&#039;3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines&#039;

41 Independent Commando RM

Archive pages:

41 Commando RM

'42 Commando RM'

Formed in August 1943 from the disbanded 1st RM Battalion, the Commando saw service in India and Burma. 42 RM Commando took part in the Battle of Kangaw on the 31st January 1945.

Redesignated 42 Commando RM early in 1946, having been 42 RM Commando (Light) since August 1945. Postwar, the Commando operated across the Globe with combat operations in Malaya, Suez, Borneo and Brunei, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

42 Commando Royal Marines have been based at Bickleigh Barracks just outside Plymouth, Devon, since the 16th September 1971.

Archive pages:

42 Commando RM

'Limbang Hostage Rescue'

Date commenced:

Wednesday, December 12, 1962

Units:

'42 Commando RM'

In December 1962 a revolt broke out in Brunei, North Borneo, and 42 Commando, in Singapore at the time, was flown to Labuan and given the task of clearing Brunei Bay.

'L' Company was detached to try to release eight European hostages, including a district officer, from the town of Limbang, which was held by a strong force of rebels.

Assaulting from river craft, 'L' Company secured Limbang and released the hostages in 20 minutes. In that short time five Royal Marines died (see names below) and six were wounded. Four members of the Sarawak Constabulary also died and twenty rebels were killed in the engagement.

A Memorial at Limbang was unveiled on the 3rd August 1963. It is located on the riverfront opposite the police station [view in gallery....].

Sources

[Image] The funeral of Marine Gerald 'Scouse' Kierans officiated by Father O'Connor with members of 'L' Company [more photos in gallery....].

Linked content:

FORMOY, Ronald David

JENNINGS, Richard

KIERANS, Gerald

MACFARLANE, Walter Grant

POWELL, Fred Stewart

Archive pages:

42 Commando RM

Limbang

43 Commando RM

-Formed in August 1943 as 43 RM Commando from Marines from the disbanded 2nd RM Battalion, the Commando saw service as part of 2 Commando Brigade until the end of the war when it was disbanded.

43 Commando RM was re–formed on the 5th September 1961 at Stonehouse Barracks Plymouth under the command of Lieut. Col. Willasey-Wilsey MBE,MC,RM. [1] and remained operational until disbanded again at Eastney on the 1st October 1968 [2].

43 Commando RM was more recently reformed as 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines. It is the largest in the Corps and is responsible for protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent as well as taking the fight to modern-day pirates in specialist boarding teams.

Historical note

Associated units - Comacchio Company Royal Marines (1980–1983), Comacchio Group Royal Marines (1983–2001) and Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (2001-2012)

Sources

[1] RMRO 154 dated 1961

[2] RMRO 192 dated 1968

Archive pages:

Comacchio Company/Group

'Fleet Protection Group'

'Comacchio Company RM'

Comacchio Company Royal Marines existed between 1980 and 1983 and was responsible for protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent. It was later redesignated Comacchio Group Royal Marines (1983–2001) and then Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines in 2001. In 2012 it was formally redesignated again as 43 Commando RM.

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Comacchio Company/Group

'Comacchio Group RM'

Comacchio Group RM was responsible from 1983 for protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent. It's predecessor was Comacchio Company Royal Marines. In 2001 it was redesignated Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines which in turn became 43 Commando RM in 2012.

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Comacchio Company/Group

'Fleet Protection Group RM'

Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines exsited between 2001 to 2012 and was responsible for protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent. Prior to that it was known as Comacchio Company (1980-83) and Comacchio Group (1983 - 2001). In 2012 it was formally redesignated as 43 Commando RM, the largest in the Core, and has the combined role of protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent as well as taking the fight to modern-day pirates in specialist boarding teams.

Archive pages:

'Fleet Protection Group'

'45 Commando RM'

Formed as 45 RM Commando in August 1943 from the disbanded 5th RM Battalion. World War 2 operations included the Normandy landings and the crossings of the rivers Rhine, Weser, Aller and Elbe. Redesignated 45 Commando RM in March 1946.

Read the WW2 history of the unit here [45RM Commando history].

The Commando was one of the three RM Commando Units not disbanded after the war. On 31 january 1946, at Chatham, 45 embarked on board the aircraft carrier HMS Rajah for the Far East arriving at Port Said on 11 February and Singapore on 1 March. They arrived at Kowloon on 7 March.*

It was redesignated as 45 Commando Royal Marines in March 1946.

The post-war years saw the Commando deployed on operations to Palestine, Suez, Malaya, Aden and Cyprus. The Commando finally returned to the UK in 1967 after 24 years operational service abroad and moved to its current base in Arbroath in 1971.

Since then they have been deployed in Northern Ireland, and, in 1982, the Commando took part in Operation Corporate, the recapture of the Falkland Islands. In 1991 the Commando deployed to Northern Iraq on a humanitarian assistance mission and in 1994 it was dispatched to reinforce the Kuwaiti border against renewed Iraqi aggression. More recently the Commando has been deployed on operations in Afghanistan.

* The book 45 - The Story of 45 Commando Royal Marines 1943-1971, author David Young

Gallery Images of 95 Commando and 29 Commando

Archive pages:

45 Commando RM

'29 Commando Regiment RA'

The first Army Commandos were raised by a Gunner, Lt Col John Durnford-Slater RA in June 1940, following the defeat ending with the evacuation at Dunkirk, The Commandos struck at the German forces at a time when Britain was otherwise powerless. Raids were made on the coasts of Norway, France and the Mediterranean. By the time of the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944, the Commando forces were of a considerable size and had played a vital part on operations in all theatres of war.

After the Second World War the Commando role passed entirely to the Royal Marines, the Royal Navy’s amphibious infantry. Army Commando units ceased to exist. In the late 1950s, Britain’s defence policy began to stress the importance of a worldwide maritime strategy. The Royal Navy commissioned Commando Carriers such as HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion. The Royal Marines, who no longer had their own artillery decide that they required support from an Army artillery Regiment.

During 1962, 29 Field Regiment RA were deployed with 25 Pounder guns in Aden and Kuwait, deterring Iraq from invading the oil fields. On the back of these deployments, the Regiment was chosen to re-role as Commando Artillery. The men of the newly formed 29 Commando Regiment RA trained for and passed the All Arms Commando Course at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Lympstone. It was a proud and historic moment when the first Army Commandos since the end of the War received their Green Berets on 15 May 1962. The 25 Pounders in service with the Regiment at that time were then replaced by the 105mm Pack Howitzer. In 1965, 95 Commando (Light) Regiment, Royal Artillery, was formed. In 1971 95 Commando joined with 29 Commando.

