The Royal Marines

[The Saint]

Hello David,

Actually I have obtained the original owner's records from the NA (I almost wrote PRO ). The name, Division & number all figure in the tunic.

[Graham Stewart]

Just popped in to view this thread and found it superb. Congratulations lads on posting some outstanding photo's & illustrations. At one time I owned a copy of KR's 1911(?) for the Royal Navy in which the R.Marines featured in dress etc. It also gave details of the gun turret and it's alphabetical letter, of those ships which were served by RM Gunners, as well as those served by the RN Gunners.

[david grumpy]

Hello David,

Actually I have obtained the original owner's records from the NA (I almost wrote PRO ). The name, Division & number all figure in the tunic.

So please can you say when the 4th chevron was awarded ...... after how many years? I ask because I wrote [i believed] the definitive account of these badges for MHS Bulletin and, if RM rules were different, MHS will publish an update from me.

[david grumpy]

Surprised and disappointed that no badge of RM CSgt has been shown .... very colourful, lots of changes, and every bit as collectable as Guards Division.

[The Saint]

Surprised and disappointed that no badge of RM CSgt has been shown .... very colourful, lots of changes, and every bit as collectable as Guards Division.

Here we go, from Per Mare, Per Terram : A History of the Royal Marines, by Peter C. Smith (1974)

Left to right (I may be slightly wrong about the exact dates),

Top : RM, 1829-1856; RMLI, 1856-1869; RMA 1829-1856

Middle : RMLI, 1869-1902; RM 1922-1953; RMLI 1902-1922

Bottom : RMA, 1869-1902; RM 1953 onwards; RMA 1902-1922

Eric

[The Saint]

So please can you say when the 4th chevron was awarded ...... after how many years? I ask because I wrote [i believed] the definitive account of these badges for MHS Bulletin and, if RM rules were different, MHS will publish an update from me.

David,

I will check this evening.

Cheers

Eric

[david grumpy]

Here we go, from Per Mare, Per Terram : A History of the Royal Marines, by Peter C. Smith (1974)

Left to right (I may be slightly wrong about the exact dates),

Top : RM, 1829-1856; RMLI, 1856-1869; RMA 1829-1856

Middle : RMLI, 1869-1902; RM 1922-1953; RMLI 1902-1922

Bottom : RMA, 1869-1902; RM 1953 onwards; RMA 1902-1922

Eric

Many many thanks : badges fabulous!

[The Saint]

So please can you say when the 4th chevron was awarded ...... after how many years? I ask because I wrote [i believed] the definitive account of these badges for MHS Bulletin and, if RM rules were different, MHS will publish an update from me.

David,

According to the records of PLY 1834 LANE Henry, who enlisted on 13th January 1879, the GC chevrons were awarded :

one : 13 Jan 1881

two : 13 Jan 1885

three : 13 Jan 1891

four : 9 Jan 1895

five : 8 Jan 1900

He was discharged, still a private, on 13 Jan 1900.

Cheers

Eric

[david grumpy]

He was an exemplary soldier regarding conduct.

The periods [up to turn of century] were

2,6,12,18*,23*,28* years, with acceleration by two years for the * items, which he achieved.

One assumes he went to full pension at 21 years. One doubts if his last badge ever got sewn on!

[leigh kitchen]

A 1913 RN & RM recruiting leaflet appealing for Irish recruits:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41585&st=0&gopid=384564&

[leigh kitchen]

A Royal Marines recruiting poster, reproduced in a WWI Germman publication.

[coldstream]

Another Royal Marine image from my archives.

[coldstream]

Unfortunately the original is not of a good enough quality to identify the medals in wear. Where do we think it was taken then Gentlemen, my initial and perhaps obvious thought would be Gibralter.

[leigh kitchen]

My first thought was Kent - Dover? but I have no real reason for that.

Looks like red tunics & ball rather than spike fittngs on helmets, so post amalgamation RMLI / RMA?

[coldstream]

Thought I'd add some RM, RMLI buttons with various makers and crowns.

Firstly Royal Marine Light Infantry with what appears to be a Victoria crown? Made by 'Smith and Wright Ltd, Birmingham' and made of brass.

[coldstream]

The reverse.

[coldstream]

RMLI again this time with Kings crown and made by the famous company 'Firmin & Sons Ltd, London' and again in brass.

[coldstream]

The reverse.

[coldstream]

Royal Marines with kings crown and in blackened brass. Again made by 'Firmin, London' but with different mark.

[coldstream]

The reverse.

[coldstream]

Another Kings crown RM button this time in bright brass and made by a company called 'Buttons Ltd, BhAM' with a scissors trade mark.

[coldstream]

The reverse.

[coldstream]

Lastly RM with current crown in blackened brass made by 'Gaunt of London.'

[coldstream]

And the reverse.

[leigh kitchen]

Another Kings crown RM button this time in bright brass and made by a company called 'Buttons Ltd, BhAM' with a scissors trade mark.

I think the marks a pair of crossed swords rather than scissors isn't it?

The button at post no. 119 - blackened or bronzed? - officer's quality with that "solid" lookng milled down back?

Post amalgamation to form The Royal Marines, RMLI buttons were still sought after & worn by those who could find them as they they were of a brighter & softer brass than the RM ones, apparently.