Royal Marines Historical Time Line 1900-1924

1900. The Royal Marine Depot Band brought up to strength and given offical recognition.

1900. Sunday18th February - 27th February. The Battle of Paardeburg. Major Urmston and Marchant and 160 Royal Marines.

1900. Wednesday 7th March. The Battle of Poplar Grove. Major Urmston and detachment of Royal Marines.

1900. The China '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.

1900. Tuesday 12th June. The Battle of Diamond Hill. Major Peile and 60 Royal Marines.

1900. Sunday 24th June. While serving in the Boxer Rebellion in China Captain Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday RMLI. (1870-1966) 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.

Halliday was 30 years old, and a Captain in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, during the Boxer Rebellion in China when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

On Sunday 24 June 1900 at Peking, China, an attack was made on the British Legation by the Boxers who set fire to the stables and occupied some of the other buildings. It being imperative to drive the enemy out, a hole was knocked in the Legation wall and 20 men of the RMLI went in. Captain Halliday, leading a party of six men, was involved in desperate fighting and was severely wounded but despite his injuries, he killed four of the enemy. Finally, unable to carry on any further, he ordered his men to go on without him, after which he returned to the legation alone, telling his men 'carry on and not mind him', so as not to diminish the number of men engaged in the sortie. He walked 3 miles unaided to the hospital although his shoulder was half blown out and his left lung punctured.

On the Sunday 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.

He was promoted to Brevet Major for his part in the legation's defence and returned to the United Kingdom to receive the VC from King Edward during an investiture at Marlborough House on Thursday 25th July 1901.

His later service: Having recovered from his wound he returned to duty at the end of 1901. He commanded the Marine detachment aboard HMS Galatea, and then commanded the Marines aboard HMS Empress of India, the flagship of the home fleet. In 1907 having completed staff college at Camberley, he was appointed staff officer to the Portsmouth Division of his corps. He then commanded a company of Gentleman Officer Cadets at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst for four years during which time he was promoted to major. Among his cadets was the future Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis. In early 1915 he was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and on 14th July of that year he was made lieutenant-colonel. In November 1915 he joined GHQ, Home Forces as General Staff Officer. 1920 he was appointed Colonel 2nd Commandant and on 1 January 1923 he became Colonel Commandant. Friday 11th December 1925 he was promoted to Major General, to Lieutenant-General on Saturday 11 June 1927 and to full General on Monday Saturday 1st October 1928. He was ADC to King George V in 1924 and 1925 and was Adjutant General of the Royal Marines from Saturday1st October 1927 to his voluntary retirement in 1930. Having been appointed as Companion of the Bath on Tuseday 3rd June 1913, he became Knight Commander of the Bath on Wenesday 1st January 1930.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea, England.

1900. Friday 22nd June. Major Johnson and 180 Royal Marines Capture of Hsi-Ku Arsenal.

1900. Sunday 24th June. Captain Halliday RMLI is awarded the Victoria Cross after the Sortie from Pekin Legations.

1900. Monday 25th June. The Relief of Admiral Seymour’s column at His-Ku Arsenal.

1900. Tuesday 3rd of July. The USMC and Royal Marines were engaged together. The senior American Marine Officer, Captain John Twigg Myers, led a combined force of thirty US Marines, and twenty six British Royal Marines in an equally daring raid against the Chinese, the first real offensive operation since the siege had begun. Capt. Myers was badly wounded by a Chinese spear, but the attack succeeded completely. It proved a turning point in the siege, and the legations held out until relief arrived. This was not the first time British and American Marines had fought side by side. They had hardly ceased fighting against each other, in the war of 1812, when they went into action together to clear pirates out of the Caribbean. Later they were to fight side by side against the Chinese at Shanghai and against the Egyptians at Alexandria. But they had never face death together so starkly (until Korea 1950) as at Peking, and the American Marines' admiration for Captain Halliday RM, was matched only by British admiration of the Heroism of Captain Myers USMC. A bronze bas-relief in the Mall, in London commemorating the Royal Marines' Deeds at Peking, recognises this in a way unique in National Memorials: American Marines are shown with their British comrades in the place of Honour, and the figure of Captain Myers USMC, is conspicuously at their head. A memorial service is held each year to commemorate this event, with a senior Officer of the USMC in attendance.

1900. Saturday 14th July. James Preston RMLI, was one of the 79 Royal Marines (76 men and 3 officers) involved in the Boxer Rebellion. He was involved in fighting on the barricades and captured an enemy flag which had been placed on one of them, at the same time keeping the enemy at bay. For this and other actions he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal, the only Royal Marine to receive this combination of gallantry awards. His medal group is on display in the Royal Marines museum, and his flag is held in our reserve collection; made of silk it is too sensitive to light damage to display in the galleries.

1900. Wednesday 5th September. Major F. White RMLI and the Defence of Ladybrand.

1909. 'Those Magnificent Royal Marines in Their Flying Machines'. (Part One)
Since the inception of British military aviation in 1909 there has been an almost unbroken chain of Royal Marines Officers who have not only deigned to soldier on land and sea, but also from the air. This story of Royal Marines flying is by no means comprehensive, but I hope it does give an idea of the contribution which members of the Royal Marines have made to aviation in war and peace, and it also expands on some of the more colourful personalities and incidents.
The Early Days:
As early as 1909 the Royal Navy was becoming enthusiastic about the possibility of aerial observation for the Fleet and an air section was formed at the Admiralty. Two years later the first four naval pilots were trained at the Royal Aero Club’s airfield at East church. Royal Marines Light Infantry Lieutenant E L GERRARD was one of the four. GERRARD received his pilot’s certificate in April 1911 and was later appointed to the staff of the Central Flying School at Upavon on the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in May 1912. He had a distinguished flying career and transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation in April 1918 to retire as an Air Commodore.
The next Royal Marines Officer to fly was G V WILDMAN LUSHINGTON. Having qualified as a pilot in 1911 he became Winston Churchill’s flying instructor. He was considered to be a very fine pilot but was tragically killed in 1915. By the outbreak of the First World War on August 4th 1914, a further ten Royal Marines Officers had completed their flying training. Most of them were serving with the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps in the Royal Naval Air Stations which had been established at Grain, Calshot, Felixstowe, Yarmouth and Cromarty in 1912 and 1913. The task of these stations was costal defence.
First World War:
During the First World War the Royal Flying Corps split into two separate entities; one naval the other military. In July 1915 the Admiralty unilaterally declared independence and formed the Royal Naval Air Service despite the fact that Churchill, then First Sea Lord, expressed strong views on the need for unity in the Air Services. At this time the Royal Naval Air Service was equipped with mainly bombers. The Royal Flying Corps was divided into Corps and Army Squadrons. The main task of the former was artillery observation while the latter were equipped with fighters and a few tactical bombers.
On the outbreak of World War I the first naval air objective were the German Zeppelin sheds. Two Royal Marines won DSOs for such raids. Lieutenant C H COLLETT, the first Royal Marine to go into action in the Kaiser’s War was awarded his for the part he played in the raid on Düsseldorf on 22nd September 1914. The second was won by Captain C F KILNER for the raid on Cuxhaven on Christmas Day of the same year.
On 24th March Captain I T COURTNEY took part in a daring raid on a number of German submarines being constructed near Antwerp. From his base at Dunkirk he succeeded in flying his 80 horsepower AVW biplane the 250 miles to the objective, where, diving low to avoid enemy fire, he successfully despatched four bombs onto the target. Surviving the war he transferred to the RAF and retired with the rank of Group Captain.
Lieutenant COLLETT, mentioned earlier for his raid on the Düsseldorf Zeppelin sheds, was sent to Tenedos in March 1915 as part of No 3 Aeroplane Squadron RNAS to support the Dardanelles campaign. The main aviation duties were bombardment spotting for the Royal Navy. Unfortunately Lt COLLETT was later killed when he had an engine failure on take-off and his plane crashed and burnt out. He was known as the Marine with the photographic memory, so accurate that he could play chess blindfolded.
A most original character who is worthy of note is the late Colonel T H ORDE-LEES OBE AFC. On the outbreak of the First World War he was given leave of absence to join Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to the Antarctic. On his return he was seconded to the RFC where he applied his personal courage and great powers of invention in demonstrating new methods of parachute jumping. At the time it was not compulsory for pilots to carry parachutes. Despite official inertia and scepticism he was determined that pilots should have parachutes. To this end he demonstrated the virtues of an improved parachute by making spectacular jumps himself from Tower Bridge and elsewhere. After a long campaign of persuasion, the authorities were finally convinced, and ORDE-LEES was awarded the AFC in 1919. ORDE-LEES and A C MORFORD were the only Royal Marines Officers seconded to the RFC during the Kaiser’s War to carry out purely military as opposed to Naval flying. MORFORD, whose reckless flying became legendary, returned to the Marines in 1918.
By the end of the Great War, about twenty Marines Officers had successfully trained as pilots. On April 1st 1918, the RNAS and the RFC amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force. The formation of the RAF was welcomed by the RNAS although it is fashionable to deny it now. The pilots who survived the war were faced with the decision to either join the RAF or give up flying and return to the Marines. About fifty percent opted to continue flying, many of whom reached eminent positions in the RAF. Majors E L GERRARD and R GORDON both retired as Air Commodores; Colonel F H SYKES became Chief of Air Staff in 1919. J H D’ALBIAC was however by far the most distinguished flying RM Officer of this era. He gained a DSO as an observer with the RNAS at Dunkirk in June 1916 and joined the RAF on its formation. He went on to command RAF Greece in 1941 during Wavell’s campaign. He retired in 1947 as Air Marshall Sir John D’ALBIAC to become Commandant of London’s Heathrow Airport. (Courtesy ‘Flyingmarines.com’ & ‘Fleetairarmarchive.com’)