Since this time, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery has deployed around the globe as part of 3 Commando Brigade. Over the last 43 years the Regiment has operated in every major conflict the Brigade has been involved in. This has included Brunei (1962), Borneo (1963-66), Aden (1966-67), Cyprus (1974), The Falklands (1982) and numerous tours of Northern Ireland. More recently the Regiment has deployed to Iraq (1991 and 2003), Kosovo (1994), Bosnia (1996), Sierra Leone (2000), and Afghanistan (2001, 2006, 2008 and 2011).

The composition of the Regiment since it’s formation in 1962 has changed constantly to accommodate the demands made on the UK Armed Forces.

To become a Commando Gunner you must pass the arduous All Arms Commando Course held at Royal Marines Training Centre, Lympstone, which in turn earns you the right to proudly wear the coveted Green Beret.

[Source MOD]

View the Army Commando ROH post WW2 [HERE].

Archive pages:

Army Commando ROH 1962 - 2019

95 Commando (Light) Regt. RA

95 Commando (Light) Regt. RA

The origin of this unit was the 95th Amphibious Observation Regiment RA formed in the early 1950's, which was redesignated as 95th Commando Amphibious Observation Regiment RA in 1962. On the 18th March 1964 it was redesignated as 95 Commando Light Regiment RA. On the 1st May 1971 it was again redesignated as 95th Commando Forward Observer Unit RA and joined with 29 Commando Regiment RA.

[Source: British Army Units from 1945 website.]

View the Army Commando ROH post WW2 [HERE].

Archive pages:

7 (Sphinx) Battery

Commando trained currently based at RM Condor, Arbroath.

Archive pages:

8 (Alma) Battery

Commando trained. Currently based in the Royal Citadel Plymouth the Battery is known as "Black Eight" because of their efforts at the Battle of Alma where the Battery fired more rounds than any other leaving the faces of the gunners black with powder stains. Black Eight is the second gun battery in 29 Cdo. Regiment and is also equipped with six 105mm Light Guns and three Observation Parties.

Archive pages:

145 (Maiwand) Commando Battery

29 Field Regt RA became 29 Commando Lt Regt, RA in 1962. This consisted of 3 gun batteries - 8 (Alma), 79 (Kirkee) & 145 (Maiwand). Each battery consisted of 4 x 105mm Pack Howitzers (Italian Mountain Gun) and manned by approx. 65 men.

Archive pages:

23 (Gibralter 1779 -1783) Battery

Commando trained HQ Battery based at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth including RLC attached ranks.

Archive pages:

79 (Kirkee) Battery

The Battery converted to the Commando role on 15th May 1962. Two years later saw the Regiment based in Singapore and serving in Borneo and Malaya where it saw action in the jungle role. The early seventies saw the battery based in Malta until it returned to The Royal Citadel in 1974. The troubles in Northern Ireland saw the Battery deployed on four Operation BANNER tours. The Battery has also served as part of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus on two occasions, the last in 1995.

In 1982 the Battery deployed with the Regiment on Operation Corporate, the operation to recover the Falkland Islands. Landing in San Carlos on 21 May 1982 the Battery was the first fire unit ashore and the first to fire in anger. Over the course of the war the Battery fired 2,200 rounds and the tactical group supported 42 Commando on foot throughout. Initially moving to Teal Inlet on 31 May the battery moved to Estancia House alongside 3 PARA and finally to Two Sisters within range of Port Stanley. The campaign was the ultimate test for Regiment in extremely hostile conditions which tested gunnery, men and logistics to their very limits and then further still.

The Battery took part in Operation Haven in1991 to provide a safe and secure haven for the Kurds against Saddem Hussein in Northern Iraq and three years later in 1994 it reinforeced 7 Battery with two Fire support Teams and two gun detachments for Operation Driver to block predicted Iraqi incursion into Kuwait which had echoes of the deployment to Kuwait of 1961.

Kirkee served in the Balkans in 1995 as part of Operation Lodestar (Bosnia-Herzgovina). In 2003 the Battery was split up to reinforce 7 and 8 Batteries for Operation Telic 1, the liberation of Iraq. In 2005 the Battery deployed to Helmand Province Afghanistan on Operation Herrick V returning two years later on Operation Herrick IX. The Battery’s latest operational deployment was to Afghanistan in 2011 on Operation Herrick XIV. The Battery also contributed, at short notice, to the security for the hugely successful 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Source: The Royal Artillery Association .

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148 ( Meiktila ) Battery

148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery is a Commando-trained unit of specialist Naval Gunfire Forward Observers. Although part of 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, it conducts many operations separately from the rest of the regiment. Royal Artillery batteries are usually named after one of their battle honours; the Battle of Meiktila occurred in Burma in February/March 1945, with 148 Battery firing its 25-pounder guns in support of 255th Armoured Brigade.

History

(source Stu Hart (ex 29 Cdo) : The Combined Operations Bombardment Units (COBUs) provided fire direction for ships in shore bombardment in World War 2. The first COBU was formed in 1940 and by the end of the war there were five in existence. In 1946 all were disbanded, except No.2 COBU which joined the School of Combined Operations (later the Amphibious Warfare Centre) at Fremington. 3 Independent Combined Operations Bombardment Troop (3 ICOBT) was raised to serve with the 40th Infantry Division in Hong Kong in 1949 and soon more Amphibious Observation Units, as they were now called, were in existence. These were combined to form 95th Amphibious Observation Regiment, with its headquarters at Fremington in Devon but batteries stationed at fleet bases throughout the world. 166 Battery, based at Malta, participated in the Suez invasion in November 1956(Operation Musketeer).

148 Battery has been in existence under various names since 1842. After 1945 it became a training unit but converted to the Amphibious Observation role in 1960. At around the same time it was decided that the Royal Marines, who no longer included gunners in their ranks, needed specialist fire support from an Army artillery regiment. Up until then 3 Commando Brigade had relied on whatever gunner regiment was available. 29th Field Regiment was serving in Kuwait in 1962 when it was chosen to take up this role. Its members were to be the first Army Commandos since 1946 and the first men to complete training received their green berets on 15 May 1962. Later 95 Regiment was also re-roled as a Commando Light Regiment with the 105mm pack howitzer. 148 Battery was to continue in the amphibious observation role for 95 as a Commando Forward Observation Battery, while 20 Battery did the same job for 29. Later a Territorial Army unit, 881 Battery, was formed.

Members of 148 Battery saw service in the Malay Peninsula 1963-66, Borneo 1963-66, the Radfan in 1964 and in Aden at various times between 1960 and 1967. In 1971 the battery returned to the UK from Singapore, along with the rest of 3 Commando Brigade, and took up its present location at Poole. With the general reduction of the Royal Navy and gun-armed ships in particular there seemed to be less need for such units. The various batteries had at certain times changed regiments so when 95 Commando Regiment was disbanded in 1975, 148 Battery survived as part of 29 Regiment. 20 and 881 Batteries were not so lucky and 148 became the sole remaining NGFO unit. It too was scheduled for disbandment when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in April 1982.

