Lt Col Gourlay was 42 Commando RM 2i/c for some of the time when I was in the unit. He was a gentleman through and through and returned to 42 as CO in 1963. He became Commandant General Royal Marines and was described by Lord Mountbatten as "the best Commandant General that the Royal Marines had ever had". His decorations and awards were: KCB, CVO, OBE, MC.
Posted by Victor Balsdon on Tue 22 Sep 2020 18:10:40 EDT
The Photo shows the Royal Marines ‘mix’ of sleeve titles, which include their Commando Number, 40-48, the words Royal Marines on a Cash’s Tape, the arched Commando ‘flash’ and the circular Combined Operations ‘flash’.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 15:37:23 EDT
Captain Sturges is cleaning his F & S Commando Fighting Knife, perhaps they are going in action quite soon.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 09:43:21 EDT
Here you can see how ID discs are worn. The round one is cut off if the man dies and sent to the Regimental Pay and Records Office used to close his Personal Record, in the Royal Marines that is entered as “Discharged Dead”. The other discs is buried with the man for later identification and any re-burial.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 09:40:58 EDT
Photo taken in the U.K. (Water/Fire hydrant sign on wall) possibly during pre-D-Day Training in bombed British City known as a Fighting in Built Up Areas (FIBUA) common practice in preparation for the coming Invasion.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 05:19:31 EDT
Marine Green is not wearing best blues but No: 3 Dress which would be working dress, all rank and specialist badges would be scarlet. All badges and buttons would be brass and require daily cleaning.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 18 Sep 2020 18:09:27 EDT
I believe this photo was taken at RM Exton Camp (ITCRM/CTCRM) as these Marines are stood in front of a Mansard Hut made with Asbestos sheeting over a simple scaffolding frame and identical to a hit I lived in between 1961-1964. These housed 8 Marines and were heated by a single central coke fired stove. If I am right these young men may be amongst the first ‘Hostilities Only’ Marines drafted into the Corps. The term Mansard refers to the double-pitched roof design.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 12:36:31 EDT
This Marine is undergoing Commando Training as the Bren LMG he holds is for Weapon Handling Drills ONLY as it is marked with the white ‘flash’ which means it is NOT to be used for live firing. He will be instructed in all necessary and safety drills on this type of Bren before moving on to live fire on Range and Field Firing to include Group Handling and a Section Attacks )live),
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 15:11:28 EDT
This photo taken at the Camp known variously as a Exton, the Infantry Training Centre RM, and now as The Commando Training Centre RM. The small wood behind is known as Sylvan Glade and originally housed the Tarzan Course. Behind the woods is the Drill Shed and Parade Ground (NEVER referred to as the Parade Square!). The Instructor in Battle Dress (BD) on the right of the photo will be the PW(1) Platoon Weapons Instructor 1st Class. The Sergeant in Blues is the DI1 Drill Instructor 1st Class, he holds his ‘’Badge of Office’, his traditional Pace Stick. The Officer without Medals is probably the Squad Officer. The Recruit on the left of the front rank as you view it wears Medal Ribbons which points to him having served ‘under the Colours’ but not the Royal Marines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 08:08:45 EDT
Judging by their War worn appearance this may be Major Walls’ patrol. They are certainly near water given the RN ratings in background, who seem to be viewing the group admiringly.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 07:54:36 EDT
This is a ‘flash’ demo over a swimming pool and getting the tension on the rope may have been problematic. There are 2 US Navy men sat watching from the flat-roofed building distinctive in their Tropical Whites and the small round issue hat.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 06:24:30 EDT
The Bailey Bridge was invented by a Donald Colman Bailey who had been called to come up with this form of design. It proved an essential ‘bit of kit’ and he was Knighted for his contribution after WW2. The famous Allenby Bridge across the River Jordan between Jordan and Israel was originally a British Army Bailey Bridge!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:43:54 EDT
The small assault boat in the picture was US built and still in use for Royal Marines Recruit Training in the early 1960s during the Cliff Assault and Rocky Landings Phase in Plymouth Sound. A bowman was selected to stand on that blunt bow holding a rope and when the boat hit the rocks he had to jump and hold the whole thing steady as the Troops leapt
ashore. This fell to me, at night, and I still bear the scars!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 13:33:31 EDT
The kneeling Commando has his F & S Commando Knife gripped in his teeth!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 14:19:04 EDT
