Description
Object description
British marine trained with Royal Marine Depot, Deal and Commando Training Centre at Lympstone in GB, 1/1956-10/1956; served with No 45 Commando, Royal Marines during Suez landings in Egypt, on Malta, Libya, Cyprus and Aden, 1956-1961; served with Commando School Royal Marines at Bickleigh in GB, 1961-1962; served with No 42 Commando, Royal Marines during Limbang Raid in Brunei, 12/1962 and during Indonesian Confrontation in Borneo, 1962-1963
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1936-1955: family; apprenticeship as carpenter; further details of family. Aspects of enlistment and training as marine with Royal Marine Depot, Deal in GB, 1/1956-9/1956: background to enlistment in Manchester; start of training at Royal Marine Depot, Deal, 1/1956; treatment by NCOs during basic training; pattern of basic training; behaviour of officer's horse; cleaning kit; uniform; haircuts; daily training routine including swimming; story of having to climb eight foot wall prior to parading; weapons training; bonding of squad; going ashore at Deal; learning hierarchy. Aspects of period as marine at Commando Training Centre at Lympstone in GB, 9/1956-10/1956: nature of training; allocation of log; assault course training; opinion of NCOs.
REEL 2 Continues: treatment of recruits by NCOs; failure rate on course; sporting activities. Aspects of operations as No 45 (Royal Marine) Commando during Suez landings in Egypt, 11/1956: allocation to Heavy Weapons Troop in Malta; description of landing by helicopter at Port Said; assembly point at Port Said; house clearing; reaction to being in action for first time; collecting journalists; breaking ankle playing football. Aspects of period as marine with No 45 (Royal Marine) Commando on Malta, Libya and Cyprus, 1956-1960: return to Malta; desert training in Libya including use of donkeys; operations in Troodos Mountains in Cyprus; question of Greek Orthodox monks and nuns aiding EOKA; EOKA use of discarded tins for bomb making; EOKA attacks on police stations.
REEL 3 Continues: breaking leg whilst attempt to apprehend EOKA suspect; rules of engagement; escorting explosives to quarry; uniform worn in Cyprus and Libya; sporting activities in Cyprus; incident of striking corporal. Aspects of period as NCO with No 45 (Royal Marine) Commando, Royal Marines in Aden, 1961: posting to Aden; Yemeni use of tank without tracks; need to protect rations from birds; regularity of Yemeni attacks; treatment of criminals; attitude towards service in Aden; climatic conditions. Aspects of period as marine with Commando School Royal Marines at Bickleigh in GB, 1961-1962: arctic training in Norway; interrogation training.
REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of operations as marine with No 42 (Royal Marine) Commando during Limbang Raid in Brunei, 12/1962: wife's story of joining husband in Singapore, 1/1963; move to Brunei; use of flat bottomed boats for journey to Limbang; waiting in river prior to assault on Limbang; TKNU opening fire on boats and returning fire with Vickers Machine Gun; wounding of coxswain; looking after prisoners of TKNU and casualties; firing on hills; return to Brunei; duties checking identification cards with policemen; return to Singapore; opinion of Captain Jeremy Moore; casualties during raid. Aspects of period as marine with 42 (Royal Marine) Commando in Borneo, 1962-1963: return to Borneo; accommodation at gold mine; preference for Remington Shotgun when patrolling; setting ambush.
REEL 5 Continues: receiving first night scoop; threat of leptospirosis; use of Iban trackers and advice; attitude towards operating in jungle; reasons for leaving Royal Marines after completing service.