Unit Archive (excludes gallery):

289 Commando Light Battery (V)

A volunteer military reservist unit of Greater London. Redesignated in 1977 as 289 Commando Light Battery (V) from 289 Parachute Battery RHA (V).

Archive pages:

289 Commando Light Battery (V)

24 Commando Royal Engineers

Role

Responsible for all engineer tasks in the 3 Commando Brigade forward area. This includes route maintenance, bridging, water supply, electricity supply construction of field defences and structures, demolition tasks and mine clearance.

As well as possessing a large number of skilled craftsmen, the Regiment also has a variety of plant machinery and other equipment. This gives the Unit the capability to tackle almost any form of construction or demolition.

Additionally, the Regiment also has a diving team, trained to conduct sub-surface engineering tasks as well as survey rivers and beaches in order to identify their suitability for bridging.

Training

24 Commando personnel undergo the All Arms Commando Course, on successful completion of which they are able to wear the coveted green beret.

The Unit is trained to operate everywhere in support of 3 Commando Brigade. This means regular Arctic training as well as jungle and desert climates focusing on amphibious operations. Essentially the Regiment allows the Brigade to fight and move.

Timeline

1971 formation of 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers.

2008 expanded to form 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.

2012 the Regiment was reduced in size to form three squadrons.

2017 re-roled as 24 Commando Royal Engineers.

Current ORBAT
24 Commando Royal Engineers
56 Commando Headquarters and Support Squadron
54 Commando Squadron
59 Commando Squadron
131 Commando Squadron
REME Workshop.

131 Commando Squadron

131 Commando Squadron is the Army Reserve sub-unit of 24 Commando Royal Engineers. 131 has served in over 60 nations and territories worldwide. Since 1978 it has supported the Royal Marines and Commando Forces. Before that it was a parachute unit, supporting the Parachute Regiment.

[Source: MOD].

View the Gallery images of Army Commando Sappers

View the Army Commando ROH post WW2 [HERE].

Archive pages:

59 Independent Commando Squadron RE

24 Commando Royal Engineers

RM Engineer Commando WW2

59 Independent Commando Sqn. RE

At the end of the war a decision was made to disband the Army Commandos. Many years later Army Commandos were reformed to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. The 1st of April 2021 marked the 50th Anniversary of the formation of 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers.

59 Field Squadron at the time were stationed in Singapore providing support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. It was in 1967 that Brigadier Richard Clutterbuck, Chief Engineer Far East Land Forces (FELF) first proposed that 59 Field Squadron re-role as a Commando Squadron and be attached to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

Although this decision was met with universal agreement it would not be until 1st April 1971 that the Squadron would be retitled.

This is not the first time that the Corps had commando sappers as there were individually trained sappers on the Staff of HQ 3 Commando Brigade with a responsibility for providing specialist support and advice to the Bde Comd and his staff.

The earliest recorded sapper recipient of the Commando Medal was SSgt John Craig who successfully completed the commando course in 1964 and went on to serve as a QMSI in the Bde HQ.

Looking further back in history there were many sapper officers and soldiers in WW2 who were commando trained. These included Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant RE, attached to No.1 Commando, who died during Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

There is currently an annual award ‘The Durrant Award’ which is presented to the Sergeant who has demonstrated throughout the reporting period the very best examples of the Commando qualities:

Unselfishness.

Courage.

Cheerfulness in Adversity.

Determination.

Unity.

Singapore Days

Following the decision to re-role 59 Field Squadron to 59 Independent Commando Squadron, Gerry Taggart, who was the Staff Officer Royal Engineers (SORE) in HQ 3 Commando Brigade RM explained how 59 Field Squadron came to be called 59 Independent Commando Squadron.

“The Brigade Commander, Brigadier Peter Whitely asked me what we should call the newly announced Commando Squadron. I replied 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers to harmonize with 9 Independent Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers who are a unit of 16th Parachute Brigade. He was delighted with the suggestion and that he now had his own dedicated Royal Engineer Squadron in the Brigade”.

And so, the ‘seeds were sown’ for a professional association that has endured for 50 years and still going strong.

Although the Squadron continued to provide sapper support to the Royal Marines there was a significant shift in direction for those who had volunteered for commando training. The unit PTI's were now conducting daily physical training to prepare soldiers for when they would report to the Royal Citadel in Plymouth to undertake ‘Pre-Beat Up’ training prior to moving to the Commando Training Centre (CTC), Lympstone to complete the All-Arms Commando Course (AACC). In some cases, personnel would attend the All-Arms Commando Course prior to arrival in Singapore.

The first commando trained Troop Commander to be posted into the Squadron was Lieutenant John Yerbury who arrived in Singapore in 1968 after completion of the AACC at the CTC, Lympstone. It was a welcome change in temperature as John remembered how cold it was during the commando course and having to break the ice in ‘Peter’s Pool’ and the frozen Water Tunnel on the endurance course.

John recalls his arrival in Singapore at a time when the Squadron was commanded by Major Geoffrey Preston-Jones and the Squadron Sergeant Major was WO2 (SSM) ‘Spreader’ Hurst.

“I arrived as the first Troop Commander proudly wearing my coveted green beret – only to be told I could not wear it unless I was visiting 3 Commando Brigade HQ in the north of Singapore. I was informed by the OC that I would take command of 3 Troop who supported 42 Commando RM. SSgt ‘Blackjack’ Vowles was my Troop SSgt and Sgt Fawcett my Recce Sgt”.

During the next 2 years, John’s troop supported 42 Commando RM in several exercises in Australia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia and undertook a variety of construction tasks including non-equipment bridging, road construction projects and infrastructure tasks. John recounts a particular exercise in support of 42 Commando RM when he was tasked with conducting a recce:

“The Troop deployed on an exercise with 42 Commando RM to provide support in the form of a base camp and water supply near a beach site in northern Malaysia.

I thought that I could save time by undertaking a site recce by helicopter. In those days it took at least 2 days to drive there, search around and then another 2 days to return. Then the main rivers had to be crossed by ferry that slowed down one’s progress.

Unfortunately, we crashed in the jungle just short of Kulantan, writing off the Sioux – fortunately, it did not catch fire as we had run out of fuel !

I never did that recce, though I did find a water source when we arrived on site. I did all the pollution tests but did not do a final taste test. It was salt water! We rapidly dug another well nearby and fortunately found a good drinkable supply”.