1900. The China Medal, for Buglers and Bandsmen. Glancing through one of the cabinets in the medal room at the Royal Marines Museum I noticed a set of medals belonging to BdSgt H H Matthews.
They consisted of the three First World War medals, commonly known as 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' and the China 1900 medal. This meant that H H Matthews must have been a Royal Navy Bandsman in 1900 later transferring to the Royal Naval School of Music to become a Royal Marine Musician. A short distance away in the drawer was another China 1900 medal that belonged to Bugler J E Norris of the RMA. A third belonged to C T Surry who became a Bandmaster.
Subsequent research revealed that Bandsman Matthews played French horn and was a member of the band on board HMS Centurion, a Portsmouth built battleship of 10,500 tons. Bugler Norris, with Bugler Morris, was with the RMA Detachment on board HMS Barfleur, a similar ship to Centurion but built in Chatham Dockyard, while Bandsman Surry was on board HMS Goliath. So what was happening during 1900 in China that involved the Royal Marine Artillery as well as Bandsmen of the Royal Navy? and what other Bandsmen and Buglers were in China at this time and what were they doing?
A total of thirty-five British ships were involved in the action for which the men were awarded the China Medal 1900. In that year Britain, with many other world powers, had Legations in Peking and 'concessions' in Tientsin and other major cities. During the previous decade the activities of foreign powers and Christian missionaries had resulted in Chinese insurgents forming the Society of Righteous Harmonious Fists that became known as the 'Boxers'. The Boxers overran the areas around Peking and Tientsin and attacked railway tracks and stations, as well as mission stations, with the result that the Royal Navy's China Fleet was asked to assist.
The China Fleet's Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, believed that the foreign powers had forced themselves onto the Chinese nation and saw the British task as the protection of European lives, but without the need to attack Chinese people or damage property. So he sent seventy-six Royal Marines under Captains Strouts, Halliday and Wray to reinforce the Peking Legation guard. The men, who were from HMS Orlando's detachment and the Wei-Hai-Wei garrison, included Bugler Webb of Portsmouth RMLI. He also sent a mixed force of one hundred and thirty marines and seamen to Tientsin, which was approximately a third of the distance between the mouth of the River Pei-Ho, guarded by the four Taku Forts, and Peking. Later, on the 9th June, news from Peking prompted Seymour to send an International Naval Brigade to its assistance. The Naval Brigade landed at Taku at the mouth of the River Peiho and then marched to Tientsin on the 10th, the intention being to transport them by train to Peking. The Brigade was to consist of 915 British seamen and marines with smaller numbers from the German, Russian, French, American, Japanese, Italian and Austrian fleets. Whilst the brigade was being assembled the Boxers blew up the railway line with the result that the column of five special trains moved very slowly, replacing track as it went, and with the Boxers blowing up the track behind them. Several Boxer attacks were beaten off but when Chinese Imperial troops joined the Boxers, supplies for the International Naval Brigade were threatened to such an extent that the trains were abandoned, and the force withdrew along the west bank of the Peiho. The fifty wounded, and heavy weapons, followed downriver in Junks. The brigade marched and fought sixteen hours a day on half rations and after three days of this was seriously short of ammunition whilst the Junks were overflowing with wounded. Eventually the artillery was pushed overboard to lighten the load. On the 22nd June they found a Chinese arsenal at Hsiku, just outside the Tientsin northern city wall. A party of RMLI commanded by Major Johnson of HMS Centurion attacked the north corner with such vigour that the Chinese fled before them and the arsenal was captured. Buglers J L Edwards and A Priscott from Chatham and Portsmouth respectively were with the attacking force. Whilst it allowed the men the relative luxury of arms, ammunition, food and cover, this did nothing to help the plight of the wounded who now numbered two hundred and forty.
Meanwhile, the Boxers took control of the native city of Tientsin, known as the Walled city, on the 15th and put pressure on the International Settlement that was within it. With Seymour's force pinned down at Hsiku and Captain Bayley, of HMS Aurora, ashore at Tientsin with the impossible task of keeping rail links open, fighting began with regular Chinese soldiers now allied with the Boxers. Included in Bailey's force were the RN Band Corporal and three Bandsmen from HMS Aurora. Just before the heavy fighting of the 15th June began, Commander David Beatty brought a force of one hundred and fifty sailors, and two Buglers, from HMS Barfleur to reinforce Bayley at Tientsin. On the 16th the Chinese began mining the entrance to the River Peiho and seized the railway near Taku - the Chinese government were trying to block the route inland to Tientsin and Peking. Since Seymour had not been in touch for several days, following the destruction of the telegraph lines by the Boxers, a Council of Senior Naval Officers decided to risk even more confrontation with the Chinese Imperial forces by attacking the forts at Taku at the mouth of the Peiho River. These forts were equipped with modern Krupp coastal artillery, but the guns could only fire out to sea. Knowing this the 900 attacking marines and sailors were put into two destroyers and eight shallow-draught gunboats which crossed the sand-bar and sailed upriver putting the sailors and marines from seven nations (the Americans did not take part) ashore to attack the North-West Fort at 0300hrs on the 18th. With this force were RMA Buglers C L Morris and J E Norris. The allied guns opened fire at first light hitting two magazines and blowing guns off their mounts. The fort was captured by a bayonet charge at 0600 hrs, the North Fort was stormed a few minutes later and then the two forts on the South bank surrendered.
At least 10,000 Chinese troops with 60 modern artillery pieces were in and around Tientsin whilst the defenders tried to hold a five-mile perimeter around the International Settlement with only 2,400 men. From the 17th to the 19th heavy fighting took place in the city. On the 20th the attacks slackened and four horsemen, an Englishman and three Cossacks, made a dash through the Chinese lines to Taku for assistance. A force of 500 men was sent to Tientsin but was turned back four miles from the city. Captains Doig and Lloyd (RMLI) from the Endymion and Aurora led a party of marines, including Buglers Constable and Parker from Endymion and Bugler Cook from Aurora, from the arsenal towards Tientsin in an attempt to reach the Foreign Settlement but they were forced to turn back. On the 21st the Chinese government, mainly as a result of the attacks on the Taku Forts, had declared war on the Allies. A mixed force of 8,000 men eventually relieved Tientsin on the 23rd June. The Chinese forces fell back on Peking allowing a reconnaissance in force by Russian Cossacks and they discovered Seymour's force surrounded in the Hsiku Arsenal. They returned to Tientsin where, although the International Settlement had been relieved, the Chinese were consolidating. The Chinese re-occupied the Hsiku Arsenal but a large blow was dealt them when the Allied forces destroyed the Tientsin Arsenal on the 27th June. On this day Bugler Carter from HMS Terrible was shot in the leg. The Japanese occupied the Tientsin race course and this allowed the Allies, on the 9th July, to manoeuvre into a position where they could blow-up the Hsiku Arsenal. The loss of these two arsenals seriously weakened the Chinese capacity to wage war. 5,000 Allied troops attacked Tientsin on the 13th July and Chatham Bugler Polkinghorne, one of two Buglers from the Wei-Hai-Wei garrison - the other being Bugler Adcock - received a bullet wound to the arm. Following two days of hard fighting in which casualties to both sides were very high, the Chinese retreated from the city. Buglers Ryman and Glass were also involved in fighting in and around the British Concession.
The Naval Brigades were sent back to their ships, although some had to return to take part in the relief of Peking.
The Allied intention of regrouping before moving on Peking was shaken when a messenger arrived with the news that, contrary to reports of a massacre, the Legations were still being held but food and ammunition were desperately needed. 20,000 men, including 3,000 British troops (of which 300 were RMLI) left Tientsin on the 4th August. A battle took place at Pei Tsang where the Japanese and Russians did most of the fighting. The Chinese regrouped and prepared to defend Yang Tsun. This time the Americans and British led the assault on the good system of trenches and earthworks. Despite the defences and the terribly hot weather the Allies had control of the town by nightfall. Tungchow was the next obstacle but the Japanese, leading at this point, entered a city that had been deserted by the Imperial troops and desecrated by the Boxers before they had fled. The British General Gaselee halted here and prepared for the final twelve-mile thrust to Peking. He was anxious to avoid the glory seeking competitiveness that had been shown by members of the Allied force, especially the Japanese and the Russians. The plan was for co-ordinated assaults on each of the city's four gates. The Russians would attack the Tung Chih gate and the Americans the Tung Pien gate whilst the Japanese and the British assaulted the Chi Hua and the Sha Huo gates respectively. By the night of the 13th all troops were in position but, instead of making camp, the Russians decided against a co-ordinated attack, moved towards Peking and by cutting across the American's front attacked the Tung Pien gate - the American's objective. The attack was not particularly successful and then the Americans and Japanese broke camp early, all of which left General Gasalee with no alternative but to order a general assault instead of the planned co-ordinated attack. Not having a gate to attack the Americans decided to assault the city wall and, with amazing good fortune, chose a part of the wall that was unmanned!
The Royal Artillery blasted down the Sha Huo gate and the British moved into the city, entering the Legation area through the dry drainage canal, lifting the 55 day siege. Next day the Americans - without the agreement of the Allies - entered the Forbidden City in the centre of Peking and, after a very strong defence by the Chinese and as a result of the protests of the Allies, withdrew before the task was complete.
The Allies continued to fight and subdue the Boxers until General Gasalee's forces captured the last major centre of Boxer resistance, Po Ting Fu.
What had happened to the Royal Marine Legation Guard that had arrived in Peking on the 31st May, amongst whom, was Bugler Webb? From the 13th June the detachment was constantly on the alert and were on both the defensive and the offensive. Boxers frequently attacked the Legation at different points, using different means. Patrols were sent out to bring in native Christians and, on one such occasion, Captain L S T Halliday, with British and German Marines, rescued several hundred Chinese Christians from the Catholic Mission where they were being systematically massacred by the Boxers. Those surviving were rescued and about 300 Boxers were killed. Attempts were made by the Boxers to set the buildings close to the Legation on fire. On the 24th June Captain Halliday, with 30 Marines, was sent to clear a number of houses of the enemy but, almost immediately was seriously wounded. He managed to kill four out of five of his attackers, later being awarded the Victoria Cross for this action. The Chinese brought up artillery at various times and sorties were made to capture or destroy them. Dirty tricks were used by the Chinese including phoney cease-fires and promises of protection. The assaults continued throughout July and August until the siege was lifted on the 14th.
Whilst this is far from being a story of music making and ceremonial it is nevertheless a testament to the hard and dangerous life known by the Naval Bandsmen and the Buglers of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and the Royal Marine Artillery. As well as the China Medal itself three bars were issued: Taku Forts - awarded to 3 Buglers, Relief of Peking - awarded to 11 Buglers and the Defence of the Legation - awarded to only one Bugler. A further 17 Buglers received the China 1900 medal.
Buglers were with their Detachments on board HMS Arethusa (Bug Compton - Chatham Division, RMLI); HMS Aurora (Bugs Cook and Carter of Plymouth Division, RMLI); HMS Barfleur (Bug Ryman of Portsmouth Division, RMLI and Bug Glass of the RMA); HMS Bonaventure (Bug Kimmings - Plymouth); HMS Centurion (Bugs Edwards and Priscott - Chatham and Portsmouth respectively); HMS Dido (Bug Tindall - Chatham); HMS Endymion (Bugs Constable and Parker - Portsmouth and Bug Wyld - Chatham); HMS Goliath (Bugs Brown and Wadley of the RMA and Chatham respectively); HMS Hermione (Bug Coles - Plymouth); HMS Isis (Bug Donker - Chatham); HMS Orlando (Bug Ettie - Portsmouth); HMS Pique (Bug Browne - Plymouth); HMS Terrible (Bugs Carter, Armitage and Giddings - Portsmouth); HMS Undaunted (Bugs Moore and Priddis - Plymouth) and HMS Walleroo (Bug Grady - Chatham). In addition Bug Webb - Portsmouth served at the Peking Legation, Bugs Morris and Norris - both RMA were at the Taku Forts and Bugs Adcock, Polkinghorne, Hearn and Skinner - all Chatham except Hearn who was Plymouth - came from the Naval Depot at Wei-Hai-Wei to serve with the International Force. Bands were aboard the battleships Centurion, Goliath, and Barfleur; the 1st class cruisers Endymion and Terrible and the armoured cruisers Orlando, Aurora and Undaunted. In addition the 2nd class cruisers Dido, Hermione, Isis and Bonaventure and the sloop Rosario each had a Musician. (Courtesy of Tom C.-‘Marcher’)

1901. January. The Band of the Chatham Division RMLI embarked on the SS Ophir to accompany HRH The Duke of York during the Royal Tour of the British Empire.

1901. Friday 1st February. Royal Marines duties during the funeral of Queen Victoria. The bands of the RMA and Portsmouth Division RMLI were massed under 2nd Lieutenant G. Miller Bandmaster RMLI and played during the funeral procession from Osborne House to Trinity Pier East Cowes. A Guard of Honour with Band and King's Colour of Portsmouth Division RMLI, was mounted at Clarence Yard Gosport, for the disembarkation of the King, the Royal Family, and the remains of the late Queen on the 2nd February. The band of the Chatham Division RMLI was the band chosen to represent the Royal Marines in the funeral procession through London on the 2nd February.

1901. December. Commodore Winsloe of the SS Ophir wrote to the colonel commandant of Chatham Division RMLI expressing his appreciation of the bands excellent behaviour and playing throughout the tour.

1902. Saturday 1st March. The White Rose of York was granted to the Chatham Division Band by the King. To be worn upon the Regiment cap badge and helmet plate. Granted in commemoration of the bands attendance upon The Duke of Cornwall and York during his voyage to the Colonies during 1901 and 1902.

1902. Sunday 9th March. HM the King presented the medal of the Victorian Order to Mr Winterbottom, Bandmaster of the Plymouth Division RMLI, on board the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert.

1902. Saturday 20th December - Monday 14th February 1903. The Blockade of the Venezuelan Coast. Royal Marines in HMS Ariadne, HMS Charybdis, HMS Tribune, HMS Retribution and HMS Indefatigable.

1902. CSgt Issac Peppin (Pippin) continued to be a well known character in the Royal Marines long after he completed his 22 year's service. In 1902, aged 70, he walked the South Coast of Britain to witness the Coronation of King Edward VII, stopping on route at the Royal Marines divisions. Starting from his home town Plymouth, he visited Royal Marines at Gosport, Portsmouth, Chatham and Walmer. It isn't known whether he walked all the way back to Plymouth after he'd finished!

He had spent over 16 years at sea during his 22 years as a Marine. He earned a Baltic Medal serving aboard ship during the Crimean War. He also received a Long Service Good Conduct Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal. All three of his medals are on display in the Royal Marines Museum's impressive Medal Room, which holds over 3,000 medal groups which range from Victorian Medals to current operation gallantry medals from Afghanistan.

1902. The Band of the Royal Marine Artillery was given the honour of becoming the official Band of the Royal Yacht after they impressed King Edward VII.
The band, under Captain Green, played at many prominent events such as the funeral of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII's Coronation and on a Royal tour to India. Whilst Green was a Director of Music the band visited and played for those serving on the Western Front on several occasions during the First World War.
Captain B S Green had become Bandmaster of the Royal Marine Artillery band in 1897, having become a musician at the age of 12 in the Hussars, and risen through the ranks. When he retired from the Royal Marine Artillery in 1919 he had fifty seven years of service in military bands.
The energy, musical skills and leadership of Green raised the standard of the RMA Band, gaining both public and royal recognition. The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth carried on this Royal legacy, playing on subsequent Royal Yachts, denoted by the badge 'Royal Yacht'. When the last Royal Yacht was decommissioned the Queen stated the badge 'Royal Band' should continue to be worn as a mark of the association.

1903. Wednesday 20th May. The establishment of the Royal Naval School of Music within the Royal Marine Artillery Barracks at Eastney. The Royal Marines assumed responsibility for the provision of music to the Royal Navy by training Royal Marine Bands to serve on board the ships of the Fleet.

1903. Registered Numbers. The prefix ‘RMB’ followed by a number of up to four figures (RMB1 – RMB 3087) indicates a rank who entered the Royal Naval School of Music between its foundation in 1903 and before October 1925. This sequence of numbers was resumed again later in August 1955, but from RMB 3400 to prevent any duplication.

1903. Friday 10th July. The Band of HMS Leviathan became the first band to transfer from the Royal Navy to the Royal Marines. The first man to sign his papers and become RMB(1) was Arthur William Shepard.

1903. Wednesday 22nd July. The Band of HMS Impregnable which had paid off on the 25th May, marched into the Royal Marines Artillery Barracks at Eastney as Royal Naval Bandsman, later to become the first Royal Marine Band produced from the Royal Naval School of Music.

1903. Royal Marines Band personnel were trained to man the gunnery fire control that was being designed into the new Dreadnought Battleships and Battle Cruisers. Along with their secondary roles of stretcher bearers and damage control parties, the sea going RM band musicians performed this task through both the 1914-18, and 1939-45 wars. Due to the location of the Transmitting Station below the waterline, there was a high casualty rate in the band service when ships were lost or badly damaged.
·During the 1914-18 war a mixed RMA and RMLI detachment were to be found on Battleships and Battle cruisers, with one of the main gun turrets being manned exclusively by Royal Marines. A number of the secondary guns would be manned by the RMLI. Royal Marine Buglers would also be deployed to sound calls and signals and run messages. The detachments on older Battleships and Cruisers were usually exclusively RMLI. There were not usually any Royal Marines aboard ships below Cruisers except on special operations or for transporting purposes.
After the amalgamation of the RMA & RMLI in 1923, Royal Marines continued their detachment roles with the fleet adding AA gunnery to their skills and serving guns on the developing Aircraft Carriers. Royal Marines also became pilots in the Fleet Air Arm squadrons on these vessels.(RMHS)

1904. Tuesday 1st March. George Hill RMB 595 joined the Royal Marines (D.O.B Monday 1st March 1886 Born Edmonton Borough of Enfield, London – Saturday 8th March 1980 Dundee, County of Angus, Scotland.) Tuesday 30th August 1904 became a Musician with the Royal Marines Band to Thursday 16th September 1920. (from Mark Webster Grandson)

1904. Thursday 21st April. The Storming of Illig off the Somali Coast. Major Kennedy RMLI and 51 Royal Marines in the Naval Brigade from HMS Hyacinth, HMS Fox and HMS Mohawk.

1904. With the formation of the Royal Marine Artillery, Gunners from this new unit were used on specialist ships such as Bomb Vessels and Mortar Boats.
They were volunteers and were less likely to ‘jump ship’ than the pressed seamen. They would be landed with them to deter them from deserting.
During battle they provided extra manpower to operate the guns, small arms and disciplined musketry defence at close quarters. They would also be used as part of prize crews (to man captured ships) and on occasions assist with boarding parties.
They participated in attacks on coastal installations and cutting out (capturing) enemy ships at anchor, as well as protecting watering and foraging parties.
They protected the ship’s officers from the crew and were quartered between them.
They were deployed as sentinels guarding the powder rooms, magazines, the spirit room and other storerooms, and the entrances to the officers’ quarters and ships’ cells.
They assisted in the general sailing and maintenance of the ship when unskilled heavy labour was required, such as hauling ropes when the ship was manoeuvring, turning the capstan to weigh anchor, and embarking heavy stores.
They could not be ordered to go aloft, although if expedient, many did. They could not however, be punished for not showing inclination to do so.
The Marine detachment would form up on deck for all formal occasions and punishments.
In addition to their military duties, Marine officers would undertake watch duty.
As the Royal Navy developed into the steam and iron-clad era Royal Marine detachments focused more on manning the new types of naval guns, and gunnery in general. Training was undertaken at HMS Excellent at Portsmouth, whilst the Royal Marine Artillery eventually built sea service training batteries at their Headquarters at Eastney.
The Royal Marines Light Infantry were also trained in naval gunnery and often manned a ship’s secondary armament.(RMHS)

1904. Tuesday 31st May. Extra pay for Bandsmen serving in the Royal Yacht. The Admiralty approved an allowance of one shilling per day to a maximum of twenty band NCO's and Musicians whilst embarked and serving in HM Yacht, to take effect from 14th January 1904. The Admiralty stressed that Musicians embarked for Royal Yacht service would not necessarily be from the RMA Band.

