 
Landguard Fort

Royal Marines

Museum

© Copyright 2015 by Terry Aspinall

First edition January 2015

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying) recording, or otherwise without prior permission in writing from the author.

ISBN: 9781311597441

Published by Terry Aspinall

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Dedication

Once A Marine Always A Marine

I would like to dedicate this book to all Marines Past and Present.

I'm proud to be a member of the family.

Please help our wounded

_All Donations will be appreciated_

www.helpourwounded.co.uk

Acknowledgement

As a historian I'm aware that when we go in search of information on any subject. The most common research method is to look it up in earlier books. However, when earlier books have the story incorrect, then that wrongful information can and does get easily passed on. With this in mind I've had to make sure that the information I'm using in this book is correct to the best of my knowledge. The Royal Marines created and later taught me their history, so what better place to start my research than the owners of that history.

When I joined the 779 Squad Royal Marines on the 16th April 1962, a major part of my training was to learn the Corps History. Something that was forced upon us at all times by our instructors. At first it was all a little alien to me, but gradually I began to understand and wanted to learn more, and it became 'hopefully' embedded in my memory. However, it's now 2014 and although a vast majority of that information is still in my head, in order that I do not make a fool of myself by getting some of the finer detail and facts wrong, I have had to turn to the computer and online searching of places, names, and fellow Marines to check that my facts and details are correct. Where I have been wrong I have corrected myself with information from the sources below. Therefore I would like to acknowledge and thank the following websites, and newspapers for their help in jogging my memory. Without the information gained and refreshed, this free E-book would not have been possible: I sincerely thank you all.

I would also like to say a very special thank you to my dear wife Emily, who has tolerated my many years of research into an array of different subjects since 2003. Thanks also to fellow Marines Roger Burstow, Rod Spinks, and Edward 'Andy' Anderson, who I served with in 40 Commando during the Borneo Emergency Campaign (1962-66), friendships that continue to this day. Thanks to fellow Marines Steve Searle and Cleve Whitworth President of the RMAQ in Brisbane, for helping me with the research. To all the websites listed below, who are keeping the Royal Marine history alive, I offer them a big thank you. Please keep up the good work for future generations to enjoy.

www.royalmarinesassociation.org.uk/

www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/

www.devonheritage.org

www.myweb.tiscali.co.uk

www.en.wikipedia.org

www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk

www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines

www.web.archive.org

www.britishbattles.com

www.axfordsabode.org.uk/spirit.htm

www.exeterflotilla.org/history

www.landguard.com

www.english-heritage.org.uk

www.historyofwar.org/articles/attack_landguard_fort.html

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

'The Royal Marines by Sea by Land' by John S. Murray

'Nothing Impossible' General Editor Lt Col Ewen Southby-Tailyour OBE RM

Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of 'Britain's Sea Soldiers': 'A History of the Field' by Cyril, 'A History of the Royal Marines, their Predecessors and of their Services in Action, Ashore and Afloat' by Colonel H. E. Blumberg - 1924.

'British Battles' Vol I. by James Grant published by Cassell Petter & Galpin. London 1891.

'Dictionary of Battles' by Thomas Benfield Harbottle published by Swan Sonnenschein & Co Ltd London 1904.

'The History of Landguard Fort in Suffolk' by Major J H. Leslie.

'A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain and Ireland' Vol 2 by Robert Beaton (London, 1806).

The London Gazette re Capt Halliday No. 27262. page 3. 1st January 1901.

The London Gazette re Major Francis Hardy published September 1915.

The London Gazette re L/C Parker published on 22nd June 1917.

The London Gazette re Major Lumsden No.30122 published September 1915.

The London Gazette re Capt Bamford published 23 July 1918.

The London Gazette: no. 9325. page 2. 1st December 1753.

The London Gazette: no. 11038. page 2. 1st May 1770.

The London Gazette: no. 11865. page 1. 14th April 1778.

The London Gazette: no. 13040. page 529. 4th November 1788.

The London Gazette: no. 15230. page 141. 11th February 1800.

The London Gazette: no. 15366. page 550. 16th May 1801.

The London Gazette: no. 17908. page 483. 25th March 1823.

The London Gazette: no. 15728. page 1002. 14th August 1804.

The London Gazette: no. 15912. page 512. 22nd April 1806.

The London Gazette: no. 16498. page 1153. 22nd June 1811.

I have not linked all of the addresses because as time goes by sites come and go. The first couple, I'm sure will be around for a long time to come. However, if you would like to link them yourself I'm sure you will find a lot of very interesting information.

If any readers and Marines wish to add to some of the lists in this E-book, I would welcome your help. However, please add where you have found the information so that I can give full credit to its source. Being an E-book allows me to keep updating. <terryasp@bigpond.com>

The following is my Royal Marine Association membership card and booklet that was handed to me, on 16th April 1962, upon my arrival at the New Intake Block at the Royal Marines Depot based at Deal in Kent. It was simply titled 'The Royal Marines', and at the bottom in small print it read 'Instructions to Recruits'. It goes on to describes what a recruit can expect from the Corps, along with a brief history, but most of all what the Corps expect from him.

 terryaspinall.com/photo-gallery/this-hand-book

My RMA membership card issued the day I started training in 1962

The Royal Marines booklet Instructions to Recruits

This E-Book is FREE.

A donation to support our wounded Royal Marines would be much appreciated.

Table of Content

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1 Royal Marine Museum

Chapter 2 Landguard Fort

Chapter 3 Royal Marine Badge

Chapter 4 Royal Marine Flag

Chapter 5 Colours

Chapter 6 Cap Badge

Chapter 7 Royal Marine Prayer

Chapter 8 Royal Marine Oath

Chapter 9 Memorable Dates

Chapter 10 Battle Honours

Chapter 11 Victoria Cross

Chapter 12 RM History

Chapter 13 Genealogical Tree

Chapter 14 Lympstone

Chapter 15 Green Beret

Chapter 16 Pusser's Rum

Chapter 17 Marine Talk

Chapter 18 Nick-Surnames

Landguard Fort.com

RMA Website

Other Titles by this Author

Authors Website
Chapter 1

Royal Marine Museum

Landguard Fort

About four years ago former Royal Marines Rod Spinks and friend Steve Searle were looking for some way in which they could assist wounded Royal Marines. They eventually came up with the idea of a display of anything connected with the Royal Marines.

Later they were to approach the English Heritage organisation about a possible Royal Marines display within Landguard Fort just South of Felixstowe. To their surprise they were offered what was then known as the G 10 Room. Later to be re- named the Royal Marines Room.

To their surprise they were asked if they could be ready for a public display during the summer of 2014. It was a tight schedule, but something the Royal Marines thrive on, and with a lot of help from a lot of people, it was successfully achieved.

Eventual the Royal Marines Association (RMA), along with six other RMA local branches agreed to help them financially to get the project up and running. The race was on to set something up and open during 2014.

Rod and Steve had starting with a blank canvass as they say, meaning they started completely from scratch. However, help came when they announced their plans on the 'Once A Marine Always A Marine' (OAMAAM) forum, as many former Royal Marines took to the cause and started sending them items, along with some quite famous pieces.

They started with a few old oil paintings that were salvaged from a waste skip, and turned out to be worth quite a bit of money, along with a couple of old Royal Navy advertising boards.

Some of the other items sent are priceless, like the SLR bayonet that corporal Steve Newlands used when he charged an Argentinean Machine gun position on Mount Harry in the Falklands. Steve went on to also throw a hand grenade into the position killing at least 20 plus of the enemy, and then emptied his full magazine of 7.62 rounds into what remained of the position. Sadly while returning to his section he was shot through both legs by a surviving Argentinean. For his action under fire, Steve was awarded the Military Medal. He also presented his bayonet to the museum.

Another priceless piece of kit is a Second World War Fairbank and Sykes Commando fighting knife that was used during the war.

There then followed a few old uniforms which meant that they had to then visit the local clothing stores looking for and cadging old un wanted display dummies.

The SBS, (Royal Marine Special Boat Service) sent some items that included a large bronze statue of the new SBS badge.

While others sent wall hanging Shields of all the different Commando units, both old and new design. Along with several old and new design cap badges.

A genuine Aussie Bush hat, lots of miniature Royal Navy models and photos of Rods friend Trevor Fendt, (who has sadly since passed over the Bar) Trevor's widow who lives in Adelaide has donated it all to the Museum.

2 x 24 hour ration packs that included Desert and Snow Region rations. The Norway ones made up of approximately 20 different items.

A Royal Marine shield, advertising standards, and loads of framed photographs. .A new type gas mask, a jungle camouflage net. A Lovat Green uniform, full set of Sergeants number one blues uniform, and are hoping to obtain a much later one.

For their trouble during that first year (2014) they collected in donations the grand total of £1500.00 for the Wounded Royal Marines Charity. A great result obtained in such a short period of time.

All involved would like to thank everybody who sent in donation and items to be displayed. The success has spurred them on for the future and growth of the museum. Their target for next year has been set at £2000.

Here we are in 2015 and they have just been allotted a second room, hopefully to be ready for the 2015 summer season.

Rod Spinks and Steve Searle

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

The General Jeff Mason and Rod Spinks at the Museum

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

The General Jeff Mason and Steve Searle at the Museum

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

Rod remembering the old days, when he wore a Blue uniform.

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

Chapter 2

Fort Landguard

Copyright Adrian S Pye

www.landguard.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMYIDuiRQE

Celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the 2nd July

Landguard Fort has a history going back over 450 years.

Today Landguard Fort is owned by English Heritage and run by volunteers. It is open to the public 7 days a week, except between November and March. There are excellent guides to show you around, as well as recorded guides. Visiting the Fort is an interesting experience because its history spans so many eras, from Henry VIII through to the 1950's and Queen Elizabeth ll. Over the years it has undergone many stages of major change, modernising and rebuilding. During its early life it was considered as part of Harwich in the county of Essex There is written evidence to show that the first fort was built on a sand Dune, describing how at high tide the fort was cut off from the main land.

Built to the south of Felixstowe in Suffolk where the rivers Stour and Orwell flow into the North Sea (or German Ocean as it was known in those days). The port of Harwich was the only deep water harbour between the rivers Thames to the south and the Humber that lies to the North. Landguard Fort, or Langer Fort as it was sometimes known, was designed to guard the river estuary and the major Port of Harwich. However, in the Dooms Day survey completed during 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror, it was referred to as Langestuna. Later on a map dated 1534 the land immediately surrounding the fort was referred to as Lunger Pointe. While on a Saxon map of 1580 it is called Langerston, and likewise on later maps dating 1610 and 1648. However, it must be realised that over the years the early spelling was very poor, and can be seen in many old books of the 17th and 18th centuries.

On many State documents of the day the locality is frequently referred to by different spelt names, amongst them being Langar, Longrode, Langar-rodd, Langarssid, Langor, Langeis, Languer, and Langer. The last of these survives to this day, and is the name by which the place is commonly described in the rolls of the ancient manor within the area of which it lies. Langer may therefore be accepted as a commonly used name.

A Quote from Major J. H. Leslie (Ex Royal Artillery) researching old government papers from the early days of the Fort, and published on Wednesday 4th May 1898, Major Leslie reports: "With such variety of nomenclature, and in view of the frequency with which, in times gone by, we meet with instances in which men have changed the spelling of even family surnames, we can well imagine that some of our soldier ancestors have transformed peaceful Langer into fire-breathing Landguard, a phonetic transition as simple as it is unmeaning."

Major J. H. Leslie also goes on to say: "Great diversity of opinion appears to have existed as to whether Land-guard has always been situated in Suffolk, or whether it was not at one time in Essex. I incline to the opinion that it has always been, as it now is, in Suffolk, though I think there is no doubt that it was formerly detached from the mainland, and was at any rate at high water an island."

In an earlier book it was referred to as being one of the first fortifications erected on the east coast during1540. It consisted of a few earthworks and a square blockhouse with bulwarks at each corner. It was ordered and positioned by James 1st who wanted to guard the entrance to Harwich harbour. However the first alterations that were made during 1626 the Designer and Architect were Robert Rich 2nd Earl of Warwick.

**1626.** State Domestic Papers of the day. The building of the fort proceeded, and the Suffolk towns are spoken of in letters of that period as being "In a readiness, especially for guarding the fort erecting at Landguard. In May 1626, the sum of £3,302-14s was paid to Sir Harbottle Grimstone and Richard Scott, "on accompt, for works to be done at the new Fort at Landguard Point, co. Suffolk. Much difficulty was apparently experienced in carrying on the work, and certain persons were reported to the Privy Council who refused to carry timber for the Fort at Landguard. In July, the Earl of Warwick petitioned the Council for a Warrant to get fresh turf to face the new Fort at Landguard Point, and also another Warrant to treat with ships of Ipswich to lay into the Fort a chaldron of coals apiece for fire for the Guards at night, otherwise the King will be put to a yearly expense of 100 marks, and later in the same year a sum of £402 was paid to the Earl of Warwick, for the entertainment of His Majesty's Officers in the Fort at Landguard Point for 6 months to begin the 9th September.

Meanwhile, the difficulties which existed between the Earls of Warwick and Sussex, and the Lieutenancy of Essex, had been adjusted, and in August the Earl of Sussex was restored to that office, consequently the Earl of Warwick who had until then, been in charge of the erection of fortifications at Landguard, prayed for the Council that a survey would be taken of what he has done, so that he may not be subject to future blame.

**1534.** The earliest known record of any fortification in the area is a large coloured map measuring 37 by 31 inches, in the Cottonian Library at the British Museum. On which is shown a large four-sided fort at 'Lunger Pointe'.

**1539**. The next reference to Landguard is taken from a publication edited by Sir Samuel Brydges, a well-known literary man of the 18th century. Titled 'Censura Literaria', containing Titles, Extracts, and Opinions of Old English Books published in 1815 (a 2nd edition). The reference to Landguard is to be found in Vol 5 page. 298, under the heading 'An Exhortation in defence of Henry VIIl which, after detailing what the King had done in fortifying certain towns and castles, concludes with these words, "Langers Poynte, and Orwell Haven are to be fortified."

When Henry VIII began his coastal defence programme of Forts, the port of Harwich was considered a strategic location that needed to be protected at all cost. Up to then the only fortifications were the town's medieval walls. Henry's plan for the defences of Harwich revolved around three key locations, the town of Harwich, Beacon Hill to the south, and Landguard Point to the north. He believed correctly that Landguard was the key to Harwich, because whoever controlled that point controlled the harbour entrance.

**1540.** Henry VIII's plan of coastal defences was carried out with a six-sided blockhouse designed by Sir Richard Lee. Sadly, no trace of this earlier fort remains.

**1543.** After the king visited Harwich, three Bulwarks were constructed on the west side of the harbour entrance and two on the east side. Any hostile ship attempting to enter the harbour would be caught in a cross fire between the various batteries. It is interesting to note the similarities between this design and that of South Sea Castle, built in 1544. In the end Sir Richard Lee's plan was not carried out because the fortification of the south coast was considered more important. The Langer Point Bulwark eventually took the form of a hexagonal earthwork redoubt mounting 4 or 5 guns. The defences were constructed very quickly, but when an invasion threat passed they fell into disrepair and were abandoned in the 1550s

**1543.** Henry VIII had two blockhouses built, but later lacked maintenance, which rapidly deteriorated. Because of this during 1552 the guns were dismantled and returned to the Tower of London.

**1587.** A survey of the county of Suffolk, mentions the fort and of its position. Of Langer Poynt saying we find it to be a place of great danger to the enemy, one of the best seen in the County. It was believed to be very hard for the enemy to land without the aid of small boats. They may leap on land out of their ships but there is no cover or places to hide much less dry ground to en camp himself. With their backs to the sea and an incoming tide they would have nowhere to go, other than retreat.

**1587.** Preparations were being actively made throughout the country against the expected invasion by Philip of Spain, with the Great Armada, and the undefended condition of the Suffolk Coast and of the very important harbour at the mouth of the river Orwell naturally received early attention. It may be mentioned incidentally that the strength of the Harwich garrison at that time was around 17,000 men (Plymouth having the same number of men, and Portsmouth a thousand less), a fact which shows very clearly the high importance attached to the harbour of Harwich.

**1588.** January, the Deputy Lieutenants of Suffolk recommended to the Privy Council the desirability of fortifying the Suffolk coast, after having made a personal inspection of it in the company with a certain Mr. Captain Turner, who had apparently been sent from London to assist them with his professional opinion.

**1624** - **1925.** Construction of a new fort on Landguard Point was started, in conjunction with a new battery at Harwich. It was a square earthwork fort with 4 angled bastions' and a ditch. The fort was armed with 62 guns and could accommodate a garrison of several hundred men. However it was not maintained and erosion took its toll on the ramparts, but it was still garrisoned and the Parliamentarians held on to it during the English Civil War.

**1628.** 3rd July a letter was sent from Landguard Fort, to the Right Honourable Lord and Earle of Holland, Lord Governor of His Majesty at Landguard and Harwich. He speaks of a mutiny having taken place at the fort and complains of the misconduct of the constable of Trimley St. Mary in setting a mutineer free when sent to him for safe custody and conveyance to gaol. The following is an extract from his letter:

"We have had here of late a great mutiny, and having disarmed and imprisoned some six of the Chiefs' which afterwards seeming to be sorrowful for their offence, I was willing they should draw lots and one of them to die, the man it happened upon proved to be the veriest villain of them all, whereupon I made a Warrant and sent him to be conveyed from Constable to Constable to the Gaol to be there close prisoner, until the Lords of the Counsel had otherwise determined of him, but the Constable of Trimly St. Mary, in the county of Suffolk, Whose name is Nicholas Bettes, most contemptuously sent back my warrant and discharged the soldier, which warrant I have sent your Lordship herein closed. I humbly therefore intreate your Lordship there May be some speedy coarse taken with this Constable for his great contempt. Otherwise we shall be subject to daily mutinies and the fort in danger to be disbanded. I think it also not amiss to have marshal law under The Brode seal to frighten such offenders. So having before and now at this time acquainted your Lordship of our necessities leaving them to Your Lordships' consideration I rest. Your Lordships' humble Servant, Ro, Gosnold."

(This letter had to be altered so it could be understood, the spelling of most words was hard to read and understand. Hope it has not lost anything in its translation, Author).

**1625.** This article is from Leslie John Henry (1898), and original letter: One cannot help observing how the "contemptuous" conduct of the Constable is insisted on as of far more importance than the mutiny itself. The warrant to the constable runs thus: "To the Keeper of the Goal at Melton.

"Whereas this person, Benjamin Dammont, have in a mutinous manner Rebelled against His Majesties' Officers at Landguard New forte to the Great danger of the said place which might have ensued and happened by his said rebellion by him wrought, and thereby have deserved death without Mercy. These are in His Majesties' name to will and require you safely to keep the said person to be forthcoming at what time the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council shall send for him as you will Answer the contrary on your utmost peril, dated under my hand at Landguard New forte this first of July 1628."

**1628.** The first Governor of Landguard Fort was Henry Rich, Earl of Holland, K.G. second son of Robert Rich, first Earl of Warwick. He was born in 1590, was elected to serve as a burgess in Parliament for Leicester in 1610, and re-elected in 1614, was subsequently made a privy councillor, and held several offices (Captain of the King's Guard, Groom of the Stole) in the household of Charles 1. He was elevated to the peerage in March 1622, as Baron Kensington, and was advanced to the dignity of Earl of Holland on 24th September 1624. Was created knight of the garter in 1625, and on 28th March 1628, was appointed by the King to be 'Governor and Captain of the Town and Fort at Harwich, and of the new Fort at Landguard Poynte' for life.

Holland has been described as "incomparably the most accomplished English Courtier of his time, who, under a veil of universal complaisance and condescension, concealed the purest selfishness."

At the commencement of the quarrel between Charles 1 and his Parliament in 1642, Holland as has previously been mentioned, sided with the latter. Gardiner in his "History of the Great Civil War", styles him a disappointed Courtier, whose support to the peace party in the House of Lords, at the outbreak of the war, brought that party little credit. However, in August 1643 Holland went over to the King, though not for long, as he again embraced the cause of the Parliament no later than the following October. Meanwhile he retained the governorship of the fort. In 1646 he tried to induce the House of Commons to grant him £1,000 a year to compensate him for the losses he had suffered in their cause, but the House not seeing it in the same light, declined to accede to his petition.

From that time he worked heart and soul, to effect a royalist rising in England, which eventually took place in 1648. The rising failed, and Holland was taken prisoner at St. Neot's on 10th July. He was tried by the High Court of Justice shortly after the execution of Charles 1, at the beginning of 1649 and was sentenced to death, and beheaded before the gate of Westminster Hall on 9th March. His execution excited no pity among the spectators, possibly on account of his constant changes of allegiance between King and Parliament.

**1629.** A report to London read, Much yet remained to be done towards the completion of the fort, and we find recorded " a Note of necessary Provisions wanted at Langer Forte, among which are Wheels for the Guns, Skins for sponges, Flags of the King's colours, Axe heads, and Pikes.

**1634.** 4th August a short survey of 26 Counties during a seven week journey begun at the City of Norwich and from there into the North and ending at the same place, by a Captain, a Lieutenant, and a local.

**1638.** Some of the brass pieces of ordnance in the fort, 4 sakers (medium cannon slightly smaller than a culverin & named after the Saker Falcon), 2 port pieces, and 2 fowlers (Wrought Iron Cannons), were replaced by iron guns, and in the following year three able Gunners were removed from the fort for service, to the army then in the field against the Scots.

**1638.** 'The Great Civil War'. Until the Restoration in 1660, the State papers record very little about Landguard, but some interesting information bearing upon its history during that period has been gleaned from the Journals of the House of Commons.

**1640.** From the time of the assembly of the Long Parliament in 1640, and during the subsequent long struggle between the King and Parliament, known as the great civil war, Landguard Fort was held for the Parliament, and all through the war there is only one allusion made to any doubt regarding the allegiance of its garrison. It must be remembered, however, that the Earl of Holland, though nominally with the Parliament, had royalist proclivity, which he displayed on more than one occasion, and which eventually cost him his life.

**1642**. 21st December a Petition from the distressed Soldiers at Landguard, and a letter from Captain Cammock to the Earl of Warwick, dated 15th December concerning the extremities of the soldiers of that Fort, was read to the House, and a resolution was passed that £1000 should be allowed for payment to the garrison. The Earl of Warwick was also directed to give an account of what monies have been disbursed, and what the charges for the future will come to, for the materials for fortifying of Langer Fort and Harwich.

**1643.** 23rd February the House was ordered that the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk should both contribute for the paying of Landguard Fort.

**1644.** At that time the civil war was still in progress, and in February a Committee of both Kingdoms was appointed to control the operations of the two armies then fighting in England and in Scotland against the King.

**1645.** In consequence of rumoured disaffection in Landguard, the government committee addressed the following letter, dated from Derby House on the 17th May to a certain Captain Hunter:

"We have received information that there is some practice against the Fort at Landguard Point which we are certified off both by intelligence at home and from abroad. For the security thereof we desire you forth-with to put yourself with fifty men into that Fort, such as you are well assured off, that place of so great concernment may be in safety. We desire you to carry it privately as may be until you come to put it in execution."

A second letter to the Commander in Chief of the Forte at Land-guard was despatched on the same day, as follows:

" _We have received intelligence that there is some practice in hand against Landguard Fort for its security therefore we have appointed Captain Hunter to come into that Fort with 50 men. We desire you therefore to receive into that Fort the said Captain and fifty men that the place which is of so great consequence may be in safety._

**1645.** The disastrous defeat at Naseby finally broke the power of the Crown, and at the beginning of 1646, the civil war having practically come to an end, the House of Commons resolved that several garrisons should be de-garrisoned, and the works shifted and dismantled, and the place made indefensible

Nothing is recorded as to the action taken in this matter, but we gather from subsequent events that Landguard was not de-garrisoned.

**1647.** Towards the end of the year Captain Cammocke was removed from his command by Lord Fairfax, and although the authorities at Ipswich endeavoured to obtain the appointment for their own nominee, a certain Captain Francis Hawys, urging how much it may conduce to the peace and safety of this town to have one well known in that place rather than a stranger. They were unsuccessful, as the command was given to Colonel Thomas Rainsborough (or Rainborowe), who was an officer of the Train of Fairfax's army, had probably been sent to Landguard in consequence of the recent rumours of disaffection on the part of the garrison which is good evidence that Fairfax fully realised the necessity of holding the fort.

**1648.** 24th May Rainsborough sent a letter to the Committee of Lords and Commons directing attention to Distemper in the Fleet which he urged should be speedily repressed.

The letter continues: That which is the greatest motive to the Disturbance of the Seamen is that these Parts are wholly for the King. This may be added was written just before the siege of Colchester was commenced.

**1648.** 28th August saw the end of the siege of Colchester, which surrendered to Lord Fairfax who visited the town, along with others on the Eastern Coast. On 7th September he crossed from Harwich to Langar Point, which was a place of great strength, and commanded the mouth of the harbour into the river at Harwich, as also at Mersey Island. The General was saluted with abundance of Ordnance and he marched on towards Ipswich that night.

**1648.** Meanwhile, the Earl of Holland had quite thrown over the parliamentary party, had placed himself at the head of an abortive royalist rising, and had been taken prisoner by the parliamentary forces in June 1648. The governorship of the fort was of course, placed in other hands, and the governor appointed by the Parliament was that of Colonel Thomas Ireton, brother of the parliamentary general, Henry Ireton. Charles 1 was executed in January 1649, and a month later, Holland met a similar fate.

**1652.** June. Benjamin Gifford Esq was appointed Governor of the Fort upon the death of Colonel Ireton. He was a follower of Cromwell, and presumably a sound puritan. Writing in 1652 concerning his appointment to governorship, he says "though unworthy, yet I trust the Lord will enable me to a due discharge of the trust reposed in me."

**1655.** Major Mathew Cadwell was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1652.** England entered into a series of naval wars with the Netherlands, placing Harwich on the front line. A dockyard grew up there during the 1650s, but Landguard fort remained dilapidated.