John would serve in the Squadron until his posting in September 1970. Further postings of young commando trained Troop Commanders followed and eventually the number of commando trained officers and SNCOs in the Squadron flourished and included the OC, Major John Grosvenor RE, Squadron 2IC Captain Geoff Field RE, (who would later return to command the Squadron in January 1976) and the SSM, WO2 (SSM) Bill Moretta RE.

In good old military fashion, a parade was held in Cloutman Lines to mark the occasion when 59 Field Squadron was retitled as 59 Independent Commando Squadron.

Lance Corporal Lawrence Gilbertson was a draughtsman working in the Drawing Office in SHQ and recalls the part he played in the ceremony:

The Training Sergeant entered my office and said "You are a keen sailor aren’t you and know how to put up a flag properly ?” “Er yes Sgt.” Right come with me”.

In front of the Squadron Offices was the flagpole, freshly painted with a bright new halyard and the Field Squadron Flag starting to show its age, snapping in a light breeze from the Singapore Strait.

“Right, on the 1st of April, we will be having a Squadron Renaming Parade and you will haul down the Field Squadron Flag and Raise the Independent Commando Squadron Flag”.

Following several rehearsals and practices, the parade was held at noon on the 1st April 1971. The Squadron marched on and following a number of drill movements the OC ordered “59 Field Squadron Royal Engineers Attention”.

I lowered the 59 Field Squadron flag and raised the 59 Independent Commando Squadron flag to the top of the flagpole. Pause for effect, and finally the flag cracked in the breeze off the Singapore Straight.

A few moments for reflection then the OC ordered “59 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers, Stand at Ease”. A few more commands followed and 59 Independent Commando Squadron RE marched off the parade square for the first time.

I had carried out the last duty of the Field Squadron and the first of the Independent Commando Squadron”.

The change in title and the colour of the beret brought another unexpected change and that is ‘Jackspeak’ which is ‘Naval Lingo’ adopted by the Royal Marines!

No longer would we go ‘downtown for a few beers’ instead we would go for ‘a run ashore and a few wets’. Other changes include:

‘Going to the cookhouse for scoff’ is now ‘Going to the galley for scran’

No more ‘NAAFI Breaks’ it is now ‘Stand Easy’

Events are no longer ‘Awesome’ but now ‘Hoofing’

We will no longer ‘go to the toilet’ but will now ‘go to the heads’

Our kit is no longer called ‘Army Issue’ but is now ‘Pussers

Return to the UK

The bulk of the Squadron moved to Plymouth in May 1971 and would be joined later in the year by 1 Troop who remained behind to support 40 Commando RM and the final withdrawal of British Forces from Singapore. The focus for 59 Independent Commando Squadron would now be to settle into their new accommodation in Crownhill Fort and Seaton Barracks and increase the commando trained strength.

Within the first two years the Squadron had reached full strength and had operated in fourteen countries from Borneo to the Arctic. On 4 October 1971, Condor Troop became the first commando trained troop in the Squadron, and were swiftly relocated to their new home in Arbroath, Scotland, alongside 45 Commando, RM.

In early 1972, 2 Troop, became the second commando trained troop and they relocated to Malta in support of 41 Commando RM and would be known as ‘Malta Troop’.

During the formative years of the Squadron, life was dominated by tours on Operation BANNER, Oversees Training exercises (OTX), conducting specialist Arctic Warfare training in Norway, and Amphibious training in the Mediterranean.

The Squadron deployed on Operation CORPORATE in 1982 which was the British Military operation to retake the Falkland Islands following the occupation by Argentine armed forces. They would return in 1984 but in a completely different posture to that of warfighting, with more emphases on combat and infrastructure support.

As part of the UK barrack infrastructure plan, the Squadron moved from Crownhill Fort to Royal Marines Barracks (RMB) Chivenor, North Devon alongside the Commando Logistic Regiment RM. Squadron and eventually Regimental life revolved around continuous specialist training in support of 3 Cdo Bde RM.

Operational deployments to Iraq including Operation HAVEN in Northern Turkey and Operation TELIC were followed by further operational deployments to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK (5,9, and 14). Add to that the re-introduction of arctic warfare training in Norway then life became remarkably busy.

An increasing commitment to Humanitarian Aid Disaster Relief (HADR) would involve a permanent commitment of a Troop strength on standby. In 2017 the Regiment were heavily involved in support to Operation RUMAN which was the British government's combined military and humanitarian support to provide relief to the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean affected by Hurricane IRMA.

Commando Sapper Restructuring

The major restructuring of the British Armed Forces announced in 2008 would see sapper support to 3 Cdo Bde RM change from an Independent Commando Squadron to an Engineer Regiment.

On the 01 April 2008, 24 Commando Engineer Regiment was formed and included 54 Commando Headquarter and Support Squadron, and 59 Commando Squadron. This would later change to include a further two Commando Squadrons (one of which is a reserve squadron) and a REME Workshop.

The current ORBAT of the Regiment (which had a title change) is:

24 Commando Royal Engineers

56 Commando Headquarters and Support Squadron

54 Commando Squadron

59 Commando Squadron

131 Commando Squadron

REME Workshop.

Source

Extract from a document provided by WO1 (RSM) Tim Gort | Regimental Sergeant Major | 24 Commando RE.

Added 24 August 2021.

Archive pages:

59 Independent Commando Squadron RE

24 Commando Royal Engineers

Commando Troop EOD, RE

After the Falklands War an expansion began in Royal Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). In 1985 RE EOD teams were established to provide integral support for both 5 Airborne Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade RM.
1 and 2 Troops of 49 EOD Sqn. were detached into a separate Explosive Ordnance Clearance (EOC) group, directly under 33 Engineer Regiment and two new Troops formed within 49 EOD Squadron: 1 (Para) Troop and 2 (Commando) Troop.
Currently the Commando Troop of 821 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, RE, consists of four EOD and Search teams aligned to the Lead Commando Group.

Source

A short history on Royal Engineer Bomb Dispoal by Lt. Col. E E Wakeling ERD, amended and extended by Lt. Col. R I M MacArthur [more......].

Archive pages:

Commando Troop EOD

'Commando Logistic Regiment RM'

Based at Chivenor in North Devon, the Regiment is home to about 780 personnel from all three services, including Royal Marines, Mechanical Engineers, Medics and Logisticians. The Regiment is unique in Defence in that no other unit has such an eclectic mix of cap badges working together towards providing Equipment, Medical and Logistical support.

In addition, the Regiment also provides the Protected Mobility capability, in the guise of the Viking All Terrain Vehicle, for the Lead Commando Group.The Regiment’s purpose is to provide every aspect of combat service support for 3 Commando Brigade, anywhere in the world. In particular the Regiment’s aims are to provide support for brigade amphibious operations when sea based, during offload across a beach or port and over a large battle space on land. CLR is Britain’s sole amphibious logistic unit.