1904. August. Buglers equipment will no longer include swords, scabbards and frogs. All items in service ashore to be withdrawn immediately, all those in service afloat to be withdrawn upon disembarkation.

1905. April. "Cap badge and special design to be worn by WO's, N.C.O's. and men of Royal Marines bands when embarked for service in HM Yacht. To be issued upon embarkation and returned to store when disembarking."

1906. Monday 8th January. Recruiting an anomaly which had long intrigued the Royal Navy was swept away by Order-in-Council. The fee fixed on 3rd December 1883 for raising a Royal Marine recruit was £1, whilst for a Naval recruit it was only 5shillings. In future it was ordered that the fee for both services should be 10 Shillings.

1907. The Daily Rations for the Navy and Marines was 1 lb, bread: 1 lb. veg: ½ lb. salt pork: 4 oz. split peas: 4 oz. sugar: ½ oz. tea: 8 oz. potatoes: 1 oz. jam or marmalade: ½ pint fresh milk (or ¼ oz. condensed milk at sea) and ¼ pint rum.

1907. Pursuing a career in the Marines had been considered 'social suicide' through much of the 18th and 19th centuries since Royal Marine officers had a lower standing than their counterparts in the Royal Navy. An effort was made through the common entry or 'Selbourne Scheme' to reduce the professional differences between RN and RM officers. This provided for an initial period of service where both groups performed the same roles and underwent the same training. Upon promotion to Lieutenant officers could opt for permanent service with the Royal Marines. The scheme was abandoned after three years when only two of the new entrants chose this option over that of service as naval officers, for whom promotion prospects were much greater. At the outbreak of World War I, the Corps was 58 subalterns under establishment.

1907. Sam Bassett's Royal Marine career lasted 53 years. He served in both World Wars. In the First World War he served entirely at Sea. During the Russian Revolution his Russian language skills were utilised when he helped process Russian refugees in Novorossiysk in 1919, for this he was awarded the Order of St Stanislaus.

During the Second World War he worked in the Combined Operations intelligence department. His work included collating photographs and maps of areas for raids including Cockleshell Heroes, Telemark, and the Dambusters. His office also had to sift 40,000 images of France to enable planning of the Normandy (D-Day) landings in June 1944. For this he was awarded the United States Legion of Merit and French Legion of Honour. His medal group not only spans his 53 years as a Royal Marine, but it also is one of the largest groups in the Royal Marines museums collection.

1908. Saturday 11th January. Norman Finch signed on to join the Royal Marines, and received basic training at Eastney. For the next four years he served on various ships and shore stations. He went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

1908. August. Temporary musical training of band ranks at Chatham and Plymouth to cease since this training is to be returned to the Royal Naval School of Music and RMLI Forton barracks as from 30th September 1908.

1908. Monday 30th November. Temporary musical training of band ranks at RMLI Barracks to cease and this training to be concentrated, as intended, at the Royal Naval school of Music, Eastney, as of the 30th November 1908. As a result of this concentration the new series of individual numbering (RMB series) would, henceforth, always be used. All clothing and equipping of band ranks now to be supervised by 1st Quartermaster RMA.

1909. June. Extract from the Globe and Laurel. In the churchyard of Berwick-on-Helmet, on a Marine officer: "Here lies retired from busy scenes, A First Lieutenant of Marines Who lately lived in gay content, On board the good ship Diligent, Now stripped of all his warlike show, and laid in box of Elm below, Confined in Earth in narrow borders, He rises not till further orders.

1909. May. Extract from the Globe and Laurel. The Society of Arts voted their honorary silver medal to Captain Thomas Maxwell Bagnold, on half-pay of the Royal Marines, for his invention of a gun and carriage for the purpose of dislodging marksmen from the enemy's tops in close action, and repelling boarders. He died Tuesday 24th October 1848, aged 68.
"A musket lock cover has been invented by Captain John Bartleman, of the Royal Marines, which affords a complete preservation of the priming for many hours under the heaviest rain, and possesses other advantages superior to anything of the kind hitherto adopted. it has met with the approbation of Lord Wellesley and all the officers who have seen it tried, and forty thousand are now preparing to be sent out to Portugal for the use of the Light Troops of the Army."1811. (Sic)

1910. Saturday 24th December. The Fight at Dabai in the Persian Gulf. In pursuance of the duty of putting down 'gun running' a party of 4 Officers and 79 Petty and N.C.O’s and men including Major Heriot and Lieutenant Brewer RMLI and 33 Royal Marines were landed from HMS Hyacinth, Flag ship on the East India Station, under Captain Dick RN the flag Captain, to search for arms in two suspected houses at some distance apart. After arms had been found by Major Heriot, fire was opened from the houses on the search partly and on the men left on the beach. Major Heriot entrenched himself on the beach and after a sharp skirmish the guns of HMS Hyacinth put an end to the attack. The Royal Marines lost Sergeant Capon killed and 4 privates wounded.

1910. The Royal Marines were with the Naval Brigade with a Corps strength of 19,000.

1911. Tuesday 2nd May. Lieutenant Eugene Louis Gerrard RMLI became the first Royal Marines Officer to qualify as a pilot.

1912. Monday 1st April. A special badge consisting of a gilt grenade on which was mounted the Royal Cypher 'GvR' and crown in silver surrounded by a gilt laurel wreath was conferred upon the Band of the Royal Marine Artillery by the King. This followed the voyage to India on board the P&O liner Madina.

1912. Tuesday 30th July. Private John Edmonds RMLI the first non-commissioned rank to qualify as a pilot.

1913. Thursday 28th August. Sergeant F E Bishop RMA became the first Senior Non Commissioned Officer to qualify as a pilot.

1913. Tuesday 21st October. 'Last Survivors of the Battle of Trafalgar'. 'Tonight's Gossip Column taken from 'The Londoner'.
I think we may look in vain for a Trafalgar veteran. It was a hard age, was that age of Trafalgar; many a little boy was packed off by the Portsmouth coach with a dirk and a cocked hat and a sea chest to that fearsome nursery, the midshipman's berth. Yet the babes and sucklings of the Trafalgar year are now, if any survive, passing their hundred and eighth birthday. Yes, indeed, we can have no living link with Trafalgar.
As the 19th century grew old, those who love to gather odd little facts and dates watched curiously the little group of ancient sea-officers that dined together, so long as their old legs would carry them out to dinner, on the famous October anniversary. In the early Spring of '79 there were still 7 of those Trafalgar men, those salt picked heroes, a brace of commanders, a colonel of marines, a vice-admiral, two admirals, and an admiral of the fleet. Only one has a Sir before his name and the Star of the Bath on his coat breast. Doubtless the first admiral you would meet outside the Senior today has more honorific trinkets for his full-dress coat than all the seven Trafalgar men put together.
By 1879 the last who wore an epaulette at Trafalgar had followed the great little admiral to the last haven. The seven survivors were of the First Class Volunteers, of boys of the midshipman's berth.
When Admiral Patton died in 1883, he left but two Trafalgar officers behind him. A midshipman in the Bellerophon, he has been in the thick of it, a Spaniard to port and a Frenchman to starboard of her, three more ships of the line raking and pounding at her quarters, her captain dead on the quarterdeck, top masts down and wreckage afire. In 1885 died Sir George Rose Sartorious, formerly a midshipman of the Tonnant.
The old marine lieutenant colonel had outlived them all. It was not until three years after Trafalgar that he had changed a blue coat for a red one: on the battle day he had been a signal midshipman of the Africa, the 64 that was first to tackle the bulk and batteries of the vast Santisima Trinidad On April 15th, 1887, aged 93, died Lieutenant Colonel James Fynmore, late of the Royal Marines. That was nearly 82 years after Trafalgar. He was the last of them all.
That is but to say that he was the last of the Trafalgar midshipmen. No one can be sure when the last Trafalgar seaman, the last Trafalgar marine, slipped his cable. Kindly patriots have made a list and a record of the Balaclava cavaliers, are seeing to it that no Balaclava man shall go hungry on his glory. But it was never anybody's business to care for the Trafalgar men when they were paid off for the last time. Greenwich Hospital had no pillows for all those pigtailed heads; the Treasury had no pensions for them.
Here and there, if you look back in the files of the provincial newspapers, you will find a word of the old Trafalgar man. A seaman of the Victory died in Dundee seven and twenty years ago, unpensioned and unmedalled. There was a Trafalgar marine upon whom, at 95, fortune smiled. Half a guinea a week enriched him until 1878, when he died something short of his hundredth year. But nobody will say that these were the last of those who came ranting and roaring across the salt seas, home from Trafalgar. Old sailors are full of old tales; who believed the last veteran with a maundering story of Trafalgar Bay?
Perhaps the last of all the Trafalgar men was the Frenchman Cartigny, whom the warm sun of Hyeres kept alive until 1895. However this may be, without doubt the last Trafalgar Englishman is as deed as Nelson. It is for us to carry on the story of the greatest of all battles on the sea; we have flags flying bright in this dull sky today.
A Letter in the Times of 1915:
The 110th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, occurring at the height of the Great War provides a suitable occasion for- recording the names of the last survivors of the British. French and Spanish vessels engaged in the battle. Probably the last British survivor, and certainly the last officer was Lieutenant Colonel James Fynmore RM who died at Peckham on April 15th, 1887, aged 93. He was a first class volunteer on the Africa, a battleship which suffered so severely in her action with the Intrepide that she nearly foundered in the great storm that followed the battle. Colonel Fynmore entered the Marines in 130 and retired 40 years later. He received the medal for Trafalgar granted in 1848, and was the son of Ma 'or (then Captain) James Fynmore, Senior Officer of Marines in the same ship at Trafalgar.
The last French survivor was Louis Andre Manuel Cartigny, who died at Hyeres on March 21st, 1892, aged 100. He was a powder monkey on the Redoubtable and was slightly wounded. He was taken prisoner and remained a captive aboard the hulks at '! Plymouth and in the war prisons at Dartmoor and Stapledon for some years. On being exchanged, he returned to France and was attached to the Seamen of the Guard, with whom he was present at Napoleon is adieu to the Grand Army in 1814. During the last years of his life he was the landlord of a cafe at Hyeres Napoleon on his grave.
The last Spanish survivor was Gaspar Costela Vasquez, who died at San Fernando, Cadiz, in April 1892, aged 104. He was present at Trafalgar on the Santa Anna. For many years he lived in the convalescent hospital of the garrison at San Fernando. His funeral was attended by the principal officers and men of the naval and military forces and the Marines.
It will thus be seen that the last Englishmen survived the battle 81 years, the last Frenchman and the last Spaniard years. It is not improbable, therefore, that one or two Of the naval veterans of the Great War of today may survive till the 21st Century.
I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant. N. Kynaston Gaskeli. (From Stan Blacker RMHS.)

1914. Tuesday 28th July. At the outbreak of the Great War there was formed the so-called "Flying Column, Royal Marines," (soon to be redesignated as the Royal Marine Brigade), which had been conceived in 1912 as a kind of mobile expeditionary force. The composition of the Flying Column was one battalion of Royal Marine Artillery (known as the RMA) and three battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry, or RMLI. These were the two normal internal subdivisions of the Royal Marines in those days, the RMLI being known as "Red Marines," and the RMA as "Blue Marines," from the distinguishing colours of their blouses (which exactly reversed the traditional US Army's colour code of red for Artillery and blue for Infantry).
In later entity as the Royal Marine Brigade (and stripped of its artillery component, which was detached for service with the British Army), this unit in 1914 carried out a number of minor cross-channel expeditions to cover the flanks of the British Expeditionary Forces in Belgium and Northern France. Subsequently, in early 1915 the Brigade embarked in transports and moved to the Mediterranean, where it was kept afloat while the British fleet bombarded the Dardanelles, and the Turks at Gallipoli took timely warning of events to come. After the Dardanelles fiasco, the Royal Naval Division (still embodying the Marine Brigade) was sent to France and there it fought under Army control (as the 63rd Division) for the rest of the war. With the exception of the ships' detachments, which carried out their traditional missions, there was little (except their discipline and courage) to distinguish the Royal Marines in World War I from any equivalent or similar groups of Army troops.
(Courtesy - GlobalSecurity.org)

1914. The Royal Navy became interested in landings by Naval Brigades. In these Naval Brigades, the function of the Royal Marine was to land first and act as 'Skirmishers' ahead of the sailor Infantry and Artillery. The skirmishing roll was the traditional function of Light Infantry.

1914 - 1918. Royal Naval Brigades used during the First World War were composed of both Marines and Sailors.