**1652.** June Colonel Ireton, the Governor of Landguard fort died.

**1653.** The Council of State ordered the two old forts at Harwich to be demolished by the soldiers now in Langer fort and the guns being in those forts removed unto the fort called Langer Point, and the Governor of Langerd fort is to take care that the same be done accordingly.

**1658.** Tuesday 3rd September Oliver Cromwell died.

**1659.** 4th July Colonel Humphrey Brewster was appointed the Governor of the fort by the Parliament. He was a Suffolk magistrate, living near Bungay. During 1658 he was Captain of a Militia troop of horse in Suffolk. However, Colonel Brewster ceased to be Governor, at the restoration of Charles II in 1660.

**1659.** The pay of a Governor at Landguard fort was at first 10 shillings a day but in 1659 it fell to 8 shillings at which it remained until 1716.

**1660.** Charlie Rich 4th Earl of Warwick was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort, after the restoration of Charles II. He was the 2nd son of Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, the Earl by whom the fort was built, and had succeeded to the title in 1659 as 4th Earl, on the death of his elder brother, the 3rd Earl, He relinquished the governorship of the fort in 1664 on account of ill-health and died in 1673.

**1664.** 16th November Colonel Henry Farr was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort and Captain of a company. Edward Suckley junior was appointed Lieutenant Governor.

**1665.** Early in the year England declared war against the Dutch, and the Earl of Suffolk then Lord Lieutenant, was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

In June the Dutch fleet was defeated by the Duke of York, off Lowestoft, but for the rest of the year little was done, the movements of the English fleet being greatly hampered by the effects of the plague (Black Death), then raging in London.

The famous writer Daniel Defoe wrote an article at the time that started: "The Great Plague reached Holland in 1663 from the Mediterranean. Towards the end of November 1664, it was reported that a vessel from Rotterdam had brought the infection over to Yarmouth, and that there had been several deaths in the area. From there it spread across the whole country.

**1665.** James Howard 3rd Earl of Suffolk was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1665.** Early in the year England declared war against the Dutch, and the Earl of Suffolk then Lord Lieutenant of the county, was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort. In June the Dutch fleet was defeated by the Duke of York off Lowestoft, but for the rest of the year little was done, the movements of the English fleet being greatly hampered by the effects of the plague (Black Death), then raging in London.

**1665.** Silas Taylor (Harwich store man of the time) wrote: "It is generally believed that the Stour did formerly have a straighter current (than now) discharging it's self into the Sea about Hollesley Bay, under the Highlands of Walton Coleness and Felixstowe, in the county of Suffolk, betwixt which and Landguard Fort are."

**1666.** January France declared war against England, the country being simultaneously at war with both France and Holland. The Dutch where trying to avenge their defeat at Lowestoft during the previous year, began cruising around the coast as soon as the spring arrived looking for a fight.

**1666** 25th and 26th July (by the Julian calendar then in use in England, but 4th and 5th August 1666 in the Gregorian calendar, (used nowadays). The English and Dutch fleets became locked in battle off the North Foreland and Orfordness coast. The Fleets of England, commanded jointly by Prince Rupert of the Rhine and George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, and the Dutch United Provinces commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter.

The English fleet had 100 ships commanded by Generals at Sea George Monck and Richard Deane and Admirals John Lawson and William Penn. The Dutch had 98 ships under Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp and Vice-admiral Witte de With, divided into five squadrons. On 2nd June 1653 (4 August in the Gregorian calendar) the Dutch attacked but were beaten back because the English employed line-of-battle tactics, making the Dutch pay a high price for attempting to board. The Dutch fleet, consisting of lighter ships, were severely damaged and lost two of them. The engagement resulted in the defeat of the Dutch, who were driven back to the coast of Holland. The firing of the guns during this action was heard at Landguard. One enthusiast wrote at the time that off Yarmouth he heard "Very great shooting, which made his ship bounce as if struck aground," whilst another said, "I do think our Fleet will bang the Dutch to some purpose, of which I pray God Almighty they may." A salute was fired from Harwich in honour of the victory, to show their sense of this mercy, and at Ipswich, the Earl of Suffolk ordered bonfires, guns, and bells to sound.

**1666**. Colonel Henry Farr was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort for a second time.

**1666**. 21st July the following orders were issued from St. James Palace by the Duke of York to Sir William Penn, who was at that time Chief Commissioner of the Navy, and the Duke of York's right hand man.

"Additional instructions where: In case you shall judge it necessary that any land soldiers be sent to the fleet or put on board any of the ships, you are hereby authorised to direct such number of fort soldiers as you shall judge convenient, to be drawn out of Langor fort or any companies at Harwich or thereabouts, not being of the country militia, and put them on board such ships as you shall think fit, provided you leave eighty soldiers at 'Langor' fort in compliance with these orders. Sir Charles Lyttelton and Colonel John Legge's companies went on board the fleet at Landguard Fort on the 22nd July in the afternoon with 40 of Colonel Farr's men. It must be noted that several detachments of the Foot Guards served afloat during this naval war.

**1666**. 25th and 26th July, (Julian calendar but 4th and 5th August the Gregorian). The English and Dutch fleets were in conflict off the North Foreland and the Orfordness coast.

**1666.** The special war correspondent of the period in that locality was Lieutenant Edward Suckley, above-mentioned, and most of his despatches appear to have been addressed to Mr. James Hickes, senior clerk at the Post Office, in London and Royal Messenger for the King.

In July, the Dutch fleet of 100 ships anchored by the Gunfleet sands 4 miles (7km) off the Clacton-on-Sea coast in the Northern Thames Estuary., and Lieutenant Edward Suckley wrote that "He had fired a culverin (Cannon) at one of their sloops which came within gun-shot, and would have sunk her but for the dark."

On July 4 he wrote that "Great guns have gone off very thick but the event is not known."There does not, however, seem to have been on that occasion any actual fight worthy of recording in detail, but a letter written on the 5th July, dated from Ipswich, states that "30 of de Ruyter's men in his boat landed on the marshes about Bawdsey for fresh meat for their general, but boat and men were all taken as was some wine going to him."

Suckley gives an amusing account in the following letter dated 14th July of some gentlemen who sailed out to see the Dutch fleet riding at anchor, and who nearly came to grief as a result of their excursion. The letter is addressed to James Hickes and reads: "The Dutch are exercising their men, the English fleet intends to be with them on Monday or Tuesday. A great store of gentlemen went out to take a view of the Dutch fleet, when a couple of leagues off, a small vessel was sent to attack them, the gentlemen's hearts failed, and they desired the master to make all the sail he could and get away, he refused, saying he should be hanged when he came back, they mutinied and threatened to cut his throat. They told him their lives were of more value than his two of them being knights, and promised him a piece of plate if he would return, which they have performed, coming back after firing a few guns, had not their hearts failed, the English vessel would have brought in the other."

The idea of an excursion steamer now-a-days making a pleasure trip to view an enemy's blockading fleet is distinctly enterprising, to say the least.

Leslie, John Henry (1898) Writes "The idea of an excursion steamer now-a-days making a pleasure trip to view an enemy's blockading fleet is distinctly enterprising, to say the least.

The Gunfleet is an extensive sand-bank about eleven miles long, parallel to the coast, and about two miles distant from the Essex coast, to the north end of the Gunfleet lies abreast of the Naze (near Harwich). The anchorage is to the North West of the sand-bank.

**1667.** At the beginning of the year the Council of State, fully appreciating the gravity of the situation, and ordered the fortifications at Landguard to be finished with brick and stone, and some out works completed.

**1667.** 15th January, Captain Nathaniel Darell's company (120 strong) proceeded by sea to Yarmouth, for duty there, but in April a further change of stations took place. Colonel Farr's company marched from Landguard to Yarmouth. Captain George Cartwright's company of the Lord High Admiral's regiment moved into the fort from Harwich, and Captain Darell's company, returning to Landguard from Yarmouth. Upon its arrival Darell assumed the governorship of the fort, which had been temporarily held by Captain G Cartwright, pending his arrival.

**1667.** Nathaniel Darell was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort. Darell was the son of an officer of the same name, who held the post of Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey in 1660,' and belonged to the family of Darell, of Calehill, Ashford, in the county of Kent. Not much is known of his (the younger Darell's) early life, but he is said to have served under Charles 1, and to have been a man as well of great fidelity to his King, as bravery against the enemy. Hence we may assume that he was a royalist. There is no information as to his career during the period between 1642 and the Restoration in 1660, but in the latter year he was serving in Sir Hugh Pollard's company in Guernsey, of which island his father was then lieutenant governor. In November 1664, the regiment called the Lord High Admiral's regiment ' was raised, and Nathaniel Darell received a commission in it as Captain, with command of a company."

Early in 1666 he was stationed at Ipswich, and afterwards at Harwich, and, with his company, was engaged on board the fleet in the great naval battle of the 25th and 26nd July.

On the 8th September 1666, Darell's company arrived at Landguard for duty, but it was not until April 1667, that he was appointed Governor of the fort.

Shortly after his arrival at Landguard it appears that a well known Suffolk worthy. Sir Samuel Barnardiston, denounced him to the King and Council as a Papist, alleging at the same time that the soldiers and sailors at Landguard were on such bad terms with one another, that if attacked by an enemy the fort must fall.

This accusation, which seems to have been made on hear say evidence only, was very naturally resented by Darell, who appealed to Lord Arlington, Secretary of State, for justice against the malignity of his detractor, and begged favour that his wronged innocence may have public reparation, forwarding at the same time, in support of his appeal, a certificate signed by the Bailiffs, the Recorder, two Ministers, and eight other residents of Ipswich.

A very good idea of Darell's general character maybe gathered from this certificate, which reads as follows: "To whom it may concern that Captain Nathaniel Darell being quartered in this town with his Company about two months during last year did with his Company come constantly to Church to divine service, and upon all fast days while he continued with us expressed large charity to the poor and not the least suspected to be inclined to Popery, and some of us being at the Forte yesterday received a great satisfaction from other seamen there of his kindness to them and of their willingness to continue under his Command and of the very good agreement. Between the soldiers and seamen, we must confess we never received more content in a Commander of that place, and he has justly paid all his bills. Taken from Bishop Parker's book 'History of his own Time' published in London during 1727.

**1667.** During the Second Anglo-Dutch War England suffered a number of defeats and in early 1667 there were fears for the safety of the east coast. As a result Sir Bernard de Gomme' was sent to Harwich on an urgent mission to survey the defences and make improvements. Finding Landguard Fort in a much-decayed condition, he ordered work to be done to strengthen the fort as soon as possible. (Sir Bernard de Gomme' (1620- 1685) was a Dutch military engineer. By some he is considered the most important figure in 17th century, and English military engineering.

The improvements ordered by de Gomme' consisted of enlarging the bastions and restoring the slumped earthwork ramparts, as well as the construction of a false bray at the foot of the rampart all the way round the fort. The ditch and the false bray were riveted in brick.

Some of the following is taken from Leslie John Henry (1898). 'The history of Landguard Fort in Suffolk': "The people of England were becoming heartily tired of the Dutch war, for besides being taxed heavily to provide for the expense of it, great suffering and loss had been caused to the community by the ravages of the plague, and later by the great fire of London. King Charles had in March concluded a secret treaty with the French, who had immediately afterwards begun to wage war against Spain in the Spanish Netherlands. The close proximity of this war to the Dutch frontier naturally caused the latter nation much alarm, and it is, therefore, not surprising to find that the Dutch soon became quite as desirous as were the English to see peace once more restored. Consequently there was no delay in opening negotiations, and a conference was held at Breda to discuss terms for a peace between England and Holland."

"However whilst negotiations for peace were actually proceeding, and when they were in effect well advanced, the Dutch leader de Witt, resolved to carry into execution a daring plan he had formed for entering the Thames an enterprise which was rendered all the easier by reason that the King, acting on the supposition that peace would shortly be concluded, had dismissed a large number of sailors, and to a great extent dismantled the fleet, in order to save money for expenditure upon his own extravagances, thus weakening the defensive power of England at a particularly critical time."

"On 10th June 1667, the Dutch fleet, commandeered by Admiral De Ruyter, attacked and captured Sheerness, and on the 12th sailed up the Medway to Chatham, inflicting great damage burning the British fleet. To then proceed up the Thames as far as the Lower Hope Reach, within five miles of Gravesend, and in sight of the Tilbury Fort. There they were opposed and beaten off by a small squadron under Sir Edward Spragge, and after that repulse their next and, as it proved to be, final effort was an attack on Landguard Fort, and an attempt at landing their forces on the coast of Suffolk."

Leslie John Henry Goes on to say: "I will now give in detail an account of the events that followed at Landguard, which happily resulted in the complete repulse of the daring attempt made upon it by our Dutch enemy."

"The unexpected hostile action of the Dutch caused something like panic throughout the country, and every effort was at once made to protect the eastern coast of England against invasion. The troops stationed at Lowestoft, Southwold, Dunwich, and Aldeburgh, were withdrawn thence, and were concentrated at Landguard Fort, Harwich being looked upon as the most vulnerable and consequently most likely point of attack. Suspicion had, moreover, been aroused in that quarter by reason that two small Dutch vessels had lately been seen taking soundings below the fort. As a precautionary measure, therefore, seven colliers, and a ship of twenty guns, all disguised as Men-of-war, with Jack Ensigns, and pendants were laid across the arm of the sea, from Landguard Fort to the side beacon, with holes cut, ready to be sunk in case of the enemy's approach."

"The preparations for defence which were being made at Harwich were vigorously pushed on, and the Militia trained bands of Essex, and several troops of cavalry were ordered into the town."

At that time the Captain Nathaniel Darell was the Governor of the fort in charge of a small garrison of 400 musketeers of the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment (Marines) and 100 artillerymen with 54 cannon.

The English were alerted to the Dutch and soon prepared for action, in the past they'd had warnings of a possible Dutch attack especially after the defeat at Medway.

On 20th June the Dutch fleet was seen standing in towards Harwich, though nothing in the shape of an attack was then attempted."

For the next few days the enemy's fleet was content to cruise along the coast between Harwich and the North Foreland, but owing to the haziness of the weather, its movements could not be accurately watched from the shore. The temporary respite thus afforded was utilised to the utmost in completing the fortification of Harwich, and on 30th June the Earl of Oxford, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, wrote thus to Lord Arlington, from Harwich: "The Dutch Fleet has anchored in the Gunfleet, and thus given so much time that whatever they design against Harwich will be in vain, as a Regiment of 1,200 Militia of Foot is advancing, and the rest of the Militia ready at short notice. The platforms are laid, and within an hour the guns will be mounted."

"On 2nd July the long-expected attack at last took place. The Dutch, in proceeding to carry it out, resorted at the outset to a ruse as follows. Weighing anchor at dawn, they sailed away northward, out of sight as far as Aldeburgh, where they came about, and at once bore up again back towards Harwich, passing Orfordness at 7 am. At 10 am they arrived off Felixstowe, coming in, as an eye-witness describes their course, "close between the sands from the Suffolk coast, a way our great ships never used to adventure," and the foremost close upon Landguard Fort. This seems to show that there was at that time some kind of a deep water channel much nearer in shore than any now in existence, and it seems probable that the place where the fleet actually brought up before commencing to attack was off shore somewhere abreast of the spot where a 'Q' Martello tower now stands, and out of range of the fort guns. By one o'clock, it is stated, "47 vessels were at the back of the Fort," which means, probably, that they had then reached a position from which they could attack it in reverse, five were in the Sledway, and eight or nine anchored in the outer part of the Rolling Ground."

Leslie John Henry (1898) says: "It appears that Admiral de Ruyter split his squadrons for the attack, with one operating inside the river estuary to the south while the others stayed out to sea waiting to land its Marines on the beach. As the estuary squadron moved forward they came across unexpectedly shallow water which meant that the attack from the estuary to the south of 'Langar' was totally abandoned, and they stayed out at sea where they could only fire a few shots at long range. He had intended to support this attack with naval gunfire at relatively close range. However, even though this was impossible De Ruyter still pressed on with the rest of his plan."

"The Dutch plan of attack appears, from the sequel, to have been as follows. To the 47 vessels above mentioned, forming the main portion of the fleet, was assigned the task of covering the landing of the assaulting party which was to be disembarked on the beach by small boats. The ships in the Sledway and Rolling Ground were at the same time to engage the fort, and, under the diversion created by their fire, the force disembarked upon the beach was to storm the fort by escalade on its landward side, that of course, being its weakest point. A thousand men were landed and their number was, later in the day, increased to two or three thousand (1500 Marines and 500 Sailors), 'with a very great stand of pikes,' their landing being covered by constant firing, directed at the fort, and at the vessels placed at the entrance of the harbour to be sunk for security."

Another unknown report reads of "The Dutch were repelled by concentrated English fire which had caused some loss. The Dutch however did not give up; they reorganised and launched a second attack. This time a small English galliots (small ships) the Hoy, Lenox and the Truelove had joined in the action firing grapeshot at the Dutch Soldiers on the shore near the Fort. The shingle on the beach, sprayed by the shot acted like shrapnel causing the Dutch many casualties. Colonel Dolman their leader was killed in this attack which created confusion and less than fifteen minutes later the leaderless Dutch Marines retreated, leaving their ladders and other equipment behind.

"The actual details of the landing, the assault, and the subsequent retreat, are best given in the words of eye-witnesses, who saw the whole of the action from the Dovercourt cliffs, and from Beacon Hill at Harwich." (Dovercourt is a small seaside town in Essex. It is older than its smaller but better-known neighbour, the port of Harwich, and appears in the Domes day Book of 1086. Today the towns are contiguous.

The first letter on the subject is from Silas Taylor, Keeper of the King's Store at Harwich, to Joseph Williamson, Keeper of H.M.'s Papers of State at Whitehall. It is dated from Harwich, 3rd July 1667 about 11 noon, and reads as follows: "It was judged that the eight Dutch ships that sent such clouds of smoke upon the fort out of the Rolling Grounds were merely for that purpose. That they landed near the Filstow Cliffs (alias Felixstowe) about 2,000 men, I have reason to believe from my own guess. The Suffolk forces came to them in inclosures, about 4 of the clock, or 5. They spared about 400 or 500, relieved from the main body (that stood near the place they landed, with a strong body of pikes, which I plainly saw), to assault the forces above the hill, and with them two or three drakes, with which they maintained the lanes and hedges, so that the Earl of Suffolk got his ground of them in a manner but by inches, because his horse were excluded from the service."

"In the mean time, a party of 300 or 400, or more, ran along the beach, in the smoke that the ships from the Rolling Grounds had made, up to Landguard Fort, with scaling ladders painted, of about 20 feet long or more, hand grenades, etc. They came briskly up, with their cutlasses drawn upon their arms, and their muskets, and came up close to the fort, whose reception to them, when discovered, were as brisk. This assault, with a continual playing of small shot, lasted about half an hour, and they were repulsed. They had got under the sand banks, which our Galliots (small ships) Hoy, Lenox and the Truelove played upon them from the water, and waited their motion, and they discerned them at this assault about 5 of the clock in the afternoon, dragging off their dead. About an hour after, they tried again, but were presently discouraged, and in disorder ran away, leaving some of their ladders, their hand grenades, and a case of very handsome pistols, and as the ships saw them within the fort in the Salt Road, they bestowed upon them a bullet welcome."

Another unknown report reads of "The Dutch were repelled by concentrated English fire which had caused some loss. The Dutch however did not give up; they reorganised and launched a second attack. By this time small English Galliots (ships) the Hoy, Lenox and the Truelove had joined in the action firing grapeshot at the Dutch Soldiers on the shore near the Fort. The shingle on the beach, sprayed by the shot acted like shrapnel causing the Dutch many casualties Colonel Dolman their leader was killed in this attack which created confusion and less than fifteen minutes later the leaderless Dutch Marines retreated, leaving their ladders and other equipment behind."

"About 9 of the clock all was silent, and they had drawn to their body about Filstow Cliff (their boats being on ground, which caused them to stand their ground the longer), and being pressed on by the Earl of Suffolk had a much to do to keep themselves from disorder, especially could the horse but have come at them at that began {sic) in the woods above the cliff, about II of the clock at night, and lasted till about two in the morning, at that time, the water floating their boats, they got off to their ships, who about 6 this morning, were all under sail, and now out of sight, by reason they are shut from us by Filstow Cliff, being in Hollesley Bay, but yet, now and then, I think I hear some of their guns."

"The five great Dutch ships in the Sledway (shipping channel) ride there still. One of the ships that came yesterday into the Rolling Grounds was a Rear Admiral. The particulars of the loss on both sides is very uncertain, only one man killed in the fort ; but what with my Lord of Suffolk, I know not, but several are. They found but four Dutch killed before the Fort. This is all I have at present."

The Earl of Oxford, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, sent the following account to Lord Arlington, dated 3rd July from Harwich, 9 am in the morning: "My Lord, this night with the young flood, the enemy shipped the remainder of their beaten party, and this morning the fleet have turned their backs, and are driving away as fast as the dead calm will suffer them. I thought it necessary to inform your lordship of it, though I have nothing else to say but that. In case the fleet go quite off from the coast, I hope his Majesty will give me leave to do so too, and attend him at London."

"This harbour (with the fortification and manning of the fort of Land-guard, and this town), adding our fire-ships, is not now an enterprise for Dutch courage's, and truly the disreputation that must follow such an enterprise as their first appearance seemed to promise, does a little moderate my trouble for our loss at Chatham."

The following day's post brought accounts in more circumstantial detail, in a letter to Williamson, also from Silas Taylor, dated 4th July Harwich.

"Sir, I have only this to add to Tuesday's account, that Captain Darell, Governor of the Fort of Landguard, was wounded with a musket shot in the shoulder, but not dangerously. That towards the evening, there was sent over a strong party of several hundreds of men hence to the other side of the water, under the command of Major Legge who were very welcome to the Earl of Suffolk, but the enemy were drawn off before they could come to them. Several boats laden with dead men were seen by several who put off from the shore."

"A Swede who trades from Hamburg was kept by De Ruyter eight or nine days, and came in yesterday, and said that he was present when De Ruyter had an account of many passages given to him, among others, he said, that about sixty or eighty, by their own confession, are slain, that some commanders of quality are slain, that a lieutenant-colonel," an tall Englishman, led the Dutch on the assault of the fort. That two English men pilots were aboard De Ruyter, one of them was sent on board that Vice Admiral that ran on ground the point of the Andrews, which came up with those eight ships into the Rolling Grounds, that accident was a great hindrance to them, and long detained them, that they were divided into three squadrons, who, after the landing of the foot, were to be employed thus, the first to lie near the Platters (a dangerous sand shoal of Landguard point which forms the northern boundary of the entrance to Harwich harbour.), and play on the fort from that side, another to come into the Rolling Grounds, and play upon the fort together, the last to come straight in. They were much troubled by our ships that lay across the entrance, not knowing whether they were men of war or fire ships, but wondered more to ' Colonel Doleman an English Republican, mentioned by Bishop Parker in his " History of his own Time '' as " that inveterate enemy to his country."

Leslie, John Henry (1898) explains further about Dolman: "In charge of the Dutch invasion force was Colonel Thomas Dolman an English Republican mentioned by Bishop Parker in his 'History of his own Time' as "That inveterate enemy to his country, a hardliner Parliamentarian turncoat. An English officer who had served with Cromwell and like many other professional soldiers, had changed sides

There is yet another account taken from the "London Gazette of 14th July 1667, which differs in certain small details, but which, as the achievement was such a remarkable one, deserves a place in the narrative. It reads: "About 10 o'clock their Fleet, consisting of 47 sails, stood within half cannon shot of the shore towards Felstow Cliffe but out of reach of Landguard Fort, leaving 5 of their number at the Sledway, (a shipway 6.4km long Latitude. 51.9667, Longitude. 1.4833) and then, manning out their boats, landed about 3000 men at the cliff, with a great stand of pikes. Near 2000 of them marched up, and made two assaults upon Landguard Fort, where they were stoutly entertained, and after three quarters of an hour's dispute in the first assault and about a quarter of an hour's only in the second, they were forced to retire in such haste, that they left their ladders all behind them scarcely being able to carry off their dead which is judged to be about 150 at the least."

"Whilst these assaults were making upon the Fort, about 1200 were left behind near the cliff to secure their retreat were encountered by the Trained Bands Commanded by the Earl of Suffolk, and a smart skirmish began between them which continued until 10 in the evening, when it was renewed by the return of the beaten Companies from the Fort, who by the lowness of the ebb were hindered from returning to their boats, at which time a party of 500 foot were drawn out under command of Major Legge to fall upon the enemy in the rear, whose success we must expect at the arrival of the next post. In this day's service, we lost only 3 or 4 men, and as many hurt, with Captain Darell, who has received a wound in the shoulder. They have not as yet made any attempt upon the town, being resolved first to try their fortunes upon the fort to which (tis believed) they have not the courage left to return."

Of the ladders which have been mentioned in these accounts, one survives at the present day, at Calehill, near Ashford, in Kent the seat of Mr. J. Darell-Blount, the present head of the Darell family. The ladder is 18 ft. 6 in. long, and originally had 22 rungs, but only 12 now remain. The size of the rungs is 14 inch, by 35 inch, and the ribs of the ladder measure 4 inch by 3 inch. A board attached to the ladder has the following inscription upon it: "This Scaling Ladder forms part of a trophy of Major Darell, who, during the Second Dutch War of the time of Charles ll 1667, in a Sally from Landguard fort, drove off the Dutch under Admiral De Ruyter."

It is curious to compare these accounts with an intercepted letter, written from a Dutch point of view, by an English exile in Holland, who was present at the attack. It is dated 15th July 1667, and is addressed to a Mr. Samuel Cottington and reads: " Sir Lest you should be abused by the vapour of the court about the late business at Harwich, I thought good to give you this short account, that after we landed 1,200 brave fellows, under the command of noble Dolman, we did great execution on shore, though we were designed to be cut off by a party of horse, which skulked as it were in ambush, yet we returned with great honour and booty, lost only 7 men upon the place, and 17 wounded, which we reckon nothing in comparison of those acquired advantages, conducting to an honourable peace.