It demonstrated its operational role during the Falkland’s War, in Northern Iraq on Op Haven, in Southern Iraq on Op Telic and most recently in Afghanistan on Op Herrick.

Logistic Support Squadron, Commando Logistic Regiment.

On the 08 May 1964, Four Officers and Twenty Four RAOC Storemen and Clerks who had volunteered to undertake the gruelling tests of endurance laid on them by the various disciplines of the Commando Course completed their training and were awarded the Coveted Green Beret, joined 3 Commando Brigade Ordnance Field Park and the 'SQUADRON' was born.

Commando Ordnance Field Park 1964 – 1972. Formed 1964 as Support to 3 Commando Brigade. Service included Singapore 1964 & Borneo 1965.
Commando Ordnance Squadron 1972 – 1996. Service included Brigade Support during Op CORPORATE Falklands Campaign and many other deployments.
Commando Logistic Support Squadron 1996 to present day. Service included Op HAVEN, Op AGRICOLA, Op JACANA, Op TELIC & Op HERRICK 5, 8 & 14 and many other deployments.

383 Commando Petroleum Troop (TA), Royal Logistic Corps.

A unit responsible for the handling, supply and storage of bulk fuels from ship to shore and under front line combat conditions. It is a Commando unit and all its members must pass the All Arms Commando Course in order to serve with their Regular counterparts in the Commando Logistic Regiment in 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.

(Source: MOD)

View the Gallery Images.

Archive pages:

Commando Logistic Regiment

'Cdo. Logistic Regt. RM formation'

Extract from the Globe and Laurel July/August 1977.

The Medical and Ordnance Squadrons investigate the formation of the Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines.

Contrary to popular belief, logistic support to Commando Forces did exist before the formation of the Regiment. Through the late 40s and 50s, small units such as 3 and 4 Commando Transport and Composite Platoons, 3 and 4 Commando LAD and 3 and 4 Commando Medical Sections provided limited support to Commandos.

However, the real growth of Commando Forces logistic support occurred during the Borneo confrontation when HQ 3 Commando Brigade became established in Kuching and was supported from Singapore through a Brigade Maintenance Area (BMA) in Kuching, which incorporated 3 Commando Workshop and the Transport and Composite Platoon. Two years experience in Borneo operations proved the requirement for Ordnance specialists and accordingly, in 1964, an OFP was formed to support the Brigade.

In 1971, 3 Commando Brigade RM returned to the United Kingdom to assume its NATO role in common with the remainder of Commando Forces, and the Commando Logistic Regiment was formed from the various Brigade elements.

3 Commando Medical Section (Singapore) and 4 Commando Medical Section (Plymouth) combined to form the Commando Medical Squadron.
3 Commando Transport and Composite Platoon (Singapore) and 4 Commando Transport and Composite Platoon (Plymouth) combined to form the Commando Transport Squadron.
3 Commando Brigade OFP (Singapore) formed the Commando Ordnance Squadron.
3 Commando Workshop (Singapore) and 4 Commando LAD (Malta) formed the Commando Workshop Squadron .
Elements of Camp HQ Plymouth Group formed the Garrison Squadron.
1st Raiding Squadron (Singapore) and 4th Raiding Squadron (Plymouth) combined to form the Raiding Squadron (1RSRM).

On January 11, 1972 the Commando Logistic Regiment held its inaugural parade at Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth.

The address was given by the Commandant General Royal Marines Lt Gen B. I. S. Gourlay, OBE, MC and included the following remarks: 'Today you find yourselves members of a very special and new team, a partnership of many skills brought together under a single hand and devoted to a single aim, namely, that of supporting the Commandos, and this in a more co-ordinated and efficient way than has been possible to date'. He continued, 'You can count amongst you, in addition to the Royal Marines and Royal Navy cap badges and tallies, the insignia of three famous Corps of the British Army. I believe that this bringing together of varied skills, different points of view, and distinctive jargon lends strength to the Regiment as a whole, and gives it a fine flavour of its own'.

During 1972 two assault detachments were sent from the Ordnance Squadron on a permanent basis, to 45 Cdo Gp in Arbroath (No 3 AOD) and 41 Cdo Gp in Malta (No 1 AOD). No 3 and No 1 Advanced Workshop Detachments were similarly deployed and finally in 1976 No 3 Medical Troop was formed and detached to 45 Cdo Gp for second line support in its M & AW role.

In addition, in 1972, a combat supplies troop was formed from the Commando Ordnance Squadron to work with the Commando Transport Squadron and the expertise of this Troop led to the formation of a local Resources Team in 1976. It can be seen therefore, that the young Commando Logistic Regiment which is to parade before Her Majesty on August 5 has roots that extend well back into the past 25 years.

Source

Globe and Laurel July/August 1977.

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Commando Logistic Regiment

47 Commando (Raiding Group) RM

47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines is the lead for amphibious warfare and Royal Navy board and search training. The group is tasked with training and developing core amphibious and surface assault skills and equipment.

This unit was renamed in November 2019 from the previous 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. [Source: Royal Navy/MOD]

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Assault Group RM

539 Raiding Squadron RM

47RM Commando

539 Raiding Squadron RM

539 Assault Squadron was renamed 539 Raiding Squadron Royal Marines in November 2019. This Unit is a vital link in the Corps' chain, allowing 3 Commando Brigade to transfer onto land from the sea or river. It can operate amphibious Viking vehicles to deliver force into territories.

The unit served with distinction in Iraq's Al Faw peninsula during operations in the last decade, but it has also operated around the world with the Royal Navy's amphibious ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean.

Throughout the summer of 2012 the unit contributed to the Royal Navy’s role in Olympic security. It was one of the Commando units taking part in the Cougar 2012 amphibious deployment to the Mediterranean.

[Source: Royal Navy/MOD]

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Assault Group RM

47 Commando Raiding Group

'30 Commando IX Group'

30 Commando Information Exploitation Group

30 Commando was formed in WW2 and serves today as the ‘eyes and ears’ of 3 Commando Brigade.

30 Commando is a diverse, ever-evolving unit, made up of the best and the brightest Britain has to offer. Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron deploys ahead of the main force for reconnaissance behind enemy lines. A team of Royal Marines Mountain Leaders in the main, they operate in small groups, providing the initial battle picture to 3 Commando Brigade.

'Y' Squadron are the Royal Marines Electronic Warfare specialists. Always listening, they locate, intercept and disrupt enemy transmissions.

Communications Squadron provides the linkages and networks that are essential for our operations. Highly trained in advanced communication methods, they keep Headquarters connected to the wider Brigade.

Air Defence Troop protect the Commando Forces from air attack. Using the High Velocity Missile System, they destroy enemy aircraft.