1914 June. At the outbreak of the Great War there was formed the so-called "Flying Column, Royal Marines," (soon to be redesignated as the Royal Marine Brigade), which had been conceived in 1912 as a kind of mobile expeditionary force. The composition of the Flying Column was one battalion of Royal Marine Artillery (known as the RMA) and three battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry, or RMLI. These were the two normal internal subdivisions of the Royal Marines in those days, the RMLI being known as "Red Marines," and the RMA as "Blue Marines," from the distinguishing colours of their blouses (which exactly reversed the traditional US Army's colour code of red for Artillery and blue for Infantry).
In later entity as the Royal Marine Brigade (and stripped of its artillery component, which was detached for service with the British Army), this unit in 1914 carried out a number of minor cross-channel expeditions to cover the flanks of the British Expeditionary Forces in Belgium and Northern France. Subsequently, in early 1915 the Brigade embarked in transports and moved to the Mediterranean, where it was kept afloat while the British fleet bombarded the Dardanelles, and the Turks at Gallipoli took timely warning of events to come. After the Dardanelles fiasco, the Royal Naval Division (still embodying the Marine Brigade) was sent to France and there it fought under Army control (as the 63rd Division) for the rest of the war. With the exception of the ships' detachments, which carried out their traditional missions, there was little (except their discipline and courage) to distinguish the Royal Marines in World War I from any equivalent or similar groups of Army troops. (Courtesy - GlobalSecurity.org)

1914. Sunday 2nd August. The Admiralty ordered the formation of the "Flying Column" Royal Marines. To this end a battalion from Plymouth, Portsmouth, Chatham, and the RMA was provided. The Brigade was sent to Ostend, August 25th, under the command of Brigadier General Sir George Aston, RMA. After a week, the Brigade was withdrawn to Britain where the RMA battalion was replaced by RMLI from Deal.
Plans to form the RMA battalion into the artillery unit of what was to become the Royal Naval Division came to naught due to a lack of 18-pounder guns, and the RMA was absorbed into the Howitzer, and Anti-Aircraft Brigades which served with the Army in France.
In September with the likelihood of a German advance to the Belgium coast increased. Since the War Office was unable to find trained formations to operate in this area, the Admiralty with Kitchener's full support, formed two brigades of Naval Reservists (who had been surplus to requirement after the fleet had been brought up to strength), and the RM brigades into an infantry division. (by Chris Wright)

1914. Saturday 4th August. The First World War was declared, and Royal Marines served in all HM Ships in all major engagements at sea. They also 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.

1914. Saturday 4th August. Upon the declaration of the First World War, it was realised there was a surplus of almost 30,000 men in the Royal Naval Reserve, who would not find possitions on board HMS ships of war. It was also realised by the Admiralty that they could be used to form two seperate Naval Brigades and a Brigade of Marines to be used for operations on land.

1914. With the commencement of the First World War the Corps took up at once the traditional role, which it has performed in every war for the past three hundred and fifty years, and for which indeed it had been originally raised in 1664, that is to say the reinforcement of the personnel of the Royal Navy.
The mobilisation passed off smoothly according to plan, the telegram to mobilise Reservists was dispatched at 2-30 a.m. on Sunday 2nd August 1914, and by 8a.m. those living near the barracks were coming in. In the course of the next two or three days, practically all those in the United Kingdom had reported for duty, and had been allotted to their various appropriations, as far as they had been foreseen in peace time. Fortunately, after this had been done, there remained a good surplus of Reservists, for no sooner was the mobilisation proper completed than demands began to pour in for personnel for various Fleet services, most of which had not been foreseen in the pre-war arrangements. Added to this carne the demands of the Royal Naval Division and the RMA Batteries, which were very insistent both then and throughout the War. Though no doubt the batteries and battalions considered that they were not receiving the reinforcements that they required. It must never be forgotten that the reinforcement of the Fleet was the first consideration to which all else had to have to give way. The demand of the Fleet became larger and more urgent every month, and the Corps can make the proud boast that in no single instance did they fail to make the Naval requirements as they arose. The effect of the demand is shown by the fact that the numbers actually afloat (exclusive of shore garrisons, battalions, batteries, etc.) at the commencement of the war were 10,047, whilst at the close the same figures were 16,494, in spite of the heavy casualties and replacements due to sickness.
In the very early days numerous war vessels, being built for foreign powers in the United Kingdom were bought by the British Government and commissioned as soon as they were completed. At the same time other British programs were considerably accelerated.

1914. During the First World War, in addition to their usual stations aboard ship, Royal Marines were part of the Royal Naval Division which landed in Belgium in 1914 to help defend Antwerp and later took part in the amphibious landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It also served on the Western Front in the trenches. 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 landings. They were sent ashore to assess damage to Turkish fortifications after bombardment by British and French ships and, if necessary, to complete their destruction. 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. It even required some Marines to wear French uniforms as part of the deception.

1914. Registered Numbers. During Mid-September six hundred Army recruits were transferred to the RMLI; 200 men from KOYLI went to Plymouth Division, and 200 from the Sherwood Foresters went to Portsmouth Division and another 200 from the Sherwood Foresters to Chatham Division. (LCpl Parker, who won the VC at Gallipoli was one of those transferred from the Sherwood Foresters) The 200 ex-KOYLI numbers started at Ply 12(S) and ended with Ply211(S), Portsmouth Division’s ex-Sherwood Foresters went from Po31 to Po230(S) and Chatham Division’s from CH1 to CH 200(S).

1914. Registered Numbers. The suffix ‘S’ to any of the ‘CH’, ‘PLY’, or ‘RMA’ numbers indicates a rank who entered one of these divisions for Short Service during World War 1. The short service register numbers began quite simply at ‘Ply/1 (S) (e.g. PLY 3287 (S) C C Anderson.), Po/1 (S) and Ch/1 (S) and RMA/1(S).

The prefix ‘RMB’ followed by a number of up to four figures (RMB1 – RMB 3087) indicates a rank who entered the Royal Naval School of Music between its foundation in 1903 and before October 1925. This sequence of numbers was resumed again later in August 1955, but from RMB 3400 to prevent any duplication.

1914. Registered Numbers. During the 1914-18 World War the prefix ‘Deal’, followed by numbers of up to four digits and the suffix ‘S’, were allocated to ranks enlisted for Short Service during World War 1. These ranks served mostly in miscellaneous units of the Royal Naval Division. Numbers were allocated as Follows:
RM Divisional Engineers RN Division D/1(S) to D1500(S).
RM Divisional Train D/1501(S0) to D/2762(S).
RM Medical Unit D/3000(S) to D/4400(S).
Ordnance Company RM Division D/4520(S) to D/4553(S).
RN Divisional Engineers D/5000(S) to D/5599(S).
(The ‘S’ can be shown as either a suffix or a prefix for these numbers. It is also often shown in lower case).
The prefix ‘D’ on its own seems to have been rarely used. To distinguish between Depot staff and men who were borne on the books.
At Deal for pay and admin (e.g. RMLC, RND Engineers, RM Medical Units), the ‘system’ seems to have been for staff to be recorded as Depot/123 and the latter as Deal/1234(S).

1914. Registered numbers. Prefixes ‘Z’ and ‘H’. There are two other short service number series, H1 to H18 and Z/1 to Z/102. Both were catalogued at Hayes. Before RM service papers were transferred to the National Archives, under ‘Miscellaneous Units WW1 and were referred to as ‘Belgian Units’ but the papers have not been seen since; however at least one CWGC headstone has been seen with a ‘Z’ number.

1914. Registered Numbers. The prefix ‘RME’, followed by a number, 300 to 8340 and the Suffix ‘S’. indicates a rank of the Royal Marine Engineers entered for short service during World War 1. This group of men was engaged on large scale construction and repair projects under the Admiralty Director of Works, principally to keep ports and harbours operating efficiently. The ‘RME’ prefix followed by a number of five digits, indicates a rank of the Royal Marine Engineers entered for HO service in World War ll (RME 10001 -RME 17823).

1914. Registered Numbers. The prefix ‘AUX’, followed by a number of up to four digits, indicates a rank of the Auxiliary Battalion formed at the beginning of World War ll. Subsequently, these ranks were transferred to Plymouth and allocated numbers in the six-digit sequence (PLY/X 120001 – PLY/X 121382).

1914. Thursday 6th August. Engagement between HMS Bristol and the Karlsruhe in the West Indies.

1914. Thursday 6th August. Two days after the commencement of hostilities in WW1, HMS Amphion was sunk by a mine off the Thames Estuary. Amongst those killed was Ply/12300 William Arthur Carter RMLI. (Brother of Frederick George Carter RMLI Po/13096. Who was killed two days before the cessation of hostilities of WW1, on Saturday 9th November, while serving on board HMS Britannia when it was sunk off Cape Trafalgar by a German U Boat. Both men were from Easton, Corsham, Wiltshire the sons of George and Marie Carter.

1914. Friday 7th August. Royal Marine Brigade concentrated at Eastney and Gosport.

1914. Wednesday 12th August. The capture of the Spreewald by HMS Berwick in the North Atlantic.

1914. Thursday 20th August. Royal Marine Battalions returned to their own Divisions.

1914. Tuesday 25th - 31st August. An expedition to Ostend by the Royal Marine Brigade.

1914. Thursday 27th August – Monday 31st August. The Ostende campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and the Royal Marines Artillery.

1914. Thursday 27th August. The Royal Marine Brigade was formed and was moved to Ostende although it returned four days later.

1914. Wednesday 26th August. HMS Highflyer sank the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse off North West Africa.

1914. Friday 28th August. In China a detachment of 2/DCLI embarked in HMS Triumph as Marines.

1914. August. The title of Commissioned Bandmaster Royal Marines, to be changed to Director of Music. Number of Directors of Music fixed at two, apart from the Musical Director of the Royal Naval School of Music to whom this order would not apply. On promotion to Director of Music the honorary rank of Lieutenant will be applied. After ten years of commissioned service the honorary rank of Captain will be given and, after a total of fifteen years commissioned service the honorary rank of Major will be awarded. Directors of Music to be compulsorily retired at the age of 65.

1914. Late August. The Royal Naval Division.
The Royal Naval Division was conceived and founded by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, in late August 1914. The RND later became one of the best fighting formations on the Western Front. It was also one of the most controversial, having to fight both political and military opponents to preserve its existence. The British Army was the main problem, unable to accept the naval traditions practised by the officers and men. The Royal Naval sailors & marines (mainly Royal Marines & RoyaI Naval Volunteer Reserve) which composed the Division, retained their sea going slang, grew beards, were better paid & generally annoyed the Army with their individuality.
The Royal Marine Brigade (Aug-Nov 1914)
Served as the Defence of Antwerp in October 1914 (also at Dunkirk & Ostend). All RND who served in France and Belgium in 1914 were entitled (somewhat controversially) to the 1914 Star and many of those to the Star and Bar. 9th (Portsmouth) Battalion RMLI
10`h (Plymouth) Battalion RIVILI
lite (Chatham) Battalion RMLI
12`h (Deal) Battalion RMLI
The Royal Marine Brigade was formed in Aug 1914 from a mixture of raw Deal recruits, RMLI Royal Fleet Reservists & many Long-Service Marines made available from their home Divisions. A Battalion of RMA was originally brigaded but was withdrawn & replaced by the `Deal Detachment' in late September 1914. The Deal Detachment was only about one company strength at Antwerp in October 1914 & 99% of the Marines belonged to the Plymouth Division RMLI. They were reinforced by drafts from all three RMLI Divisions to full Battalion strength by early November 1914.
The 3rd Royal Marine Brigade (Nov 1914-Aug 1915)
The 3rd Royal Marine Brigade renamed to conform with RND Brigade numbers had a short life. The four RMLI Battalions listed above formed the Brigade but minus their number prefixes. After suffering crippling losses at Anzac & Cape Helles, April-August 1915, the four RMLI Battalions were amalgamated to form the two new Royal Marine battalions.
The 1St Royal Marine Battalion (aka The 1"t Battalion RMLI)
Chatham formed `A' & `B' Companys
The 2nd Royal Marine Battalion (aka The 2 Battalion RMLI)
Portsmouth formed `C' & `D' Companys.
Five days after the amalgamation of the four RMLI Battalions the 31d Royal Marine Brigade was disbanded & the two new RM Battalions were brigaded with the Howe and Anson Battalions to form the new 2 a Naval Brigade. (information supplied by Jack Clegg www.jackclegg.com, and Cleve Whitworth RMAQ President.)

1914. Wednesday 2nd September. HMS Triumph involved in the attack on the German colony of Qingdao China.

1914. Friday 4th September. Landing party from HMS Cumberland at Victoria in the German colony of Cameroon.

1914. Wednesday 9th September. Bombardment and Landing at Suellaba Point in the German Colony of Cameroon.

1914. Friday 11th September. 200 RMA and RMLI to Dunkirk for service with Motor Cars of RNAS.

1914. Monday 14th September. HMS Carmania (Armed Merchantman Cruiser) sank Cap Trafalgar (Armed Merchantman) in the South Atlantic.

1914. Sunday19th September – Wednesday 30th September. The Dunkirk campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and the Royal Marines Artillery.

1914. Sunday 20th September. HMS Pegasus sunk by the Koenigsberg in Zanzibar Harbour.

1914. Sunday 20th September. The Royal Marine Brigade arrived at Dunkirk with orders to assist in the defence of Antwerp. In the haste to organise and move the units to Belgium, 80% went to war without even basic equipment such as packs, mess tins or water bottles. No khaki uniform was issued. The two Naval Brigades were armed with ancient charger-loading rifles, just three days before embarking. At this stage, it had no artillery, Field Ambulances or other ancillary units.

1914. Tuesday 22nd September. The sinking of HMS Aboukir (78 Royal Marines were lost), HMS Cressy (73 Royal Marines were lost) and HMS Hogue (50 Royal Marimes were lost).

1914. Tuesday 22nd September. Lieutenant Charles Herbert Collett RMA carried out the first ever strategic bombing raid in aviation history attacking the Zeppelin sheds at Dusseldorf for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

1914. Sunday 27th September. The occupation of Duala in the German Colony of Cameroon, the Royal Marines afloat were involved.

1914. Friday 2nd October. Royal Marines from HMS Cumberland in action at Japoma Bridge in German held colony of Cameroons.

1914. Saturday 3rd - 4th October. The Relief of Antwerp campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and the Royal Marines Artillery.

1914. Monday 5th October. Two Royal Marine Brigades were moved to Dunkirk with orders to assist in the defence of Antwerp. In the haste to organise and move the units to Belgium, 80% went to war without even basic equipment such as packs, mess tins or water bottles. No khaki uniform was issued. The two Naval Brigades were armed with ancient charger-loading rifles, just three days before embarking. At this stage, it had no artillery, Field Ambulances or other ancillary units.

1914. Thursday 15th October. Royal Marine Motor Transport Company lent to the Army at St Omer at Flanders in France.

1914. Saturday 17th October. HMS Undaunted and Destroyers in action with German Torpedo Boats in the English Channel.

1914. Sunday 18th October. Small Royal Marine detachments with maxim guns landed from Monitors.

1914. Wednesday 21st October. Royal Marine Artillery Contingent for South African Heavy Artillery left England.

1914. Tuesday 27th October. HMS Audacious sunk by a mine off the North West coast of Ireland.

1914. October. The RMA Howitzer Brigade in France, was reorganised to provide two artillery brigades for the Western Front. One of these became an anti-aircraft unit, but the second was equipped with twelve heavy 15 inch howitzers to form the RM Howitzer Brigade. The Brigade totalled around 1,000 all ranks, but never fought as a complete unit. Although originally organised with a brigade headquarters and arrangements made that each pair of howitzers should form a battery, this organisation was not retained once in France; Colonel Poole remained in command of the Brigade throughout the war after August 1915, but in May 1916 was appointed to command the 26th Heavy Artillery Group and only dealt with the RMA howitzers administratively. The huge weapons were deployed as single units. Each requiring a crew of 60 men. Along the front line. The first landed in France on Monday 15th February 1915. A training base was established at Fort Cumberland at Portsmouth.

