when a a Recruit failed to loop his toggle OVER the Death Slide Rope and fell 60 feet resulting in serious injury. A Catch-Net was also placed in front of the Platform to ensure no repition of this dreadful incident. The PTI on the Platform failed to check! Previously the man coming down the rope was stopped by NCOs hanging onto a brake rope.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 17:41:35 BST
These men look remarkably chipper given their situation. I note they are wearing the ‘new’ Commando Boots with inside rubber soles. After Hitler issued the infamous Commando Order these were used to identify Commandos and so could prove a Death Sentence!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 17:24:17 BST
The Lance/Corporal with his right shoulder facing the camera has a slung Thompson Sub-Machine Gun over that shoulder. There is Bren Gunner checking his weapon just in front of the Officer wearing peaked cap (in background) The Commando on the right has his gas cape folded over left arm these proved to be water-proof so a life-saver when living ‘rough’ (which was most of the time ) I heard that from Marine Clifford Welsh RM who served with 45 Cdo RM, landed Sword Beach and ‘yomped’ right through to Germany so he would know!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 16:38:27 BST
I don’t think Lord Lovat is carrying an issue Rifle, it has an exposed barrel and the Butt is much thinner than any standard Lee Enfield Rifle. He may
have brought his Deer Hunter!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 14:57:50 BST
The US style rifle sling was issued to Royal Marines Snipers during my time with their Sniper Rifle having an additional fastening in front of the magazine.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 14:52:05 BST
This a cracking photo in which the .303” Bren Gun can be clearly see with the conical flash eliminator and folded down bipod. This was a superb Rifle Section Light Machine Gun (LMG ), beautiful design from a Czech Munitions Factory, if it had a fault it was too accurate with a tight ‘beaten’ zone, ie. there is a narrow catchment area. A broad ‘beaten’ zone increases the possibility of hits when a long burst is fired. It could fire single rounds or automatc. A good Gunner could get this off in short burst of 2/3 rounds, rearming after each. The US Ranger is armed with a US M1 .30-06 Garand semi-automatic rifle the standard US Infantry weapon still being used in Vietnam! The Ranger is carrying 2/3 Bandoliers of rounds in clips of 10 so has at least 200 rounds, he may have done this because the British standard rimmed round would be of no use. The Official caption says that he is getting a light for his cigarette from a compatriot. The man holding the match is a British Commando. He is wearing British denims...
This a cracking photo in which the .303” Bren Gun can be clearly see with the conical flash eliminator and folded down bipod. This was a superb Rifle Section Light Machine Gun (LMG ), beautiful design from a Czech Munitions Factory, if it had a fault it was too accurate with a tight ‘beaten’ zone, ie. there is a narrow catchment area. A broad ‘beaten’ zone increases the possibility of hits when a long burst is fired. It could fire single rounds or automatc. A good Gunner could get this off in short burst of 2/3 rounds, rearming after each. The US Ranger is armed with a US M1 .30-06 Garand semi-automatic rifle the standard US Infantry weapon still being used in Vietnam! The Ranger is carrying 2/3 Bandoliers of rounds in clips of 10 so has at least 200 rounds, he may have done this because the British standard rimmed round would be of no use. The Official caption says that he is getting a light for his cigarette from a compatriot. The man holding the match is a British Commando. He is wearing British denims (called fatigues), boots, and he has his ‘37 Pattern small pack slung from the waist so may have had that filled with No: 36 HE grenades. He is carrying British rifle as the Butt is visible with a webbing rifle sling held in place with 2 clips. He is also wearing a life-belt around his chest with the mouth-piece in view. In contrast US Forces were issued as standard brown leather rifle slings with all brass fittings which is seen on the Garand. I have read that some of these rifles were issued to Commandos in the Rifle Group of Rifle Section who would be called on to give covering fire when the Gun Group we’re moving during “Fire and Movement” keeping one foot on the ground was the term used. That style of life-belt was still in use in the Royal Marines in 1960 during my Commando Training and the “Rocky Landings and life Assault” phase in Plymouth Sound.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 14:48:17 BST
Photo updated
You are right David. It should have read Commandos meet Airborne.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 22 Aug 2020 17:05:02 BST
These Snipers would carry the .303” Lee Enfield Model No : 4(T) Rifle The standard British Sniper Rifle which was still in use in the Royal Marines until the mid-1960s when it was rechambered to fire the 7.62mm rimless round. When the Rifles came off the production line they would be test fired fixed to a stand. The best were converted by adding a cheek rest, an additional sling-swivel ahead of the magazine, fitted with a X4 magnification telescope and the Battle Sight ground off. The “T” in Brackets indicated Telescope.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 22 Aug 2020 13:56:28 BST
Smashed “Horsa” Glider in background
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 22 Aug 2020 13:44:27 BST