"His Excellency, the Lord Ruyter, with the main body, lies before Harwich, as lord of the channel, that incomparable, the Lord of Ghent, is with a strong squadron gone northward, the rest cruises to and fro in the channel, so that you see the day is ours, and we reckon the sooner the King ratifies the conclusion at Breda, the better for him and the land, for now we will not fall an ace."

"Some melancholy spirits are dejected at the proclamation to convene the Parliament, and the little loss at Harwich, but we are not at all down at such stories, being resolved to live and die in so honourable a quarrel."

Leslie, John Henry (1898) responds: "From all these accounts it seems clear that the honours of the day rested mainly with Captain Nathaniel Darell, the governor of the fort, as Major Legge did not arrive on the scene of action until late in the day. To Darell therefore, distinctly belongs the credit of having beaten off a determined assault in the face of over whelming numbers, and with him and his garrison rests the honour of having saved the fort from capture, and of having thus in a great measure restored the confidence in our fighting power which had been so rudely shaken by the disasters sustained at Sheerness and Chatham."

However, Darell himself was, on account of his wounded arm, unable to write. At a later date he addressed the following short and very modest letter to his honoured friend, Joseph Williamson Esq. Secretary to the Right Honourable Lord Arlington: "Sir Landguard Point forte. July 9th, 1667. If I had had my arm as much at liberty as I could wish you should not have prevented me with your letter by which you have very much obliged me, I shall study on all occasions to deserve so great a favour I hope you will excuse me for not giving you so early an intelligence as those of Harwich who were spectators. I shall not trouble you at present with reiterating unto you the passages that happened here being. I have acquainted my Lord Arlington with it, I shall be very careful in giving you notice of anything that shall happen in these parts with this assurance (although by another hand for which I hope you will excuse me) that of all those that make profession of being your servants none shall be with greater truth than myself. Sir, Your most humble servant, Nathaniel, Darell,"

Leslie, John Henry (1898) responds: "Thus ends the account of the memorable attack on Landguard an event which is, I regret to say, almost forgotten by most of us to-day. More than 230 years have elapsed, yet nothing has ever been done to commemorate the victory won on that 2nd of July, 1667. Surely some part of the existing fort might be called after Darell, so that the name, at least, of a fine soldier shall not be entirely lost to recollection. A 'Darell's Battery' with a suitable inscription on one of the fort bastions, would be a fitting tribute to the memory of a distinguished and brave man, as also a simple manner of recording the victory which, coming as it did at a very critical period of the history of our country, was of more far-reaching effect than we are now probably able to realise."

Although the Dutch had been unsuccessful in their attack on the fort, it was considered more than probable that they would renew their attempt in a few days, consequently no efforts were spared to render the coast safe against further attacks nor was the vigilance of the defenders in any degree relaxed.

As soon as the news of the fight of the 2nd July reached London, the Duke of York left for Harwich, where he arrived on the 4th July, and we read that his presence much comforts the people. While on the 6thJuly he visited Landguard.

For the next few days the Dutch fleet remained at anchor by the Gunfleet sand and Sledway, (a shipway 6.4km long Latitude. 51.9667, Longitude. 1.4833).However, on the morning of the 9th July it was reported to be seven leagues off from Harwich. Their movements are uncertain, sometimes they are before Aldeburgh, sometimes Southwold.

The Duke of York left Harwich on the 10th July, and though rumours to the effect that peace had been concluded were gaining ground, it was still expected that the Dutch would make another attack upon the fort.

On 16th July sixty Dutch ships were reported to be lying off Harwich, keeping their old station near the Gunfleet. A letter concludes:

"The Officers, Seamen, and Soldiers at Landguard Fort are well fitted, and heartily wish, if the enemy's purpose is a further fight, that they would do it out of hand, being now far better provided for them, having thrown down the banks between the Fort and the sea, to bring the small shot, as well as great, to bear upon them."

Another letter of the same date written by Silas Taylor before mentioned, from Harwich says that he: ''hopes Landguard Passage is well guarded, the Dutch having an aching tooth against Harwich, for being so serviceable against them. The hazy weather and high wind prevent reports of the Dutch, and hinder our Fleet's getting out." The letter concludes with the remark that the Dutch are about the Sledway and off Bawdsey sands, dare not budge from their anchors for the wind, and are quiet neighbours."

Meantime, Landguard Fort had been provisioned for 780 men "in case it should be besieged," and on 30th July the whole Dutch fleet, after having paid a flying visit to Sheerness, and the mouth of the Thames, was again riding at anchor in the Gunfleet, with the show of a design to attempt Landguard Fort a second time.

However, the treaty of peace between England and Holland was signed at Breda on 31st July, the news of its ratification being received in England with manifestations of great joy. The immediate result of this was that all extraordinary Gunners lately taken in for his Majesty Service at Landguard Fort were paid off and discharged. Otherwise no change was made in the constitution of the garrison for the next eighteen months.

**1667.** Officially, Landguard Fort is the site of the very last opposed seaborne invasion of England, and was the very first land battle of the newly formed Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot (Marines).

**1667.** The following is a quote from an unknown officer, but was recorded by Major J.H. Leslie (Royal Artillery) and published during 4th May1898 _._

_"The actual details of the landing, the assault, and the subsequent retreat, are best given in the words of eye-witnesses, who saw the whole of the action from the Dovercourt cliffs, and from Beacon Hill at Harwich._

_The first letter on the subject is from Silas Taylor, Keeper of the King's Store at Harwich, to Joseph Williamson, Keeper of H.M.'s Papers of State at Whitehall. It is dated from Harwich, July 3, 1667, about 11 noon, and runs as follows. It was judged that the eight Dutch ships that sent such clouds of smoke upon the fort out of the Rolling Grounds were merely for that purpose. That they landed about Filstow Cliffs (alias Felixstow) above 2,000 men, I have reason to believe from my own guess. The Suffolk forces came to them in inclosures, about 4 of the clock, or 5. They spared about 400 or 500, relieved from the main body (that stood near the place they landed, with a strong body of pikes, which I plainly saw), to assault the forces above the hill, and with them two or three drakes, with which they maintained the lanes and hedges, so that the Earl of Suffolk got his ground of them in a manner but by inches, because his horse were excluded from the service._

_In the mean, a party of 300 or 400, or more, ran along the beach, in the name of a channel off the Suffolk coast, opposite Bawdsey."_

Photo from: www.battlefieldreview.com/LandguardFort.asp

A chart of the battle of Landguard Fort from a survey by Graeme Spence.

**1670.** Sir Charles Lyttelton 3rd Baronet was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1670.** In August Nathaniel Darell proceeded with his company to Sheerness,' and upon arrival was appointed Governor, an appointment which he continued to hold until his death, which occurred on 31st January 1680.

Major Edye writes of him in his 'History of the Royal Marines'."There is no doubt that the services which Major Darell, one of the original Officers of the Regiment, had rendered from time to time to the State were very considerable, and that this, his general merits, coupled with his distinguished conduct in the defence of Landguard Fort, had earned for him his appointment as Governor of Sheerness.

A study of the official and other documents of the period during which he was Governor shows how great an importance was attached to this command, and how much confidence was reposed in him by the several Departments of the State."

**1679.** Towards the end of the year Lyttelton's company was transferred from Landguard to Sheerness, and was replaced in February 1680, by a company of the Royal regiment of Foot Guards brought from Portsmouth, under the command of Captain Sir Roger Manley.

**1680.** Sir Roger Manley was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort. He attained some repute as a writer, and in 1670 published the "History of the late Warres in Denmark," a work which preserves its historical value to the present day. He was also author of "The History of the Rebellion in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Published in London 1691," in the preface to which he is described as "a gentleman of known integrity, bred in the Church of England, for whose cause, joined with that of the Royal family, he was a valiant and zealous champion, having been personally engaged in the most considerable battles, which his Royal Master, King Charles 1 fought against his rebellious Subjects." He died on the 14th January 1688.

**1687.** 19th March William Eyton was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort, in succession to Sir Roger Manley, and died on January 14, 1688.

**1687.** The office of Lieutenant Governor was created at the fort, it continued until 1854. At that time the pay was only £73 a year.

**1687.** 8th December Francis Hammond was the first appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1688.** 20th January Henry Killigrew was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

Henry Killigrew, was the son of the Rev. Henry Killigrew D.D. (a celebrated Divine, Almoner to the Duke of York, Master of the Savoy), He was a naval officer of distinction, who in 1689 became Admiral of the Blue, and, in January 1691, was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Marine regiment of Foot of the Irish Establishment. In 1693 he was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, and was also one of the Admirals in joint command of the 'Grand Fleet' from which command he was dismissed, consequent on the disaster which befell the Smyrna trade in June of that year. However, he was retained, until 1694 as his lordship of the Admiralty.

Killigrew's governorship of Landguard Fort seems to have been virtually nominal, because, during the greater part of his term of command while there, he also held a naval command afloat, nor does it appear that he ever resided at the fort, or that he ever in any way administered its affairs. In October 1697, he was granted half-pay as Admiral of the Blue, and his tenure of office as Governor of the fort terminated. He died at his seat, near St. Albans, on 9th November 1712.

**1697.** 1st November Edward Jones was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1700.** The salary of the Lieutenant. Governor was fixed at 4 shillings a day.

**1701.** Despite its earlier success, the fort was not maintained well and when the War of the Spanish Succession' broke out, the fort was no longer defensible.

1711. Francis Hammond was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

_1711._ 15th May Matthew Draper was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1715.** September Lord Townshend was petitioned to dismiss the Governor of Landguard Fort Mr Hammond, and to put a just person in his position, the petitioners asking at the same time to be relieved from the oppressions of Mr. Hammond.

And again in the same month on information that was sworn before the Mayor of Harwich, by the master of a Yarmouth ship, that when sailing out of the harbour of Harwich his ship was fired at by the Governor of Landguard Fort, and later it is recorded that the master of a Wisbech ship is ready and willing to make affidavit that Mr. Hammond, fired a gun at him, while in March of the following year a complaint was laid against Hammond, and Matthew Draper, (the lieutenant governor), for placing an officer under arrest for 24 hours for drinking the health of the Duke of Marlborough.

**1716.** The Governors wage rose to the original rate of 10 shillings a day.

**1717.** Gwyn Vaughan was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1717.** to **1720.** A new Fort Battery was built. The new Landguard Fort was compact in design, having a triangular seaward battery defended on the landward side by two demi-bastions, situated on the west side of the point. The majority of its guns faced over the harbour entrance rather than out to sea. The fort was surrounded by a dry ditch, which was covered by a caponier at the southern apex. It was estimated to have cost £2,975 15s, and was built entirely of red brick, in the Queen Anne style, and was a most imposing structure. The greater part of the outer walls remains to this day, exactly as originally built, and the chief alterations which have since been made consist of changes in the interior arrangement, both as regards barracks and guns.

**1718.** 14th May Bacon Morris was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1719.** Bacon Morris was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1719** to **1720** Hugh Plunknet was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1722.** Daniel Defoe the writer visited Harwich and Landguard, and described the harbour in his 'Tour through the Eastern counties of England' as one of the best and securest in England, It is, he wrote "covered at the entrance by a strong fort and a battery of guns to the seaward, just as at Tilbury, and which sufficiently defend the mouth of the river. And there is a particular felicity in this fortification, that though the entrance or opening of the river into the sea is very wide, especially at high-water, at least two miles, if not three over, yet the channel, which is deep, and in which the ships must keep and come to the harbour, is narrow, and lies only on the side of the fort, so that all the ships which come in or go out."

**1720** to **1753** Edward Hayes was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

1730 to 1733. After the plans to improve the defences of Harwich were cancelled, Landguard Fort was upgraded between. The barracks were enlarged to accommodate a larger garrison and heavier guns were installed in the main battery. However, this incarnation of the Fort was not to remain for long.

**1744.** February Mordaunt Cracherode was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort. He died on the 20th June 1773, and was buried at St. Paul's Covent Garden.

**1744.** Work began to build a much larger new pentagonal fort with five bastions. It had a dry ditch and a strong covered way. The existing barracks were enlarged and a new governor's residence was built on the north side of the parade ground. The two main faces of the fort built during 1717 formed the west and south-west curtains of this new fort. The engineer responsible for the design was Colonel John Peter Desmaretz, who also under took the fortifications of Portsmouth. The new pentagonal fort was built between 1744 and 1750.

**1750.** Further work was carried out on the Fort.

**1753.** Lord George Beauclerk (26th December 1704 - 11th May 1768) was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort. George was a British Army officer, the sixth son of Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans by his wife Diana, daughter of Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford. He was, therefore a grandson of Charles II and Nel Gwynne. Beauclerk was a career soldier entering the army as an ensign in 1726. Where he served in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, and was promoted to Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1736. In 1745 he was nominated aide-de-camp to King George II with the rank of Colonel, and in 1747 he obtained the Colonelcy of the 8th Regiment of Marines (afterwards disbanded), from which he was removed on 15th March 1748 to the19th Regiment of Foot. In 1753 he was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort, holding the post until his death. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1755 and to that of Lieutenant-General in 1758. He performed the duties of Commander-in-Chief in Scotland from 1756 to 1767, and was Member of Parliament for New Windsor from 1744 to 1754. He was elected again for New Windsor in the 1768 election but died the day after Parliament met.

**1753** to **1766** Captain Philip Thicknesse, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Landguard Fort, and has an interesting history. Thicknesse was born in Staffordshire in 1720 and at the age of 17 joined the army but later transferred to a Marine regiment as a Captain-Lieutenant in 1740. After a period in the South of England he became Governor of Landguard Fort, between 1753 and 1766. Thicknesse was unpopular during his time at the Fort, being argumentative and a tyrant. In September 1761 a Court Martial held in the fort had found a Captain William Lynch not guilty of being absent without leave during wartime. This verdict annoyed Thicknesse who had pressed the original charge and in court his behaviour was such that he had to be reprimanded for his loss of temper. In spite of the court's reprimand Thicknesse would not keep quiet and turned his anger on Colonel Francis Vernon, who held the Presidency of the trial. For this libellous outburst Thicknesse found himself in court at Bury St. Edmunds assizes in August 1763. This resulted in a three month jail sentence, £100 fine and an order to find sureties for seven years good behaviour. When Thicknesse returned to the Fort, after his enforced absence, he had not mellowed and he brought Court Marshal charges against an officer who had been in command while he was away. Things went from bad to worse and eventually more charges were brought against Thicknesse. At a trial held in July 1765 he was found guilty on two charges and sentenced to be publicly reprimanded. Thicknesse returned to Landguard in September 1765. He was subsequently informed by the War Office that in their view he was unfit to command and that he should not reside at the Fort. In 1766 Thicknesse resigned his position. Although most accounts refer to the bad side of Thicknesse, an account in a Gentlemen's Magazine in 1809 stated, "In point of person he was extremely handsome; his conversation was entertaining, his talents undisputed, his manners elegant and fascinating, he excelled in all the accomplishments of the day." So perhaps there was another side to the Governor. Thicknesse was a good friend of Thomas Gainsborough, who had a painted a picture for him which hung above the fireplace in his quarters. Thicknesse died near Boulogne on 22nd 1792, as a parting shot his will stated "I leave my right hand, to be cut off after my death, to my son, Lord Audley, and I desire it may be sent to him in hopes that such a sight may remind him of his duty to God, after having for so long abandoned the duty he owed his father who once affectionately loved him."

**1753.** A new battery, called Beauclerk's Battery, was built on the covered way in the south west, increasing the firepower facing across the harbour entrance.

**1758.** The Governors wage was raised to £1 a day, while the Lieutenant Governor's pay was increased to £182 a year.

**1766.** Anketell Singleton was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1767.** With the goings on concerning Captain Philip Thicknesse when he was the Lieutenant Governor during 1753 to 1766. It seems somebody had written about him and what he got up to, titled 'The Humours of Landguard Fort', and although a work of no literary merit and in many respects unsuitable for appearance in print, it shows clearly that the rule of Lieutenant Governor Thicknesse had been both unpleasant and discreditable.

The first officially recorded incident of the many which led up to and eventually terminated in the retirement from office of this turbulent man occurred on September 14, 1761, on which date a General Court Martial, held at the fort under the presidency of Colonel Francis Vernon, investigated a charge preferred by the lieutenant governor against a Captain William Lynch, of the Eastern battalion of the Suffolk Militia, then stationed at Landguard, of having absented himself from duty, during a time of war, without permission. The Court acquitted the prisoner with honour, but its finding was not confirmed by the King, the reason assigned for his refusal to confirm it being because the charge stands clear and un-contradicted by the prisoner. Lynch was, however, released, and Thicknesse was simultaneously reprimanded for "want of temper."

Thicknesse, greatly irritated at this result, permitted his unbridled anger against Colonel Vernon soon afterwards created Lord Orwell to betray him into a libellous attack upon the character of that nobleman, and thereby brought himself into the grasp of the criminal law. Thicknesse had sent a wooden gun to Lord Orwell, as a present, intending thereby to cast an imputation upon his personal courage, as an officer, and this constituted the libel. He was tried at the Assizes held at Bury St. Edmund's in August 1763," on information granted by the Court of King's Bench for publishing a false and scandalous libel reflecting upon the Right Hon. Lord Orwell, convicted of the offence, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, to pay a fine of £100, and to find sureties for good behaviour for a period of seven years.

During the enforced absence of Thicknesse from Landguard whilst taking his trial and undergoing his consequent imprisonment for the libel, a Captain James Marsh was sent to officiate as temporary Lieutenant Governor of the fort. That officer also fell into trouble, and he, too, after resumption of the post by Thicknesse, underwent the ordeal of a court martial, under circumstances which are mentioned in chapter 23.

The strained condition of relations existing between Thicknesse and the other officers of the garrison towards the end of 1764, and the critical situation caused thereby, are clearly shown in the following letter addressed by him at that time to the Secretary at War.

"Sir, When I had the honour to wait upon you in Town, I took the Liberty to acquaint you on how very critical and dangerous my present Situation is.

"Traps are daily laid to ensnare me in a Breach of the Peace, one of which is of so flagrant a nature, that I cannot doubt your Excuse in laying it before you, or that you will refuse me the means of proper Redress. Ensign John Gamble, Practitioner Engineer to this Garrison, was, or pretended to be, so offended at my giving an Order out, that no soldier should be sent to Ipswich (13 miles) without my Knowledge, that he came to me, (having a Witness at a small Distance) and made use of many provoking Expressions, in order to irritate a Temper naturally warm. But, finding this Method ineffectual, he challenged me out to fight, but, upon my telling him, the Laws of the Land, and that of Nature, (Self- Defence) were the Laws I would strictly adhere to, he for that time left me. But, on Thursday last, he came to me on the Battery in the Garrison, brandishing a stick at me, and in a most insolent and threatening Manner, of which I have witness, who has told me Sir, this is not a proper place, with such Action and Manner, that the Bystanders have sworn, they consider it as a Menace, and Challenge to fight. Now, Sir, circumstanced as I am, insulted in the Execution of my Duty, and that too by an Officer immediately under my Command, I humbly apprehend it is my Duty to lay it before you; and I do most humbly beseech you to lay it before his Majesty. If I have abused the Trust vested in me, or exerted any unlawful Authority over the Troops under my Command, I ought to be punished, but a conscious Innocence prompts me to wish an enquiry may be made after these people who have so violated the Martial Law, and trampled upon my Authority, have answered for theirs.

"The present unfortunate Gentleman, under an Arrest, would never have been so, but for the Advice of this Mr. Gamble, and he it was who spirited the poor Man up to write me a letter in the Afternoon, to recall the submission he had offered me in the Morning. I would not thus repeatedly trouble you but from a thorough sense that it can have no End, till our Disputes are settled by better Judges than ourselves. I have the honour to be Phil. Thicknesse."

**1768.** 25th May Robert Armiger was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort, and held the governorship until his death, on 18th March 1770.

General Robert Armiger born in 1701 entered the army in the year 1739 as Ensign in the 25th Regiment of Foot, then called the Edinburgh Regiment, and in February 1747, was transferred to the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, obtaining command of a company with the rank of Captain and then Lieutenant finally being promoted to Colonel. In 1758, of the 65th Regiment that was formed from the 2nd Battalion of the 1 2th Regiment, and Colonel Armiger was then appointed to command it, his commission bearing dated 21st April. In 1759 he served as Brigadier-General in the expedition against the island of Guadeloupe and in June of that year was promoted to the rank of Major-General, becoming Lieutenant. General in March 1765. He obtained the Colonelcy of the 40th Regiment in 1760.

**1770.** Sir John Clavering was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1722.** Daniel Defoe visited Harwich and Landguard, and described the harbour in his 'Tour through the Eastern counties of England' as one of the best and securest in England. He wrote "It is covered at the entrance by a strong fort and a battery of guns to the seaward, just as at Tilbury, and which sufficiently defend the mouth of the river. And there is a particular felicity in this fortification, that though the entrance or opening of the river into the sea is very wide, especially at high-water, at least two miles, if not three, yet the channel, which is deep, and in which the ships must keep and come to the harbour, is narrow and lies only on the side of the fort, so that all the ships which come in or go out must come close under the guns of the fort that is to say under the command of their shot.

**1778.** Hon Alexander Mackay was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1788.** Harry Trelawny was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1789.** The Governors wage was reduced from £1 a day to 19 shillings, at which rate it remained until the abolition of the governorship during 1833.

**1780's** Further work was carried out on the Fort. The whole point was made into an entrenched camp with earthwork lines. The King's and Prince's Lines were extended across the peninsular to the north of the fort. Two earthwork batteries, North Redoubt and South Redoubt were constructed adjacent to the fort itself and Rainham Redoubt, which faced out to sea, was constructed on the site of the original 16th century redoubt. The aim of the camp was to provide a protected base from which a land force could operate.

**1797.** A map of Landguard Common is divided into two distinct parts, that adjoining the Fort being called 'Langer Dry Common', extending as far as Ireton's Ditch, and the remainder 'Langer Wet Common'.

**1797.** A dispute arose between the then lord of the manor and the officers of His Majesty's Ordnance, as to the respective rights of the Lord of the Manor on the one hand, and the Officers of the Crown on the other, over certain parts of Langer Common, This dispute was settled at the time by the granting by the Lord of the Manor to the Crown of a lease of rights of user of Langer Dry Common for military purposes for 999 years, at a small annual rent. However, reserving to the Lord, certain manorial rights and privileges specified in the lease.

**1800.** David Dundas was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1801.** Cavendish Lister was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1804.** John Blake was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

A chart of 1804 of Harwich and the Landguard Fort area. From a survey by Graeme Spence taken from en.wikipedia.org

**1806.** Alexander Mair was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1811** to **1854** Colonel Charles Augustus West was the Last appointed Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort. During his childhood he was page of honour to King George III, Ensign in the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards during 1784. He was married secretly at Gretna Green in 1788 due to his service as a page and inability to ask the King for permission. Later to be promoted to Captain during 1804. He went on to see service in Ireland, Holland, Egypt, Germany, Denmark and the Iberian Peninsula. Captured by the French and then rescued during the Battle of Talavera in July 1809. Invalided home and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Royal Veteran Battalion in 1811. His eldest son was severely wounded leading a company of the 3rd Foot Guards at Waterloo. Sadly his other two sons were killed during military service. He was described by many as the most distinguished soldier to hold the post.

**1823.** Sir Robert Brownrigg 1st Baronet was appointed Governor of Landguard Fort.

**1850.** The defences of the fort had been strengthened by the construction of a battery on the glacis of the two faces of the fort, which command the entrance channel from the sea into the harbour. It was called "Beauclerk's" battery, after Lord George Beauclerk who had been governor of the fort from 1753 to 1768. The battery had emplacements for 11 guns, and mounted 4 8 inch S.B. guns of 65 cwt, and 6 32 pounder S.B. guns, all on wood sliding carriages, with iron slides. In the centre of the battery was a 10 inch mortar, behind which stood a portable iron furnace for heating shot. Beauclerk's battery disappeared when the fort was dismantled and reconstructed during 1871, and no trace of it now remains.

**1853.** Leslie, John Henry (1898) says: "On Landguard Common there used to be, and, I believe still are, a wonderful variety of wild flowers some of them very beautiful, and when the Suffolk Artillery Militia was formed in 1853, the regimental badge on its uniform was the 'sea-thistle' found at Landguard. The badge remained on the sabre-tasche and pouch, until the Militia ceased to wear silver lace and changed to the gold lace of the Royal Artillery."

**1867.** The manor passed by sale and purchase from its then owner, the Duke of Hamilton, to Colonel George Tomline, of Orwell Park, near Ipswich, formerly M.P. for the borough of Grimsby, a wealthy man of exceptionally strong will and imperious temper, and, before many years had elapsed, this great territorial magnate came into frequent collision with the Secretary of State for War over alleged encroachments, of many kinds, by the War Department, upon his seigniorial rights as lord of the manor many of such alleged encroachments being, however, of an exceedingly trivial character and, instead of appealing at the outset to the law to obtain redress for his supposed grievances, he almost invariably proceeded to redress them for himself by a process which is usually called taking the law into one's own hands.

**1870's.** the biggest change took place when the interior of the barracks were rebuilt to a keep-like design. The estuary frontage was rebuilt with a new casemated battery covered by a very unusual caponier with a quarter sphere bomb proof nose. Several open bastions were enclosed, and a mock ravelin block constructed to house a submarine mining contingent.

**1870.** Mining was set up to control and lay minefields to protect Harwich. From 1875 Landguard Forts main casemated battery was armed with 4 x 12.5" 38 ton R.M.L. (Rifled Muzzle Loaders) and 3 x 10" R.M.L. 18 ton guns. The 12.5" shells weighed 800 Lbs and came in three types, Common, Shrapnel and H.E. (high Explosive). The shrapnel was used for raking the decks of warships or against enemy troops. A detachment of seventeen men were required to fire the 12.5" gun, three of which worked in the magazine. In times of emergency they would have slept around the gun and in the barrack room to the rear of the casemate. Although the Victorian Fort never saw action against hostile forces there were frequent drills making them some of the best gunners in the world. The guns were fired electrically by a gunnery officer positioned on the roof of the Fort.