The RMA guns were strange misfits, owing their existence to the private enterprise of the Coventry Ordnance Works and their presence in France to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill. The Coventry Works had designed and built the modern 9.2" howitzers, which had first arrived in France for the RGA Siege Batteries in November 1914 and, after the success of this equipment, had on their own initiative decided to build something altogether bigger and more powerful. Thus was born the 15 inch Breech Loading Siege Howitzer, which had a maximum range of 10,795 yards, firing a 1,400 pound shell. In order to gain acceptance within the military establishment, a Coventry Ordnance Works Director, Admiral Bacon, exploited his connections with the Admiralty in order to effect an introduction to the Ordnance Board of the Army. Churchill, as was his wont, intervened. Spotting an opportunity for the Navy to get embroiled in the action on the Western Front - as well as sensing a good story for the press - Churchill manned the first gun with a team of Royal Marine artillerymen and sent them post haste to France. They would be followed by another eleven of the 10 ton 15 hundredweight behemoths. Churchill's enthusiasm for his Royal Marine Artillery soon waned and the twelve howitzers were turned over to the army. When approached by the Director of Artillery for further information about these unwanted 'gifts' the Ordnance Board commented acidly "These equipments were obtained by the Navy in direct negotiation with the manufacturers, and the Board was not consulted. In view of the poor range achieved, it is felt that these weapons are a waste of money and material". The guns were declared obsolete and scrapped in 1920. As will be appreciated from the photograph, the time and effort required to move, erect and fire these weapons was prodigious. Simply to move one howitzer required three specially built Foster-Daimler steam tractors.

(It is of interest that when the land was being prepared for the construction of the Visitor Centre at Thiepval on the Somme (opened 2004), an unexploded RMA 15 inch shell was among the tons of debris removed from site.

1914. November. In early 1996, whilst researching my family's military history, I discovered the letters, effects, photographs, documents and memorials of my great uncle Jack, who was assumed to have died of wounds on the Somme on the 13th of November 1916. All this material has been kept faithfully by our family for over 80 years. Before passing to me, it had resided the last 60 years at No.20 Park Grove, Barnsley.
The following is a shortened history, based upon his thoughts and feelings in letters written to his mother and family.
John Clegg (known as Jack) was born on 20th February 1896 at 28 Silver St., Dodworth, Barnsley, the 4th son of James and Elizabeth Ann. Jack had three brothers, Charlie, Harry and Frank; and three sisters, Annie, Christiana and Alice. All the male members of Jack's family were miners & Jack also worked in the mines as an Electrician. When war was declared in August 1914 Jack was 18 & in November chose to enlist in the Royal Marine Light Infantry along with some pals.
CH/19403 Pte. John Clegg, RMLI; Deal Barracks, Nov. 1914.
He signed up for long service (12 years) with the Chatham Division RMLI at the Admiralty Recruitment Office, Deansgate, Manchester on the 10th of November 1914. However, his pals joined for short service. Some think it unusual that he enlisted for long service, when the Marines had just introduced short service engagement of 3 years or the duration of the war. This may be attributed to a desire to escape from the mining tradition within his family, the war being only a circumstance which prompted the move for a career in the Royal Marines, as well as wishing to "do his bit" for King and Country. Jack's trade on enlistment was given as Electrician (at Church Lane Colliery, Barnsley), his address as 19 Crompton Ave, Racecommon Rd, Barnsley

Jack was sent to the recruit depot at Deal in Kent for his basic training. For a regular Marine the training was a year long and included artillery training for sea service and infantry training for land service. The training courses were shortened to six months due to the war. In his first letter Jack states the conditions he was in: Mid November 1914. "I have got into a barrack room as you will see by my address. We are overcrowded. The room is supposed to hold 18 fellows. There are 41 in it now all sleeping on the floor."
The physical drill was quite strenuous as the instructors were given a free hand in trying to whip the recruits into shape & Jack commented on the "incessant scrambling and fighting for food." He mentioned that "I never see those other Barnsley Chaps." This refers to two pals in particular; Val Littlewood and Harold Benfell. Harold had enlisted in Manchester the same day as Jack and Val a week later. However, both these lads enlisted for short service & were sent to join the Plymouth Division RMLI at Plymouth Stonehouse Barracks for their basic training. (PLY 610/S L/Cpl. C.H. Benfell & PLY 674/S Pte. V. Littlewood)
In late November 1914 the weather was worsening, and Jack described a storm in which a ship was holed and ran aground outside the barracks at Walmer and the trips by the lifeboat to get the men off. (SS Batjan) He also stated that there were now extensive trenches from Dover to Deal. "I can tell you the fear of invasion is felt more acutely down here than anyone in Yorkshire would think. I was on the cliffs on Sunday & watching the sailors dig trenches & mount maxims. It wasn't just for practice either."
Jack grew a moustache & was refused permission to shave. It was common practice for facial hair to be permitted and Marines with beards were not uncommon. It also helped to disguise the youth of the Marine recruits. Jack was progressing now, he was learning infantry work and signalling. He had been in six weeks and he had heard from Harold that he was due for the front in another six weeks. Short service Marines only learnt infantry skills and had a 12 week training!

On April 21st 1915 Jack was sent to his divisional depot at Chatham. Here he awaited his posting: "I don't know where I'm going to be shoved yet. Ship most likely although I've put my name in for the Battalion. They have the none swimmers in there though." Jack was posted to the Royal Naval Division, for service as a dispatch rider with the RM Cyclist Company; a small unit of just over 200 men attached to the RND HQ. Late in July 1915 he was sent to Plymouth for the trip to Gallipoli. He describes the scene at Chatham for the party leaving:
Plymouth 31st July 1915.
"I have seen a few battalions leave Chatham, but none got a send off like we did. The General bid us goodbye & we were provided with flags & directly we moved everybody in the barracks cheered like the dickens & the guard turned out & blew us a general salute. We had the band to the station. Every station we stopped at on the way down girls came round the carriages trying to pinch our badges. A chap in our mob lost his rifle coming down and another lost half his ammunition. I've never enjoyed myself so much in my life and we are loafing about here doing nothing and are allowed to go about town without belts or shirts or anything. We are forbidden to clean boots or buttons. As a matter of fact, I haven't many buttons to clean. I got most of them cut off on the way down and my RMLI's have gone west."

Jack left for Gallipoli on H.M. Transport "Royal George" 1st August 1915. On the 20th of August, Jack joined the RM Cyclist Coy. at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, & met his two pals again for the first time since joining up.
"Dear Mother, Just a line to let you know that I'm still in the pink & incidentally in the trenches also. I've seen Val Littlewood. Saw him the first day I came off the ship. You wouldn't know him now he's got a little moustache & beard. He's come out of the firing line for two hours to get some eggs & water for the boys. I hardly knew him when he came in my dugout. Harold Benfell is still in the firing line. Old Val seems fed up with it... I've been dished out with a bike. The only thing we use them for is riding down to the beach for a swim before breakfast."
Val was serving with the 1st RM Battalion (ex-Deal Bn.) & Harold with the 2nd RM Bn. (ex-Plymouth Bn.) Both Val and Harold had been on the Gallipoli Peninsular since the first landings in April 1915; in fact, Harold had been in action before then, with a landing party of Marines at Sedd-ul-Bahr 4/3/15.
Jack's next letter went on to say:
"Val is not far off me now. He has come over into our part to go through a course of bomb throwing. I am going through that too. I've also seen H. Benfell. He's got a square number. He's cook to about ten A.S.C. men. I'm doing well out of Val. He keeps bringing eggs across & soap, jam, etc. He's gone down the nick. I've been lucky so far. I haven't had to go into the firing line. I suppose my turn will come before long though... I'll bet you'd find a difference in the smart, tiddly Marine who came home & the chap with a dirty & torn uniform & about a fortnights beard on. I don't feel any worse though."
The Cyclist Coy. was utilised for the establishment of the first Bombing School on the Peninsular, to train RND personnel for their respective battalion's Grenade Companies. The Cyclists were also trained in the use of catapult bomb throwers & trench mortar weapons.

Jack also wrote about difficulties with his mother's allowance:
"According to your letter you are receiving 7/6 & are under the impression that I'm contributing 5/- of it. If that is the case, you are being swindled out of 2/6 per week which is not uncommon thing with our admirable Government - I suppose they think I'm out of the way now, so they can do as they like with my money." That is the way they do things in England - a man comes out to do his bit & directly his back is turned they rob the people they should be supporting while he's doing their dirty work."
Jack was not afraid to speak his mind in criticism of his superiors. Something of a 'barrack room lawyer' in this respect.
By the 31st of August 1915 Jack was feeling the effects of the climate and active service:
"We live in dugouts you know because we are under shellfire. Let’s hope this job will be finished before long. I don't think anybody will be sorry to be back in old England. I'm losing weight rapidly I might tell you, but I feel all right. Val's gone up in the firing line again. This climate seems to take all the life out of a chap."
On the 15th of September 1915 Jack was admitted to hospital at Cape Helles, then evacuated from Gallipoli to Cairo suffering from dysentery. The RND Records Office wrote to his mother saying he was suffering from Jaundice.
Jack wrote to his mother from hospital in Cairo:
"You will be no doubt very much surprised to receive a letter from me from here. As a matter of fact, I'm in hospital. I'm better now though except for weakness. The after effects of Dysentery. I was in an awful state though on the Peninsular. I should have gone sick long before I did but I had a nice job as orderly carrying messages about the Peninsular. I got so weak though I couldn't sit on my bike. Everybody has got dysentery out here. They are sending shiploads off with it. There were ten cyclists came out with me. I make the ninth to get taken off, so you can guess how prevalent it is & it leaves you as weak as a kitten for weeks after. It's like heaven coming off the peninsular. As soon as we landed there it seemed to take effect on us. I don't know what it is. Perhaps the water- what there is of it."
And of his first taste of action at Gallipoli:
"Anyway, I think I killed my Turk before I came off. The first day I was in the line we spotted a Turk's rifle over the parapet & the Captain told me to fetch him out with a bomb. It was the first time I'd fired a trench mortar but more by luck than anything else the bomb dropped exactly in the trench & we saw the rifle blown up in the air, so the man must have just about been blown to bits. There was a terrible bombardment the next night. We all got buried by a shell whilst having our teas & I was sat down on the ground eating & I had my left hand on the floor with the fingers spread out & a splinter of shell came & stuck fairly in between my fingers without touching me. We soon get used to that though. They can shell as much as they like if I can only keep in good health. But that place & the grub gets on my nerves."
After recovering Jack was transferred to the Mustapha barracks at Alexandria to await drafting back to Gallipoli. In late October, Jack was back on the peninsular. He was now navvying; curiously, returned dysentery patients were put onto digging duties. It was getting cold and thigh boots and mackintoshes were being issued.
Early November 1915 and the weather was changing:
"It's dinner time & just beginning to rain. I hope it will clear up before night. I've only one waterproof sheet & I had a night out last week. My dugout was flooded & my blankets wet through." With this letter he also sent some heather back: "I'm enclosing you a sprig of Peninsular heather. Where we are now reminds me of the Yorkshire moors. I wouldn't mind being on them again."

Jack was evacuated from Gallipoli when the campaign was abandoned in early January 1916. The RND were marooned at Mudros, on the island of Lemnos, 55 miles SW of the Gallipoli Peninsular. Morale was getting low at this point, due to their feeling of isolation in having to garrison a run down base area in mid-winter. After hard service at Gallipoli they were expecting leave:
29th January 1916.
"They've offered us fourteen days at Malta & everyone has refused it. Proper thing too. The RND & Marines have been everybody's mugs since they came on the Peninsular. Doing all the dirty work but when it comes to leave, everybody else can go but we must stay & garrison this mouldy, benighted hole. You know of course that we are at Mudros. I wonder how long it will be before the people at home wake up & start asking questions."
This feeling was common in all RND battalions. The Drake Battalion's AB Thomas MacMillan (CZ 2377) wrote that the Hood battalion blew raspberries at General Paris when he announced leave to Malta for the men and leave to England for the officers. The General turned pink & in a fit of rage cancelled all leave and confined all ranks to barracks for seven days.
By the middle of February 1916, the situation at Mudros appeared rather tense:
"I've just finished dinner. A pint of wishy washy stuff called soup. Not enough to keep a sparrow alive. It's a curious thing that because it costs the Government less, we are under the Navy as regards separation allowance. When it comes to food we are on Army rations, also because it costs the Government less. Taking these things into consideration, I'd very much like to know what I belong to, the Army or Navy."
Jack's comments sum up what many in the RND were wondering. Though essentially Naval personnel, they were now, to all intents & purposes, a land based Army formation.
Val Littlewood was one of the few Marines going on leave to England aboard the SS "Olympic". Only 100 men from the 1st RM Battalion, (out of the total of 2000 Marines, formerly of Chatham & Deal Battalions) had managed to served continuously without being wounded or sick since April 1915. In a letter smuggled home by Val, Jack told of the unrest and mutiny in some units.
22nd February 1916. "I am at last able to write without my letter being read by the censor. I'm taking this across to Val tonight. I got pulled up you know the other day for putting too much in my letter. I put in that we were practically starving & so we were. However, our O.C. pulled me up & played pop about it. (Major A.H. French DSO RMLI) I notice the rations have increased considerably since then though. That's one good thing. You see how it is with us. Winston Churchill formed the RND, joined the Marines up with them, & now he's chucked them out here & gone to France nobody will have anything to do with them. In fact, nobody owns them. We're just mugs for anybody. The Marines did all the most dangerous & dirty work on the peninsula. If anything went wrong, it was Marines to the front. Anybody I think even the Australians will give the Marines a good name. If the people at home, take my tip they will write to John Bull or any of the other papers asking what's become of the RND & in fact kick up a general row. That's the only way to get us home. In my opinion they have been paid to give leave to the RND before now because of all the chaps K.I.A. One of the chaps here got court-martialled for putting in a letter that if they took the RND in action again before giving them leave there would be mutiny in the ranks. It was quite right though. There's been mutiny here in some of the battalions & they took all their ammunition away & made a lot of prisoners. I've signed on for twelve years but if they get away a year after the war is over they'll be extremely lucky".
(RND War Diary records 14/2/1916: Disturbance in Greek Labour Corps this morning, a guard from the Cyclists Coy. was sent for and order restored)
The 22nd of February also saw the two Marine battalions embark for Salonica, while Jack remained at Mudros with the Cyclists.
By early April 1916 the Cyclist Company had been given different tasks; some 50 men were allocated to AA guns, the majority of the remaining 150 men training as field artillery. Jack however, had been learning signalling and was transferred (booted out) to the Depot Company at Mudros:
"I've got something to occupy my mind at last. I'm going through a course of signalling. Morse code and all that. The Cyclist Co. is a washout now you know. They've turned the Co. into a twelve pounder battery and I've got chucked out of that."
In May 1916 the RND was transferred to France. Jack embarked aboard the HMT "Franconia" with the Depot Coy. on the 18th of May & arrived at Marseille on the 24th. From there he was sent with 240 Marines to found the new RND Infantry Training Base at Beaumaris, Calais. Some time in June/July 1916 he shifted to the notorious Army base depot at Etaples, to await his posting to 1RM; & joined the 12th Platoon of 'C' Coy. 1st RM Bn. on the 28th of August 1916. His letters from France are very brief and frequently repetitive, reflecting the monotony of life in and out of the trenches. It was August 1916 before Jack heard of the bloody battle on the Somme in which the "Barnsley Pals" had suffered heavily:

