He is wearing the ‘split’ Cap Badge of a QMS RM or an Officer so will have been promoted at some time.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 15:34:18 EDT
The right hand Royal Marine shoulders a .303” Lee Enfield Rifle fitted with a launcher for No: 36 Grenades. A primed Grenade fitted with a 7:second Fuse would be placed into the cup-like fitting and fired using a Ballastite Cartridge (like a powerful blank round) so powerful that the normal grip on the small of the butt would not be used and the trigger ‘stroked’ using a stiff fore-finger. The rifle could be used as normal otherwise with some effect on accuracy.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 15:27:26 EDT
The Royal Marine second from right is holding a 2” Mortar Bomb Carrier of holding 6 Bombs.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 15:18:40 EDT
The Nissen Hut seems to indicate this might be on Woodbury Common (also known as Dalditch) where the Corps still trains today.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 15:14:48 EDT
The right hand man is a RM Commando holding QMS (now WO2)
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 15:12:33 EDT
I asked Marine Cliff Welsh RM (45RM Cdo) about the Bikes and was told they were ditched almost immediately together with some other items which gave no advantage.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 14:40:20 EDT
I believe this photograph was taken at RMB Eastney (closed)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 13:56:27 EDT
He is wearing his Commando Dagger on the right hip.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 13:53:27 EDT
In the Royal Marines the term ‘Heavy Weapons’ meant either
1 3 inch Mortar
2 .303 inch Vickers Machine Gun (MMG)
3. Assault Engineers
The Mortar Men and MMG Gunners would wear the sleeve badge HW in a Wreath. One star means 3rd Class, Two stars 2nd Class and a Crown over the letters First Class by which time the man would probably be a SNCO. An Assault Engineer would wear AE in the same sequence. Nowadays there are Anti-Tank Marines, who wear the same HW badge. They would all be in Support Troop/Company.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 13:51:46 EDT
This photograph would have been taken at a Camp initially known as RM Exton, then the Infantry Centre Royal Marines and is now entitled The Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM).
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 13:30:34 EDT
Marine Harvey is holding a .303” Bren with a Magazine fitted which may indicate the Unit was expecting trouble. He is also equipped with an issue handgun for personal close-quarter protection as the Bren is not the most suitable weapon to bring to bear at close-quarters.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 12:27:10 EDT
The Identity Discs shown serve a number of purposes. They show Name, Regimental Number, Religion with Blood Group on the reverse. If killed the red circular disc is removed and sent back to the Pay and Records, the other buried with the body. In the case of a Royal Marine his Personal Record is endorsed, “Discharged Dead” and closed. They should be knotted so that the red disc can be cut off with the other above the knot remaining secure. You will note that the RM Cap Badges bear the Kings Crown (King George Vl)
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 11:32:17 EDT
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me...
You will see that the Commando is actually a Bugler Corporal. Back in the day Buglers could apply for Commando Service. That meant a full Commando Course and the award of the Green Beret. Each a Commando Unit has a complement of 1 X Corporal and 4 X Buglers who were part of the Provost Section working with the RSM on ammunition duties in action. When I was in Aden serving with 45 Commando RM the working day was punctuated with the old Bugle calls starting with Reveille at 0600 hours (Yougorragerrupyougorragerrupyougorragerrup it’s morning.) Stand Easy (Ifyouwannahavewazfallout) Meal Call (Cometothecookhousedoorboys) and lastly at 2200 the Last Post (LightsOutlightsout), It could be this was an informal Unit Visit where a Quarter Guard was mounted which would be a Commanded by a Sergeant, with12 Marines and. Bugler. As the men are in full Battledress this was either in the UK or Malta. I had the privilege of Commanding such a Guard when Lord Mountbatten dined with RMR Bristol Officers at Dorset House. Me and the Bugler (from CTCRM) took a Tot of Rum with him afterwards as is a Custom!
Posted by David Prichard on Tue 25 Aug 2020 13:11:37 EDT
The men are draped in belted ammunition and there is a German machine-gun to the right so this ammo is also captured. The right hand weapon is the famous .303 Bren which they would always carry.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 16 Aug 2020 18:22:26 EDT