**1875.** The Victorians enclosed and bolstered the Fort.

**1900.** By the turn of the century muzzle loading guns were replaced by breech loaders. However the main casemated battery armament remained in the Fort till around 1902. They were used for 'Running Past'. Each gun was loaded with a cylinder containing up to 90 steel balls, they were set to fire at pre-determined ranges and locations. Like shrapnel they would have peppered warships trying to enter the harbour.

**1900's** The main guns were removed, for most of the 20th century as the Fort was used as barrack accommodation.

**1901.** Because the existing armament of the Fort became obsolete, new batteries were built in front of the Fort facing the sea and river. These were named Left, Right and Darell's Batteries.

**1915.** The whole of Felixstowe was also surrounded by a defence network of trenches and strong points. A new battery was constructed at Brackenbury, in April and was armed with two 9.2" Mk X guns. A barracks for the garrison was built to the rear of the battery, outside of its defended perimeter. A temporary railway was constructed on the road, for stores and ammunition to the guns.

**1939.** At the start of the Second World War the 10 inch gun pit in the Left Battery was converted into an Anti-aircraft Operations Room for Harwich.

**1940.** During the Second World War, the Right Battery was used as one of the balloon launch sites of 'Operation Outward', a name given to the British World War II program to attack Germany by means of free-flying balloons. It made use of cheap, simple gas balloons filled with hydrogen. They carried one of two types of payload, a trailing steel wire intended to damage high voltage power lines by producing a short circuit, or three incendiary devices, 6 pound (2.7 kg) flexible socks filled with flammable material, that were intended to start fires in forests and heath land. Between 1942 and 1944 many thousands of balloons were launched. It's estimated that a total of 99,142 Outward balloons were launched. 53,343 carried incendiaries and 45,599 carried steel wires.

**1940.** During the Second World War, Landguard was armed with two 6" BL guns mounted on the Right Battery. A PWSS (Port War Signal Station) was set up on the roof of the Fort to control the shipping approaching Harwich Harbour. The Station was run by the Royal Navy. The defences were even more intense than the First. The whole of the sea front was mined and tank traps set up. A steel scaffolding barrier was constructed along the entire coastal front. Some sections were erected on land, but most were built in the water at low tide to prevent landing craft reaching the beach. Felixstowe was again surrounded by a defensive ring, reinforced by pillboxes. It was difficult to imagine the depth of these defensives until a council surveyors report, written after the war came to light describing the defences on the front and the claims concerned with the re-instatement of and removal of these defences. A new emergency battery was constructed at Manor House, just North East of the fort. It was armed with two 6" Mk IX guns. The Manor House itself was for many years the officer's mess for the fort. Four boom ships were moored in the River Orwell opposite the tidal station pier. From about September 1939 for 18 months the Anti Aircraft Operations room, known as the AAOR or GOR for the Harwich area was at Landguard, it then moved to 'Q' Martello Tower, which is near the pier. At the end of the war it returned to Landguard, sited in the converted Ten Inch Emplacement in the Left Battery. Eventually the AAOR moved to Mistley in Essex, into a purpose built bunker. The coastal guns at Landguard opened fire only twice during the war and that was when our own ships failed to give the correct recognition signal. In contrast the A.A. defences were kept very busy. German aircraft over Landguard and Harwich was almost a daily occurrence. At night time the search light crews were on a number of occasions machine gunned by German aircraft flying down the search light beams! Darell's Battery fired a number of times at unidentified targets either observed or picked up by the hydrophones in the estuary. At the height of the invasion scare 212 Brigade were issued the following order, "The Felixstowe Battalion will defend the Battalion area against any form of attack, with every means at their disposal and with the co-operation of all supporting arms and to the last man and the last round. There will be NO withdrawal."

**1951.** Two of the old gun casemates were converted into a control room for Cold War use against Russia.

**1956.** The Coastal Artillery was disbanded (but remained in military hands until 1960, when it finally became redundant), and Landguard Fort no longer had a national military purpose.

After 10 years of military neglect, the fort was sealed up and left to quietly disintegrate until the 1980's when local interest was aroused.

1997/8. The fort was structurally consolidated by English Heritage, into whose care the fort had been entrusted, and has been maintained and opened to the public on their behalf by the Landguard Fort Trust.

© Copyright Colin Park

Photo from www.english-heritage.org.uk

© Copyright Photo www.ecastles.co.uk/

© Copyright Photo Terry Aspinall

Photo from www.english-heritage.org.uk

Photo from

http://woodbridgesuffolk.info/img/photSuff/landguard

Photo from www.english-heritage.org.uk/

© Copyright Photo Terry Aspinall

© Copyright Photo Terry Aspinall

© Copyright Photo Terry Aspinall

Chapter 3

Royal Marine Badge

Per Mare Per Terram 'By Sea By Land'

Per Mare Per Terram: Signifies the Corps' service both by sea and land. It is not known exactly when this motto was adopted, but it was worn on their caps by Marines at the Battle of Bunkers Hill in 1775.

The Lion and Crown: The original badge of the Marines. The Crown also denotes that the Marines are a Royal Corps, an honour which King George III bestowed upon them in 1802, in token of their many gallant actions against the French. (This applies also to the Crown above the Foul Anchor at the bottom.)

The Globe: Awarded by King George IV in 1827. Owing to the impossibility of inscribing on the Colours all of the 109 Battle Honours to which the Royal Marines are entitled the King personally chose 'The Great Globe itself' as a fitting emblem to describe the Corps' worldwide service. (The Globe displays the continents of the Eastern Hemisphere.)

The Laurel: Awarded in commemoration of gallantry displayed by the Royal Marines at the Battle of Belle Isle in 1761.

Gibraltar: The Battle Honour carried on the Royal Marines' Colours. This was awarded to commemorate the outstanding services performed by the Corps in the capture and siege of Gibraltar in 1704.

The Foul Anchor: Is the badge of the Lord High Admiral and denotes that the Corps is part of the Royal Navy. It was first used during 1747.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 4

The Corps Flag

Yellow (known as Old Gold) represents the coat colour in 1664. (One part)

Green represents the Royal Marines Light Infantry title. (One part)

Drummer Red represents the Infantry tunic colour until 1876. (Two parts)

Navy Blue represents the connection with the Royal Navy. (Eight parts)

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 5

Corps Colours

Shared Information

The 'Colours' as we know them were first presented by William, Duke of Clarence, who later went on to become George IV, in 1827. A 'Stand of Colours' consists of, the Queens and Regimental colours. The history of the 'Colours' can be dated as far back as the Stone Age when men painted their skins different colours as recognition in battle. This later progressed to knights of old having their standards painted on their shields. In days gone by soldiers rallied by their standards rather than their leaders and the last phase of any battle was normally found around the 'Colour' of the losing side. At sunset on the eve of a major battle the 'Colours' would be paraded before the men to give the soldiers heart for the coming battle. This ceremony has, in present days, come to be known as 'Trooping the Colour'. During this ceremony the colours are paraded before the particular Battalion which are trooping their 'Colour'. This also stems from the fact that a soldier would grasp the corner of the 'Colour' when taking the 'Oath of Allegiance'.

www.en.wikipedia.org

The Queen's Colour

The Union Flag, in the centre of which is a foul anchor with the cipher of HM The Queen interlaced; above, St Edward's Crown surmounted by a scroll inscribed 'Gibraltar'; below, the globe surrounded by a laurel wreath, under which a scroll inscribed with the Corps motto 'Per Mare Per Terram'. The cords and tassels are of gold interwoven with silks of the Commando's colour which corresponds to the Commando lanyards worn by all ranks.

www.en.wikipedia.org

The Regimental Colour

A Blue Flag with a small Union Flag in the canton nearest the pike head, and the Cypher of HM The Queen surmounted by a St Edward's Crown in the other three corners; centre embellishments are similar to the Queen's Colour, except that the foul anchor is interlaced with the cipher of George IV and the Commando numeral appears below the motto. The cords and tassels are of gold interwoven with silks of the Commando's colour which corresponds to the Commando lanyards worn by all ranks.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 6

Cap Badges

Other Ranks ceremonial cap badge

The cap badge of the Royal Marines differs from the Corps crest in that it does not include the Motto, the Battle Honour Gibraltar or the Fouled Anchor. It is therefore merely a simplified version of the crest. The cap badge is worn with well deserved pride on the hard won Green Beret (that denotes the completion of the extremely tough, 4 week Commando course at Lympstone, Devon. The Commando cause follows an earlier 26 week training course to become a Royal Marine). This badge is worn on Caps with dress uniforms when on parade. While the darkened coloured version is worn on the Green Beret.

Other Ranks Green Beret and Cap with ceremonial badge

Other Ranks everyday wear badge

Officers Cap with ceremonial badge

Officers Green Beret with everyday wear badge

The Officers cap badge is in two parts, with the Lion and Crown separated from the Globe and Laurel Wreath, since the amalgamation of the RMLI and the RMA in 1923. There are two types of Corps badges, anodised and shiny for parades and dress uniforms, and bronze for everyday use.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 7

Royal Marine Prayer

O Eternal Lord God, who through many generations has united and inspired the members of our Corps, grant Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, on Royal Marines serving all round the Globe. Bestow Thy Crown of Righteousness upon all our efforts and endeavours and may our laurels be those of gallantry and honour, loyalty and courage. We ask these things in the Name of Him, whose courage never fails, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 8

Royal Marine Oath

During the first few weeks of training all recruits are asked to take the following Oath.

'I......................................., swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, her heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and of the generals and officers set over me, so help me God.'

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 9

Corps Memorable Dates

Shared Information

The Royal Marines has earned hundreds of various battle honours since their formation in 1664. However, only those that stand out are included in their current list of 'Memorable Dates'.

Tuesday 23rd April 1918. The Raid on Zeebrugge was to deny the Germans the use of the canal at Zeebrugge, a port in Belgium. It was conducted jointly between the Navy and Marines. The objective was successfully achieved, with troops landing on the Mole under heavy fire and positions held to allow others time to block the canal. Two Victoria Crosses were awarded, by ballot, to Marines following this operation.

Wednesday 28th April 1915. Gallipoli, Royal Marines were involved in both the initial, unopposed, landings on the peninsula and the subsequent amphibious operation to relieve troops once the Turks reinforced their position. Marines bore the brunt of Turkish attacks around Anzac Cove, where they had relieved the Australians. The Turks were also driven back a substantial distance by a counter attack by Marines in another part of the peninsula. A Victoria Cross was also awarded to a Royal Marine during this campaign. Lance Corporal Parker, for evacuating wounded while under fire.

Tuesday 6th June 1944.The Normandy Landings took place and the Royal Marines played a huge role in this operation, manning most landing craft, providing specialist groups e.g. mine clearance, manning guns on support ships and the commandos of course leading the assault itself. In total over 16,000 Royal Marines took part in Operation Overlord.

Sunday 7th June 1761. The Battle of Belle Isle in which the Marines played a major role in the capture of this island, from the first amphibious landing, and through all subsequent fighting. The laurel wreath borne on the colours, crest and cap badge of the Marines is believed to have been adopted in honour of the distinguished service of the Corps during this operation.

Monday 14th June 1982. The Recapture of the Falklands. The Royal Marines based in the Falklands were the first to come across Argentinean invaders, and succeeded in killing around 30 of them (including the destruction of an AMTRAK vehicle) before being overrun, at no loss to them. Subsequently Marines dispatched from Britain played a leading role in the campaign, manning all landing craft and spearheading the unopposed amphibious landings at San Carlos. The Royal Marines yomped 75 miles across East Falkland to take part in the battle for Port Stanley, the main town. Successes in the mountains around Stanley for the Marines led to the Argentine surrender. Approximately 50% of the Corps as it existed in 1982 took part in this campaign.

Saturday 17th June 1775. The Marines took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill in North America. In which the Marines were called in to reinforce the British force attempting to storm Bunker Hill near Boston. After the first two attempts to take the position had failed, the third effort, along with the help of two battalions of Marines, succeeded.

Thursday 24th July 1704. The Marines played a major part in the capture of the Rock of Gibraltar. This attack took place in conjunction with Dutch Marines A total force of 2300 Marines (1900 British) took the Rock and defended it during the 9 month siege that followed. This is the only Battle Honour on display on the colours and crest.

Monday 21st October 1805. The Battle of Trafalgar in which around 3000 Royal Marines were present at Nelson's famous victory over the French and Spanish. Fighting on the upper decks, they suffered heavy casualties on the leading ships but formed the core of the boarding parties that succeeded in capturing so many enemy ships.

Tuesday 28th October 1664, 11am. The Birth of the Corps. It was Charles II who ordered the first marine regiment, titled 'the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot'. The Duke was the head of the Admiralty at the time. They wore yellow jackets due to the allegiance to the Duke (it was his favourite colour), and that is why there is a yellow stripe on the Corps colours today. There were 1200 men in this new regiment, raised to fight the Dutch at sea in the Second Dutch War.

Wednesday 1st November 1944. The Assault on Walcheren. Three Royal Marine Commandos (equivalent in size to battalions) took part in this assault. Its objective was to clear the mouth of the Scheldt River and although little support was available to the Marines this was achieved after days of fighting. This success was owed in no small part to the small support craft, crewed by Marines, who risked themselves to get close enough to support the troops on land.

Unit Memorable dates

4O Commando Royal Marines

The Landing at Termoli \- Sunday Tuesday 3rd of October 1943

The Assault on Port Said - Tuesday 6th of November 1956

41 Commando Royal Marines

The Landing at Salerno \- Thursday 9th of September 1943

42 Commando Royal Marines

The Battle of Kangaw - Wednesday 31st of January 1945

The Limbang Landing Wednesday 12th December 1962

The Attack on Mount Harriet - Friday 11th & 12th of June 1982

43 Commando Royal Marines

The Assault on Comacchio - Monday 2nd of April 1945

44 Commando Royal Marines

The Battle of Kangaw - Wednesday 31st of January 1945

45 Commando Royal Marines

The Attack on Montforterbeek - Monday 22nd of January 1945

The Attack on Two Sisters - Friday 11th & 12th of June 1982

46 Commando Royal Marines

The Attack on LeHamel & Rots - Sunday 11th of June 1944

47 Commando Royal Marines

The Capture of Port-en-Bessin - Wednesday 7th of June 1944

48 Commando Royal Marines

The Normandy Landings \- Tuesday 6th of June 1944

Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines

The Landing at Ajax Bay - Saturday 22nd of May 1982

3 Commando Brigade HQ

The Landing in San Carlos Water - Friday 21st of May 1982

3 Commando Brigade Air

The Recapture of the Falkland Islands Monday 14th of June 1982

Operational Landing Craft Squadrons

The Normandy Landings \- Tuesday 6th of June 1944

The Landing in San Carlos Water - Friday 21st of May 1982

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

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Chapter 10

Battle Honours

Gibraltar 1704

Belle-Isle 1761

North America 1775

Camperdown1797

Nile 1798

Copenhagen 1801

Trafalgar 1805

Crimea 1854-1856

China 1860

Abyssinia 1868

Ashantee 1874

South Africa 1879

Tel-El-Kebir 1882

Soudan 1884

South Africa 1900-1901

China 1900-1901
Chapter 11

Royal Marines

Awarded the Victoria Cross

www.en.wikipedia.org

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that British and Commonwealth service men can be honoured with. To this day it remains the most honoured, and the most coveted. It marks its wearer as one possessing supreme courage, of a disregard for danger and complete devotion to duty.

Prior to the Crimean War, there was no recognised gallantry medal, but the individual deeds in that war made the creation of such an award, available to officers and men alike, necessary.

The Victoria Cross (VC) was instituted on Tuesday 29th January 1856 by Queen Victoria and was made retrospective from Tuesday 1 August 1854. So far it has been awarded to ten Royal Marines for their acts of valour in the face of the enemy.

www.en.wikipedia.org

**1)** Corporal John Prettyjohns RM (1823-1887). There is evidence that the correct spelling of his name was Prethjohns, and can be found at www.devonheritage.org. Prethyjohns and his family can be traced via the local church records on this website.

During the Crimea War and the battle of Inkerman that took place on Sunday 5th November 1854, a small party of Marines under the leadership of Sergeant Richards and Corporal Prettjohns were ordered to clear some cave's that were being held by the enemy.

However, before they could complete their task they were seized by a Russian patrol, at a time when the Marines had almost run out of ammunition. Corporal Prettyjohns took control of the situation and seized the leader of the Russian patrol by capturing him with a West Country wrestling throw. He then ordered his men to throw stones at the Russians, which they did with great success. When the Victoria Cross was instituted, the Marines chose Prettyjohns for one. He was also to be the Corps first Victoria Cross recipient.

www.en.wikipedia.org

**2)** Gunner Thomas. Wilkinson RMA (1831-1887) was awarded his Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery at the Battle of Sebastopol on Tuesday 5th June 1855. He carried out sandbag repairs to the defences of an advanced gun position whilst under intense enemy gunfire.

www.rmascarborough.co.uk

**3)** Lieutenant G.D. Dowell RMA was awarded his Victoria Cross while serving in the Baltic Sea during Friday 13th July 1855, after he rescued the crew of a rocket boat under intense grape and musketry fire.

www.bbc.co.uk/

**4)** Captain Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday RMLI (1870-1966). While serving in the Boxer Rebellion in China was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His Citation reads: On the Wednesday 24th June 1900, the enemy, consisting of Boxers and Imperial troops, made a fierce attack on the west wall of the British Legation, setting fire to the west gate of the south stable quarters, and taking cover in the buildings which adjoined the wall. The fire, which spread to part of the stables, and through which and the smoke a galling fire was kept up by the Imperial troops, was with difficulty extinguished, and as the presence of the enemy in the adjoining buildings was a grave danger to the Legation, a sortie was organised to drive them out. A hole was made in the Legation Wall, and Captain Halliday, in command of twenty Marines, led the way into the buildings and almost immediately engaged a party of the enemy. Before he could use his revolver, however, he was shot through the left shoulder, at point blank range, the bullet fracturing the shoulder and carrying away part of the lung. Notwithstanding the extremely severe nature of his wound, Captain Halliday killed three of his assailants, and telling his men to "carry on and not mind him," walked back unaided to the hospital, refusing escort and aid so as not to diminish the number of men engaged in the sortie.

The London Gazette. No. 27262. p3. Tuesday 1st January 1901.

www.en.wikipedia.org

**5)** Lance Corporal Walter Richard. Parker RMLI (1881-1936) was awarded his Victoria Cross on Friday 30th April 1915 for displaying conspicuous bravery in rescuing wounded personnel in full daylight under heavy fire. A London Gazette article was published on Friday 22nd June 1917 and it reads:

On the night of Friday 30th April 1915, Lieutenant Epson, RMLI who was in command of an Isolated fire trench at Gabi Tepee sent a message asking for ammunition, water and medical stores; in the trench there were also 40 men and a number of wounded.

The message was received by Captain Sibson, RMLI Officer Commanding `C' Company, Portsmouth Battalion, who detailed a party of Non-Commissioned Officers and men to carry water and ammunition and called for a volunteer among the stretcher bearers. Lance Corporal Parker of the same battalion at once volunteered to go. There were no communication trenches, and in attempting to emerge from the nearest trench one of the parties was wounded. Lance Corporal Parker organised a stretcher party to take this man back and then started off for the trench which Lieutenant Epson occupied.

It was now daylight. The intervening space was at least 400 yards and was completely exposed and swept by Turkish rifle fire; several Australians had already been killed while endeavouring to convey ammunition to Lieutenant Epson.

Parker alone succeeded in reaching the trench: all the remaining Non-Commissioned Officers and men in his party were either killed or wounded. After his arrival he rendered assistance to the wounded, displaying extreme courage and remaining cool and collected in very trying circumstances.

In the early morning of the following day the trench had to be evacuated and Parker helped to remove and attend to the wounded, although during this operation he was seriously wounded.

Parker had during the three previous days displayed consistent bravery and energy whilst in charge of the battalion stretcher bearers during a very trying time, as in nearly every case the wounded had to be evacuated over exposed ground and under fire.

Owing to the fact that the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Sergeant Major and the Company Commander were all wounded at this juncture the recommendations for gallantry etc. for the Portsmouth battalion were much delayed. The Brigadier General Commanding the Royal Navy Division at the time, however, considers this man should be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Severely wounded during the operation Parker was eventually invalided from the service in June 1916. Beside his VC he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals and a war gratuity. The men of the Division presented him with an inscribed marble and gilt clock. He never fully recovered from his injuries and died, aged 55, at Stapleford, Nottingham on Saturday 28th November 1936 and was buried in the local cemetery. A Memorial Service, in his honour, is held annually at Stapleford on the Sunday nearest 30th April by the local RMA.

www.en.wikipedia.org

**6)** Major Francis John William Harvey RMLI, (1873–1916). His Citation for being awarded the Victoria Cross reads: Whilst mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an enemy shell in 'Q' gun-house, with great presence of mind and devotion to duty ordered the magazine to be flooded, thereby saving the ship. He died shortly afterwards. This article is taken from the London Gazette, (Supplement) No. 29751. P 9067 Friday 15th September 1916.

www.en.wikipedia.org

7) Major Frederick William Lumsden DSO RMA (1872–1918) also won the Victoria Cross. His citation was published in 'The London Gazette,' No. 30122, dated Friday 8th June, 1917, records the following and reads:

For most conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty. Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire. Major Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into our lines. In order to effect this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage. As one of these teams sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and, through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun. He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety. By this time the enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun. Major Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached the gun to a team and got it away.

www.ar15.com

**8)** Sergeant Norman Augustus Finch RMA (1890–1966), was awarded his Victoria Cross during Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd April 1918.

Sergeant Finch was second-in-command of the pompoms and Lewis guns in the foretop of HMS Vindictive, under Lieutenant Charles N. B. Rigby, RMA. At one period the Vindictive was being hit every few seconds, chiefly on the upper works, from which splinters caused many casualties. It was difficult to locate the guns which were doing the most damage, but Lieutenant Rigby, Sergeant Finch and the Marines in the foretop, kept up a continuous fire with pompoms and Lewis guns, changing rapidly from one target to another, and thus keeping the enemy's fire down to some considerable extent.

Unfortunately two heavy shells made direct hits on the foretop, which was completely exposed to enemy concentration of fire. All in the top were killed or disabled, except Sergeant Finch, who was, however, severely wounded; nevertheless he showed consummate bravery, remaining in his battered and exposed position. He once more got a Lewis gun into action, and kept up a continuous fire, harassing the enemy on the mole, until the foretop received another direct hit, the remainder of the armament being then completely put out of action. Before the top was destroyed Sergeant Finch had done invaluable work, and by his bravery undoubtedly saved many lives.

This very gallant Sergeant of the Royal Marine Artillery was selected by the 4th Battalion of Royal Marines, who was mostly Royal Marine Light Infantry, to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated Tuesday 29th January 1856. A further 6 participants in the action also received the Victoria Cross by ballot.

www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/vc/

www.en.wikipedia.org

**9)** Captain Edward Bamford DSO RMLI (1887–1928) His Victoria Cross Citation, was published in the London Gazette, on Tuesday 23rd July 1918: records the following and reads:

For conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge. During April 1918. Captain Edward Bamford DSO RMLI landed on the Mole from HMS 'Vindictive' with Nos. 5, 7 & 8 platoons of the Marine Storming Force in the face of great difficulties. When on the Mole under heavy fire, he displayed the greatest initiative in the command of his company, and by his total disregard of danger, showed a magnificent example to his men. He first established a strong point on the right of the disembarkation, and when that was safe, led an assault on a battery to the left with the utmost coolness and valour. Captain Bamford was selected by the officers of the RMA & RMLI detachments to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated Saturday 26th January 1856.

www.bbc.co.uk

**10)** Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter (1923–1945) was awarded his Victoria Cross during the Battle of Comacchio on Tuesday 3rd April 1945. His Citation was published in the London Gazette on Wednesday 13th June, 1945, it records the following and reads:

In Italy Corporal Hunter of 'C' Troop of a Royal Marine Commando was in charge of a Bren group of the leading sub-section. Having advanced to within 400 yards of the final objective he realised that his troop had to cross open ground where enemy fire would cause heavy casualties. Corporal Hunter seized the Bren gun and charged across 200 yards of open ground, attracting most of the enemy fire. Showing complete disregard for this fire he alone cleared the enemy position, capturing six Germans. The remainder fled over the canal. The troop now became the target for fire from the opposite bank. In full view, Corporal Hunter fired and drew most of the enemy fire while the greater part of the troop gained cover. Shouting encouragement to the remainder he continued firing with great accuracy until finally he was hit and killed. There can be no doubt that Corporal Hunter offered himself as a target in order to save his troop. By the skilful and accurate use of his Bren gun he demoralised the enemy, and later silenced many of the Spandau's firing on his troop, so that many of the troop made their final objective before he was killed. Throughout the operation his magnificent courage, leadership and cheerfulness had been an inspiration to his comrades.

London Gazette Wednesday 13th June 1945.
Chapter 12

Royal Marines

History Time Line

© Copyright Royal Marines

Tuesday 28th October at 11-58 am 1664.

King Charles II, acting on advice from his commanders, decided to commission a regiment of sharp shooters to be deployed aboard Royal Navy vessels, to pick off enemy sailors manning heavy guns in a battle, thus disabling the enemy attacking capability, and allowing the Royal Navy to have an advantage. His Majesty the King, made a proclamation in Whitehall, to raise the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot. Below is the exact wording of the Convening Order, which we now recognise and celebrate as the Birth of the Corps. The regiment was raised mainly from the Trained Bands of the City of London.

Those present were:

1) The Kings Most Excellent Majesty's.

2) His Royal Highness ye Duke of York Earle of Middleton.

3) Lord Chancellor Lord Bishop of London.

4) Lord Treasurer Lord Ashley.

5) Duke of Albemarle Mr Vice Chamberlain.

6) Duke of Ormond Mr Secretary Morice.

7) Earle of Anglesey Mr Chancellor of ye Duchy.

8) Earle of Lauderdaill Sir Edward Nicholas.