"I heard all about the local battalions from Harry. Hard luck for them to get cut up like that but somebody has to do it. I'll bet they gave a good account of themselves before they went west".
Jack had lost contact with his two pals Val and Harold. He had last seen Val at Mudros in Feb. 1916. Harold had been invalided to England aboard the "Aquitania" in October 1915, having suffered recurrent bouts of dysentery. Jack never saw Harold again; he was posted to the RM Garrison at Queenstown, Ireland, for the remainder of the war.
Val re-joined 1RM in France in early June 1916, then did two months mining with the 2nd Field Coy. RND Engineers. Many ex-miners amongst the ranks of 1 & 2RM were attached to the "Deep Dug Out Platoon" or "Tunnelling Coy." from July to September 1916. Val re-joined 1RM 19/9/16, where he and Jack met once more.
By the end of October, the RND were being readied for their assault on the Ancre - UK leave still hadn't been granted to many:
"Apparently the powers that be don't consider us entitled. There are fellows in my Battalion who have been out for a year and eight months, so they come before me. It is hardly calculated to give the troops good heart for scrapping is it. Keeping them out here all this time".
On the 6th of November, seven days before the attack, Val was taken ill with Trench Fever and shipped back to England; saved from the terrible battle which was to account for so many Marines. Jack never did get leave to England, for the Battle for Beaumont Hamel began on 13th November and he was initially reported wounded. Then a telegram arrived stating he was wounded and missing. His mother & family made great efforts to find out what had happened to him & in June 1917 a letter arrived, via the Red Cross, in which a Marine in Jack's Platoon (CH 18879 Pte. Walter George Holmes) reported seeing Jack hit in the legs by shrapnel & being picked up by the stretcher-bearers. Holmes went on to say that another Marine, a signaller chum of Jack's based at a Dressing-Station, later told him that Jack had died of his wounds, although this was later strenuously denied by this Marine (CH 522/S Pte. Bernard Strachan Holt). In July 1917 the Admiralty made the inevitable assumption that Jack had died of wounds on the 13th of November 1916.
The 1st RM Bn. had advanced over 480 strong and returned on the 15th with 138, having suffered over 200 wounded, 37 killed and 85 missing.
Jack's body was never found, and the name of J. Clegg was carved on the Thiepval Memorial to the men who died on the Somme and have no known grave.
Mrs Clegg sent her son's photograph to the 'Barnsley Chronicle' (pictured above). No editorial accompanied the photo in the 'Chronicle’, but a brief update of the situation was published in the 'Independent' on the following Wednesday, as reproduced below.

Mrs. Clegg, of Glossop, formerly residing in Barnsley, is still without any further tidings of the whereabouts of her son, Private John Clegg, Royal Marines, who, a short time ago, was posted as missing.
The seven other 'heroes' pictured in the 'Chronicle' with Jack were as follows: -
14/221 A/L/Cpl. Fred Walker, 14th York & Lancs. (2nd Barnsley Pals) KIA 1/7/16. Thiepval Memorial (posted missing 1st day of the Somme & assumed dead in January 1917)
J.58261 OS Wm. Milburn RN, HMS "Vivid" Died 26/1/17, Rosskeen Parish Churchyard Ext, Ross & Cromarty.
14426 L/Cpl. Herbert Harry England, 6th York & Lancs. KIA 17/1/17 age 23. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Mrs Sarah Ellen England, 2a, Moonsfold, Nelson St, Barnsley.
DM2/165797 Pte. Wm. Henry Choyce, 740th Mechanical Transport Coy, ASC, Died Salonika 22/1/17 age 36. Husband of Florence Choyce of 46, Mosley St, Manchester. Lahana Military Cemetery, Greece.
J.18400 AB David Mitchell RN, HMS "Simoom" KIA 23/1/17. Chatham Naval Memorial. (Served with RND Armoured Train "Churchill" at Antwerp 1914; his 1914 Star & Clasp were issued to his father 5/11/24 but returned 12/11/24 & subsequently destroyed at the Royal Mint in March 1934)
13/522 Pte. Ernest Jones, 13th York & Lancs. (1st Barnsley Pals) KIA 10/1/17. Sailly Au Bois Military Cemetery.
KW 448 AB George Mower RNVR, "Drake" Bn. RND, DOW 13/11/16. Buried: Ancre British Cemetery. George Mower was born in Barnsley 7/3/1890 & lived with his father, George, & stepmother, Florence, at 161 Sheffield Rd, Barnsley. He was a Labourer at the Bobbin Works, Barnsley, on enlistment into the KOYLI 31/8/14, a 'Kitchener' Recruit: No.13071 Pte. G. Mower. He was transferred to the RNVR 7/9/14 & served throughout the Gallipoli campaign with the "Drake" Bn, suffering no recorded illness or wounds. After further service at Imbros he arrived in France with the "Drake" Bn. 20/5/16. He received his first UK leave from the RND 17/9/16-29/9/16. He was first reported wounded 13/11/16, then wounded & missing 16/1/17. On the 27/1/17 he was reported as having DOW received in action at Beaumont Hamel 13/11/16 & buried by Chaplain E.R. Prance, 1st HAC, 190th Bde, RND.

(This shortened History is based on an original draft written by Kyle Tallett in 1997, for Tom Morgan's 'Hellfire Corner' website, which can still be accessed.)

1914. Sunday 1st November. Private Frank Ward RMLI on board HMS MINERVA fired a 6 inch shrapnel shell at the Turkish fort at Akaba. This was probably the first shot fired by the British against the Ottoman Empire in the Great War. (Private Ward was killed in a landing at Akaba on New Year's Eve 1914, his 30th birthday.)
An account of this incident was reported in 'The Times' on 4th November 1914 which stated that "On arrival at Akaba HMS MINERVA (Captain P H Warleigh) found the place in the occupation of soldiers, one of whom had the appearance of a German officer, and armed natives. The MINERVA then shelled the fort and the troops. The town was evacuated, and a landing party proceeded to destroy the fort, the barracks, the post office, and stores. There. was some loss to the enemy, but no British casualties"
I was serving in HMS MINERVA at the time. She was a two funnel cruiser, brought out of the reserve and specially commissioned for the review. She was launched in 1895 (the year I was born). At Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Review at Spithead in 1897 she was one of the newest ships; at King George V Review at Spithead in July 1914 she was one of the oldest.
Her tonnage was 5600, and she was armed with 11 6 inch guns, and 8 12 pounders, and 2 torpedo tubes.
Captain P H Warleigh, a gunnery officer, was in command. About 40% of the officers were RNR or RNVR the remainder were serving officers. We were lucky to have Lieutenant Bruce Fraser (the late Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser of Cape North) as our gunnery officer.
The officer commanding the Royal Marine Detachment was Captain S W Snepp RMLI, a magnificent officer. The Royal Marines were all Red Marines from Forton Division. Almost a half were reservists, who in civilian life were postmen, policemen, firemen etc. There were 3 Bisley shots in the detachment, and 2 footballers who played in the famous Lillywhite team that won the army Cup and the Amateur Cup in the same year. (Pinky Yates and Jock White, who died of black water fever in German East Africa in 1917.) Most of the detachment had 2 or 3 good conduct badges, and several had the long service and good conduct medal.
When the review was over Mr Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, cancelled the order for the fleet to disperse, and HMS MINERVA together with the remainder of the fleet remained at Spithead. War clouds were gathering; every day the situation got more tense.
On the 4th of August whilst we were at "Quarters clean gun" the Bosun's Mate interrupted proceedings when he piped "D'ye Hear there";
(then after a short pause for all hands to stop work and listen)
"We are now at war with Germany. Hands carry on with your work".
(By Lieutenant Colonel C K Hawkins OBE Rb!)