Royal Marines Police protect key personnel such as visiting dignitaries and foreign officials. They also provide training and assistance to police forces around the world.

30 Commando Headquarters fuses information and intelligence from the squadrons together to generate understanding for the wider Brigade.

[Source: Royal Navy/MOD]

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30 Commando IX Group

30 Commando Assault Unit

'Commando Helicopter Force'

The three squadrons of the Commando Helicopter Force are the wings of the Royal Marines, providing crucial aerial support to the green berets be they at sea in an assault ship or in the sand and dust of Afghanistan.

Known as ‘The Junglies’ for their operations in Borneo during the 1960s, then designated as Air Troops of 3 Commando Brigade RM, Commando Helicopter Force consists of three Naval Air Squadrons – 845, 846 and 847. Together, they use Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to provide air support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces.

From battlefield reconnaissance and joint fire support to training Aircrew and Engineers for the front line, Commando Helicopter Force’s role is perhaps best summed up by the motto of 847 Naval Air Squadron: ‘We Strike From On High’.

Commanding Officer

July 2022 Colonel Mark Johnson.

[Source: Royal Navy / MOD.]

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3 Commando Bde. Air Squadron

12 August 1968 formed at Sembawang Air Base, Singapore, by amalgamating the Air Troops of 3 Commando Brigade RM which had been operating there since 1965.

1 September 1995 redesignated as 847 Naval Air Squadron.

1999 Commando Helicopter Force formed of 845, 846 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons.

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'Commando Mobile Air Operations Team'

The Commando Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) is an elite Royal Navy unit that provides specialized assistance to the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). All members of the unit are commando trained.

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845 Naval Air Squadron

Provides airborne support for the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade.

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846 Naval Air Squadron

847 Naval Air Squadron

846 Naval Air Squadron

Provides airborne support for the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade.

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846 Naval Air Squadron

847 Naval Air Squadron

Transcript of Royal Marines Routine Orders 105/95

Re-designation of 3 Cdo Bde Air Sqn RM as 847 Naval Air Squadron (R)

1. 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron Royal Marines will be formally incorporated into the Naval Air Command on Friday 1 Sep 95 and be re-designated 847 Naval Air Squadron.
2. The Squadron will continue to operate Army Lynx and Gazelle aircraft until the introduction of the Attack Helicopter into Army Air Corps Service.

Thereafter it will continue in the light utility role in support of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

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847 Naval Air Squadron

846 Naval Air Squadron

'Royal Marines Reserve'

The Royal Marines Reserve (RMR), together with the Royal Naval Reserve, form the Maritime Reserve. There are currently 4 units.

RMR Scotland draws recruits from across Scotland, North East England and Northern Ireland.
RMR Bristol draws recruits from across South West England and Wales.
RMR London draws recruits from across the south east of England.
RMR Merseyside is based in central Liverpool and draws recruits from the North West, North Wales, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Source

Royal Navy/MOD.

3rd Dec. 2018.

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RM Reserves

'Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve'

The Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve was formed in 1948 and was the forerunner of the Royal Marines Reserve, the title change to the latter taking place in 1966 [1].

R.M.F.V.R. Commando Wing [2].
R.M.F.V.R. Sea Service Wing [3].

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 32 issued March 1961.
" I joined the R.M.F.V.R. (Commando Wing) two years ago and its just like old times. Our O.C. is also an ex Army Commando," writes Cpl. (now Sgt.) A. Munro (9 Cdo), H.M.S. Claverhouse, Leith, Edinburgh.

Extract from the Globe and Laurel Jan-Feb 1984 page 67.
"...was one of the first to volunteer for RMFVR, City of London, in the Sea Service Wing."

Sources

[1] RM Museum online chronology.

[2] CA Newsletter 32.

[3] Globe and Laurel Jan-Feb 1984 Obituaries.

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RM Reserves

'R.M.F.V.R. - formation’

House of Lords - Extract from Hansards 12 February 1948

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Viscount Hall)

My Lords, the Bill of which I am asking your Lordships for the Second Reading this afternoon is, I think, uncontroversial. The Bill has two objects designed to one main purpose, and that is to increase the reserves available to the Royal Marines on mobilization. Although the numbers involved in this Bill are small, I am sure that your Lordships will all recognize that it deals with a very fine body of men.

The Corps of Royal Marines was first raised from trained bands of the City of London about 300 years ago. From the outset it was constantly in use for naval purposes, and the first major engagement on land took place in the capture of Gibraltar in 1704. This was the beginning of a long record of gallant service and proud tradition, culminating in the actions of the Second World War in Crete, France, Holland and elsewhere. Many of our famous Service leaders have spoken in the highest terms of the value of the Marines to the country. Admiral Lord St. Vincent actually used the words: If ever the hour of real danger should come to England they will be found the country's sheet anchor.

Times change and this can no longer be said of what, for all the glory of their past, is now a comparatively small body of men. Nevertheless, for its size the Corps is now no less a vital component of our Armed Forces than it has been in earlier times, a fact brought about no more by the increased functions lately assigned to them than by the conspicuous gallantry which they have displayed in all those actions in which they have taken part.

As I have said, the purpose of this Bill is to increase the reserves available to the Marines on mobilization. The present system of reserves relies only on pensioners who are over forty years of age and on voluntary entrants into the Royal Fleet Reserve, and we consider that these will no longer be sufficient to meet requirements. The reason is that the functions of the Marines have increased considerably. Before the Second World War their main function was to provide detachments on board ship—and only on large ships—to man parts of the armament and to be used on operations on shore under the Naval Commander-in-Chief.

Their functions have now been extended, principally in the all-important field of combined operations. They have now to undertake the manning of assault craft and the provision of commando and special amphibious assault units. In addition, they have duties in connexion with beach communications, beach control and naval bombardment. It is for these purposes that we need an increase in the number of Royal Marines.

The Bill therefore provides, as a first object, for the creation of a Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve, on the model of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the members of which will, when called up, serve as Marines. This means that their terms of pay and conditions of service will be those of the Marines, and that their disciplinary code will rest on the Naval Discipline Act or the Army Act, according to whether they serve afloat or ashore.

The second object of the Bill is to provide for the enlistment of Royal Marines for Special Service; that is, to serve part of their twelve years on active service and the rest in the Royal Fleet Reserve. The actual periods of service are left indefinite in the Bill, for they will be determined by regulation, as in the case of the Royal Navy. For the Royal Navy the periods of active service and service in the Reserve are normally seven years and five years respectively, and it is contemplated that the arrangements for the Royal Marines will be similar. Provision is made for a Royal Marine so enlisted to be transferred to a long-service engagement by mutual consent, thus bringing the engagement systems of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines into line.

