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The History of the Royal Marines
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Last Updated 13 February 2002
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My Last Patrol - Cyprus 1956
by A G Robinson		 Arthur Robinson ex-RM Sgt. 7352 wrote this account of his experience in Cyprus and it has been tucked away in a drawer for many years. I have read the account of Mr Charles Hart's time in Cyprus and it seems that he was doing much the same thing for 'B' Troop. Arthur Robinson was 45 Commando 'A' Troop. He is still 'going' but perhaps not so strong as he was before the incident he recounts. He believes that the Patrol Commander was Lieutenant Forrester-Bennet and one of the patrol was Les Hinson. Dad was in Malta and Cyprus and served in Naval Gunnery and on HMS Phoebe and HMS Cleopatra.
Muscat & Oman 1966/67
By John A Bailey		  I was sent for by the Company Commander Capt David Quested, and asked if I would like to go to Muscat & Oman and help train the Sultans forces. Sgt Jock McCallum and Lt Hudson were also going from 45 Cdo Includes many Photographs 
Sarawak 1963
By John A Bailey		 With the initial Brunei Revolt successfully brought under control and a period of so- called Rest and Relaxation in Singapore. On July 1st most of 42 Commando RM found themselves embarked on HMS Albion once again bound for Sarawak. Includes many Photographs 
Brunei (Limbang) 1962 - 63
By John A Bailey		 In 1962, 42 Commando Royal Marines was based in Singapore a the first some of us had heard of Brunei was on the 9th December 1962 when the Tannoy system went with the message "This is the 2 I/C speaking the CO Lt Col Bridges is away at a briefing and the unit is now on 4 hours standby to go to Brunei where a revolt is taking place." Includes many Photographs 
Little Aden 1960's
By John A Bailey		 During the 1960's to reach the top of Telegraph Hill in Little Aden, you had to climb 846 steps and about 300 feet of rough rock scrambling. At the top of Telegraph Hill, where pay parade often took place, you were rewarded with one of the best views of the State of Aden from the west side of the bay. Also Internal Security Exercises in Singapore Nov 1962 & June 1963 Includes many Photographs 
Hong Kong 1962 
By John A Bailey		 I was embarked on HMS Bulwark, bound for Borneo and then Hong Kong (the Pearl of the East).  This was to be the last time 42 Commando RM and other Commando units would operate under the Troop system. 42 Commando RM then consisted of A, B, C, X, and Y Troop plus Support Troop and Signals Troop. 42 Commando RM had this system since 1943. Includes many Photographs
On The Run In Sierra Leone 2000
by Maj Phil Ashby RM
Photos by Lt Cdr Paul Rowlands

From January until April I was a member of a team based in Makeni, a town of some 15,000 inhabitants in the North East of the country, the military headquarters of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a brutal militia that had violently opposed the democratically elected government. We estimated that around 2,000 rebels were based there. Technically the RUF was part of a 'Government of National Unity' that had invited the UN into their war- ravaged country to help oversee a peace process.

45 Commando Aden 1960 - 61
By Mike Townsend RM18978		 I joined the unit in September 1960 and was posted to ‘A’ Troop where I remained until September 1961. This is a short pictorial history of my year there which I hope will bring back some memories to others who served there.  Mike also Submitted the Dhala Camp Photo referred to earlier...  *** New Picture RAF were rumoured to have flown a Beverley up to Dhala Mike Gore provides the proof.***
Dhala Camp [Aden] - 45 CdoRM 1960-61
Narative by Ron Blemings RM 14869
Many photo's from Dhala now included...		 One thing I would like to know ; Please, who sent you the photo? I must know him;, I was there at the same time and I was the guy that designed and built the Rhombic!! I look forward to hearing from you. Any info you can give me would be welcome. I must have known the guy at the time! 
'B' Troop 45 Cdo.RM versus Georgios Grivas
By Charles Hart - 		 Over many years I have compiled a True Record of the achievements of 'Baker' Troop whilst on Active Service in the Mountain Forests of Cyprus in 1955- 56. This has never been published. It has been gathered together from ancedotes and contributions from Troop members and from my personal experiences. Altogether there are seven chapters with over 20,000 words covering the period when 45 Commando left Malta for Cyprus, chasing Colonel Grivas through the Troodos mountains, the Forest Fire of Paphos and many  other episodes up the time we left Cyprus to carry out the landing at Suez. Photographs cover quite a large amount of the record. The introduction is by Major F.A.T. Halliday MBE RM (ret'd) who was the Troop Commander . I would be obliged if someone could give me any information how to get this published . I have contacted the BBC thinking it might make a good Story or Documentary - but they are very slow to give an answer.
My Time in the Marines
By Don Webber - PLYX111872		 I  joined the Marines at Exton Devon in 1943 and served with Copra in small boats, as an Armoured Marine in Bren Gun Carriers, MC Dispatch Rider, and Guarded German Submarines on surrender during WWII.  I then re-joind as a Commando after the War and served with 42 in Palastine.
Lest we forger Marine Bewley
 By Andy O'Pray		 The story I wish to be remembered is that of a fine young man, Marine Bewley.  NI 1977
HMS Fearless  First commission - 1969
By Tom Kendal		 There is no doubt  that both sides tried to make the most good publicity out of the situation.   As an incident in the history books it probably wouldn’t warrant a line and I don’t remember seeing any reports in the newspapers at the time,  I’ve just taken up the challenge in Tony Lang's newsletter in the hope that the incident will not be totally forgotten.
A Picture Story Board of the 60's Corps
by John Moran RM19561		 Many Photographs from the early 1960's some with dialogue from the photographer John Moran
Operation Brodrick Malaya   Feb 1952
By Ken Port  RM10127		 “X”  Troop was on the move, we had now been seconded to “42” Cdo operating in the Selangor state and a big operation was being put together,  code named Operation Brodrick.  It was a seek and destroy operation.
Charlies Green Beret (CGB)
by Mne  Jimmy Harrop RM10110 		 After reading the stories on your website I thought that I would add an interesting extra to the story sent in by Ken Port. I too was in that ill fated patrol.  In fact I was a member of "D" sub and just like Ken said...
Operation Belle Isle Jan 1945
by 'Eddy'		 I came across this story in an old magazine article and is a personal account of the Action at Belle Isle 27/28 January 1945 - But who is Eddy? If you know please  Mail me.
The Real Yomper
News Media		 The story behind the picture of the Falklands Yomper...
40 Cdo RM Sgt's Mess Post Op Haven 1991
By Tony Lang P033383D		 Finally home in Norton Manor Camp wearing its Op Haven suntan with pride and looking forward to some well-earned leave.
An Exercise Remembered
By Val Parnell		 In the early seventies, when 3 Commando Brigade was still assigned to NATO’s southern flank...