1914. Tuesday 3rd November. The Armoured Car Detatchments returned from France to England.

1914. Wednesday 4th November. Operations at Akaba against the Turks in the Red Sea.

1914. Saturday 7th - 8th November. A force including Royal Marines from HMS Ocean landed at Fao in the Persian Gulf.

1914. Wednesday 18th November. Voltaire ‘Val’ Littlewood from Barnsley joined the RMLI. Pte. PLY/674/S.
Before the war in Barnsley, at Gallipoli & on the Western Front, Val was Jack Clegg's best pal & was mentioned in most of his letters. Born at Worsborough, Barnsley 31/7/1893; son of Herbert & Frances, he enlisted at the Admiralty Recruiting Office, Deansgate, Manchester 18/11/14, one week after Jack, along with two other Barnsley lads (PLY 672/S Pte. George Wm. Hodgson & PLY 673/S Pte. Francis Patrick "Frank" Martin).
Val's particulars on enlistment: H/A 22 School St, Westgate, Barnsley Collier. Ht: 5ft. 7ins. Chest: 34ins. Eyes: Blue. Hair: Brown. Fresh complexion. Wgt: 9st. No previous military service.
Val was separated from Jack in England, as all Long-service RMLI were trained at the Deal Recruit Depot, & Plymouth RMLI Short-service recruits at Plymouth's Stonehouse Barracks (Val joined 'A' Coy. at Plymouth). In mid-January 1915, after only two months training at Plymouth, Val was posted to the Deal Battalion RMLI. Both of the lads who enlisted with Val (Martin & Hodgson) joined Deal Bn. too; along with two other Barnsley men (PLY 634/S Pte. Arthur "Archie" Pemberton & PLY 635/S Pte. Charles Leonard Haithwaite), making a total of five Barnsley Marines in the Deal Bn.
Overseas Service (War) Chevrons, 'Three Blue.' These are identical to Val's own. Instituted in Jan. 1918 to show a man's overseas service, small inverted chevrons, worn on the lower right forearm, denoted service during a given year. A red chevron for 1914, & blue for the remaining four years of 1915/16/17 & 18. Val was actually entitled to FOUR: Gallipoli 1915 & 16, France 1916, France & Belgium 1917 & 18. Active service for any period during a given year qualified for the chevron. However, chevrons for 1918 were not issued until 1919. War Chevrons by: Ian Wilson's grandfather, 137749 L/Cpl. Horace Edmund Courtney, 237th Field Coy. Royal Engineers.
Overseas Service Chevrons: One Red, Four Blue; representing five years service from 1914-1918. Seaman & Marines of the Royal Naval Division who served at Antwerp, Ostend or Dunkirk in 1914, Gallipoli 1915 & France & Belgium 1916-18, would have sported such Chevrons in early 1919. It was no mean feat to achieve this combination of Chevrons; the wearer could be justly proud of his long service. Very few achieved this combination from RND service alone.
A proud father with his sons; one a Sgt. RMLI, the other a Petty Officer RN. Both boys sport the chevrons shown above & the 1914 Star ribbon. Identity of family unknown. (photo by Patrick Gariepy).
The Deal Bn. RMLI embarked aboard the HMT "Alnwich Castle" 28/2/15, bound for the Dardanelles. Jack, still immersed in his Long-service training, would not leave England until 1/8/15. Arriving at Mudros, on the island of Lemnos 12/3/15, the RND were sent to Port Said to reorganise their transports in preparation for the Gallipoli landings. The landings began on 25/4/15, but only a few RND units were in action that day. The Deal Bn. finally disembarked at ANZAC Beachhead on the night of the 29/4/15, in support of the Aussie & Kiwi Imperial Forces. Deal Bn. suffered comparatively few casualties at ANZAC; although the Portsmouth & Chatham Bns. RMLI were severely whacked. All the RND units were withdrawn from ANZAC 13/5/15 & transferred to Cape Helles. All five Barnsley Marines in Deal Bn. survived ANZAC unscathed.
Such were the RND's losses by 20/5/15, that all four RMLI Bns. were reduced from four to three Companies (Plymouth Bn. to two only); & the Deal Bn. attached one Coy. to each of the other three RMLI Bns. Therefore, Val was actually serving with either Chatham, Portmouth or Plymouth Bn. after this time. The Barnsley men of Deal Bn. suffered their first loss 24/5/15, when Pte. Charles Haithwaite, of Wilby Lane, Barnsley, died of a bullet wound to his Trachea at No.11 CCS 'W' Beach (received in action at Cape Helles 22/5/15). On the 25/6/15 both the lads who enlisted with Val were wounded: George Hodgson, was sent to hospital at Malta & re-joined in late August; Frank Martin, who received a bullet wound to his left shoulder, also went to Malta but was invalided to 'Blighty' 18/8/15.
On the 27/7/15, such were the losses in the RMLI Bns, that Deal & Chatham were amalgamated to form the 1st RM Bn. (Portsmouth & Plymouth formed the 2nd RM Bn). Chatham Bn. formed the new 'A' & 'B' Coy; Deal 'C' & 'D' Coys. Therefore, Val was serving in either 'C' or 'D' Coy. of the new 1st RM Bn. after this time. On the 20/8/15, Jack Clegg arrived on the Peninsular & he & Val were reunited: "I've seen Val Littlewood. Saw him the first day I came off the ship. You wouldn't know him now he's got a little moustache & beard. He's come out of the firing line for two hours to get some eggs & water for the boys. I hardly knew him when he came in my dugout. Old Val seems fed up with it. He gave me two eggs for tea."
Jack wrote in late August 1915: "Val is not far off me now. He has come over into our part to go through a course of bomb throwing. I am going through that too… I'm doing well out of Val. He keeps bringing eggs across & soup, jam, etc. He's gone down the nick…Val & Harold wish to be remembered to all at home."
Harold was: PLY 610/S Pte. Charles Harold Benfell, another of Jack's Barnsley chums. "Gone down the nick" (gone down't nick) Barnsley slang for 'looking a bit thin', intended to relate concern over health, but with the emphasis on an observed weight loss. Val was later identified as serving with 1RM's 'Grenade Coy.'
In mid-September, Jack was evacuated to Cairo with dysentery. In October he wrote from the RND Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria: "I don't know how Val's going on. It's a mystery to me how he's stuck it so long. He didn't look extra strong when he was in England."
Val was one of the few Marines who managed to serve continuously, with no illness or wounds, from the landings in April 1915 up to the evacuation in Jan. 1916. In October 1915, Archie Pemberton, who had also served without incident, finally succumbed to dysentery & was invalided home. George Hodgson, who had only rejoined 1RM 28/8/15, also contracted dysentery & returned to hospital at Malta. This left Val the only Barnsley Marine from the old Deal Bn. at Cape Helles.
In late October, Jack returned to Cape Helles. In early November he wrote: "I've never seen Val or H. Benfell for months now." Val was still serving with 1RM, but Jack was far removed from him, with the RM Cyclists Coy, digging new dugouts behind the lines. Harold had left the Peninsular with dysentery three days before Jack (12/9/15) & had been invalided to England 21/10/15. Jack was unaware of Harold's illness or his return to the UK & was never to see him again. Harold was later posted to Ireland in May 1916, on account of the Irish Rebellion & 'Easter Rising.' He served as a L/Cpl. with the Admiralty House RM Guard, Queenstown, Co. Cork, for the remainder of the war.
In early January 1916 Cape Helles was evacuated & the Gallipoli Campaign ended. Both Val & Jack were amongst the last to leave. The RND were marooned at Mudros, while the ANZACs & British Army units were shipped to France or Egypt. Jack & Val met up again at Mudros & in early February Jack wrote: "...Since starting this letter I've been down & seen Val. He's in the pink & coming up to see me tonight… Send some newspapers will you & by the way, have you any of those photos left? The group I mean. Will you just send me one to show Val." (The group photo can be seen on the Jack Clegg page). Jack cannot have known at this point that Val was shortly to be granted his well earned UK leave & would not be at Mudros for much longer. On the 21/2/16, Val was informed he was to be one of only 105 Marines from 1RM to be given UK leave (only 65 from 2RM). Jack asked Val to smuggle a letter home to his mother to tell of the goings-on at Mudros (see Jack Clegg page).
On the 24/2/16 Jack wrote: "I suppose Val Littlewood will be home on leave when you get this so I shan't have much to write about. He'll tell you all there is to tell. There's every prospect of my getting leave before long so you can still hope. I'd like to be home though the same time as Val… By the way before I forget it you might tell Val to bring me a razor strap. He gave me his last night but I've broken it. We had some reinforcements arrived here yesterday & of course there was the usual scramble for badges by fellows who had lost theirs. Val managed to swap his bed for a hat badge & I dished him out with a couple of R.M.L.I.'s for his shoulder straps so he'll look something like a Marine when he arrives home."
Val was due to embark for UK leave on the morrow (25/2/16). On 24/2/16 the 46359-ton HMT "Olympic" (one of the two sister-ships to the SS "Titanic") arrived at Mudros with a large RND draft, including 583 Marines. A large quantity of new cap & shoulder badges arrived with her, including 1500 RM Cap badges; too late for those Marines now leaving for the UK & like Val had to scrounge their badges from others. Val & the RND leave party of approx. 553 men embarked aboard the "Olympic" on the 26th & sailed for Marseille later that day. It must have been quite something to have travelled home on such a famous ship; her sheer size alone was awe-inspiring & she could accommodate thousands of troops in relative comfort; Val was coming home in style. Val arrived back in England 4/3/16, travelling overland from Marseilles to Boulogne.
Val & the RND leave party remained in England, at the RND Camp at Blandford in Dorset, for three months; an unusually long time. However, this was due to rumours that the RND was to be disbanded. When it became certain that the RND was to 'live,' Val & the majority of the RND leave party rejoined them in France 6/6/16. Jack was at the RND Base Depot, Calais, at this time & would not see Val again for some months.
Jack transferred to the Army Infantry Base Depot, Etaples 17/6/16 & from here he wrote on 12/7/16: "I believe Val Littlewood is out here with his battalion. I've never seen or heard from him though."
Val was serving with 1RM in the Angres-Souchez sector; a period described as "their necessary familiarisation with trench warfare in France" (as if they could teach Val anything new about trench warfare). However, on the 27/7/16, Val was attached to the 2nd Field Coy. RND Divisional Engineers (also known as 255th Tunnelling Coy, RND Engineers or the "Dugout Platoon"). Many ex-miners in the RND were seconded to the RND Engineers at this time. They were engaged in mining under no man's land, occasionally blowing up sections of German defences. It was no mistake that all those from the two RM battalions posted to the 'Dugout' or 'Tunnelling' Parties were ex-miners. Their digging skills were renown, much respected & often employed.
Jack received his long-awaited posting to 1RM, 'C' Company, 12th Platoon, on the 28/8/16. Val was still with the RND Engineers & did not rejoin for nearly three weeks. Jack wrote 17/9/16: "We're in billets now for four days. I've heard just a few minutes ago where Val Littlewood is billeted. It's quite close to here so I'm going to try & get a word with him."
1RM moved to Dieval on the 20/9/16 to begin an intensive course of training. Val & Jack were reunited once more; the first time since February at Mudros. Jack wrote on 27/9/16: "Val Littlewood is in the next billet to me. He wishes to be remembered to you & all the rest." Destiny had conspired to bring them together again, this time to be serving in the same battalion. This event must have done more for Jack's morale than any other turn of fate.
Their training was to last until mid-October. This was preparatory to their employment in the forthcoming offensive in the Somme sector, NW of Albert at Beaumont Hamel.
Jack wrote on 6/10/16: "I hope you're all well over there. I'm in the pink. Val wishes to be remembered to all at home. He's still in the next billet to me & he's all right too." & on the 8/10/16: "I see both Attersleys sons have been sent home to there own work. They were in the R.N.D. Val thinks there is some possibility of being sent for too. I hope he gets home."
The "Attersleys sons" were the Hattersley brothers, Fred & Charles from Dodworth, Barnsley. However, Jack was misinformed. Neither Fred nor Charles returned to their civil employment in 1916. Fred (formerly a miner at Rob Royd Colliery, Dodworth) was serving in the Nelson Bn. & was posted missing 13/11/16 (the same day as Jack was reported wounded), later assumed KIA on that day. Charles (formerly a miner at Strafford Colliery, Dodworth) had been invalided home from Gallipoli in December 1915 with dysentery & was at the RND Depot, Blandford from February till November 1916, when he joined the Hawke Bn, RND. In 1918 he was gassed twice, invalided to England & "Demobilised to Civil employment at The Strafford Main Colliery, Dodworth, Barnsley" 31/10/18. However, Charles was far from fit for work. He was suffering some awful sequelae symptoms of gas poisoning. On 31/12/18 he was remobilised & examined by the National Service Medical Board, Barnsley, found unserviceable, suffering from Paratyphoid & Chronic Bronchitis, & discharged with a disability of 60%, thus enabling his family's support with a Naval Pension. Both the Hattersley boys were 'Kitchener's Men,' having enlisted together in the York & Lancs. at Birdwell, Barnsley 1/9/14 & shortly after enlistment volunteered for the RND. 14429 Pte. Fred Hattersley became "KW 272 OS RNVR" & 13977 Pte. Charles Hattersley "KW 257 OS RNVR."
Like the many rumours of UK leave & their like, a popular 'buzz' at this time must have been the prospect of miners being called back to work at the Collieries. However, it was a mere pipe-dream. Evidently there was a labour shortage in the mining industry, due to the thousands of miners who had joined up; but they were a valuable asset to any unit in France & it would appear that this was a far more important employment of their skills. The Army & Navy were short of men too. Val, a former miner & highly experienced Gallipoli Campaigner, was far too good for the Marines to lose. However, Jack's wish that Val should get home was shortly to come true; although not for want of miners.
In Jack's last letter home 2/11/16, written at Varennes: "We're out of the line at present. Up to the eyes in mud but otherwise comfortable enough… I'm still with Val. He wishes to be remembered to you. He's like me - in the pink."
Val was not 'in the pink.' At Varennes 1RM provided large working parties cleaning & repairing roads. Such tasks were a constant strain on the men; when not in the line they were kept very busy & this began to tell on their health. Many men went sick in early November from all manner of complaints. 1RM stayed at Varennes until the 5/11/16 when they marched to Puchevillers, arriving at 11.45am & were accommodated in huts. On the 6/11/16 orders were received to move to huts at Hedauville, leaving at 1.45pm & arriving at 5.25pm.
It was on the 6th of November 1916 that Val finally succumbed to illness & was admitted to the Field Ambulance suffering with Pyrexia. Val was very ill & was evacuated to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples. Although Jack had wished his best pal home, he must have been very saddened to lose his company. The Marines of 1RM knew they were to attack shortly & those left behind may have envied anyone leaving at this juncture. Jack's morale may have dipped at this point; Val was one of the longest serving Marines in 1RM, never having gone sick since beginning active service over 18 months ago. For all those who knew him, Val finally going sick may have been an omen of sorts, but was at least a damning indication of the pressure of work & the environment upon their mortal bodies. Numbers in both RM battalions had dropped to around 500 by the date of the attack; 1RM was quoted as 490 strong 13/11/16. The trenches occupied by the RND were in a bad state. The weather had been very wet, mud having prevented the necessary movements of men & materials both for the offensive & the maintenance of the front line. Around 3am during the night of the 12/13th, certain platoons of 1RM crawled out into no man's land close to the German wire, lying flat waiting for the off. At 5.45am on Monday the 13th of November 1916, in a thick mist & while still dark, the first waves went over the top. In seven minutes the whole of the 1RM had moved forward. This was Jack's first time 'over the top.'
By coincidence, Val sailed for England aboard the HS "Newhaven" on the very day of the attack. Amongst Jack's thoughts & hopes that misty Monday morning may have been the welfare of his greatest friend, now very ill. He would have been pleased to know that Val was going home that very day, having wished it so.
Val arrived back in 'Blighty' 13/11/16 & his whereabouts were commented on by Jack's brother, Frank, in a letter to their mother: "Just heard Val Littlewood's in a Sheffield hospital with French (sic) Fever…I've had no letter from our Jack for nearly 3 weeks. I've written twice & sent the Chronicle every wk. I don't know what's up with him, nothing to write about perhaps."
Val was relatively safe in hospital; Jack was dead, although it is obvious his family were only curious as to his silence. On 7/12/16, having waited long enough, Jack's family decided to write to him: "My Own Dear Lad. We haven't had a letter from you for quite a long time, & we are anxious to know the reason… It is nearly 5 wks since we had your last letter… I suppose Val is in the Sheffield hospital with trench fever, he is improving nicely… Cheer,O, kid write as soon as you can, if you're alive speak, if dead don't bother. dear love & best wishes for a leave soon. Your loving Sisters & Mother & Philip."
It is unknown what passed between Val & the Clegg family; certainly nothing of any great evidential value. Perhaps Val too was 'looking on the bright side' of Jack's fate for many weeks to come, reassuring them that he might turn up eventually. Val was in hospital until early February 1917, when he took ten days hospital leave furlough before rejoining the 1st Reserve Bn. RMLI at Blandford 17/2/17.
Val remained at Blandford for a spell, but was warned for a draft to France 25/5/17 & given the customary 7 days draft leave. He returned late & incurred his only offence on an otherwise spotless record: "31/5/17: Absent over draft leave from 11pm 31/5/17 until 9.30 p.m. 1/6/17: Admonished & forfeits 2 days pay." Val's draft left Blandford, embarked at Folkestone & disembarked at Boulogne 15/6/17. The draft arrived at the new RND Base Depot, Calais, 17/6/17.
After a month, Val was posted to 2RM, serving in the Gavrelle sector (Arras). It was unusual that Val joined 2RM; having served with Deal & 1RM with such distinction, one would think he would have been reunited with some 'old hands.' However, both RM Bns. were mere shadows of their former selves. The Battle of the Ancre 13/11/16 had taken a heavy toll of 1RM (127 dead; multiply by three for the number wounded), Miramont 17/2/17 (95 dead) & the Marines 'Waterloo,' Gavrelle 28/4/17 (165 dead). Very few of the men Val knew in Deal & 1RM remained; their places still unfilled or by 'new boys.' The RND took such a hammering at Gavrelle, that it was five months before they reached a strength capable of offensive action again. Val had joined during the slow reinforcement process, made slow by lack of new Marine drafts.
Val served without incident (no wounds or sickness), at Passchendaele 26/10/17 & at Welch Ridge 31/12/17. However, on the 22/1/18 he was admitted to the RND's 150th Field Ambulance suffering from Pyrexia & Myalgia. It was Trench Fever again, Val's Achilles Heel it would seem, & he passed to the 6th Gen. Hosp. Rouen 1/2/18, before being finally sent home 25/2/18 aboard the AT "St. Patrick."
Val recovered again in England & rejoined the 1st Reserve Bn. RMLI, now at Aldershot. He was discharged from the RND to the Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth 13/4/18, & embarked aboard HMS "Highflyer" 22/6/18 taking passage for HMS "Mutine," the RM Base at Bermuda, serving with the RM Guard at the Commissioner's House. Val arrived back in 'Blighty' 13/12/18. The war was won & Short-service Marines were the first to be demobilised. Val left the Marines 14/1/19 with 28 days leave till his official demob date of 11/2/19 & returned to his old address in School St, Westgate, Barnsley. His Character on discharge was 'VG' & he was in possession of one Good Conduct Stripe (see photo) granted 17/11/16 (two years service).
Val returned to the Coal Pits & lived the rest of his life in Barnsley. He married, Nellie, late in life & had no children. His nephew, Kenneth Littlewood, is his only kin left in Barnsley. Kenneth wrote of his uncle Val: "Apart from an uncle he was a great friend to me. If I had a problem he would sort it out. He had a lot of friends & a lot of respect & sadly missed. He retired at 65 but worked part-time as a tea-masher on a building site, then at a dry-cleaners; I got all my suits cleaned for nothing. After that closed down he worked in a Fish & Chip shop cutting up fish until he was 80. He did it for his Bingo & Beer money as he only had his state pension. He never wore specs & walked as straight as an arrow. He used a cut-throat razor to shave, one for each day of the week, one with a white bone handle for Sundays. It was a stroke that finished him."
Val died at the Mount Vernon Hospital, Barnsley, from Bronchopneumonia & Hemiplegia (Rt.) on the 10th of December 1981 age 88. Buried in Barnsley Cemetery (grave unmarked).
PLY 674/S Pte. Voltaire LITTLEWOOD RMLI is an outstanding example of the patriotic, brave & hardy men that Barnsley provided to the Marines. His unbroken service at Gallipoli was sufficiently rare to earn him a place in the RND's first UK Leave party. He missed the Battles of the Ancre, Miraumont & Gavrelle through illness; & this probably saved his life. Returning to France in June 1917, he served through the mud & horror of Passchendaele in October 1917 & at Welsh Ridge in December. Illness again saved him from the German Offensive in March 1918, which later caused the disbandment of 2RM through heavy losses.
MEF (Dardanelles) 29/4/15-9/1/16. MEF 10/1/16-26/2/16.
Battle Honours: Deal Bn. Defence of ANZAC Beachhead 29/4/15-13/5/15; Third Battle of Krithia 4/6/15; Action of Achi Baba Nullah 12-13/7/15; (Deal/1RM) Cape Helles 14/5/15-9/1/16.
BEF France & Belgium 6/6/16-13/11/16 & 15/6/17-25/2/18.

