As the front number plate is white this is probably a captured a German Military Motor Cycle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 13:53:29 EDT
This mix includes one matelot and some Yanks apparently relaxing!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 13:51:48 EDT
I stand corrected, he was actually a Member of a Naval Police a Unit which had a Royal Marine included. The armband reads NP those letters being separated by a a Crown. He would have had limited powers to take action against a Service Personnel found mis-behaving or Off-Limits.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 13:49:27 EDT
Judging by his uniform etc., he is a Member of Regimental Police Unit. He is wearing an arm band which would carry the letter RP as opposed to MP as the a Royal Marines did not have Military Police trained as such until the 1960s.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 13:43:24 EDT
The webbing worn is WW1 Pattern so they may have been short of kit as the Corps faced rapid expansion with the influx of Hostilities Only (HO) recruits.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:09:50 EDT
Although the photo has an original endorsement stating Mortar Platoon the weapon on the left is a .303” Vickers Medium Machine Gun. (MMG)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:03:56 EDT
In this photo the Regimental Numbers of some of the Royal Marines is shown and anyone studying may wonder what the odd sequence means. Back in the day there were three Grand Divisions of the Royal Navy which are Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. A RM posted to those would be issued with his Regimental Number denoting which Division he was in, ie: Ch/X (Chatham), Po/X (Portsmouth) and Ply/X (Plymouth) the odd one out In this is Ex/ denoting that the man had joined the Corps at Exton probably as a Hostility Only Rating (HO). Surprisingly perhaps is that the Corps maintained the training of Regular Recruits throughout, at a time when there were RM Detachments on all ‘Big Ships’ including a Band. The Band manned the Magazines supplying RM manned Guns and once at Action Station were locked in. This accounts for the massive casualties suffered by the RM Band Service, if there was a fire in a Magazine it was flooded with no chance of escape, hard times! Exton Camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM at...
In this photo the Regimental Numbers of some of the Royal Marines is shown and anyone studying may wonder what the odd sequence means. Back in the day there were three Grand Divisions of the Royal Navy which are Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. A RM posted to those would be issued with his Regimental Number denoting which Division he was in, ie: Ch/X (Chatham), Po/X (Portsmouth) and Ply/X (Plymouth) the odd one out In this is Ex/ denoting that the man had joined the Corps at Exton probably as a Hostility Only Rating (HO). Surprisingly perhaps is that the Corps maintained the training of Regular Recruits throughout, at a time when there were RM Detachments on all ‘Big Ships’ including a Band. The Band manned the Magazines supplying RM manned Guns and once at Action Station were locked in. This accounts for the massive casualties suffered by the RM Band Service, if there was a fire in a Magazine it was flooded with no chance of escape, hard times! Exton Camp is now the Commando Training Centre RM at Lympstone, Devon, near Exmouth where all RM Basic Training is concentrated together with most Specialist Infantry
Skills.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:01:08 EDT
Lt/Colonel Ries RM was badly injured during the landings and Major NicoL
Gray RM took Command on the Unit thereafter. His actual rank was as a
Temporary Major, Acting Lt/Colonel. He was awarded the DSO for
personal Bravery in the resultant actions. Promoted to Lt/Colonel, and
winning a Bar to his DSO following Rhine Crossing and capture of the
Wesel. Post War he was appointed Inspector-General Palestine Police during the British Mandate. Later appointed as Companion to the Order of the Order of St Michael and St George.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 06:37:37 EDT
The Machine Gun on the Tank Turret is the famous Browning .5 inch Heavy
Machine Gun quite recently bought by the British and issued for Active
Service. It is one hell of a weapon. When Prince Harry was pictured firing
aMachine Gun with the Gurkhas is was this type,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 06:12:13 EDT
The very shiny bolt handle and well worn magazine of the rifles and both men nearest camera is evidence of hard usage recently. They have been engaged in heavy firing.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 06:05:16 EDT
I would venture to suggest that this photo was taken before D-Day as no man, not even the NCOs is wearing any medal ribbon(s). The webbing belts are an old Pattern replaced by ‘37 Pattern before that day. They are
wearing Battle Dress and not Denims as the man on the left (as you look at the photo) is wearing one Long Service Stripe denoting 4 years under the
Colours, this would not be worn on denims (fatigues).
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 05:08:13 EDT
There is a Commando Trained Bugler on the left of this photo sounding a Salute Call.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:23:25 EDT
This Commando is holding a German Stick Grenades and draped in belted ammunition which is probably also from the same source.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:17:13 EDT
This Royal Marines SNCO is in full Blues, the Badge above his Sergeants’ stripes mean that he is either a 1st Class Drill or Weapons Instructor. Back in the day there was a Specialist Qualification of Military Instructor who would teach both disciplines.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 14:14:27 EDT