Your Lordships will see that Clause 1 of the Bill is devoted entirely to the first object, and, similarly, Clause 2 to the second. Clause 1 (1) makes it lawful to raise a Volunteer Reserve for the Royal Marines. The number is not limited by law, but for a start we aim at a figure of about 1,500. I cannot say what the ultimate figure will be, but 1,500 is the immediate aim. Subsection (2) places the Reserve in the same legal position as the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, with the proviso that when mobilized its members serve as Marines and not as seamen. This has been done by applying the Statutes which govern the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Subsections (3) and (4) add the Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve to the list of Naval Reserves in the various Acts and Statutes where they are already mentioned. Subsection (6) repeals the long obsolete Section 2 of the Naval Forces Act, 1903.

Clause 2 (1) allows Marines to be entered for Special Service on the lines I have indicated. Subsection (2) is technical. The Royal Marines Act says that at a certain point in his service a man may do certain things. For example, he may re-engage for service or he may have certain things done to him; he may be brought home from abroad. This subsection provides that for a Special Service Marine the date to which those things are related will be the end of the active service part of his engagement, rather than after his completed service which, legally, includes his period with the Reserve. It is made clear that a Royal Marine may transfer from Special to Continuous Service. There is a similar provision in the Royal Navy.

In conclusion, may I repeat that the Force for which we now desire to form a Voluntary Reserve, and to provide for Special Service enlistment, has a splendid tradition of action and gallantry. There can, I think, be no possible doubt but that the men required will come forward, and that in emergency they will follow honourably and with distinction in the 1038 footsteps of those who have made the title "The Royals" what it means to the world to-day. I feel sure that your Lordships will welcome this Bill and it is therefore with confidence that I ask for a Second Reading. I beg to move.

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RM Reserves

RMFVR History

In 2023 the Royal Marines Reserve will celebrate its 75th Anniversary. Discussion of a reserve for the Corps started much earlier, in fact as early as 1896. Whilst Marines could join the Royal Fleet Reserve from 1903 onwards, it is rightly to 1948 that the RMR traces its birth and the formation of the Royal Marines Forces Volunteer Reserve.

Prior to the establishment of the RMFVR, time served Marines could volunteer for the Royal Fleet Reserve, most had served at least 12 years in the regular Corps, with many having completed a full 21 years to pension. The Royal Fleet Reserve was created under the ‘The Naval Reserve Act, 1900,’ and of ‘The Naval Forces Act, 1903,’ to provide a reserve of trained men for service in His Majesty’s Fleet in time of emergency. Sailors and Marines who had completed more than five years regular service were eligible to join and those who in receipt of a pension received an extra five pennies a day. The men attended a week’s annual drill at their home division.

The August 1914 G&L reported: ‘SPITHEAD, and the Fleet, and the King (our Colonel), and airships, and aeroplanes, and hydroplanes-the air is full of them. Something to be proud of-all this. But we have had a little bit of luck all our own – barracks crowded and running over into tents with Fleet Reserves; parades with the old hands, recruits, and Cadet Corps – the past, the present, and the future. We have seen battalion drill excellently performed by men usually employed in doing every other job under the sun, and old instructors from every type of civilian employment just talking to and teaching their squads and sections in the same old way, just as though they had never left. Anyhow, we’ve felt it something to be proud about.

We hear a lot of being fed up with the North Sea, and going at twelve years, but does that matter a hang for England if the old hands come back when they are wanted? Going at twelve years makes room for recruits all the more trained for England’s needs, and we have seen that the training is never wasted – just there when England wants it.

Something, too, of esprit de corps in all this – something that shows it is not just an empty bit of French, but a real bit of ‘jolly’ English.’

About 2am, on 2 August 1914 the order to mobilise reserves and pensioners was issued to the Grand Divisions, and men were coming into Barracks by 8am, and practically by next day all were in – many Marines and pensioned SNCOs returned to the Colours, the units of the newly formed RND had large pensioner NCO cadres. The first casualty at Gallipoli was an RFR recalled pensioner – CSgt Alf Baldwin had retired in 1910 after 22 years’ service, he joined the RFR and was recalled in 1914. Serving with the Plymouth Btn at Gallipoli he was one of the first ashore at Sedd-ul-Bahr on 4 March 1915 – there was no opposition to our landing at Sedd-ul-Bahr, except some long-range artillery fire, until the leading men of the patrol started to debouch from the path at the head of the camber into the road which ran between the fort and village. They were immediately met by rifle fire and had to take cover behind a drinking fountain in the middle of the road. The remainder closed up under cover of a low stone wall behind it. It was here that CSgt Baldwin was killed in trying to pick off some snipers who were in the houses.

After WW1 Marines continued to join the RFR for a period of five years, and continued to attend an annual training week and were available to be mobilised in time of war. Again in WW2 many of these reservists returned to the Colours on mobilisation in 1939, all were over 40 years of age, and as experience was to show, there was not enough of them, and most were needed for the Fleet and DEMS.

After the War, the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, Mr John Dugdale, introduced the 1948 Act that formed the RMFVR to parliament – Hansard, ‘The purpose of this small and, I hope, uncontroversial Bill is to increase the reserves available to the Marines on mobilisation. It may be asked why we want to increase these reserves. The reason is that the functions of the Marines have increased. Before the last war the main function of the Marines was to provide detachments onboard ship, and only in large ships, to be used on operations on shore under the naval commander-in-chief. However, during the last war there developed what were known as Commandos and Combined Operations, and it is for this purpose that we need an increase in the number of Marines.

RMFVR – City of London: Finsbury Barracks, City Road, EC2.

RMFVR Centre – City of Glasgow: Whitfield Road, Govan, Glasgow.

Recruiting at these Centres will begin on 1st November.

Arrangements are being made to open further Centres in Bristol and Liverpool during 1949. Subsequently other large towns in the country will receive consideration, including Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Nottingham (or Leicester), though not necessarily in this order of priority.

In the City of Glasgow Centre it is proposed to open a Sub-Centre of the RMFVR at Greenock during 1949. In the case of certain other towns, it may also be necessary to form Sub·Centres in outlying districts. Each case will, however, be considered on its merits.

Each Centre will contain Units and Subunits which will cover the various commitments of the Corps in connection with Sea Service, Commandos, and Combined Operations. In this respect a Centre will not be the exact equivalent of a Territorial Army Unit or an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, as it will cater for more than one commitment of the Corps.

The strength of each Unit or Subunit within a Centre will vary with the locality. The success of the new Reserve will depend very largely on the success of recruiting. To achieve this, local Commanders should make every endeavour to bring the facts concerning the Reserve to the notice of officers and other ranks who may know potential recruits in the areas of the London and Glasgow Centres.

Regulations concerning method of entry, pay and conditions of service will be promulgated shortly.