Upon a report from the Lords the Committee for the Affairs of His Majesty's Navy Royal and Admiralty of this Kingdome this read at the Board, His Majesty was pleased to Order and direct that twelve hundred Land Soldiers be forthwith raised in readiness to be distributed to his Majesty's Fleets prepared for Sea Service, which said twelve hundred men are to be put under One Colonel, One Lieutenant Colonel and One Sergeant Major and to be divided into Six Companies. Each Company to consist of two hundred Soldiers; and to have one Captain, One Lieutenant, One Ensign, One Drummer, Four Sergeants and Four Corporals, and all the Soldiers aforesaid to be armed with good Firelocks. All which Arms, Drums and Colours are forthwith to be prepared and furnished out of His Majesty's stores. The care of all was recommended to the Duke of Albermarle his Grace Lord of His Majesty's Forces.

As the Duke of York was the Lord High Admiral, they became known as the Admiral's Regiment, and were paid by the Admiralty. The Regiment and their successors being the only long service troops in the navy during the 17th and 18th century. They were therefore not only soldiers but also seamen, who were part of the complement on board all warships. The Honourable Artillery Company had earlier been formed by Royal Charter under King Henry Vlll during 1537, it being the second oldest military organisation in the world.

Initially all their field officers were from the Royal Navy, not liking that the Marine field officer was nearly all honorary. This meant that until then Marine officers could only advance up to the rank of Captain, or possibly a Major, a situation that continued into the1800s.

Afloat the Marines saw action in almost all of the major sea battles. The following is a Chronological list of Battles, Sieges and other Military Operations that have taken place since their formation.

**1665** Wednesday 3rd June. The Admiral's Regiment first saw action at sea against the Dutch in the Battle of Lowestoft (Suffolk).

**1665** Sunday 2nd September to Wednesday 5th September. The great fire of London, in which many old files and information was destroyed.

**1666** Tuesday 1st to 4th June. Prince Rupert's Victory over the Dutch.

**1666** Sunday 25th July. The Battle of the North Foreness, (Orfordness. with the Dutch).

**1666** October. Pentland Hills Scotland (Scottish Rebels).

**1667** May. An incident involving HMS Paradox and a French Fly Boat.

**1667** Tuesday 7th June. A Battle in the Medway with the Dutch Fleet.

**1667** Saturday 2nd July. The Admiral's Regiment first saw action on land when they repulsed Dutch forces attacking Landguard Fort at the southern end of Felixstowe in Suffolk that overlooked the mouth of the river Orwell towards the port of Harwich.

**1672** March. The capture of three Dutch ships.

**1667** Saturday 28th May. The title 'Marines' first appeared in the records, after the battle of Sole Bay during the third Dutch war. A French Frigate sailed into Southwold Bay in Suffolk (known as Sole Bay). While the Dutch Fleet lay off shore and a battle took place. Losses were heavy on both sides. The Dutch lost two ships and about 1800 men, while the English lost two ships and 2000 men. The battle ended inconclusively at sunset, and predictably, both sides claimed the victory. Later Captain Silas wrote of the Marines that they had behaved themselves.

**1673** Monday 15th May. The capture of St. Helena (South Atlantic).

**1673** Sunday 28th May. The Battle of Schoonveldt against the Dutch.

**1673** Sunday 4th June. The 2nd Battle of Schoonveldt against the Dutch.

**1673** Monday 21st August. The Battle of Texel, between the Dutch and the combined English and French fleets. It was the last major Battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch.

**1674** Saturday 16th June. The Battle of Sinzheim (Town in Germany).

**1674** Thursday 4th October. The Battle of Entzheim (near Strasburg) against the French.

**1675** Saturday 5th January. The Battle of Turckheim (Alsace, France).

**1680** Wednesday 20th September. The Battle of Tangiers (Morocco North Africa).

**1689** Wednesday 11th May. The Battle of Bantry Bay against the French (Cape Town South Africa).

**1690** Wednesday 21st June. The capture of St. Christopher's (West Indies). By a 400 strong Battalion of Marines, formed from the detachments of a number of frigates.

**1690** Friday 30th June. The Battle at Beachy Head (Sussex coast).

**1690** Saturday 1st July. The Battle of Boyne (Ireland).

**1690** Wednesday 12th July. The Siege and Capture of Cork (Ireland).

**1690** Sunday 15th October. The capture of Kinsdale (South East Coast of Ireland).

**1691** Thursday 12th July. The Battle of Aghrim (East Coast of Ireland).

**1692** Monday 19th May. The Battle off La Hogue (Coast of France).

**1692** Monday 19th-24th May. The Battle of Barfleur (Coast of France). The French lost 15 ships to England.

**1693** Wednesday 17th June. The Battle of Lagos (Coast of Portugal).

**1693** Thursday 18th June. The Battle of Landen (Belgium).

**1693** Friday 16th - 20th October. The attack on St. Malmo (South of Jersey off France).

**1694** Monday 7th June. The Battle Camaret Bay (Coast of France).

**1694** Tuesday 8th June. Attack on Brest (Coast off North Western France).

**1694** Tuesday 15th June. The Bombardment of Havre de Grace (South West of Philadelphia).

**1694** Monday 12th July. The Bombardment of Dieppe (Coast of France).

**1694** Sunday 12th - 13th September. The Bombardment of Dunkirk (Coast of France).

**1695** Thursday 27th January. The Battle off Messina (Sicily).

**1695** Sunday 3rd July. The Battle off Jamaica (West Indies).

**1696** Tuesday 3rd July. The Landing on Isle of Groy (North of France).

**1696** Thursday 12th July. The Battle of Aughrim (Galway Ireland).

**1702** Wednesday 16th August. The Battle off Portobello (West Indies).

**1702** Wednesday 11th - 12th October. The English and Dutch forces capture defended harbor and part of the silver from a treasure fleet. (Coast of Spain).

**1703** Tuesday 7th March. The Battle of Guadeloupe (Caribbean Sea).

**1703** Friday 31st August. The Landing at Althea (Spain).

**1703** Wednesday 13th August 1704. The Battle off Malaga (Spain).

**1703** Wednesday 13th August 1704. Battle of Blenheim (Bavaria Germany).

**1704** 1st - 3rd August. During the war with France and Spain, the British attacked the Rock of Gibraltar: 1,900 British and 400 Dutch Marines prevented Spanish reinforcements from reaching the fortress. Later, British ships bombarded the city while Marines and seamen stormed the defences. After which they later withstood a nine month siege. Today the Royal Marines display only the battle honour 'Gibraltar' on their badge, while their close relationship with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps who fought alongside them continues to this day.

**1710** Friday 10th October. The Capture of Port Royal (Novia Scotia).

**1739** Thursday 22nd October. The War of Jenkins' Ear (against the Spanish).

**1741** March - May. The Battle of Cartagena de Indias, (Colombia).

**1746** The Marines gained the privilege of marching through the City of London with drums beating, Colours flying, and bayonets fixed, this privilege, shared with other certain regiments, stems from the formation of the first Maritime Regiments in 1664 from the Trained Bands of the City of London (from whom the Marines derive the nickname of Jollies). Among various general of the time.

www.historyweird.com

Hannah Snell (1723-1792) was a British woman who served in the Royal Marines as a man. Snell was born in Worcester, married in her late teens and gave birth to a daughter. When her daughter died and her husband absconded, Snell borrowed some men's clothing and on Monday 23rd October 1747 enlisted in the Marines using the name 'James Gray'. In 1748 Snell was deployed to India and later fought in the battle of Devicotta during June 1749. She was wounded eleven times to the legs and once to the groin. She either managed to treat her groin wound without revealing her sex or she may have used the services of a sympathetic Indian nurse where she saw heavy combat and received twelve wounds, six in her right arm and five in her left and the other in her groin, from the last of which she extracted the ball and herself perfected the cure, in order to prevent her sex being discovered. Snell's gender concealment is even more remarkable considering that she was flogged twice during her three years in the Marines and both times was stripped to the waist. In 1748 Snell was charged with dereliction of duty and publicly whipped in Carlisle. Snell later told biographers she avoided detection because her "breasts were but small". Her arms were drawn up, the protuberance of her breasts was inconsiderable and they were hid by her standing close to the gate upon which she was flogged." Snell received a second whipping onboard a Royal Navy ship, where she prevented the discovery of her sex by tying a handkerchief around her neck and spreading it over her breasts. During this second flogging Snell's breasts were spotted by the ship's bosun, who "said they were the most like a woman's he ever saw". However he was not concerned enough to raise the alarm. On her return to England in 1750 Snell confessed her true gender. She was given an honourable discharge and, later, a military pension and later ran a pub.

**1748** August - October. The Siege of Pondicherry India (against the French).

**1756** Thursday 20th May 1756. The Battle of Minorca.

**1758** April. The capture of Fort Louis. (Senegal).

**1758** December. The Battle of Goree, West Africa.

**1759** Monday 22nd January. The capture of Guadalupe (against the French).

**1759** Wednesday 1st August. The Battle of Minden (North Germany).

**1759** Friday 12th January. The capture of Quebec (French).

**1759** Tuesday 20th November. The Battle of Quibecon Bay, (Coast of France).

**1760** Saturday 12th January. The capture of Montreal (against the French).

**1761** Monday 8th June. Marines were involved in an amphibious expedition to capture the French island of Belle-lsle off the Brittany Coast, during the Seven Years' War. After an initial British attack was repulsed, a second attempt lead by General Studholme Hodgson forced a beachhead. A second landing was made, and after a six-week siege the island's main citadel at Le Palais was stormed, consolidating British control of the island. A French relief effort from the nearby mainland was unable to succeed because of British control of the sea. On Monday 8th June 1761 after more than a month's siege of Le Palais, Sainte Croix acknowledged he was unlikely to receive any rescue and he agreed to capitulate. Sainte Croix was allowed, through the British lines, to march his men out through the breach with the honours of war. His men were then repatriated to nearby Lorient. The British occupied the island for two years before returning it to France in 1763 following the Treaty of Paris.

**1762** Friday 26th February. The capture of Port Royal Martinique from the French.

**1762** Wednesday 15th September. The Battle of Signal Hill.

**1762** Friday 24th September to Wednesday 6th October. The Battle and capture of Manila Philippines. (Against the Spanish).

**1764** November. The Nabobs were defeated at Cutwa (Bengal India).

**1765** Wednesday 5th April. The Marines underwent another name change and roll within the navy. Their new title was changed to 'His Majesty's Marine Forces' and they became the Marine Infantry for the Royal Navy. The Corps was finally established as an integral part of the Royal Naval. After which the Marine force consisted of fifty companies that were split into three Divisions. Each division's headquarters were based in Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth, all under the Admiralty's control. In which they took part in many landings all over the world.

**1772** August. The Battle of Havana.

**1775** Friday 20th April. A small detachment of Marines landed with Captain Cook at Botany Bay in New South Wales Australia. There have always been stories that spoke of a Marine being first out of the boat as it beached, to hold it steady. However, it was Isaac Smith, who became the first European to set foot on Eastern Australian soil. As the ship's boat touched the shore, Cook is reputed to have said "Jump out, Isaac". Smith was a very young man at the time, but a month later on Wednesday 23rd May 1770, he was promoted to midshipman following James Magra's suspension on suspicion of having assaulted Captain Cook's clerk.

**1775** Saturday 17th June. The Marines were fighting in the American War of Independence (that was to continue until 1783), and the Battle of Bunker Hill. The battle took place on the Charlestown Peninsula on the North side of Boston Harbour. During which the Marines and Sailors took to the ship's small boats to repel attackers who were also using their own small boats against the Royal Navy ships that were taking part in a closed blockade and had become becalmed.

While on land other battles were taking place. During the third, Major John Pitcairn led a force of 300 Marines. While advancing they crossed another line of Infantry, who were being pushed back by heavy fire. Waving his sword Pitcairn is reported to have told them to "Break, and let the Marines through". He then urged his men forward with the words "Now for the glory of the Marines". He was then hit by enemy fire and fell wounded into the arms of his son, William Pitcairn. He later died from heavy blood lost, aged 52. A contemporary report said: 'The reputation of the Marines was never more nobly sustained. Their unshaken steadiness was conspicuous and their valour in closing with the enemy when part of the attacking column wavered gained them not only the admiration of their comrades but the commendation of their distinguished chief.'

Bunker Hill rates highly amongst the Marines major battle honours. Although commonly referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill, most of the fighting occurred on nearby Breed's Hill. The British suffered around 1,150 killed and wounded while the American casualties were estimated at 450 killed and wounded.

**1778** Monday 10th August. The Second Battle of Pondicherry India (Against the French).

**1779** Sunday 14th February. The death of Captain Cook took place at Kealakakau Bay Hawaii. During his third voyage of exploration in the pacific. He had just landed with a Marine guard consisting of Lieutenant Molesworth Phillips along with four men. The Lieutenant protected Cook for as long as he could from hostile Hawaiians. The Marines were clubbed to death, and Cook was stabbed as he called to the boats crews to hold their fire. Only Phillips escaped back to the ship.

**1780** Sunday 16th January. The Battle of St Vincent (against the Spanish).

**1780** Monday 17th April. The Battle of Martinique, (West Indies against the French).

**1780** Friday 12th May. The Capture of Charleston (The America's).

**1787** Sunday 13th May. The 'First Fleet' set sail from Portsmouth, United Kingdom, Commanded by Captain (later Admiral) Arthur Phillip. It consisted of eleven vessels containing a total of 1420 people. (1373 landed). The Flag ship was the HMS Sirius along with HMS Supply. The Convict transport ships were the Alexander, the Charlotte, the Friendship, the Lady Penrthyn, the Prince of Wales and the Scarborough. The Stores ships were the Fishburn, the Borrowdale, and the Golden Grove. The cargo of convicts comprised of 565 male 192 female and 18 children. His orders were to set up a penal colony in Australia. After a voyage that lasted almost 250 days they arrived in Botany Bay New South Wales.

**1788** Thursday 24th January. Captain Arthur Phillip, had been given full instructions for the setting up of the colony, with full authorisation to make regulations, and land grants to those within the colony. A detachment of four companies of Marines, under the command of Major Robert Ross, that consisted of four Captains, 12 Subalterns, 24 Sergeants and Corporals, 8 Drummers, and 160 Privates. That included his Adjutant, Second Lieutenant John Long, Quartermaster Lieutenant James Furzer, Engineer Officer Lieutenant William Dawes and his four Company Commanders. Captains James Campbell, John Shea, Captain Lieutenants James Meredith and Watkin Tench. Their job was to protect the new colony and police the convicts as they settled into their new world. Many went on to stay never to return to the United Kingdom.

At that time, private Marines enlisted for life although discharge by purchase was allowed on payment of 10 guineas. Those who went to NSW, however, had the option of discharge after three years. Recruits were paid a 2 guinea bounty as an inducement to join. Daily pay rates which included a food and clothing allowance, ranged from £1.6.6 for a Major to 1/2d for a Marine private.

Between 1788 and 1850 the English sent over 162,000 convicts to Australia in 806 ships.

**1794** Wednesday 5th February. The capture of Martinique.

**1794** Wednesday 19th February. The capture of San Fiorenzo (Corsica).

**1794** Early April. The surrender of Bastia (Corsica).

**1794** April. The capture of Tobago and Santa-Lucia.

**1794** Sunday 1st June. Known as the Glorious First of June. One of the great sea battles in which many Marines took part. It was the first and largest fleet action of the naval conflict between Great Britain and the First French Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars.

The British Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe attempted to prevent the passage of a vital French grain convoy from the United States, which was protected by the French Atlantic Fleet, commanded by Rear-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse. The two forces clashed in the Atlantic Ocean, some 400 nautical miles (741km) west of the French island of Ushant. Howe's ships inflicted a severe tactical defeat on the French fleet. Although in the aftermath of the battle both fleets were left shattered and in no condition for further combat. Both fleets were forced to return to their home ports.

**1794** Sunday 10th August. The capture of Calvi.

**1794** **Mid August.** The capture of Corsica.

**1795** The French unsuccessfully attempt to retake Corsica.

**1795** Tuesday 23rd June. The Battle at Ile de Groix.

**1795** July. Nelson captured Elba.

**1795** Friday 7th August. The Battle of Muizenberg (Dutch Cape Colony).

**1795** Wednesday 16th September. The capture of Cape Town (from the Netherlands

**1796** December. The British evacuation of Elba.

**1797** Friday 17th February. The British capture Trinidad from Spain.

**1797** Monday 24th - 25th July. The British attempted to seize a ship laden with silver anchored in port, during which Nelson lost his right arm.

**1797** Wednesday 11th October. The Battle of Camperdown (Kamperduin) was the most significant action between British and Dutch forces during the French Revolutionary Wars and resulted in a complete victory for the British, who captured eleven Dutch ships without losing any of their own.

**1798** Wednesday 1st August The Battle of the Nile took place (Aboukir Bay). France had declared war on Britain during 1793, where upon several Naval battles took place between the two countries. One of the most famous victories was the Battle of the Nile. The Lieutenant of Marines in Nelson's flagship wrote: 'Fought the French fleet at anchor off Alexandria, consisting of 13 sail of the line and several frigates; took 10 sail of the line and burnt one three-decker and one frigate and sunk one frigate. Captain Faddy of the Marines and six privates killed and seven wounded.'

**1798** September. Another failed French invasion of Ireland.

**1798** Friday 12th October. The Battle of Donegal against the French.

**1799** Wednesday 20th March - 21st May 1799. The Defence of Acre (The Otteman Empire, against the French/Turks). Sir Sidney Smith shelled Bonaparte outside Saint John d'Acer, forcing him to lift the siege.

**1799** October. Holland.

**1800** March. The British blockade of Genoa, when Masséna was besieged by the Austrians.

**1801** Friday 20th March. The British / Turkish army defeated the French Army of Egypt.

**1801** Thursday 2nd April. The Battle of Copenhagen saw a British fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker fight and strategically defeat a Danish-Norwegian fleet anchored just off Copenhagen, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson led the main attack. He is supposed to have disobeyed Sir Hyde Parker's order to withdraw by holding the telescope to his blind eye to look at the signals from Parker. However, Parker's signals had given him permission to withdraw at his discretion, at which Nelson declined. His action to carry on resulted in the destruction of many of the Dano-Norwegian ships before a truce was finally agreed. Copenhagen is often considered to be Nelson's hardest fought battle.

**1803** to 1815 the Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought between Napoleon's French Empire and a series of opposing coalitions. The wars where originally sparked by the French Revolution during 1789. Napoleon went on to fight 60 battles, losing only seven, mostly towards the end of his rein. The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia during 1812. Eventually Napoleon was defeated by the Russians in 1814. He returned to France and was finally defeated in 1815 at the battle of Waterloo, and all of France's gains were stripped away by the victors. During the Napoleonic Wars the Royal Marines participated in all the naval battles on board Royal Navy's ships and several amphibious landings.

**1804** The Royal Marine Artillery (RMA) was formed for service on board the Bomb-Ketches and other like vessels. One company was raised for each division. The Ketches had been originally manned by the Army's Royal Regiment of Artillery. However, a lawsuit by a Royal Artillery officer resulted in a court decision that Army officers were not subject to naval orders.

**1804** Friday 5th October. The Battle of Cape Santa Maria.

**1805** Thursday 15th August. A fourth division RMA company was added when a Woolwich Division was formed. They first saw service with the Boulogne Squadron and then at the second battle of Copenhagen that took place from the Sunday 16th August to Saturday 5th September 1807. That saw a British bombardment of Copenhagen in order to seize the Dano-Norwegian fleet. During the same time of the fourth division's formation, an additional artillery company was also added to each of the divisions.

**1805** Monday 21st October. The Battle of Trafalgar that led to the death of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, one of our greatest navel and country heroes. As Lord Nelson lay wounded on board his Flag ship HMS Victory, having been shot by a French snipper high in the rigging of the French ship Redoubtable. Thomas Hardy ordered Royal Marine Sergeant Secker and some sailors to carry Nelson gently down to the orlop deck situated below the water line. Three thousand seven hundred Marines took part in the action, (nearly a third of the Corps). Midshipman John Pollard age 18 on board HMS Victory is credited with being the man who killed the French snipper.

**1806** Wednesday 8th January. The Battle of Blaauwberg, (recapture of the Cape of Good Hope).

**1807** August - September. The second Battle Copenhagen.

**1811** Monday 25th - 27th March. The Capture of Anholt (Denmark).

**1812** Monday 24th August. The _Battle_ of _Bladensburg_ , saw the use of Congreve rockets by the detachment of Royal Marine Artillery that resulted in the rout of the US militiamen.

**1814** Friday 8th April. Raid on the Connecticut River (Town of Essex).

**1814** Saturday 16th July. The British fleet arrived in Chesapeake Bay.

**1814** Tuesday 19th July. The British occupied Leonardtown.

**1814** Wednesday 20th July. The British fought on the Nominy River.

**1814** Saturday 23rd July. The British fought on the St Clements River.

**1814** Tuesday 26 July. The British fought at Machodic Creek.

**1814** Saturday 30th July. The British fought at Chaptico.

**1814** Wednesday 3rd August. The British fought on the Yocomico River (Kinsale).

**1814** Sunday 7th August. The British fought on the Cann River.

**1814** Wednesday 24th August. The Battle of Bladensburg.

**1814** Wednesday 24th August. The sacking and burning of Washington.

**1814** Monday 12th-15th September. The Battle of Baltimore. The Royal Marine Artillerymen served aboard HMS Erebus.

**1816** Tuesday 27th August. The Bombardment of Algiers.

**1820** Thursday 29th April. His Majesty King George III in consideration of the very meritorious services of the Marines during the earlier wars. The King bestowed upon them the title of the 'Royals' as the Corps of Marines.

**1820** Monday 6th \- 12th July. The Battle at Algeciras with French/Spanish vessels.

**1827** The Duke of Clarence, later William IV, presented Colours to the Royal Marines Divisions at Woolwich, Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth and 'Due to the greatness of the number of actions to be considered, and the difficulty of selecting amongst so many glorious deeds such a portion as could be inserted in the space', said that His Majesty chose as their badge 'The Great Globe itself'. He further directed that 'Whatever King or Queen they might serve here after, though the cypher of the reigning Sovereign must appear on the Standard in those of the Royal Marines the cypher GR IV was forever to appear'. His Royal Highness added that the single battle honour 'Gibraltar' was to be worn in memory of the achievements of the Marines. At the same time the motto 'Per Mare Per Terram' was approved, as being the most appropriate to their roles afloat and ashore.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century the Corps played a major part in fighting to win Britain the largest empire ever created. The Marines had a dual function, they ensured the security of the ship's officers and supported their maintenance of discipline in the ship's crew. During battles they engaged the enemy's crews, firing from positions on their own ship, or fighting during boarding's.

**1839-1842**.The first China War, also known as the First Opium War and also the Anglo-Chinese War. It was fought between Britain and China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice for foreign nationals. The Royal Marines served in many landings against the Chinese.

**1853** October The start of the Crimea War that lasted until February 1856. The three-year conflict gets its name as it was mainly fought on the Crimean Peninsula, an area in the south of modern day Ukraine that sits within the Black Sea. The war saw Britain, France, Sardinia and the Ottoman Empire become allies against, Russia and eventually its defeat. The war is remembered for the poor leadership, communication and organisation of the allied forces, which resulted in a bloody and prolonged conflict. However, it's mainly remembered because of the Charge of the Light Brigade. The use of the new 'torpedoes' (mines) by the Russians in the Baltic made the campaign there particularly suited to Royal Marine raids and reconnaissance parties.

Corporal John Prettyjohns RM (1823-1887) won a Victoria Cross during the battle of Inkerman in1854.

Gunner Thomas. Wilkinson RMA (1831-1887) was awarded his Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery during the Battle of Sebastopol on Tuesday 5th June 1855.

While Lieutenant G.D. Dowell RMA was awarded his Victoria Cross while serving in the Baltic.

**1854** The separate title of 'Royal Marine Light Artillery' was conferred upon the RMA. As RMA uniforms were the blue of the Royal Regiment of Artillery they were nicknamed the 'Blue Marines'. While the Infantry element who wore the scarlet uniforms of the British Infantry, became known as the 'Red Marines', often given the derogatory nickname by sailors as 'Lobsters'.

The Royal Marines continued in their on board function after the war, taking a prominent part in the navy's anti-piracy and anti-slavery actions.

**1855** Early in the year once again the Royal Marines underwent another name change becoming known as the 'Royal Marines Light Infantry'. Under this title they served in the Crimean war carrying out several amphibious raids on the Russian forces.

However, the Royal Navy suffered a shortage of manpower in the Marines during these long wars and regular Infantry units from the Army occasionally had to be used as shipboard replacements.

**1856** -1860. The Second China War or Arrow War was a war pitting the British Empire and the Second French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China, It was fought over similar issues as the First Opium War. With the British's strategic objectives of legalising the opium trade, expanding coolie trade, opening all of China to British merchants, and exempting foreign imports from internal transit duties. The Arrow War refers to the name of a vessel which became the starting point of the conflict. Although the importance of the opium factor in the war is in debate among historians. The Marines took part in many landings. These were all successful except one, the landing at the Mouth of the Peiho in 1859. Admiral Sir James Hope ordered a landing across extensive mud flats even though his Brigadier, Colonel Thomas Lemon RMLI, had advised against it.

**1862** The Marines name was once again slightly altered to that of 'Royal Marine Light Infantry'.

The Royal Navy did not fight any other ships after 1850 until the start of the Second World War during 1914, and became interested in landings by Naval Brigades. In these Naval Brigades, the function of the Royal Marine was to land first and acts as 'Skirmishers' ahead of the sailor Infantry and Artillery. The skirmishing roll was the traditional function of Light Infantry.

**1868** The British Expedition to Abyssinia was a punitive rescue expedition and carried out by the armed forces of the British Empire against the Ethiopian Empire. Emperor Tewodros II imprisoned several missionaries and two representatives of the British government in an attempt to blackmail the British government into giving him military assistance to protect his country. In response the British sent a large military expedition that struggled badly with the terrain and long distance it had to travel. However, the formidable obstacles were overcome by the Commander of the expedition, General Robert Napier, who was victorious in every contact against the Emperors troops, and eventually captured the Ethiopian capital and rescued all the hostages.

