Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 07 Aug 2020 14:46:25 BST
6th from left is ‘Pincher’ Martin later a Drill Instructor Sergeant at CTCRM, saw him when on RMR attachment to 41 Commando RM in Sardinia on Exercise ‘Dawn Patrol’ an Annual massive NATO Ex centred around US 6th Fleet - Awesome! Starts at Gibraltar ends in Turkish Thrace. Involved UK, US, Dutch, Italian, Greek and Turkish Marines, these latter will NOT train together!
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 07 Aug 2020 11:30:24 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
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
Recruit on High Regain over water tank. The 30 foot ropes can be seen in the background.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:17:40 BST
With a lovely view over the Exe Estuary as he swings!8
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:15:13 BST
Sgt Blyth was a top rated climber. His brother was famous in the Corps as an expert on the .303” Vickers Machine Gun and put that to good effect in Aden where he distinguished himself, and surprised a few Arab dissidents when he brought the guns to bear!
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:10:57 BST
The strange looking huts were wartime accommodation known as Mansard Huts made of asbestos sheets and scaffolding poles. Slept 8 Marines and heated by a single coke stove.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 20:08:09 BST
