Royal Marines National Servicemen carried out 26 weeks rigorous training including the full 6 week Commando Course either at Bickliegh, or later at Lympstone before being awarded a well earned Green Beret. They went on to soldier in some tough and dangerous places and always a Credit to The Corps and themselves, Salute!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 17:25:36 EDT
The Jebel Jihaf Massif towering in the background.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:28:04 EDT
Life at a Dhala was fairly primitive as can be seen.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:27:03 EDT
This now fully Trained Marine is wearing a Red Diamond on his left shoulder to indicate he has been spotted as potentially NCO material. He is also now a Marksman on a Rifle, Section Light Machine Gun and Sterling Sub-Machine Gun.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:25:47 EDT
Back in the day this is exactly how any Recruit would be rigged (dressed) to ‘Go Ashore’ (into Town) including Parade Boots! We had to be back in Barracks by 2359 hours and the sound of all these returning at the double sounded like a train coming, they would all be in step!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:20:00 EDT
The Sergeant at left is holding the 9mm Sterling Sub-Machine Gun which is not dis-similar the the Wartime Sten firing a parabellum round.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:13:00 EDT
The Royal Marine nearest camera is carrying 2 inch Mortar capable of using HE, Smoke and Para Illumination Rounds.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 14:51:56 EDT
Corporal Shellard RM was an Assault Engineer (AE) forming part of a Support Troop. He finished as a QMS (WO2) and then joined the Prison Service where he worked until retiring. Sadly he a Crossed the Bar some time back but I have an occasional pint with two of his nephews. A cracking Man and Royal Marine.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 14:47:59 EDT
His weapon looks like something I saw on HMS ‘Vanguard’ which was called a Lanchester looked like a posh Sten with fixed wooden butt.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 14:17:13 EDT
These Marines are arming No: 36 HE Grenades. These come in the very distinctive wooden box seen. Each has to be armed with a 4 second fuse. Two Grenades can be seen on the deck to his right on the right hand man. Killing Zone 25 yards but the base plate could kill up to 100 yards. Contrary to popular belief the Grenade is pulled FROM the pin where the thrower has a finger of the left hand through the split pin and the man pulls back to the full extent of the right arm before lobbing the actual Grenade at the enemy and taking cover!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:57:08 EDT
The Jebel Jihaf .
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:43:10 EDT
The Camp was wholly tented, protected by dry-stone walls and barbed wire and armed Sentries. The high ground in the background was the Jebel Jihaf (7920 feet) we used to patrol up to, and along the plateau attop.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:41:41 EDT
The small neat houses near the Beach housed BP families with their Lido in clear view, this was protected by anti-shark nets. We were allowed access to beach and swimming. I swam out to the raft in the Lido many times! We were under orders to be on best behaviour when there (or else!).
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:35:47 EDT
The BP Refinery is away to the left. The building in between housed the 11 Hussars (Cherry pickers) and 45 Commando RM .
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 13:31:30 EDT