**1873-1898**. The King of the Ashanti Kofi Karikari attempted to preserve his empire's last trade outlet to the sea at the old coastal fort of Elmina, which had come into British possession sometime between 1869 and 1872. In early 1873, the Ashanti army, a force of somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 warriors, crossed the Prah River. After attacking the Fante, a tribe under British protection, they headed for the coast. The Royal Navy was called in and sent some Marines and sailors to man the old slave forts. Elmina was held against a furious Ashanti assault. A river reconnaissance up the Prah was ambushed at Chamah and forced to retreat. A number of landings and naval bombardments were able to slow the Ashanti but not stop them. London realised that an army would have to be sent out to deal with the situation. In 1874, a small mixed contingent of Royal Marines Artillery with two mountain guns and two hundred war rockets, plus 110 Marines of the RMLI were sent to restore order in West Africa and in doing so defeated two thousand Ashanti warriors.

**1878** Wednesday 11th December. Britain declared war against the Zulus in South Africa and launched what became known as the 'Anglo-Zulu War' after an ultimatum was rejected.

**1878** Sunday 22nd December. The Zulus wiped out the British forces during the 'Battle of Isandlwana'.

**1878** Monday 23rd December. The British prevailed against a Zulu attack in the Battle of Rorke's Drift.

**1879** Friday 7th March. More British troops arrived in Durban from all over the Empire that included Marines.

**1879** Wednesday 12th March. A force of 2,000 Zulus attacked a British camp at the Ntombi River in South Africa. Of the 60 men in the camp, only 15 escaped.

**1879** Saturday 29th March. In the Northern Zululand in South Africa some 2,000 British troops and natives fought against over 20,000 Zulus. The Zulu warriors were formed in regiments by age, their standard equipment the shield and the stabbing spear. The formation for the attack, described as the "horns of the beast", was said to have been devised by Shaka, the Zulu King who established Zulu hegemony in Southern Africa. The main body of the army delivered a frontal assault, called the "chest", while the "horns" spread out behind each of the enemy's flanks and delivered the secondary and often fatal attack in the enemy's rear. Cetshwayo, the Zulu King, fearing British aggression took pains to purchase firearms wherever they could be bought. By the outbreak of war the Zulus had tens of thousands of muskets and rifles, but of a poor standard, and the Zulus were ill-trained in their use.

**1879** Friday 4th July. The Zulus were eventually defeated at Ulundi and the war came to an end.

**1879** Thursday 28th August. The Zulu King Cetshwayo was eventually captured.

**1882** Wednesday 13th September. Prime Minister, Gladstone, sent an expeditionary force to Egypt to restore order and install a new administration in the country. Between Thursday 13th July and Wednesday 6th September 1882, the two armies, one (24,000-strong) from Britain and the other (7,000-strong) from India, converged on Egypt under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley. Over 40 Royal Navy warships were involved in securing the Suez Canal from both the Red Sea in the south and the Mediterranean in the north.

At about 05:00 on Wednesday 13th September, the Highland Brigade approached the Egyptian positions in north western Egypt and there was a blaze of gunfire. The bagpipe players struck up and the Scots regiments charged the Egyptian defence. The British army had approached the lines at Tel-el-Kebir in a staggered formation and so attacked in waves from left to right.

The fighting was intense, but after just over an hour, the Egyptians fled. Once Tel-el-Kebir was in British hands, a number of infantry and cavalry divisions moved off to secure other positions. These included a triumphant march on Cairo on Thursday 1882 14th September. The Royal Marine Light Infantry lost two Officers and three NCO/Men. While one Officer and 52 NCO/Men were wounded.

1884 After a lot of public pressure the British government finally authorised a relief force to rescue General Charles Gordon, who was besieged in Khartoum Soudan. The expedition was to be commanded by Britain's only General at that time, Sir Garnet Wolseley. A plan was devised that included a long trip up the River Nile in whaler boats and to raise a Camel Corps that would take them across the desert.

The expeditions arrived in Egypt, and were joined by a company of Royal Marines totalling 101 men, under the command of Major W.H. Poe, along with Captain A.C. Pearson, Lieutenants C.V. Townshend and H.N. White. This detachment was included as the 4th Company Guards Camel Regiment. All of the Corps with the exception of the Royal Sussex Regiment was mounted on camels, with the camels only being used for transport. All fighting carried out by the infantry was on foot.

The Royal Marines wore a grey/khaki tunic with brass buttons and blue shoulders straps together with silver badges, trousers without puttees, and a light brown helmet with pagri, a buff waist cartridge belt, white haversack, black boots and a black bayonet scabbard. However, Major Poe continued to wear his red Marine Officers tunic.

Finally on the Wednesday 28th January 1885 they reached Khartoum, after having run a gauntlet of attacks and ambushes, only to find the enemy's flag flying over the town. Khartoum had fallen two days earlier on Monday 26th and Gordon was dead.

Of the Royal Marines six men had been killed and Captain Poe together with thirteen men had been wounded. Colour Sergeant Drew was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the campaign. For their services with the Camel Corps the Marines also received the Egypt Medal with the clasps Abu Klea and the Nile 1884-8, and the Khedives Bronze Star dated 1884-85.

For the first part of the 20th Century, the Royal Marines' role was the traditional one of providing shipboard Infantry for security, boarding parties and small-scale landings.

**1899** Wednesday 11th October. The start of the Second Boer War, by the United Kingdom against the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State. The British war effort was supported by troops from all over the British Empire. The war ended in victory for Britain and the annexation of both republics. Both would eventually be incorporated into the Union of South Africa in 1910. The Royal Marines were with the Naval Brigade with a Corps strength of 19,000.

**1900-1901** The Boxer Rebellion was a violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement which took place in China towards the end of the Qing dynasty between 1898 and 1900. It was initiated by the Militia United in Righteousness (Yihetuan), known in English as the 'Boxers', and was motivated by proto-nationalist sentiments and opposition to foreign imperialism and Christianity trying to take over their country. The Eight Great Powers that were trying to dominate the eastern part of the world at that time consisted of Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and all had a military presence to protect their share of the country.

**1900** June. The Boxers, convinced that they were invulnerable to foreign weapons, converged on Beijing with the slogan 'Support the Qing, exterminate the foreigners.' The Foreigners and Chinese Christians sought refuge in the Legation Quarter, in response to reports of an armed invasion to lift the siege. The initially hesitant Empress Dowager Cixi supported the Boxers and on Monday 21st June authorised war on the foreign powers. Diplomats, foreign civilians and soldiers as well as Chinese Christians in the Legation Quarter were placed under siege by the Imperial Army of China and the Boxers for 55 days. Chinese officialdom was split between those supporting the Boxers and those favouring conciliation, led by Prince Qing. The supreme commander of the Chinese forces, Ronglu, later claimed that he acted to protect the besieged foreigners. The Eight Nation Alliance, after being initially turned back, brought 20,000 armed troops to China, defeated the Imperial Army, and captured Beijing on Tuesday 14th August, lifting the siege of the Legations. Uncontrolled plunder of the capital and the surrounding countryside ensued, along with the summary execution of those suspected of being Boxers.

The Marines played a prominent and major role during the rebellion. Captain Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday RMLI (1870-1966) was wounded but carried on fighting and was later awarded the Victoria Cross. This was also the first time the British and American Marines had fought alongside each other.

**1914** Royal Marines served on the Western Front during the First World War. The Division's first two commanders were Royal Marine Artillery Generals. Other Royal Marines acted as landing parties in the naval campaign against the Turkish fortifications in the Dardanelles before the Gallipoli landing. They were sent ashore to assess damage to Turkish fortifications after bombardment by British and French ships and, if possible, to complete their destruction. After 13 days of continuous fighting, the Naval Brigades took on the brunt of the Turks displaying great resolve.

**1915** 24th January. The Battle of Dogger Bank was a naval battle fought in the North Sea.

**1915** Monday 3rd May a counter attack on the Monash Valley by the Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions pushed the Turks back with heavy losses. A Major Quinn, an Australian VC holder, said to Major Jerram of the Royal Marine Brigade: "The bravest thing I've seen so far was the charge of your two battalions up that hill on Bloody Sunday." Between the 6th and 8th May 1915 the Drake, Plymouth, Howe, Hood and Anson Battalions fought the Second Battle of Krithia.

**1915** Friday 30th April. Lance Corporal Walter Richard Parker RMLI (1881-1936) was awarded the Victoria Cross for displaying conspicuous bravery in rescuing wounded personnel in full daylight under heavy fire, at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli, Turkey

**1916** Wednesday 31st May. Major Francis John William Harvey RMLI (1873-1916). Whilst mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an enemy shell in 'Q' gun-house, with great presence of mind and devotion to duty ordered the magazine to be flooded, thereby saving the ship. He died shortly after and the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.

**1916** Friday 7th January. The Royal Marines were the last to leave Gallipoli, replacing both British and French troops in a neatly planned and executed withdrawal from the beaches.

**1917** Tuesday 3rd April. Major F. W. Lumsden DSC RMA, lead a party to recover six enemy guns under heavy fire. For his action he received the Victoria Cross.

Kings Squad Badge

**1918** Thursday 7th March. King George V inspected the depot Royal Marines Deal and decreed that the Senior Squad should be titled 'The Kings Squad' and the best recruit of that Squad 'The Kings Badge man,' who wears the Royal Cypher 'GR V' surrounded by a Laurel Wreath on his left shoulder.

**1918** Tuesday 23rd April. The 'Corps Remembrance Day' and the Raid on Zeebrugge. The 4th battalion Royal Marines formed the landing force for the raid in which two Victoria Cross's were awarded to members of the Corps. Royal Marines played a major role in the raid, when the Royal Navy tried to block the Belgian port of Bruges. Two of three block-ships were scuttled in the narrowest part of the Bruges Canal and one of two submarines rammed the viaduct, which linked the shore and the mole, to isolate the German garrison. However, the block-ships were sunk in the wrong place and the canal was re-opened after a just few days to submarines at high tide. The British casualties were numbered 583 men while the Germans lost 24 men. The raid was publicised as a great British Victory and many medals were awarded.

**1918** Monday 23rd April. Captain Edward Bamford DSO RMLI (1887-1928) led his company with initiative and daring in the face of great difficulties was awarded the VC. There were so many within the company who showed the same bravery that a ballot was later taken to decide who should be recommended for a VC.1918.

**1918** Monday 23rd April. Sergeant Norman Augustus Finch RMA, maintained continuous covering fire from an exposed foretop while severely wounded was awarded a VC.

There were two other Victoria Cross's won during the First World War.

A total of five Royal Marines were awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War, two at Zeebrugge, one at Gallipoli, one at sea during the battle of Jutland and one on the Western Front.

Post-war demobilisation had seen the Royal Marines reduced from 55,000 during 1918 to 15,000 in 1922. Treasury pressured for a further reduction to 6,000 or even the entire disbandment of the Corps. As a compromise an establishment of 9,500 was settled upon, but meant that two separate branches could no longer be maintained. The abandonment of the Marine's artillery role meant that the Corps would subsequently have to rely on Royal Artillery support when ashore, that the title of Royal Marines would apply to the entire Corps and that only a few specialists would now receive gunnery training. As a form of consolation the dark blue and red uniform of the Royal Marine Artillery now became the full dress of the entire Corps. Royal Marine officers and SNCO's however continue to wear the historic scarlet in mess dress to the present day. The ranks of Private, used by the RMLI, and Gunner, used by the RMA, were abolished and replaced by the rank of Marine.

**1923** Friday 22nd June. During most of their history, the Royal Marines had been organised as fusiliers. On this day the separate Artillery and Light Infantry forces were formally amalgamated into the 'Corps of Royal Marines'.

**1939** Sunday 3rd September. The British government declare war on Germany. However, Britain was not prepared for war and although she sent an expeditionary force to France to try and stop the Germans racing across Europe capturing most countries, it failed. The British Force was pushed back to towards the English Channel and the beaches at Dunkirk.

After the defeat and evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beach at Dunkirk. Winston Churchill realised that Britain was not in a position to launch any form of major military attack against the Germans. However, a series of short quick spectacular hit and run attacks would do a great deal for the morale of the British people. Winston ordered the creation of a 'butcher and bolt' small group raiding unit.

During 1940 the British Army created its first Commando unit. Their task was to land in Nazi-occupied Western Europe usually at night, to destroy vital targets and leave as quickly as possible.

**1940** Sunday 14th April. A small party of Royal Marines were first ashore in Norway, where they seized the approaches to the Norwegian town in preparation for a landing by the British Army two days later.

**1940** Sunday 9th June, a department in the War Office was created to deal with the issues surrounding the creation of such a force. This office was to become known as 'Combined Operations' as it involved all three services.

Churchill had called for 20,000 men, who he called 'Leopards' ready to spring at the throats of the Germans at short notice. Recruits were drawn from the British Army and even the British Police Force. Churchill himself ordered that they should be equipped with the best equipment.

**1940** Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th June. The first Commando raid took place along the Northern French coast at Boulogne le Touquet. It was known as 'Operation Collar' although officially it was not carried out by a Commando unit, but by No 11 Independent Company.

**1942** February. The Infantry Battalions of the Royal Marine Division were re-organised as Commandos, joining up with the Army Commandos. While the Division Command structure became a Special Service Brigade.

Selection for the new Commando force was necessarily demanding. Men had to be physically very fit. However, they also had to show that they did not need the traditional chain of command to operate in the field as in the heat of battle such chains of command could break down. Initiative was considered to be a vital commodity. Some 400 men passed through the first phase of recruitment that included training with live ammunition.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dudley Clark of put forward the name 'Commando' for the new force, after the term used in the Second Boer War. Churchill himself approved of the title while senior military figures did not, they preferred the title 'Special Service' and the two were used alongside one another for a long time to come.

Training was undertaken in Scotland where a special training centre was created at Lochailort. 'Combined Operations' created an all forces amphibious centre at Inveraray in the Scottish Highlands. While in 1942, a specific commando training base was also established at Achnacarry Castle, also in Scotland. Scotland was picked for the training as it was thought that the conditions were right for testing the military personnel in survival, living off the land and map reading. All of which would be of great help when landing in a foreign country and having to fend for yourself.

**1942** Wednesday 19th August. One of the first raids the Royal Marines were involved in was during the raid on Dieppe in France. That involved No3 and No4 Commando's and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, and known as 'Operation Jubilee'. The raid did not go as planned. The casualties included 3,367 Canadians and 275 British Commandos. The Royal Navy lost one destroyer and 33 landing craft, suffering 550 dead and wounded. The RAF lost 106 aircraft to the Luftwaffe's 48, while the German army also suffered 591 casualties.

One month after Dieppe, most of the 11th Royal Marine Battalion were killed or captured in an amphibious landing at Tobruk during 'Operation Agreement' that also included the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1st Battalion.

**1944** Wednesday 1st June. The Battle of Walcheren the fourth Special Service Brigade, which included 41, 47, and 48 Royal Marine Commando's, captured this important island off the coast of Holland. They were landed and supported by craft manned by Royal Marines who suffered heavy casualties.

**1944** Tuesday 6th June. D-Day as it became know and the British once again established a foot hold in France. A total of 18000 Royal Marines took part in the landing.

A total of four Special Service units were raised during the war, and Royal Marines were represented in all of them. A total of nine RM Commandos (Battalions) were raised during the war:

1 Commando Brigade took part in the assaults on Normandy, and campaigns in the Rhineland after crossing the Rhine.

2 Commando Brigade was involved in the Salerno landings, Anzio, Comacchio, and operations in the Argenta Gap.

3 Commando Brigade served in Sicily and Burma.

4 Commando Brigade served in Normandy and in the Battle of the Scheldt on the island of Walcheren during the clearing of Antwerp.

At its height during 1944 more than 70,000 people served in the Royal Marines. However, following the Allied Victory the Royal Marines were quickly reduced to a post-war strength of 13,000.

**1945** January. Two further RM Brigades were formed, the 116th Brigade and 117th Brigade.

A Landing Craft Assault (LCA) unit was stationed in Australia late in the war as a training unit. A number of Royal Marines also served as pilots during the Second World War.

R M Commando Memorable Dates of the Second World War.

Wednesday19th August 1942. 40 Commando RM and the Raid on Dieppe.

Thursday 9th September 1943. 41 Commando RM and the Landing at Salerno.

Tuesday 23rd January 1945. 45 Commando RM and the attack on Montforterbeek.

Wednesday 31st January 1945. 42 Commando RM and the Battle of Kangaw.

Wednesday 31st January 1945. 44 Commando RM and the Battle of Kangaw.

Monday 2nd April 1945. 43 Commando RM and the Battle of Commanchio.

Tuesday 6th June 1944. 48 Commando RM. The Landing in Normandy.

Wednesday 7th June 1944. 47 Commando RM. The capture of Port-en-Bessin.

Sunday 11th June 1944. 46 Commando RM. The attack on Le Hamel and Rots.

One Marine (Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter of 43 Commando) was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Second World War for action at Lake Comacchio in Italy. Hunter was the last RM Commando to be awarded the medal.

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The following 38 Battle Honours were awarded to the British Commandos during the Second World War. This list includes both the Royal Marines and the Army Commandos.

1) Adriatic.

2) Lethangyaw.

3) Aller.

4) Anzio.

5) Argenta Gap.

6) Burma 1943 to 1945.

7) Crete.

8) Dieppe.

9) Dives Crossing.

10) Djebel Choucha.

11) Flushing.

12) Greece 1944 to 1945.

13) Italy 1943 to 1945.

14) Kangaw.

15) Landing at Porto San Venere.

16) Landing in Sicily.

17) Leese.

18) Litani.

19) Madagascar.

20) Middle East 1941, 1942, and 1944.

21) Monte Ornito.

22) Myebon.

23) Normandy Landing.

24) North Africa 1941 to 1943.

25) North West Europe 1942, 1944 to 1945.

26) Norway 1941.

27) Pursuit to Messina.

28) Rhine.

29) St. Nazaire.

30) Salerno.

31) Sedjenane.

32) Sicily 1943.

33) Steamroller Farm.

34) Syria 1941.

35) Termoli.

36) Vaagso.

37) Valli di Comacchio.

38) Westkapelle.

**1946** During 1946 the Army Commandos were disbanded, leaving the Royal Marines to continue the role of the Commando. During this time the Corps underwent a major change of training British Commandos.

The Royal Marines Commandos have an illustrious history, and since their creation in 1942 they have been engaged on active operations around the globe.

**1948** Friday 18th June. The Malayan Emergency was a conflict between communist guerrillas and British Commonwealth forces. The guerrillas, most of whom were Malayan Chinese, were seeking to overthrow the British colonial administration in Malaya. The term 'Emergency' is used to describe the conflict because the British declared a State of Emergency in Malaya after guerrillas assassinated three European plantation managers in the northern state of Perak.

At the start of the Emergency, the British had 13 infantry battalions in Malaya, including seven partly formed Gurkha battalions, three British battalions, two battalions of the Royal Malay Regiment and a British Royal Artillery Regiment being used as infantry. This force was too small to meet the threat of the Communist terrorists effectively, and more infantry battalions were needed in Malaya. The British brought in soldiers from units such as the Royal Marines and King's African Rifles. While 3 Commando Brigade provided counter-insurgency support for the Malayan government. Another effort was a re-formation of the Special Air Service as a specialised reconnaissance, raiding and counter-insurgency unit. The conflict came to an end during 1960.

**1950 - 1952** During the Korean War 41 Commando was reconstituted as 41 (Independent) Commando following a request from the United Nations Command for more amphibious raiding forces. The 'Independent' designation meant that their commander had sole responsibility for their unit and did not have to consult with higher headquarters on operational and logistical matters. On Wednesday 16th August 1950 219 Royal Marine volunteers were assembled in Bickleigh then the Commando School. They were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas B. Drysdale DSO, MBE an experienced World War II Commando veteran who was the Chief Instructor at the Royal Marines Officer School.

The Commandos travelled to Japan in civilian clothes, with most of the clothing being issued by the Admiralty. The unit received more volunteers en route from 3 Commando Brigade involved in the Malayan Emergency. A total of 325 eventually arrived in Japan on Friday15th September 1950, the Commandos were issued American winter uniforms and weapons but retained their green berets, battle dress and boots. The first mission of the unit was in October where the Commandos embarked on two American high speed transports the USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) and USS Wantuck (APD-125) supported by the destroyer USS De Haven (DD-727), where they executed a series of raids on the North Korean coast near Wonsan to disrupt North Korean transportation facilities.

41 Independent Commando was attached to the US X Corps under Lieutenant-General Almond, along with the 3rd and 7th US Infantry Divisions and the 1st US Marine Division. X Corps made an amphibious landing on the east coast on Thursday 12th October 1950. To then organise an evacuation of Wonsan on Saturday 9th December 1950, taking 7,009 refugees, 3,384 military personnel, 1,146 vehicles and 10,013 tons of cargo in the process. General MacArthur's plan was to regroup in Japan before launching another offensive, while holding Pusan Perimeter and Wonsan. Later on Sunday 10th to 24th December 41 they also helped in the evacuation at Hungnam, acting as the tail end Charlie.

41 Independent Commando eventually departed Hungnam in an administrative move through the Funchilin Pass to Koto-ri, to find that the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had blocked the road to the north.

The X Corps commander Lieutenant-General Almond placed all troops in the Chosin Reservoir area under the operational control of the 1st US Marine Division and authorised Major-General Smith to destroy all equipment and fall back with all speed to Hungnam. On Wednesday 6th December, the 1st US Marine Division commenced a fighting withdrawal from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri, to the Hamhung Perimeter (opposed by seven Chinese Communist Divisions). 41 Commando with a strength of only 150 men, departed on Friday 8th December, at the rear of the column to hold off the Chinese pursuit. They covered 23 miles to the Hungnam bridgehead in 72 hours. Sadly the unit lost 13 killed, 39 wounded, 27 missing and 19 casualties from frostbite, exposure or pneumonia from an original strength of 235.

41 Independent Commando embarked along with 22,000 US Marines in transports assembled off Hungnam and was shipped down to Pusan. Eventually 41 were withdrawn to Japan in January 1951 to await reinforcements and to retrain and re-equip.

This was the second time that the Marines of the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. had fought side by side since the defence of the Peking Legations during 1900. Let it be said that the admiration of all ranks of 41 Independent Commando for their brothers in arms was and is unbounded. They fought like tigers and their morale and esprit de Corps is second to none.

The American Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) was awarded to the 1st Marine Division and attached units.

However 41 Independent RM Commando was not listed in the original citation. It took much letter writing by US veterans to not only convince their government to award the 'Presidential Unit Citation' to 41 Independent Commando for their performance at Chosin, but to get the British government to approve and authorise it for 41 Commando. It was finally accepted during 1957 by the Captain General of the Royal Marines from the US Ambassador to the UK.

It reads, 41 Independent RM Commando for their gallantry in action on the Chosin Plateau during the fighting withdrawal from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri between Monday 27th November 1950 and Saturday 11th December 1950.

41 Commando is the only organisation in the armed forces of the United Kingdom that is authorised to fly a 'foreign' streamer from its colour and it does so because of the 1st Marine Division. The only other streamer displayed on Royal Marines colours is the Gibraltar Streamer.

**1955** **to 1959**. 40 and 45 Commando's alternated duties in Cyprus undertaking anti-terrorist operations against EOKA guerrillas (National Organisation of Cypriot Struggle), during tensions between the Greek and Turkish inhabitants of the island. EOKA were a small, but powerful organisation of Greek Cypriots, who had great local support from the Greek community. On Tuesday 6th September 1955, the United Nations ordered 45 Commando at a moment's notice to move to Cyprus amid escalating tensions and EOKA atrocities. The unit was based in Malta at the time and travelled to the Kyrenia mountain area of the island and by Saturday 10th September, approximately 1,300 Marines and 150 vehicles used by the unit had arrived ready to patrol the area.

**1956** What became known as the 'Suez Crisis' when 45 Commando performed the world's first military helicopter borne assault insertion during British and French military action in Egypt. 40 and 42 Commando undertook a more traditional amphibious landing on the beach at Port Said. The amphibious capability of the Royal Marines was greatly increased, and became a key element in the country's capacity to intervene in areas of conflict overseas. This was proven by the ability of 40 Commando RM to remain in the Gulf area following exercises in Oman during October 2001, available to participate in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when needed. With further additions to the amphibious fleet, and a wide range of new equipment coming into service, the Royal Marines are as ready as ever to meet the nation's need for a flexible force that can deployed by sea or air, and intervene in areas of trouble at an early stage.

**19** **58** Abdul Karim Qasim seized power in Iraq. He was seen by western powers as unpredictable and Iraq as unstable. Britain wrongly relinquished its authority in Kuwait.

**1960** National Service finally came to an end during 1960, the Marines were again reduced, but this time to an all Commando-trained force of 9,000 personnel.

**1961** Sunday 25th June. Abdul Karim Qasim announced that Kuwait would be incorporated into Iraq and the military threat was seen, by Britain, as imminent. Britain had accepted responsibility for Kuwait's military protection and urgently sent a strong naval task force known as 'Operation Vantage' which included Royal Marines from 42 and 45 Commando's, on board HMS Bulwark, Britain's first commando Carrier.

A company of 42 Commando from HMS Bulwark was landed by helicopter at the Kuwait Airport, just as a British Squadron of Hawker Hunters jet fighter aircraft arrived.

**1961** Saturday 1st July and Britain had already deployed half of a brigade group into Kuwait to take up a defensive position ready for action. These included 42 and 45 Marine Commandos. It's always been regarded as a very fast deployment. However, it's now known that the British had earlier received intelligence of what was about to happen in the area. They had pre-empted their forces sending them to the area but keeping a low profile. In the end Iraq did not attack and a couple of years later the British forces were eventually replaced by the Arab League forces. Under great pressure from other countries in the area, Iraq eventually recognised Kuwait's independence during 1963.

