This is not Bisley and is probably a similar Competition being held on Malta judging by the burnt appearance of the general terrain, There are British personnel present wearing uniform shorts and US Naval Members in ‘whites’. The Shottist next to QMS Lyon is using the issue US military Rifle, the .30-06 M1 Garand used by them up to, and including Vietnam.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 09:10:00 EDT
The right hand medal with red and white ribbon is the Naval General Service Medal (NGS) it has one bar for the Malayan Emergency, also the two Korean War Medals awarded for his Service with 41 (Independent) Commando RM where they fought alongside the US Marine Corps being awarded the US Presidential Citation for their Conduct in support of the USMC particularly for the Chosin Reservoir Action. A streamer is attached the the Unit Colour Commemorating this. Also his small Corps lapel badge, Blazer badge and Commando ‘Flash’
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:58:11 EDT
We were using Foggin Tor Quarry for this which is located North-West of Princetown and Dartmoor Prison and was one worked by Convicts back in the day, a wild place in Winter. We also used it for a “Cordon and Search” Exercise as part of the Commando Course Training Recruits in that Skill.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 03:04:45 EDT
This Range was near Falais Camp being built for British Troops to move into when we handed over to the new Federal Army being formed from the Aden Protectorate Levies and Federal National Guard (FNG) but it would all end up as a ball of chalk when the Government pulled us all out and left them to stew!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:21:41 EDT
Marine Pearson was an Oppo and must have been one of the first to fire the84mm Carl Gustav on the a short Range at Bir Fukum. The problem with the weapon was that when it was fired the Venturi Tube (no breech) rang with ultra sonic sound causing serious hearing loss. Once this was discovered a canvas ‘gag’ was strapped to the tube to prevent the actual vibration causing that noise. In all later pictures that addition can be seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 17:15:51 EDT
The sign behind this Gallant Royal Marine was designed for ‘X’ Troop 45RM Commando during WW2 and had it returned to ‘X’ Company by a former member of that original Unit when WW2 Commandos visited RM Condor in Scotland.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 07:32:19 EDT
The SNCO central is the Squad Drill Instructor holding his ‘Bsdge of Office’ the standard issue Pace Stick.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:56:06 EDT
This interesting photo was taken at the Infantry Training Centre RM at Lympstone (now CTCRM) in front of Sylvan Glade where the original Tarzan Course was built. The brick building to the left of the picture was the old Camp Cinema. It can be seen that the already Commando trained NCOs are wearing the same dark blue beret with the scarlet patch as the Recruits as the decision that all Trained Ranks would wear their Green Beret at all times lay in the future.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:53:20 EDT
See ROH
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:16:31 EDT
Taken at CTCRM Lympstone on the occasion of his Kings Squad Pass Out where, on completion, the Squad Officer gives the Command , “ Royal Marines, to your Duties, Quick March! “They March Off to the tune of Auld Lang Syne played by the Royal Marines Band. He is wearing his hard earned Green Beret and the White Lanyard only worn by The Kings Squad. He is stood in front of the Centre Commando Memorial. Salute!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:04:44 EDT
This Royal Marines Officer wears the Royal Navy Pilots’ Brevet (Wings) quite common as many qualified and flew from Aircraft Carriers. It is still a RM norm when they qualify, usually in Helicopters, but I read of one such who had qualified as a Hawker ‘Harrier’ Pilot and on secondment, in that Role, to the United States Marine Corps, quite recently.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:55:09 EDT
This is a very unusual photograph as Marine Connolly stands at attention with rifle at the slope and bayonet fixed but is in front of the Regimental Colours of 42 Commando RM. I have never seen this allowed before. He must have been well thought of.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:46:11 EDT
This Marine carrie the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) which replaced the Bren Gun as a Section Support Weapon and used in the Light Role. It has the advantage of being belt-fed and can be used to lay down heavy immediate covering fire. It is fondly known as the ‘Gimpy’ It is also used in the Support Company in the Heavy Role as it can be
mounted on a solid Tripod and fitted with a heavier barrel. The ammunition comes as 4 in 1 Tracer.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 12:39:55 EDT
You can see the long wooden truncheon carried pushed inside the body armour worn, it was a nasty place to be for a British Marine!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 17:29:40 EDT