Co-operation with TA: Their Lordships have also approved that where necessary RMFVR Centres may be administered by the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association on behalf of the Admiralty. Such an arrangement is likely to be most beneficial to the Force both as regards accommodation and general facilities.

The City of London Centre will be so administered, whereas in Glasgow the Centre will be on similar lines to an RNVR. Division, but administered by CGRM.

Every endeavour will be made to acquaint those in the Bristol and Liverpool areas of the intention to open there in 1949.

By arrangement with the War Office, it will be possible for ex-Royal Marines and possibly some others to transfer to the Reserve if they at present belong to, or join later, the Territorial Army. No doubt similar arrangements could be made with the RNVR, in those places where an RMFVR Centre may be opened in the future.

It is realised that there will be some disappointment among those who find themselves too far away to join one of the few Centres that will be opened.

In large towns and areas Royal Marine Cadet Units will be raised. It is to be hoped that many who cannot join the RMFVR will interest themselves in this important youth movement.

The target of 1st November for opening the recruiting has been decided upon in order to avoid any further delay and consequent loss of interest due to other recruiting drives throughout the country. It is necessary to ensure that sufficient numbers are recruited before a new Reserve such as this begins training.

The First Annual Training – 1949. Amphibious Wing RMFVR

The First Annual Training – 1949. Sea Service Wing HMS Royalist

Direct Commissions. In order to provide new Centres with their establishment of officers a limited number of direct commissions will be granted to suitable applicants who have held wartime commissions in any of the fighting Services. Apart from this initial intake, it is intended that all officers of the RMFVR should be drawn from the ranks of the Force.

The exact period of training to be carried out by officers has not yet been finally decided. It is unlikely that any List I officer will be required to carry out more than an average of 14 days’ continuous training each year, which may be ashore or afloat.

Officers on List I are also required to attend for the equivalent of 80 hours’ drill per annum, which will normally mean attendance on 40 occasions for a period of two hours’ instruction. Weekend training will also be available and such periods will be deducted from those required by normal attendance at drills.’ List II officers may be required to carry out up to 28 days’ training annually until reaching the rank of Captain RMFVR when this commitment is reduced.

Applicants must be between the ages of, 18 and 45. Selected applicants, however, of the age of 17 may be accepted into the Force in special circumstances. So far as the overall establishment of the RMFVR will allow, every endeavour will be made to see that candidates with war service are granted the substantive rank held on release or discharge from the Service. It must be appreciated, however, that it will not be possible to do so in many cases or immediately on enlistment.’

On 5 November a ceremonial attestation for the first 30 recruits to the City of London was conducted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London at the Artillery Ground in Bunhill Fields. However the first thirty recruits attested at this ceremony were not in fact the first recruits in the RMFVR, Glasgow Centre add in all innocence of this ceremony had already attested some recruits. Recruitment for both centres flourished, recruits included retired Marines Navy, Army and RAF men and younger recruits who joined prior to undertaking National Service with the Corps.

Training for the two centres commenced in January 1949, divided for training purposes into Sea Service, Commando, Amphibious and Small Raiding Wings. Training took two evenings a week. Merseyside centre opened in February 1949 in Birkenhead and in March the Bristol centre opened.

The first annual training was held in June 1949 for the City of London and Glasgow centres, Merseyside and Bristol followed in November. Training was again divided according to wings. Sea Service wing went to the gunnery school Royal Marines at Eastney and onboard HMS Royalist; Amphibious Wings went to the technical training school Royal Marines also at Eastney as did the Small Raider Wings; the Commando wings went to the Small Arms School Royal Marines at Browndown. On 20 June Commandant General visited the training wings in their various locations.

In March 1951, the RMFVR centres were given the following unit and subunit responsibilities; 48(City of London) Commando RMFVR – City of London Centre:

47 Commando RMFVR

In 1950 the Commando Wings of all four units trained together for the first time as the ‘Tom Hunter Cdo’

A Troop – Bristol Centre

B Troop – Merseyside Centre X Troop – Glasgow Centre

4th Special Boat Section RMFVR – City of London

5th Special Boat Section RMFVR – divided amongst other centres.

In November the same year a further allocation of responsibilities was set out; 2nd (City of London) Raiding Squadron RMFVR, consisting of:

Raiding Flotilla RMFVR

Assault Flotilla RMFVR

No2 Naval Beach Unit (Raiding) RMFVR 3rd Assault Squadron RMFVR

Assault Flotilla and No3 Beach Unit (Small) RMFVR – Glasgow

Assault Flotilla RMFVR and No4 Beach Unit (Small) RMFVR – Merseyside

Assault Flotilla RMFVR and No5 Beach Unit (Small) RMFVR – Bristol

In December 1951, the honour of wearing the Green Beret was conferred on those ranks of the RMFVR who had come up to certain qualifications during their normal drills and annual trainings. The following year’s annual training camp saw the first mass presentation… ‘On the last day of training and a week of summer weather teams from each of the provincial RMFVR Centres covered the course set by the School and already covered by City of London Centre for the 3 Commando Brigade Shield Competition. Glasgow won for the second time, under the leadership of Capt Walker. The shield was presented by the Commandant, Commando School RM on a ceremonial parade that afternoon. On the same occasion the Commandant presented the Green Beret to those who had earned it during the fortnight. Thirty ranks received their Green Beret from him.’

On 4 July 1956 the organisation of Commando wing was changed, 47 and 48 were disbanded and 46(VR) Commando was formed and in 1960 the Amphibious wing was wound up.

By 1962 RMR Merseyside was organised as; A Coy – initial training, B Coy – rifle coy of trained soldiers, The Rifle Troop – largest troop of the company containing the pool of trained soldiers and NCOS who were not LC, S or SBS rates, Landing Craft Troop, Signal Troop, The SBS and a HQ Company.

Small Raids Section receives preliminary instruction

Later that year, 1962, 46(VR) Commando trained overseas for the first time, in Germany, and the Landing Craft and Sea Service wings were phased out. In 1963 Lt M F Lowe RMFVR served on operations with 42 Cdo in Borneo, the first reservist to serve on operations. By 1966 the attachment of reservists to serving units was well established. 1965 saw the first tactical/command course run for the RMFVR at Lympstone. On 1 October 1966 the name of the RMFVR was changed to RMR.

Sources:

Hansard.

The Globe & Laurel, 1896, 1947, 1948 and 1951.

A History of the Royal Marines Reserve 1948-1979. A History of the Royal Marines Reserve 1980-1990.

Photo album National Museum of the Royal Navy RMM2014/71 The Foundation of the RMFVR.

Credit

This excellent article was written by John Rawlinson of the RM Historical Society and published in the Globe and Laurel Magazine 30 June 2023. Re-produced with both their permission. PR.(Admin)

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