**1962** Saturday 8th December. The 'Brunei Revolt' was started by rebels belonging to the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU). The militants believed to number around 350 and led by Salleh bin Sambas began co-ordinated attacks on the oil town of Seria and in particular the Royal Dutch Shell oil installations. From the police station, they captured several rifles, Sterling submachine guns and one Bren light machine gun. This greatly enhanced their weaponry, as they had only been armed with shotguns. They had also imprisoned a considerable number of western hostages, announcing their intention of hanging them on Wednesday 12th December. However, during its first hours of operation the revolt started to break down, having failed to quickly achieve its key objectives. That of the capture of Brunei town and in particular the Sultan. The British government responded quickly by ordering 42 Commando to mount an attack to release the hostages. The revolt was seen as the first stage of what became known as the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation.

**1962** Wednesday 12th December 1962. Lima Company of 42 Commando led an amphibious assault rescue mission lead and Commanded by Captain Jeremy Moore. The Marines approached Limbang by the river as dawn was breaking. However, their engines were quite noisy and they lost the element of surprise. The deck of the boats offered little protection, and two Marines were killed before landing on the river bank.

The Commandos charged the police station, where they killed ten rebels and captured the Bren gun. Salleh Bin Sambas was injured, but managed to escape. The hostages were discovered in the hospital, where the residents were singing loudly, to avoid being mistaken for a rebel.

The Marines then spent the rest of the day clearing Limbang house by house, during which three more Marines and two more rebels were killed. In total five Marines were killed and a further five were wounded.

The Limbang raid saw three of the 150 Marines decorated. For their role in the battle, Corporals Lester and Rawlinson were awarded Military Medals, while Captain Moore was awarded a bar for his Military Cross. After this action L Company 42 Commando are still referred to today as 'Limbang Company' in memory of this Commando raid.

There was a time when the Indonesian government were assisting the rebels, and allowed them to use the border as a hiding place. Because of this there then followed a period of four years that saw 40 and 42 Commando's alternate tours in Sarawak and North Borneo, policing the countries. A time when both Commandos saw action, until it finally ended around August 1966.

40 Commando served in the following:

December 1962 in the 5th Division of Sarawak.

December 1962-January 1963 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

March-July 1963 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

October 1963-February 1964 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

July-December 1964 in Sabah (North Borneo).

July-November 1965 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

May-September 1966 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

42 Commando served in the following:

December-April 1963 in the 5th Division of Sarawak.

July-October 1963 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

February-June 1964 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

December 1964-May 1965 in Sabah (North Borneo).

December-1965-May 1966 in the 1st Division of Sarawak.

**1963** Tuesday 10th December. The Aden Emergency as it was known was an Insurgency against the British Crown forces in the British controlled territories of South Arabia, which now form part of the Yemen. Partly inspired by Egypt's President Nasser's pan Arab nationalism, it began with the throwing of a grenade at a gathering of British officials at Aden Airport on Tuesday 10th December 1963. A state of emergency was then declared in the British Crown colony of Aden and its hinterland, the Aden Protectorate. 45 Commando Royal Marines were based there. The emergency escalated in 1967 and hastened the end of British rule in the territory which had begun back in 1839. On Thursday 30th November 1967, British forces withdrew and the independent People's Republic of South Yemen was proclaimed. 45 Commando returned to the UK, while 42 Commando covered the final withdrawal from the country.

**1964** January. Part of the Tanzanian Army mutinied. Within 24 hours. Royal Marines of 41 Commando had left Bickleigh Camp, Plymouth, Devon, and were travelling by air to Nairobi, Kenya, where they continued by road into Tanzania. At the same time, 45 Commando aboard HMS Centaur had sailed to East Africa and anchored off-shore from Dar es Salaam, The revolt was put down and the next six months were spent in touring Tanzanian military out-posts disarming military personnel. The Royal Marines were eventually relieved by the Canadian forces.

**1964** Wednesday 28th October. Saw the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Royal Marine Corps.

**1969** 'Operation Banner' as the troubles in Northern Ireland escalated. 41 Commando were the first RM unit to operate in Northern Ireland. Later the Royal Marines were to complete over 69 tours of duty in the country.

**1974** **\- 1984** the Royal Marines undertook three United Nations tours of duty in Cyprus. The first was in November 1974 when 41 Commando took over the Limassol District from the 2nd Battalion of the Guards Brigade and became the first Commando to wear the light blue berets of the UN when they began the Corps' first six-month tour with the UN forces in Cyprus.

**1977** Sunday 6th February. Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Silver Jubilee by inspecting 41 Commando on Plymouth Hoe. (Although Salerno Company had left for Malta at the time).

**1982** Friday 2nd April. 3 Commando Brigade spear headed the recapture of the Falkland Islands. Known as 'Operation Corporate' it was a ten-week war between Argentina and the United Kingdom, disputing two British overseas territories in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia. It started when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland. A British task force was immediately sent from the UK to recapture them, and given that an amphibious assault would be necessary, the Royal Marines were heavily involved. It became known as 'Operation Corporate'. 3 Commando Brigade was brought to full combat strength that included 40, 42 and 45 Commandos.

The Marines landed at San Carlos Water at the western end of East Falkland, and proceeded to 'Yomp' across the entire island to the capital, Stanley, which fell on Monday 14th June 1982. (Until then not many civilians had heard the word Yomp, however it's now part of many people's vocabulary).

A Royal Marines Divisional Headquarters was deployed, under Major-General Jeremy Moore, who was commander of the British land forces during the war.

Sadly there were 27 Marines killed during the conflict that included 2 Officers, 14 NCOs and 11 Marines.

**1989** Friday 22nd September. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) exploded a bomb at the RMSM Deal depot, killing 11 bands men.

**1990** Thursday 2nd August to Thursday 28th February. The Gulf War codenamed 'Operation Desert Shield' an operation leading to the build up of troops and defences in Saudi Arabia and 'Operation Desert Storm' that took place from Sunday 17th January 1991 to Thursday 28th February 1991. When a war was waged by coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

**1991** 'Operation Safe Haven'. Apart from the SBS, the Royal Marines had missed out on the Gulf War's 'Operation Granby'. However, during the humanitarian crisis in the Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq, 40 and 45 Commando deployed as part of efforts to protect the Kurds.

**1994** 'Operation Vigilant Warrior' 45 Commando was deployed to Kuwait to bolster coalition forces. When it looked as if Saddam Hussein was about to move again against Kuwait, 45 Commando were airlifted to Kuwait.

**1995** Royal Marines acted as a Rapid Reaction Force in Bosnia.

**1996** The Royal Marines School of Music moved to Portsmouth.

**1996** 42 Commando and a detachment from 539 Helicopter Squadron were deployed to the Congo prepared to evacuate civilians from Kinshasa.

**1998** 45 Commando on humanitarian and disaster relief deployed to Honduras and Nicaragua, following a devastating hurricane.

**2000** 42 Commando deployed to Sierra Leone. As part of the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) deployed from HMS Ocean to carry out peace keeping operations after relieving the 1 PARA battle group that had been earlier deployed.

**2000** 'Operation Agricola IV' saw 3 Commando HQ, logistic and signals take control of the Multi-National Brigade in Kosovo. Elements of 45 Commando made up part of the multi-national force.

**2000** 45 Commando deployed on operations in Afghanistan.

**2001** 3 Commando Brigade took part in a large scale exercise, Exercise Saif Sareea 2 (Swift Sword 2), in the Gulf state of Oman, following the terrorist attacks of September 2001. 200 Royal Marines from 40 Commando embarked on board HMS Fearless for potential deployment into Afghanistan.

**2003** Thursday 20th March. The Iraq War and 'Operation Telic' carried out by 3 Commando Brigade saw operations on the Al Faw peninsula and the liberation of Basra. 40 and 42 Commando moved into Southern Iraq to secure the oil fields and prevent Saddam from setting them on fire, as he had when withdrawing from Kuwait in 1991. 40 Commando were flown in by Helicopters onto the Al Faw Peninsula in order to secure the oil infrastructure and sweep the area clear of enemy forces. US Navy SEALS worked closely with 40 Commando in securing a key oil facility.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts.

© Copyright Royal Marines

Chapter 13

The RM Genealogical Tree

1664 - 1685

The Admiral's Regiment

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1685 - 1689

The Prince's Regiment

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1690 - 1698

Two Marine Regiments of Foot

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1698 - 1699

Four Regiments of Foot

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1702 - 1713

Six Regiments of Marines

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1714 - 1739

Four Invalid Companies of Marines

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1739 - 1748 1740 - 1748

Six Regiments of Marines Four Regiments of Marines

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1755 - 1802

The Marines

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1802 - 1855

The Royal Marines

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1855 - 1862 1804 - 1962

Royal Marines light Infantry Marine Artillery Companies

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1862 - 1923 1862 - 1923

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1923

The Royal Marines

© Copyright Royal Marines
Chapter 14

Lympstone

Home of the Green Beret

Lympstone Camp was built during 1939 for the training of Reservists in the build up at the beginning of the Second World War. At that time it was known as the Royal Marines Reserve Depot, Exton. However, a year later it received its first name change and became known as the Royal Marine Depot for the training of all Royal Marine recruits.

On Friday 5th September 1941 and it officially became known as the Royal Marine Depot, Lympstone. (Although it was referred to by several different names during the Second World War). However, by the end of the war it was commonly known or referred to as Lympstone.

The original RMITC training school at that time comprised of 17 weeks training incorporated into 2 phases, and was carried out at the Dalditch camp.

The course comprised of kitting up, lectures (including Corps history), PT, drill, bayonet fighting, basic small arms and Bren gun drills, and the receiving of many injections. These were followed by the assault course, advanced weapon training, range work, night firing and field-craft, involving cooking and survival. The last week of which was usually spent under canvas near the village of Ottery St Mary during the latter stages of the Dalditch era.

Friday 1st November 1946 and the Dalditch camp was closed down. Phase 1 of the training was moved to Depot Deal for both Continuous Service and National Service recruits. Phase 2 was moved to Lympstone along with a name change to that of 'Infantry Training Centre Royal Marines' (ITCRM).

Marine Smith-Howell from Sussex was recorded as the first 'recruit' to sign in at Lympstone, although it is extremely doubtful that he was actually the first to pass through the main gate once the camp was set up.

It's estimated that once the camp was up and running and at full capacity that between 1000 and 1500 recruits were under training at any given time.

Upon completion of training at Lympstone some Marines went on to the Bickleigh Infantry School for specialisation or to the Commando Training Centre at Towyn (N Wales) which for a short time had taken over the role from Achnacarry in Scotland before it too eventually closed down.

Early in 1951 the Officer Training Wing moved to Lympstone from Bickleigh Infantry School. There were just six men in the first intake, two of whom were Corps Commission candidates and parachutists, and were joined later by further batches totalling a complement of 40.

During February 1960 the SNCOs Training Wing and Specialised Training moved to Lympstone, followed by the Commando Specialist Training in April, which included Heavy Weapons, Cliff Assault, and Assault Engineers. These bodies joined up with the resident 'X' Troop to form a new Commando Training Wing centred on the old 'C' Company Lines. Previously there had been four recruit companies, A, B, C and D; of these only A and C survived, with the former as the National Service Company, but to make way for the new units these then amalgamated into a single Recruit Training Wing in February.

During 1950's and early 1960's the accommodation for the recruits was several rows of Nissan huts. Each had two coke fired stoves down the middle of the room, and around twenty to thirty double bunk beds positioned around the room. While at the so called front door was a little room for a Corporal whose job it was to keep an eye on the recruits in his room. While at the other end was a door that lead to an outdoor covered walkway leading to the showers.

1960 saw the present day Drill Shed erected.

1961 and the last of the National Service recruits in 939 Squad, finish their Phase Two training at Lympstone.

Friday 12th July 1963 Lt Gen M C Cartwright-Taylor opened 'D' Block (Salerno) the first of the new four storied recruit accommodation blocks, by which time four others were also erected, and awaiting completion. 'A blot on the rural skyline' according to a report in the 'Western Morning News'.

Early 1967 the Mess-and-recreational block, including the Main Galley, Dining Halls, NAAFI and Junior NCOs Club were completed. Nearby were the NAAFI quarters and a trading centre designed to house the UIF-run amenities, Barber Shop, Pressing Shop, Laundry and Drying Room, a civilian Tailor's Shop, and the new automatic telephone exchange which came into operation during January. Also in progress were the practice rooms, stores and offices of the Plymouth Group Band, and the seventh barrack block. While sports grounds were provided in the field opposite the main gate.

Monday 24th August 1970 the camp under-went another name change to that of 'Commando Training Centre Royal Marines' (CTCRM).

Monday 28th October 1974 at 11-58am D block the last of the new four storied accommodation blocks that were started back in 1962, was finally opened. D block had the distinction of being officially opened at precisely 11-58 am on Monday 28th October 1974, exactly 310 years (to the minute) after the founding of the Corps, back in 1664.

The Junior Entries Wing (Normandy) as it was called was built to a completely different design and contained 20 barrack rooms, plus 4 'Quiet Rooms', 3 television and 2 hobbies rooms, along with Company and Troop offices.

January 1976 and the Junior Marines Block and an extension to the Officers' Mess had been completed, work progressed on the new Sergeants' Mess and sadly the last tree holding the 30 foot ropes of the Old Assault Course was felled.

Monday 3rd May 1976 a unique event occurred when the Mayor of Exeter joined the Commandant General and senior railway executives on an inaugural train service from Exeter scheduled to stop at the camp's very own station, Lympstone Commando. Not only the first new station to be built in the western region this century, but the only one in the country designed exclusively for servicemen.

www.exeterflotilla.org

The Main Gate early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

The Main Gate early 2012

© Copyright Royal Marines.

The original accommodation for the recruits.

© Copyright Terry Aspinall 1962

Photo Camp Photographer 1962

Photo Camp Photographer 1962

Chapter 15

The Green Beret

Authors original Beret

During the Second World War and the early days of Commandos, ranks continued to wear their own regimental headdress and cap badge. There were 79 different badges being worn in No 1 Commando alone! In 1942, the officers of this Commando decided that matters should be regularised and that a beret would be most practicable. The Royal Tank Regiment had worn a black beret for many years and the recently formed Parachute Regiment had chosen a maroon beret. No 1 Commando wore a flash on their arm depicting a green salamander going through fire, which gave a choice between green, red and yellow. Green was deemed to be the most suitable. Their submission to the Chief of Combined Operations was forwarded by Lord Mountbatten to the Under-Secretary of State for War in a letter sent on Friday 1st May 1942 and the first issue to Royal Marines Commandos was made in October that year. A local firm of tam-o'shanter makers in Irvine (Ayrshire) produced a beret made from some green cloth of the colour still worn today.

Since the Second World War the Green Beret has not only become a symbol of the Commando, but also at the personal cost one has endure in order to earn the right to be able to wear one, after they have successfully passed the famous 'Commando Course'. The one thing that all who have served in the Corps has in common with each other is the knowing of what they have all been through and achieved during training. To be presented with the famous Green Beret, the 'Green Lid' as it's sometimes known in the Corps is believed by some to be worth its weight in gold.

www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk

Royal Marine Training

Royal Marines undergo the longest basic training regime of any infantry force in the world (32 weeks) at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, Devon. The Royal Marines is the only part of the British Armed Forces where officers and other Ranks are trained at the same location.

Officers and Marines undergo the same training up to the commando tests, thereafter Marines go on to employment in a rifle company, while officers continue training. Officer candidates are required to meet higher standards in the commando tests.

The culmination of training is a period known as the Commando Course. Following the Royal Marines taking on responsibility for the Commando role, with the disbandment of the Army Commandos at the end of World War II, all Royal Marines, except those in the Royal Marines Band Service, are required to complete the Commando Course as part of their training. Key aspects of the course include climbing and rope work techniques, patrolling, and amphibious operations. This intense phase ends with a series of tests which have remained virtually unchanged since World War II. Again, these tests are done with a 'Fighting Order' of 32 lb (14.5 kg) of equipment.

The commando tests are taken on consecutive days, they include:

A nine-mile (14.5 km) speed march, carrying full fighting order, to be completed in 90 minutes; the pace is thus 10 minutes per mile (6 min/km or 6 mph).

The Endurance Course is a six miles, (9.65 km), course across rough terrain at Woodbury Common near Lympstone, which includes tunnels, pipes, wading pools, and an underwater culvert. The course ends with a four-mile run back to CTCRM. Followed by a marksmanship test, where the recruit must hit 6 out of 10 shots at a target representing a figure at 200 metres. To be completed in 73 minutes (71 minutes for officers). These times were recently increased by one minute as the route of the course was altered. The course ends at the 25 metres range where the recruit must then put at least six out of 10 shots on target without cleaning their weapon.

The Tarzan Assault Course. This is combined with an aerial confidence test. It starts with a death slide and ends with a rope climb up a thirty foot vertical wall. It must be completed with full fighting order in 13 minutes, 12 minutes for officers. The Potential Officers Course also includes confidence tests from the Tarzan Assault Course, although not with equipment.

The Thirty Miler. This is a 30 miles (48 km) march across Dartmoor, wearing fighting order, and additional safety equipment. It must be completed in eight hours (during the early 1960's it was six) for recruits and seven hours for officers, who must also navigate the route themselves, rather than follow a DS with the rest of a syndicate and carry their own equipment.

The day after the 30 miles march, any who have failed any of the tests may attempt to retake them. The point needs to be made that, unlike so many other military training courses, commandos stress the importance of the team; completing the 30 miler as a syndicate and finishing the nine miler with the whole troop, the overriding factor being the unity shared by the wearing of the Green Beret.

Completing the Commando Course successfully entitles the recruit or officer to wear the coveted Green Beret, but does not mean that the fledging Royal Marine has finished his training. That decision will be made by the troop or batch training team and will depend on the recruit's or young officer's overall performance. Furthermore, officer training still consists of many more months.

The last week of the 32 is mainly given over to administration and preparing for the pass out parade. Recruits in their final week of training are known as the King's Squad.

'The Royal Marines by Sea by Land' by John S. Murray.

The Tarzan Course early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

The Death Slide early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

In front of the Gym the water tank and ropes early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

The Regain early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

'If Not' early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

Woodbury Common early 1960's

© Copyright Royal Marines.

Today's Modern Royal Marine

Royal Marine Commandos from Lima Company wearing Multi Terrain Pattern camouflage are pictured on board an Armoured Raider Craft during amphibious training on Exercise Auriga 10 in Virginia USA. Photographer: LA David Hillhouse

From www.defenceimages.mod.uk

© Crown copyright 2013

Chapter 16

Pusser's Rum

The 'Tot' also known as 'Grog'

The traditional rum ration issued to all seamen on board Royal Naval ships, at midday (every day) became known as 'Pusser's Rum'.

On board every Royal Navy ship, the Purser was responsible for the ship's stores that included the rum issue to the crew. Everything that came from the Purser was called 'Pusser's', and still is to this day. Hence the name 'Pusser's Rum'.

Any Royal Marine who served onboard a Royal Naval ship was also allowed his ration of rum.

The rum ration was often served from one particular barrel, also known as the 'Rum Tub', which was often ornately decorated and sometimes reinforced with brass rings. Containers taking the rum below to the mess decks has another name, that of Rum F---y.

When boarding their ship sailors were asked if they were members of the Temperance Movement (non drinkers). If they said yes, it was noted in the ship's records and they were given three pence a day instead of the rum ration. The time of day when the rum ration was distributed was called 'Up Spirits', which was between 11 am and 12 noon (usually 12 noon). However, Sailors under the age of 20 were not permitted a rum ration.

A standard Naval Tot of rum consisted of an eighth of a pint, which was over 50% proof, and was traditionally named 'Overproof'. Normal spirits are usually around 40% in comparison.

Labelling spirits today as overproof or underproof is derived from the early method of treating Jamaica rum in the Naval victualling yards before it was issued to the warships. The rum used to arrive in England at 140 degrees overproof after which it was reduced to 95.5 degrees underproof by having water added to it. A small amount of the mixture was then poured over some grains of gunpowder and then a magnifying glass was used to ignite it. If the burning alcohol managed to stay alight then it was said to be 'Proof'. If it didn't light then it was 'Underproof'. If it exploded then it was 'Overproof'.

The history of rum in Great Britain's Royal Navy ships was largely that of social change, both in England and the Royal Navy. From 1650 to the 18th century, shipboard life was incredibly difficult. The daily issue of Pusser's Rum was the highlight of the day. Battles were fought 'eyeball-to-eyeball'. The mental alertness and courage required to pack a cannonball into a muzzle loader were far different from that required to operate the modern weapon systems of today.

A 'Tot' of Pusser's Rum was issued to the crews of their ships daily, and usually a double issue before battle and after a victory. It was first introduced into the Navy in 1655 as a substitute for beer. However, by 1731, it was in general use.

Because of the strength of the Tot it often caused problems amongst the crew that included drunkenness. There were attempts to curb this disruptive behaviour.

On Sunday 21st August 1740, Admiral Edward Vernon ordered the daily rum ration to be diluted to three parts water, one part rum, which would be issued to his fleet only twice a day. The mixture also became known as 'Grog' and, despite the addition of other ingredients such as lemon, lime, sugar and cinnamon, it was met with much disdain by its drinkers. Yet the intoxicated behaviour continued, leading to the rum being diluted even further.

Prior to Sunday 24th of March 1743, the Royal Navy issued beer, wine and spirits in place of tea, coffee and cocoa and even water on all shifts.

On the Saturday 16th of January 1745, beer and spirits were issued on alternative days.

1805. After the battle of Gibraltar the rum issue acquired the nickname 'Nelson's Blood'. The legend is to the effect that, by his own wish, Nelson's body, if he was killed in action or died when away from his beloved England, was to be conveyed home preserved in a barrel of rum. The legend goes on to say that the cask and Nelson's body arrived intact, but that the rum had disappeared. Unbeknown by the authorities the cask had been tapped and the rum drunk by the sailors of HMS 'Victory'. From that time on, rum was also known as 'Nelson's Blood.'

1831 and all liquids issues except rum were ceased on board ships.

1824 saw the rum issue reduced from half a pint to two and a half ounces, being the official 'Tot' of rum.

1850 and the 'Tot' issue was reduced to once a day at Noon.

'Splice the Mainbrace' is an order given aboard naval vessels to issue the crew with a drink. Originally an order for one of the most difficult emergency repair jobs aboard a sailing ship, it became a euphemism for authorised celebratory drinking afterward, and then the name of an order to grant the crew an extra ration of rum or grog as it was also known. The Main Brace was the largest and heaviest of all the running rigging of sailing vessels, and it's splicing particularly when a ship was underway in heavy weather, was one of the most arduous tasks onboard, and on completion, merited the issue of a double ration of rum. It was also ordered to mark a royal birth, or a visit to a ship by a Monarch, or a victory, or, in days of yore, before a battle.

The daily rum Tot as well as being a social aspect of life on the lower deck also had utilitarian uses, becoming a means of barter, a way of paying favour or paying off a bet. Like standing a watch, doing a shipmates dhobie (laundry), loaning tailor made trousers or a jumper instead of Pusser's issue for a run ashore. These were all items for which rum was used as a pay-off.

There were standard currencies to the Tot for such occasions. 'Sipper' was the least bring a small sip from a Mate's issue; 'Gulpers' was one, but only one, big swallow from another's Tot. 'Sandy Bottoms' was to drain off what was left of a Tot offered by a shipmate. 3 Sippers = 1 Gulper, while 3 Gulpers = 1 Tot.

By 1950 sailors were allowed just an eighth of a pint.

However, in 1970, the Admiralty Board decreed that there was no place for the daily issue of rum in a Modern Navy. The daily issue of Pusser's Rum in the Royal Navy ended on Friday 31st July 1970. This date has since been referred to as 'Black Tot Day'. The rum issue, one of the longest and unbroken traditions in seafaring history, ended as the last Tot of Pusser's was drunk on board their Majesties Ships. Round the world in every ship of the Navy, glasses were raised in their final salute. "The Queen", they said, and it's no exaggeration to say that at that moment many a strong man shed a tear at the passing of a tradition so old and fine, that was to be no more.

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts.

© Copyright Royal Marines.
Chapter 17

Marine Talk

All Military Services around the world develop their own choice of words while training their recruits, something that is unique to just them. A tradition that goes back many years, but still goes on to this day. In fact it could be said that a military minded person could usually work out where they are from just by hearing them speak. The Royal Marines are no different, and what follows is just a small selection of words that may help you next time you're talking to a Royal Marine.

A.

A1 (the best).

ABC (all been changed).

Ace (good excellent).

Aimer (a military driver).

Airy Fairy (member of the Fleet Air Arm).

Andrew (the Royal Navy).

Ankle Biters (children).

Animal Run (a good run ashore).

B.

Bag-Rat (packed lunch).

Bandy or Bandi (a Musician or Bandmaster).

Bang-box (the gun turret on big ships).

Banjo (a sandwich, or broken and broken down).

Banyan (a party on a beach or boat).

Barracks (a military camp and the Royal Marines mess deck on board a ship).

Basha (a temporary shelter in the field).

Belay (to cease doing something, or cancel what you were told).

Bezzy Best (as in Bezzy Oppo).

Bimble (to wander around casually with mind in neutral).

Bish (Chaplain or Padre).

Bite (to be drawn into an argument, or to fool somebody into doing or believing something stupid).

Bivvy or Bivouac. (A temporary shelter in the field usually made from a personal water proof poncho cape).

Black Maskers (thick black masking tape that is the all in one answer to service DIY).

Blues (Royal Marines ceremonial blue uniform).

Bombed Out (crazy exhausted).

Bonedome Helmet (for climbing or Kevlar).

Bootie (Royal Marine).

Bootneck (Royal Marine derived from the leather uniform stock worn around the neck during Lord Nelson's days).

Boss (respectful but casual way of referring to the officer in command).

Bone (a stupid thing to do).

Brag-Rags (a medal ribbons).

Brammer (outstandingly good).

Brill (brilliant, magnificent).

Bronzy (sun tan).

Bronzy Time (sunbathing).

Brown Job (Army).

Bubbled (to be found out, rumbled).

