The Royal Marine in this famous photo has been immortalised by the erection of the ‘Yomper’ Staute on the grounds of the former Royal Marines Barracks Eastney. As the Royal Marines Museum is moving into HM Dockyard at Portsmouth there is some discussion as to the future location of this landmark.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 06:24:55 EDT
The rank of QMS has been replaced by Warrant Officer 2 in the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 05:18:49 EDT
The rank of QMS has been replaced by Warrant Officer 2 in the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 05:17:49 EDT
A couple of months after this was taken I popped down the Sick Bay get my ears syringed because of persistent ringing, Diagnosis: Tinnitis (Stereo) and Perceptive Traumatic Deafness, end of a promising Career. I could have gone (T) but I was getting Married so I thought time to move on , I was accepted by a number of Police Forces (Pusser helped) but chose my Home City Cardiff and that is all she wrote. I was going bonkers so applied to join RMR Bristol and that was where I spent 19 years getting some good “Runs” in usually back with the Corps as I could pick my own Training, This was ‘Dawn Patrol’ with 41 “Clockwork” twice with 42, Mountain Training at
Kinlocleven and even a trip to Nantes in France when HMS “Cardiff” made a Courtesy Visit and Captain wanted RM Guards for VIP Visits. Took some of my Lads over and we had a cracking time, doing the business and ashore........
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 29 Sep 2020 13:27:17 EDT
The River Orne and Caen Canal Bridges now named Pegasus Bridge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 16:44:21 EDT
The photo is taken at the Infantry Training Centre Royal Marines during initial training, this is the bottom road where the new Accomodation Blocks were built in the 1960s. Dutchys’ Hot Dog Caravan would be parked further down to the left in later years. The camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM. ‘X’ Troop Recruits would ‘live’ to the left of the photographer whilst undergoing Commando Courses in identical huts.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:34:36 EDT
Corporal Jack French RM went on to become RSM (WO1) firstly with 40 Commando RM and then at CTCRM. One of the finest Marines I had the privilege of serving with and true Corps Legend.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 16:38:32 EDT
The 11 Hussars earned the nickname ‘The Cherrypickers’ during the Peninsular War after being forced to take cover in a Cherry Orchard’ and wear a badge-less beret in two shades of red.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 09:41:18 EDT
The Royal Marines in this photo are wearing Battledress (BD) with the RM
Shoulder ‘Flash’ and Commando Dagger. This was worn in the Corps until
the mid-1960s when the Lovat Uniform was introduced. The ‘Flash’ was later introduced again and worn on the Jersey Wool Heavy, known in the
Corps as a ‘Woolly Pulley’.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 11:01:06 EDT
Good shot of a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun in the light role as used in a Commando Rifle Section, it is belt-fed and ammunition comes in the metal liner seen alongside, and the belt fed into the gun ready for action, this comes as 4 ball rounds and 1 tracer., known as 4 and 1
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 05:43:34 EDT
Richard Green is wearing his Green Beret with a cloth Royal Navy badge which probably means he was a Sick Berth Attendant (SBA - Medic, now known as a Medical Assistant - MA) who completed a full Royal Marines Commando Course prior to being posted to 42 Commando RM. These guys were very highly regarded in the Corps. His badge is picked out in red over dark blue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 18:30:19 EDT
The aircraft is an Army Air Corps Auster ‘Air Observation Platform (AOP) used to spot targets and call for Air or Gunfire support for Troops on the ground.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 18:45:44 EDT
I think the right hand man holding the SBS Colour holds the Royal Fleet Reserve Medal and if I am right it means he is RMR. Members of the RMR could train as Swimmer Canoeists but this required massive dedication and severe training.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 16:15:48 EDT
All Otther Ranks accommodation was to the LEFT of the Main’Drag’, the two Galleys, JNCOs Club, and the ‘Blue Pig’ Marines Bar (Devon Scrumpy 6d or 2p) also on the left just past Sylvan Glade with the Camp Cinema and Gymnasium on the right at the bottom. There was no Camp Railway Station, we used Exton and yomped up to Dutchys for Goodnight scran!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 15:56:21 EDT
