Looking at his history it is probable he was a top rate Armourer responsible for all a Commando weaponry.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 06:48:49 EDT
This Royal Marine was a Quarter Master Sergeant (Technical) or QMS(T) he is wearing a blue beret with a scarlet ‘flash’ but his Cap Badge is that of Sergeant/Colour Sergeant as it is Matt/Gilt finish so was taken before promotion to QMS. At that time all ranks in the UK would wear that form of beret except Green Berets were worn in the UK by all ranks serving in either 41 or 42 Commando RM (Bickliegh Camp) and Instructors in “X” Troop (Commando Training) at the Infantry Training Centre RM, later renamed Commando Training Centre RM. The rank of QMS later changed to Warrant Officer (Second Class) in line with the whole UK Forces. A QMS would be addressed by his title and a WO(2) as “Sir”. Technical means he would be a Specialist as one of the many skilled Tradesmen supporting the Corps. His history makes in clear he was Commando Trained. A QMS or WO2 would wear a ‘split’ Cap Badge.
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 18 Aug 2020 06:45:19 EDT
Look at the way they are leaning into this, still in step and going strong with one turning to grin at me, they know they are making good time and they have this cracked. Time allowed is 7 hours. As their Instructor it gave me a great feeling seeing them looking this good. It was never our job to fail people, there was a job waiting for them either on a Course or Brigade. No water stops and they were expected to arrive at finish with a full water bottle!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 19:18:29 EDT
The snake has eaten something swallowed whole the shape of which can be seen!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 07:34:49 EDT
The Marine nearest camera is carrying the British Jungle Carbine which was a .303’ Lee Enfield Rifle with minor alteration.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 17 Aug 2020 07:32:51 EDT
The Gunners from 29 Commando Regt RA were trained on the 105mm Pack Howitzer. The Whirlwind helicopters could not lift it which led to the introduction of the Wessex Mark 5 which could. Then came the 105mm Light Gun, which was anything but as the Gun had to be broken down into two parts to be lifted into Battle. A variant of the Sea King was able to lift this new Gun in one piece. No Land Rover could haul this new heavier Weapon so Land Rover produced a 1 Tonne High-rise vehicle which could do the business. MoD bean Counters putting cart before the horse! The two parts were(1) barrel and breech (2) Chassis, gun platform and wheels. Light Gun ?????
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 18:59:21 EDT
Wessex Mark 5 Helicopters on deck of Commando Carrier either HMS “Bulwark” or HMS “Albion”
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 18:17:20 EDT
The Artillery piece in the Sanger is the 105mm Pack Howitzer in use with 29 Commando Regiment RA when formed but I am not sure who would have been manning this Gun here. It was an Italian design described as being a Mountain Gun which was man and mule packable.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 18:11:59 EDT
The helicopter is a Bristol “Belvedere” twin rotor.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 18:02:34 EDT
The 32 round magazine fitted the 7.62mm SLR but an old Penny had to placed over the loading tray as the tray would be damaged when the last round was fired when the rifle working parts came forward.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 08:08:42 EDT
This time of day is early morning and the misty area in the background is The Yemen with their border Town being Qataba.,We were informed there were Russian made APCs there.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 14 Aug 2020 08:04:55 EDT
I have seen one photo in this Archive which shows an RA Corporal taking a Gunner group through the Endurance Course, he has made the mistake of ‘going through the bog’ himself and is well bogged down so,is unable to either watch/assist his group. Big mistake and one no RM Instructor would make!
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 13 Aug 2020 02:25:24 EDT
The guy nearest thought he would get a B Pass, did not, threw his Teddy down, the guy next is reloading a 20 round magazine and is Guilty of ‘Barrel Waving’ a bad give-away sign showing his position to any enemy!
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 15:03:38 EDT
That is the old stone gymnasium to the rear.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 12 Aug 2020 14:57:47 EDT