Bug Out (to conduct a military withdrawal)

Bugles (a Bugle Major, and a collection of musical instruments).

Bunting Tosser (signaller of any rank, a flag wagger).

Buzz (a rumour usually not true).

BZ (Bravo Zulu, well done usually sent on a signal).

C.

Cabin (a room, usually a bed room).

Can Spanner (tin opener).

Canvas Back (someone who is always lying on his back).

Chad valley (describes a piece of equipment that is prone to failure).

Charlie-G (the Carl Gustav 84mm anti-tank weapon).

Chateau Crappers Wine (preferably cheap, always nasty).

Chief Loafer (Chaplain or Padre).

Chins (hard luck).

Chippy (a carpenter).

Chit or Chittie (a piece of paper)

Chit Request (a form).

Chop-Chop (move it quickly).

Chopper (Helicopter).

Chuck One Up (a Salute).

Chuffed (Pleased).

Chunter (to mutter or mumble).

Church Key (a bottle opener).

Civvy (Civilian).

Clear Lower Deck (all ranks called together 100% turnout).

Cloggie (a Dutchman).

Club Swinger (PTI-Physical Training Instructor).

Cockie (Cockroach).

Colonel (Colonel Gaddafi/The NAAFI shop).

Colours / Colour Stripey (Colour Sergeant).

Come Along Side (to make the grade, to agree).

Common Dog (common sense).

Compo (composite rations).

Corps Pissed (to be totally intoxicated by the Royal Marines).

Crab/Crab Air (members of the RAF).

Crabby (Dirty). Crack It (to achieve).

Cracked Up (to lose ones patience).

Crash out (to fall asleep).

Crappers (to be very drunk or go to the toilet).

Cream in (to Collide). Crimbo (Christmas /yuletide).

D.

Damager (NAAFI manager, always a civvy).

Dank (miserable).

Dark and Dirty (Pusser's rum and Coke).

Devil Dodger (Chaplain or Padre).

Dhoby or Dhobi (to have a wash or wash your clothes).

Dhoby Dust (Washing powder).

Dhoby Marks (Rank Badges).

Dhoby Run (a trip to the launderette).

Dhoby Waller (a person who gets pinged to do the Dhoby).

Dig out and Dig out Blind (to make an all out effort).

Dipped and Dipped Out (to miss out on something).

Dip Stick (Idiot).

Dink (to give or receive a blow).

Dit (Story).

Ditch (to throw away).

Doc (a Doctor or any sick bay staff).

Dockyard omelette (Pizza Vomit).

Dockyard tortoise (Cornish pastie or oggie).

Dogs (socks).

Dog Robbers (Jacket and Tie).

Dog watch (a two hour watches, also a derogatory term for short length of service).

Donkey Wallopers (the Cavalry).

Doofer (a bit that goes on something).

Double-bagger (a particularly ugly woman or man).

Down On Your Chin Straps (Exhausted).

Dregs (ugly and unappealing).

Drip (to moan incessantly).

Drip Sesh (where complaints can be aired).

Drives (a driver).

Dropping a sprog (to give birth to a baby).

Drummy (the Drum Major of a band).

Duff (a pudding).

Duffer (Someone who is a Bone).

Duty Beauty (Duty person).

E.

Ear Pounding (to give or receive a verbal warning).

Earwigging (eavesdropping).

Eating Irons (eating utensils).

Egyptian PT (a nap in the afternoon where you get into bed and adopt the position of a Pharaoh).

Endex (the order given to end an exercise or end it early, also used to halt a conversation, lesson or activity).

Eric the red (Rust on a weapon).

Essence (gorgeous woman or man in good physical condition).

Egg Banjo (Bread roll with a fried egg).

F.

Fang Farrier (Dentist).

Fast back (Taxi).

Fat knacker (a not very fit person).

Father (a ship's captain).

Flag (Flapper Signaller).

Flakers (exhausted).

Flannel Waffle (Bull).

Flapping (Panicking or flapping around like a headless chicken).

Foo Foo (foot powder).

G.

Galley (the Junior Ranks Dining Hall).

Gannet (one with an insatiable appetite).

Gash (Rubbish).

Gash-hand (One who is left after the working party has been detailed off).

Gen (the truth, genuine).

GD (general duties).

Gen Dit (genuine story).

Gig (a band engagement).

Gizzit (any item that might be worth having that someone else no longer needs).

Glimp (to peer or peep).

Gobbling Rods (Knife fork and spoon).

Globe & Buster (the Corps Crest also the journal of the Royal Marines the Globe and Laurel magazine).

Glop (to slurp or drink hurriedly).

Glopheard (a habitual drunkard).

God Squad (Chaplain or Padre).

Gongs (Medals).

Gonk (to sleep).

Gonk bag (sleeping bag).

Gonking (Nodding off or snoozing).

Goffers Cold fizzy drinks, a sea wave or a punch).

Go Outside (to leave the Corps).

Gopping (nasty, horrible, unenjoyable).

Grease Pit (Washing up duty).

Green Naive (gullible, not very knowledgeable).

Green Lid (Green Beret).

Green Rub (rotten job/duty, to be seen off).

Grey Funnel Line (Ships of the Royal Navy).

Grippo (someone who latches on to a free run ashore, drink or a meal. Usually in a foreign port).

Gronk (unattractive woman).

Grot (your room in the accommodation).

Grots (Marine bedrooms).

Gucci. (Good, new and/or expensive equipment).

Gulpers (a quantity of drink somewhere between 'Sippers' and 'Sandy Bottoms').

Guz (Plymouth, from the WW1 radio ID letters for the port GUZ).

H.

Hands Off Cocks on Sock. (orders to get out of bed).

Hanging out (mental or physical tiredness, exhausted, suffering badly).

Hang Fire (wait a period of time).

Hanging Out (to have given 100% physically).

Hank or Hank Marvin (Starving).

Harry (used before certain words to increase their magnitude).

Harry (in the toilet 'Harry Crappers').

Heads (Toilets, from the old sailing ships where the toilets were directly beneath the figure head at the front of the boat).

Hoofing (excellent, amazing fantastic, brilliant).

Honkers (Hong Kong).

Honking (very dirty).

Horse Box (the Sergeants Mess on board ship).

I.

Icers (freezing cold).

Ickies (Money).

In Board (to come out on top).

In the Rattle (in serious trouble).

J.

Jack and Jolly Jack (Sailors)

Jack Dusty (Royal Navy supply rating).

Jack Tar (Sailor).

Jack Up (to arrange or organise something).

Jenny (a female sailor, comes from Jenny Wren WRNS).

Jimpy/Jeeps (General purpose machine gun).

Jimmy (the First Lieutenant).

Joe (Royal Marine Commanding officer on board ship).

K.

Kag/Kaggage (unwanted and useless equipment).

KFS (Knife Fork & Spoon).

Kit Muster (a personal kit inspection, also describes vomiting).

Knack All (nothing, nil).

Knacker / Fat Knacker (someone who is unfit or overweight).

L.

Lash up (to treat someone, and also describes a cock-up).

Leg It (to run).

Limers (Lime juice or any none fizzy cordial).

Loafing (Hanging around aimlessly, to leave something out that should be put away).

Lovats (Royal Marines number two uniform).

Loopy Loony Juice (Alcohol).

M.

Magic (Marvellous).

Make and Mend (early finish).

Mankey (Dirty).

Matelot (Sailor).

Mess Deck Dodger (somebody responsible for tidying a mess deck or barrack room).

Micky Duck (a cartoon film).

Minging (Very drunk).

MOA (a batman, an officer's attendant).

MOD (Ministry of Defence).

Mod Plod (ministry of defence police).

Mufti (Civilian clothing).

Muscle Bosun (one who prides himself on the strength of his body).

N.

Neaters (Undiluted Pusser's rum).

Nelson's blood (Rum).

Nine O' Clocker's (Mid evening snack).

Nod or Noddy (a recruit in training).

Nutty (confectionary).

Nutty Fiend (one who has a sweet tooth).

O.

Oggin (the sea or a stretch of water).

Oggie (a pasty).

Old Joe (Captain in charge of the Royal Marine detachment on board a ship).

Old Man (Captain of the ship).

Oppo (Friend, Buddy or Colleagues).

Ooloo (originally the jungle, but now cover thick vegetation).

Outside (Life after leaving the Corps).

P.

Paraffin Pigeon (Helicopter).

Party (Girlfriend).

Pash (Girlfriend / Boyfriend).

Pavement (Pizza Vomit).

Percy or Percy Pongo (a soldier from the Army).

Picturise (to put in the picture, to receive an explanation).

Pig (Officer).

Piglets (Midshipmen).

Pig sty (Officers Mess).

Pinged (to be spotted, to be picked for a particularly dirty job).

Pipe (used on naval ships in place of the bugle, also the tannoy system on board ship).

Piso (careful with money and tight).

Pit (bed, bed space or bunk).

Pitchers (Dark, its pitchers tonight).

Planters (Polo/smart shirt and trousers).

Plums ( to get nothing).

Plums Rating (one who is continually unsuccessful with women).

Pom (Dehydrated mashed potatoes).

Pompey (Portsmouth).

Pongo (where the army goes the pong goes).

Power Nap (a short deep sleep).

Proffed (Goods acquired by dubious methods from the establishment rather than another Marine).

Pussers Rum (the tot).

Pusser's charger/chariot (a service issue pushbike).

Pusser's Hard (issue soap).

Pusser's planks (service issue Skis).

Puzzle Palace (Headquarters building).

Q.

Quaffer (Posh sounding officer).

R.

Rabbits (Presents or souvenirs).

Racing Snake (a very fast runner).

Recommend (Formalised approval or praise).

Redders (Very Hot).

Rembranted (to be put in the picture).

Rig (ones dress, get rigged is to get dressed).

Rock Ape (a member of the RAF Regiment).

Rock All (Nil or nothing).

Rodney (Officer).

Roughers (Stormy Weather).

Rubber Dagger (a Royal Marines Reservist).

Rug Rats (Children).

Run (a trip or journey).

Run Ashore (to go out for a few drinks, a night out).

Rupert (Officer).

S.

Sad on (to be unhappy or annoyed).

Sandy bottoms (to drain the whole glass/can or bottle).

Scab Lifter (Medical Assistant).

Scratcher (a bed, bunk or bed space).

Scran (Food or a meal).

Scran Bag (a bag used to clear up a mess deck. Anything lying around is placed in the bag. A scruffy individual who looks like his clothes have never been ironed is said to looks like a scran bag).

Sea Daddy (an experienced Marine or Sailor who looks after a younger recruit to show them the ropes).

Secure (to finish for the day or after a watch).

Show a Leg (an old saying to swing your leg out of a hammock to get up).

Shreddies (Underpants)

Sick Bay (the Medical Centre).

Sick Bay Ranger (Someone who spends a lot of time off sick).

Sigs (a radio operator).

Sin Bosun (Chaplain or Padre).

Sippers (a sip of a drink).

Skin (Immature or inexperienced. lacking facial hair).

Skin Mags (Playboy or simular magazines).

Sky Pilot (Chaplain or Padre).

Slide (Butter or Margarine).

Slug (Sleeping bag).

Smally (Small).

Sneaky Beaky (a member of the SBS or Special Forces, intelligence staff).

Snotty (Historic nickname for a midshipman in the Royal Navy).

Snurgle (to sneak or creep on out of sight).

Sods Opera (a show that is put on by the ships company or unit to entertain themselves).

Soup Jockey (Officers Steward or Ward Room Attendant).

Spin (to tell or explain).

Sprog (child and a new recruit who has just passed out).

Spud Locker (vegetable preparation room).

Stacks (opposite to plums, plenty).

Stand-easy (a tea break taken during the morning and the afternoon).

Stick (Abuse).

Sticks or Sticky Blue (Royal Marines bugler).

Stickies (cakes).

Stripey (Sergeant).

Sweating Neaters (to be worried).

SB (special boat service).

Scran (food).

Scanning (eating. All you ever do is sit there scanning).

Secure (to finish, to tidy away after a job).

Sweating Neaters (to be worried).

T.

The Corps (the Royal Marines).

Three Badger (a Marine with three good conduct stripes above his left wrist).

Threaders (to be seriously upset, angry, fed up).

Tubbin (Thumb up bum, brain in neutral).

Thin out (depart).

Trap (to successfully attract a member of the opposite sex).

Trough (eat).

Troop bible (a book containing all the relevant details of the individuals in his unit).

Turn To (to parade or begin work).

Twos Up (to take a turn at or with something).

U.

Uckers (a game loosely based on ludo).

Up Home (to be invited home).

Up The Line (to move away from base).

V.

Vittled Up (subjected to heavy and accurate fire).

W.

Wagon (a lorry).

Wardroom (Officers mess on board ship or in a naval establishment).

Watch (Sentry duty).

Waz or Wazzer (Fantastic).

Weather Guesser (the met officer on board ship, also known as Professor Fog).

Wellie (to punch).

Wet (a drink of any description).

Wings or Winger (a close friend, an Oppo).

Wooly Pully (the green issue woollen jumper).

Work Your Ticket (to arrange to leave the service).

Y.

Yaffle (to eat hurriedly).

Yaffling (irons/spanners knife, fork and spoon).

Yeti (a spectacular crash while skiing or to fall over).

Yodel in a bucket (Vomit also Pavement pizza, dockyard omelette and technicolour yawn).

Yomp (to force march with a heavy load).

Yonks (a long time).

Yoyo (a young officer in training).

Z.

Zap or Zapped (to shoot or be shot).

Zeds or ZZ's (to get some sleep).

Zulu (Greenwich meantime, also Z Coy, 45 Commando Royal Marines).

And many more?
Chapter 18

The funny use of Surnames

Royal Marines humour can be best seen and appreciated in their use of nick names of fellow Marines surnames.

A

Aggie. / Weston surname.

Alfien. / Newman surname.

Artie. / Shaw surname.

Al. / Read surname.

Alfie. / Shaw surname.

Andy. / Anderson surname.

Arthur. / Ashley surname.

Aspro. / Aspinall surname.

Assie. /Aspinall surname.

Average Joe. / Person who is Typical.

B

Babbling. / Brooke surname.

Bandy. / Evans surname.

Bang-Bang. / Gunn surname.

Banjo. / Patterson surname.

Barracks Lawyer. / A person who claims to know all the regulations.

Battle. / Hastings surname.

Bazek. / Brush surname.

Ben. / Hall surname.

Benny. / Hill surname.

Bent. / Trueman surname.

Betsy. / Gay surname.

Bill. / Oddie surname.

Billy. / _Connolly_ surname.

Bird. / Sparrow surname.

Bob. / Hope surname.

Bogey. / Knight surname.

Bomber. / Brown surname.

Bomber. / Wells surname.

Boats. / Person who likes Boats.

Boots. / Person with large feet.

Boots. / Wellington and Wellings surname.

Boots. / Seabrook surname.

Bram. / Bammer surname.

Brighamy. / Young surname.

Brownie. / Brown surname.

Bruce. / Forsyth surname.

Brum. / Stead. Surname.

Buck. / Rogers surname.

Buck. / Taylor surname.

Bulldog. / Drummond.

Bungy. / Edwards surname.

Bunny. / Austin surname.

Bunny. / Warren surname.

Buster. / Brown surname.

Burp. / Belcher surname.

Burt. / Reynolds surname.

Buster. / Crabb surname.

Butch. / Butcher surname.

C

Chalky. / White surname.

Charlie. / Brown surname.

Chatter box. / A person who talks too much.

Charlie. / Chaplin surname.

Charlie. / Drake surname.

Charlie. / Noble surname.

Chats. / Harris surname.

Chatts. / Chatterton surname.

Chatty. / A person who talks too much.

Chatty Kathy. / A person who talks too much.

Chippie. / A carpenter.

Chopper. / Harris

Chopper. / Read surname.

Chrome Dome. / Person who is Bald.

Cookie. / A Cook.

Connie. / Francis surname.

Cosher. / Hinds surname.

Clansy. / Lowe surname.

Clippie. / A bus conductor.

Crabby. / Dirty in appearance.

Crash. / Camington surname.

Cribb. / Cribbings surname.

Curly. / A person with curly hair.

Curly. / A person who is bald.

D

Dad, / Roberts surname.

Daisy. / May surname.

Daisy. / Adams surname.

Daisy. / Bell. Surname.

Dal. / Dalrimple surname.

Dal Boy. / Cockney guy trying to flog you something a bit iffy.

Danny. / Kay surname.

Darby. / Allen surname.

Darby. / Joan Christian name.

Debbie. / Reynolds surname.

Debbie Downer. / Person who is Negative.

Dick. / Christian name is Richard.

Dicky. / Bird surname.

Dickie. / Valentine surname.

Dickie. / Grant surname.

Digger. / Revell surname.

Dinger. / Bell surname.

Doc. / Doctor military medic.

Doc. / Holliday surname.

Doc. / Watson surname.

Dodger. / Long surname.

Dogs. / Barker surname.

Dogger. / Long surname.

Dogger. / Roger surname.

Dolly. / Grey surname.

Dolly. / Gray surname.

Dolly. / Parton surname.

Donkey. / Bray surname.

Doolittle. / A lazy person.

Doris. / Day surname.

Dogs Body. / Body or Broddy surname.

Dolly. / Gray surname.

Duff. / Cooper surname.

Duke. / Wayne Christian or surname.

Dutchy. / Holland surname.

Dusty. / Miller surname.

E

Einstein. / A person who is well educated.

Erry. / Mason surname.

F

Farmer. / Ackerman surname.

Fess. / Parker surname.

Fitz. / A person with the name Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, etc.

Fixit. / Foulton surname.

Flash. / Gordon surname.

Frenchy. / France surname.

Fletch. / Fletcher surname.

Fezz. / Parker surname.

Flapper. / Hughes surname.

Florrie. / Ford surname.

Fluff. / Farrell surname.

Four-eyes. / A person who wears glasses.

Foxy. / Fowler surname.

Freezer. / Frost

Fritz. / A German person.

Frost or Frosty. / Referred to a person with white hair or a cold personality.

Frosty. / Frost surname.

Frosty. / Snow surname.

G

Geek. / A computer technician.

Genius. / Somebody who is believed to be a clever person.

George. / Formby surname.

Geordie. / Regional nickname from the Tyne side.

Ghengis. / McCann surname.

Gibley. / Howe surname.

Ginger. / His hair may be Ginger in colour.

Gladys. / Knight surname.

Goldy. / Golding surname.

Gnasher. / Smith surname.

Granny. / Henderson surname.

Grotty. / Dale surname.

Guy. / Vaughan surname.

H

Happy. / Day surname.

Hahn. / German nickname for a proud or lusty man (it means rooster).

Harry. / Enfield surname.

Harry. / Lime surname.

Henry. / Ford surname.

Hesh. / Harding surname.

Hitler. / A person with a dictatorial manner.

Hollywood. / A person who is a show off.

Hookey. / Walker surname.

Hoppy. / Hopkins surname.

Hoss. / Atack surname.

I

Ivy. / Ives surname.

Issy. / Bond surname.

J

Jack. / Sheperd surname.

Jackdaw. / Crowe surname.

Jason. / King surname.

Japper. / A person who talks a lot.

Jeff. / A person with the name Geoffrey, Jeffry, Jeffrys, etc.

Jerry. / Lewis surname.

Jessie. / James surname.

Jet. / Harris surname.

Jim. / Morrison surname.

Jimmy. / Green surname.

Jock. / He was born in Scotland.

Joe 90. / A person who wears glasses.

Johnny. / Bone surname.

Jonty. / Rhodes surname.

Jumper. / Collins surname.

Jumper. / Cross surname.

Jumper. / Short surname.

Jurassic. / Parks surname.

K

Kenneth. / Williams surname.

Kitty. / Wells surname.

Klein. / German nickname for someone with a diminutive stature.

Knackers. / Ball surname.

Knocker. / White surname.

Korky. / Cat or Kat surname

L

Lamb. / Lamb surname.

Larry. / Lloyd surname.

Larry. / Lamb surname.

Lazy. / Dolittle surname.

Legs. / Diamond surname.

Les. / Dawson surname.

Lofty. / A person who is very tall.

M

Mac. / A person with the name Macmillan, MacIntyre, McCarthy, M'Clure, etc.

Maccars. / MacDonald surname.

Mad Mick. / Jim Lewis surname.

Maggie. / May surname.

Max. / Bygraves surname.

Max. / Wall surname.

Mew Mew. / Lamington surname.

Mini. / May, Bannister and cooper surnames.

Mitch. / Mitchell surname.

Mitch. / Miller surname.

Money Bags. / A wealthy person.

Mort. / Mortimer surname.

Mush. / Owens surname.

Mouse. / Manly surname.

N

Napoleon. / A person with a dictatorial manner.

Naps. / Napier surname.

Nat. / Cole surname.

Ned. / Kelly surname.

Nelly. / Wallace surname.

Nerd. / A person who is smart but odd.

Nervous Nellie. / A person who is very cautious.

Nick. / Carter surname.

Nobby. / Clark and Clarke surname.

Nobby. / Hall surname.

Norman. / Wisdom surname.

Nosey. / Parker surname.

Nosh. / Parker surname.

Nuts. / Ball surname.

Nozz. / King. Surname.

O

Ocker. / Collins surname.

Oscar. / Perterson surname.

Oxxie. / Oxborrow surname.

P

Paddles. / Pearn surname.

Paddy. / A person from Ireland.

Pansy. / Potter surname.

Pedlar. / Palmer surname.

Peter. / Cook surname.

Petula. / Clark surname.

Pickles. / Nelson surname.

Piggy, / Bacon surname.

Piggy, / May surname.

Pincher. / Martin surname.

Pinky. / Pinkstone surname.

Plain. / A person who is boring.

Pollyanna. / A person with a very optimistic view of things.

Pompey. / Blake surname.

Pony. / Moor or More surnames.

Pizza-Face. / A person with acne.

Pricky. / Price surname.

Pricky. / Pryke surname.

Pug. / Davis surname.

Pusserhill. / Pat, Patterson and Pattinson surnames.

Q

R

Rabbit. / Warren surname.

Rajah. / Brookes surname

Ratchet Jaw. / A person who talks too much.

Rattler. / Morgan surname

Rusty, / A person who has ginger hair.

Rusty. / Steel surname.

Robbo. / Roberts surname.

Robby. / Roberts surname.

Robin. / Finch surname.

Rod. / Stewart surname.

Ronnie. / Barker surname.

Rowdy. / Wells surname.

Rowdy. / Yate surname.

Roy. / A Scottish nickname for someone with red hair.

Roy. / Castle surname.

Roy. / Hudd surname.

Ruby. / Murray surname.

Russ. / Abbott surname.

S

Sad Sack. / A person who is Pessimistic.

Sandy. / Powell surname.

Sandy. / Nelson surname.

Sarge. / Military Sergeant.

Sawbones. / Surgeon.

Screwy. / Carew.

Scribe. / A person who works in an office.

Scrumpy. / Marshall surname.

Scubby. / Barnard surname.

Scouse. / A person who was born in Liverpool.

Shady. / Lane surname.

Shag or Shaggy. / Shaw surname.

Sharkey. / Ward surname.

Shep. / Woolley surname.

Shep. / Shepherd surname.

Shifty Eyes. / A person who's eye are constantly moving. Not to be trusted.

Shimmo. / Simmonds surname.

Shiner. / Light surname.

Shiner. / Wright surname.

Short Arse. / A person shorter in height than the nickname caller.

Shortie. / A short person.

Sleepy. / A person with a Tired Demeanour.

Slim. / A person who is overweight.

Slim. / A person who thin.

Slinger. / Wood surname.

Small-Fry. / A short person.

Smokey. / Cole surname.

Smokey. / Dawson surname.

Smokey. / Funnel surname.

Smouch. / Smith surname.

Smudge. / Smith surname.

Smudger. / Smith surname.

Snowy. / Snowden surname.

Snowy. / White surname.

Soapy. / Watson surname.

Soapy. / Hudson surname.

Sparky. / An Electrician.

Spaz. / A person who is clumsy.

Specs. / A person who wears glasses

Spider. / Hughes

Spider. / Kelly surname.

Spider. / Webb surname.

Spike. / Jones surname.

Spike. / Milligan surname.

Spud. / Murphy surname.

Slintter. / Woods surname.

Stainless. / Steel surname.

Stan. / Matthews

Stanley. / Baxter surname.

Sticks, Stix or Styx. / A Drummer.

Sticky. / Green surname.

Story. / Hale surname.

Stunning. / A person who is Glamorous.

Squizzy. / Taylor surname.

Summers. / Summerset surname.

Swampy. / Marsh surname.

Sweeney. / Todd a surname.

T

Tab. / Hunter surname.

Taff. / A person who was born in Wales.

Tansy. / Lee surname.

Talkative. / A person who talks too much.

Tarentino, / Quinten surname.

Tex. / Webbon surname.

Tiger. / Brand.

Timber. / Woods surname.

Timber. / Mills surname.

Tinny. / Little surname.

Titch. / Underwood surname.

Toby. / Denver surname.

Tommy. / Cooper surname.

Tony. / Hancock surname.

Topsy. / Turner surname.

Tosh. / Gilbert surname.

Tractor boys. / A person from the County Suffolk.

Trigger. / Pattenden surname.

Trotts. / Trotter surname.

Tudor. / Richards surname.

Tug or Tugg. / Wilson or Willson surname.

Twiggy or Twigg. / A very thin person.

Tweety. / Bird surname.

Twink. / Winn surname.

U

V

Yambo. / Harrison surname.

Yap. / Perry surname.

Yap. / A person who can't stop talking.

W

Whacker. / Payne surname.

Whacky. / Peck surname.

Wally. / Brown surname.

Wanky, / Wakefield surname.

Wellie. / Wellington surname.

Whacker. / Payne surname.

Whisky. / Walker surname.

Wiggy. / Bennett surname.

Will. / Power surname.

Willy. / Westran surname.

Windy. / Gale surname.

Woody. / Woods surname.

Willie. / Rushton surname.

X

Y

Yapper. / A person who talks a lot.

Z

Zit. / Person with Acne.

Zot. / Gitsham surname.

The End
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