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Thomas Musgrove Ledger RM

Date: 12/07/2017 Views: 3059 Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)

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	This should be seen together with 2 Section loading before patrol, I was Section Bren Gunner. Posted by David Prichard on Tue 04 Aug 2020 23:01:17 BST
	TOMS’ brother was also in the Corps at that time, another ex-coal miner. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 18:10:15 BST
	In those days every Marine had a dhobi bucket, pussers scrubbing brush and dhobi powder in brown Trip Flare tin, it kept the powder dry, my tin is in the garage now! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 18:08:46 BST
	On patrol we would routinely see large groups of these Baboons scampering across a Country, there would be hundreds! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 18:04:55 BST
	Over the years the bogs disappeared but at one time there were two, this is the first then it was through the small copse and away to the left where the second bog awaited, this was very long and slightly uphill, one hell of a drag. In my day we started on the old brick road (built with bricks carted up from bomb damaged Exeter when there was a big RM Camp at that location. This was the original 600 Yard Rifle and Machine Gun Range). We ran down and straight across to the Butts, through both bogs to the start line then made a second circuit the same way. There were no Water obstacles or Tunnels. The run back to Camp was the same but at the bottom of Red Barn Lane we ran down to Pink House Corner onto the Exmouth Road then back up to the Main Gate. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:59:39 BST
	Recruit on Endurance Course. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:47:46 BST
	This Recruit is just through the Water Tunnel on the ‘new’ route Endurance Course. He wears ‘58:Pattern Fighting Order his Personal Weapon is the 7.62mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR) Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:46:44 BST
	Coming out of the Water Tank. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:42:01 BST
	Recruit ‘on the ropes’ over water tank at CTCRM. He is NOT admiring the view! I was showing a USMC Officer around the Camp on his Acquaint Week (which was all any got in those days - no long ‘beat-up’ at RM Chivenor). They were then thrown in with a Recruit Squad and it was sink or swim, fail and pack your bags. He stood at the bottom of the main Drag looked out across the Exe Estuary and said, “This is a most beautiful place to put a Commando Training Centre.” Not commonly known is that if a US Marine fails the Course he flies home and is sacked! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:28:57 BST
	The building to their right was the Trained Ranks Galley, to the immediate rear the old NAAFI , Corporals Club and the “Blue Pig” Bar where local Scrumpy cost a tanner (sixpence about 2 1/2 pence), Happy days and nights. Out of sight to the left was the Recruits “Galley where they would rush, yaffling spanners grasped firmly anxious to top up on loads of scran and gophers! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 17:12:11 BST
	Back in easier times the Infantry Training Centre RM, now CTCRM, would hold Open Days to which the Public were invited and to which they would flock in big numbers. These were known as “Meet the Marines” and where they could enjoy all the fun of the fair. There was no RM Band stationed at the Camp but one would arrive. There would be all kinds of displays, including Drill, Judo, Tarzan Course with the Cliff Leaders giving demos etc. It would be hot-dogs, ice-cream and all that kind of jollification. The Main Gate Sentry routine was part and parcel of this. It was an extremely popular event, with everyone on Camp entering into the spirit of the day and all kinds of Stalls at which simple Prizes could be easily won and carried off as a nice souvenir! Happy Days! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 16:54:23 BST
	Cpl Prichard posing! Photo taken on my JCC (Junior Command Course) I was a Lance Corporal and am wearing my Course Number 39. That is my ‘Kuwait ‘ Dennison Smock courtesy of a lax Para Sentry! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 16:41:02 BST
	RM JCC Course final parade before results! I was given a ‘B’ Pass and promoted a week later, we had one ‘A’ Pass, this was Jack Ashman (Kings Badge) later Lt/Colonel RMR Newcastle, a Good Egg! He was promoted day Course ended. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 13:16:57 BST
	To the left of the 30 foot ropes are 20 foot ‘starter’ ropes. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 13:11:50 BST
	This more-or-less where the Sergeants Mess is now. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 13:07:43 BST
	Recruit on Death Slide CTCRM Tarzan Course. The ‘new’ Officers’ Mess is just visible. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 13:06:25 BST
	This was one of many Camps maintained close to Training areas for temporary accommodation. At the time the Commandant was an Officer from the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry who wore a Red Airborne Beret. I chatted to him, he had been in Major John Howard’s ‘Coup de Main’ Party who landed by Horsa Glider on D-Day 6 June 1944 and seized the bridges over the River and Canal! Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 13:02:10 BST
	Firing No 94 rifle anti-tank grenade from 7.62mm SLR using Ballastite cartridge MEG Range Woodbury Common. Replaced by the 66mm Light Anti-Tank weapon which fire and ditch known as the LAW, the tube was fibre glass and US made. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:55:00 BST
	I believe he trained as a Cook (called a Chefs in the Corps) and married a girl from Singapore whilst serving in a Brigade. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:52:28 BST
	The Training Team used the .303” Lee Enfield Rifles when acting as enemy against the a Squad. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:49:11 BST
	I had been told to stay with him around the Course and on the run back to CTC. He was a lovely man and did well earning a well deserved Green Beret. On the Tarzan Course he had missed the turn point and was disappearing into the canopy. Cpl Healey (PTI) shouted, “ Oi, where do you think you’re going, Heaven? “ The Padres’ voice came floating back, “ I hope so Corporal, I sincerely hope so!” On one occasion we had run the Squad through the Endurance Course on Saturday morning, on conclusion I told him that he had the rest of the weekend off, he looked at me and said, “ Not for me Corporal Prichard, I have to turn to on a Sunday. “ We had a good laugh and I said, “ You work a seven day week then Sir. “ Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 12:44:28 BST
	We would visit the Forts to top,up,on water, grab some ‘gophers’ as they were supplied with British Rat Packs, have a chat before moving on. They brought supplies up by donkey. The FNG were amongst the first to start firing at us, they did not realise when we went so did their jobs/cash. When Members of the Aden Veterans visited everywhere they went they were stopped and asked if the British were ever coming back! Look at the place now, a murderous shambles. What people may not know is that the Port and a Town was a British Colony to protect access to the Suez Canal and as a RN Base to command the West Indian Ocean. Once you left Aden you went into Tribal Areas ruled by Sheikhs, and similar who had a British Political Officer to advise. We patrolled to keep the Peace. Later the British had no use for Aden, the massive Oil Tankers could not use the Suez Canal anyway and had to go around Cape of Good Hope, the Empire was gone, Aden was redundant. Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 10:29:24 BST
	Top Row: Hunt V,Scott,Sheldon,Reay,Spalding, Bennett, Prior, Manning, Reberio Next Row Hunt D, Wright, Lecky, Stray, Eccleson,Holden,Fishlock,Brotherton Next Row: Addy, Mason R, Mason D, Rose,Barnes, Jones, Macally, Pattison, nk Front Row: Gunner Byrne RA, Staff Sgt Stead RA, Cpl. Dave Prichard RM, Lt Mackie RM, Sgt Jock Wilkinson RM Cpl Jack French RM, Gunner Brown RA, Rev Taylor RN and Gunner Newman RA. Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:52:44 BST
	This was at mile 25 on the old 30 miler and the lads are going strong and looking good. I believe that one looking back and grinning is Recruit Scott who went on to win the Kings Badge. Back then it was 10 miles Moor, 10 miles lanes and 10 miles roads. It would be impossible now with the traffic. Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:29:09 BST
	Firing 7.62mm SLR Rifles. The Range at Straight Point used to run North to South but was frequently ‘fouled’ by fishing boats leaving or returning to Exmouth meaning all shooting stopped. The Range was realigned West to East ending that problem. Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:23:41 BST