Val was a great friend to our family & Jack's respect for Val was well judged. I am proud to have written this little tribute to a fine Englishman & Yorkshireman.

1914. Thursday 19th November. An Air raid (that included Lieutenant Collet RMA) on Airship sheds at Dusseldorf in Germany.

1914. Thursday 19th November. RMA Contingent for the Heavy Artillery arrived in South Africa.

1914. Thursday 26th November. HMS Bulwark was blown up at Sheerness with the loss of 107.

1914. Saturday 28th - 30th November. The Bombardment of Dar-Es-Salaam in East Africa.

1914. Saturday 28th - 30th November. The Formation of a Medical Unit Royal Marines commenced.

1914. Saturday 28th November. The Formation of Divisional train, Royal Marines commenced. 1914. November. The Battle off the coast of Arabia involving the Royal Marines afloat.

1914. Tuesday 1st December. A South African Heavy Artillery battery Commanded by RMA was sent to Luderitzbucht (German South Western Africa).

1914. Tuesday 8th December. The Battle of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, involving the Royal Marines afloat.

1914. December. Fighting Marine ‘Sam Kerslake’. Arthur John Kerslake, known as Sam to his friends, was born in Devon in 1896. Reaching his lath birthday, he joined the Royal Marines Light Infantry on a twenty-one years' engagement. It was December 1914. He was given the service number Ply 17813 and posted to the Plymouth Division. Twelve months later he was fighting in the trenches in France as a member of 2nd Battalion RMLI.
In February 1916 the battalion fought at Mlraumont, and then, in April, at Gavrelle. On the 27th of that month, his unit was given the task of assaulting the heavily fortified Gavrelle Mill. In support were 1st Sn RMLI and Anson Rn of the Royal Naval Division. The resultant carnage is graphically described In Blumberg's Britain's Sea Soldiers The mill was stormed and held, but at heavy cost. Only B Company succeeded in breaking through the wire entanglements. After a bitter fight with boot, fist and bayonet, the German defenders were all killed or captured. The Marines held the mill against repeated counter attacks before being relieved by another unit twenty four hours later.
The remnants of the 2nd Rn were withdrawn to rest and absorb reinforcements. The scene then changed to the Eastern Mediterranean. Sam went to the island of Imbros, In the Aegean, where he served with 3rd RM Brigade for the remainder of the war. On 6th July 1917, the London Gazette carried the announcement of awards for the battle of Gavrelle Mild. They were two Military Cosses, two Distinguished Conduct Medals and nineteen Military Medals (including one to Pte A I Kerslake).
Before examining his post war career, it is instructive to look at the award of the Military Medal to men of the Royal Marines Light Infantry and Royal Marine Artillery between 1916 (the year of its Introduction) and 1920 (when the post-war campaigns fizzled out). A grand total of 115,577 were awarded during that period (excluding bars). but only 316 of these medals went to the RMLI and RMA. They consisted of: the RMLI In France (146), the RNA In France (39), the Divisional Train (3), RN Medical Units in France (122), men serving in North Russia (3), and three RMA personnel on detachment to army units (Gnr Watson with 527 Bty RGA, and Cpl Naitby and ESM Usborne respectively with 71 and 75 Siege Stys, South African Heavy Artillery).
Of the 316 recipients, fifteen received additional bars; RMLI In France (5), RN Medical Units (9), and North Russia (1). The high proportion of awards to Medical units reflects the dedication and selflessness of all medical personnel In both World Wars, but most particularly the stretcher bearers of the Great War who suffered a very high casualty rate. In general terms, however, a Military Medal named to any Marine of the 1914. (by Roger Perkins (RMHS)

1914. Wednesday16th December. A German raid on Hartlepool and Scarborough on the east coast of the UK.

1914. Monday 20th December - 27th December. The occupation of Campo in the Cameroons.

1914. Friday 25th December. Captain C F Kilner RMLI, as a seaplane pilot, took part in the Cuxhaven Raid attacking German Zeppelin Sheds for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

1914. Friday 25th December. The landing of General Botha's Force at Walfisch Bay (German South West Africa).

1914. Friday 25th December. A SAHA Battery was sent to Walfisch Bay (German South West Africa).

1914. Sunday 27th December. Royal Naval and Royal Marines detatchment left Malta for Serbia.

1914. Thursday 31st December. HMS Doris operations on the Syrian Coast (Mediterranean).

1914. Thursday 31st December. Royal Marines from HMS Diana carried out reconnaissance at Akaba on the Red Sea. 1914. December. Fighting Marine ‘Sam Kerslake’. Arthur John Kerslake, known as Sam to his friends, was born in Devon in 1896. Reaching his lath birthday, he joined the Royal Marines Light Infantry on a twenty-one years' engagement. It was December 1914. He was given the service number Ply 17813 and posted to the Plymouth Division. Twelve months later he was fighting in the trenches in France as a member of 2nd Battalion RMLI.
In February 1916 the battalion fought at Mlraumont, and then, in April, at Gavrelle. On the 27th of that month, his unit was given the task of assaulting the heavily fortified Gavrelle Mill. In support were 1st Sn RMLI and Anson Rn of the Royal Naval Division. The resultant carnage is graphically described In Blumberg's Britain's Sea Soldiers The mill was stormed and held, but at heavy cost. Only B Company succeeded in breaking through the wire entanglements. After a bitter fight with boot, fist and bayonet, the German defenders were all killed or captured. The Marines held the mill against repeated counter attacks before being relieved by another unit twenty four hours later.
The remnants of the 2nd Rn were withdrawn to rest and absorb reinforcements. The scene then changed to the Eastern Mediterranean. Sam went to the island of Imbros, In the Aegean, where he served with 3rd RM Brigade for the remainder of the war. On 6th July 1917, the London Gazette carried the announcement of awards for the battle of Gavrelle Mild. They were two Military Cosses, two Distinguished Conduct Medals and nineteen Military Medals (including one to Pte A I Kerslake).
Before examining his post war career, it is instructive to look at the award of the Military Medal to men of the Royal Marines Light Infantry and Royal Marine Artillery between 1916 (the year of its Introduction) and 1920 (when the post-war campaigns fizzled out). A grand total of 115,577 were awarded during that period (excluding bars). but only 316 of these medals went to the RMLI and RMA. They consisted of: the RMLI In France (146), the RNA In France (39), the Divisional Train (3), RN Medical Units in France (122), men serving in North Russia (3), and three RMA personnel on detachment to army units (Gnr Watson with 527 Bty RGA, and Cpl Naitby and ESM Usborne respectively with 71 and 75 Siege Stys, South African Heavy Artillery).
Of the 316 recipients, fifteen received additional bars; RMLI In France (5), RN Medical Units (9), and North Russia (1). The high proportion of awards to Medical units reflects the dedication and selflessness of all medical personnel In both World Wars, but most particularly the stretcher bearers of the Great War who suffered a very high casualty rate. In general terms, however, a Military Medal named to any Marine of the 1914. (by Roger Perkins (RMHS)1915-1916. ‘The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles.’ When the Germans advanced into France and Belgium in August 1914, an RM Brigade was formed in five days as a Flying Column'. They were first landed at Ostend and later sent to the defence of Antwerp where they were in action for several days. In addition, five officers and 200 Marines, joined Commander Sampson's Royal Naval Air Service armoured cars, in the country north of Dunkirk, harassing the German cavalry to such good effect that the Germans believed these Motor Bandits' were the advance guard of a major force.
In September, after their return from the defence of Antwerp, the RM Battalions went into strict training. Short Service recruits and temporary officers were drafted in, and the Battalions were raised to a war strength of approximately 1,000 all ranks. Re-kitted the battalions remained at their own headquarters, Chatham at Gravesend, Portsmouth at Browndown, Plymouth at Tavistock and Deal at the Depot with headquarters. They remained there absorbing their recruits and new officers until the end of January 1915.
The machine-gun sections were reorganized, re-equipped and thoroughly trained, Regimental transport sections were formed, and NCO's trained in First Line Transport duties.
During the last week of January, all were ordered to concentrate at the Royal Naval Division Camp, but as there was insufficient accommodation available, they were billeted in Shillingstone and neighbouring villages.
No sooner was the RM Brigade concentrated, than Brigade HQ with Chatham and Plymouth Battalions, were ordered to embark for special service in the Mediterranean, at the disposal of the Naval C-in-C.
They embarked at Plymouth on the 6th February, HQ and Plymouth Battalion with the Divisional Engineers Signal Section in the Braemar Castle and Chatham in the Cawdor Castle; only limbered waggons were taken without mules, the service they were required for being uncertain, it was considered that these could be obtained at Malta, if required.
Portsmouth and Deal Battalions were ordered to the Rufigi River in East Africa, and Portsmouth embarked in the Gloucester Castle at Portsmouth, while Deal embarked in the Alnwick Castle at Avonmouth, with the Cyclist Company in the Somali and the subalterns of the Deal Battalion being diverted into the Franconia with the HQ staff of the RN Division, sailing on the 1st March. This expedition was cancelled just after sailing and diverted to the Dardanelles.
Brigade HQ, with Chatham and Plymouth Battalions, after collecting stores from Malta arrived at Lemnos on the 22nd February. On the 25th, they left Lemnos and took station off the Dardanelles for the bombardment on the 25th & 26th, but did not land, although the marine detachments of HMS Irresistible and HMS Vengeance did, to provide cover for the naval demolition parties. The transports returned to Tenedos and on the 27th were warned to be ready to land at Kum Kale and Sedd ul Bahr the next day but owing to the gale which sprang up on the 28th these orders were cancelled. The Battalions in the transports then lay off Imbros till the 2nd March, when they sailed again for Tenedos only to return to Imbros on the 3rd.
Finally, on the 4th, the projected landing took place, Plymouth Battalion providing the landing parties; while Chatham lay off Mavro (Rabbit) Island.
Brigade HO were at first in HMS Inflexible, but transferred to the destroyer HMS Wolverine. No 4 Company (Captain C. Andrews) was detailed for the landing at Sedd ul Bahr under Major H.D. Palmer. Their task was act as covering screen to a demolition party, who were to destroy any guns left serviceable after the bombardment, and to escort some Royal Flying Corps officers to reconnoitre for a landing strip.
Five patrols were ordered to search the ground, including the fort, when these reported "All Clear" an escort under Lieut T Edwards of 12 marines with the demolition party was to move forward and make secure the fort. The patrols were to move about half a mile ahead of the platoons, each about 45 strong. Three of the platoons were to cover the ground in from of the village, with the right flank of the line to rest on the cliff, in front of the fort, and the line to be taken up was Hill 141 – Cape Helles batteries – Hill 138, the left overlooking what was later known as Lancashire Landing.
The MGs were to be on the right and one platoon was in reserve. When the "Retire" was signalled, the withdrawal was to be from the left.
The Companies were transferred to two destroyers, and when a half-mile from the entrance to ships boats, five in each row, to be taken to their landing sites. When about 100 yards from the beaches, the boats slipped their tows and started to row in. Fleet bombardment continued throughout until the destroyers moved in. HMS Triumph & Lord Nelson covering the company at Sedd ul Bahr, with the Cornwall, Irresistible, Agamemnon, Amethyst and Dublin covering those at Kum Kale.
No 4 Company landed at Sedd UI Bahr, in the small boat camber at the base of the cliff, and was unopposed except for some long-range artillery fire, until the leading patrol debouched from the path up the hill onto the road between the fort and the village. Here they were met with rifle fire and took cover behind a fountain, while the remainder moved up. The party detailed to the fort entered it without trouble.
As further advance by road was held up, the right hand platoon moved up the edge of the cliff and got among the houses, where they too came under heavy fire. The MG's under Lt A.N. Williams then came into action from the top of the hill, the platoons withdrew, and the ships were requested to open fire. When the short bombardment ended the platoons advance through the village without any further opposition, finding a few dead Turks. The houses were searched, but as the time allotted was drawing to a close, the order was given not to go beyond the village. On reaching the further end, they turned back, the demolition party having completed their work; they re-embarked, bringing off their killed and wounded under intense fire from the ships.
No 3 Company under Major Bewes with the CO, Colonel Mathews CB, had a much more trying experience. The object of their landing was to form the covering party for the Fleet Demolition Parties who were to destroy the guns, which had escaped the previous week's bombardment. With Fort Kum Kale made good, they were to advance two miles inland to the village of Yeni-Shehr, and reconnoitre for a landing strip, then deal with Fort No 8 as with Kum Kale. Lt J.F. May with a strong patrol was to search Fort Kum Kale first, then examine the village of that name, reporting if it was occupied. The MG's were ordered to land with the first platoon; the remainder of the company to remain in reserve and to form the party intended to advance to Yenshehr. On arrival at the long pier, if was found to be most unsuitable as a landing place and only eighty men got ashore, The remainder rowing round to the beach, reached the fort unopposed. The fleet had covered the landing by firing on the village and the fort but there were still a few casualties in the boats before all were landed.
The MG's also landed at the pier, coming under very heavy fire from two windmills close to the fort. The gun crews were ordered to take cover under the fort leaving the guns on the pier. Sergeant Cook and Private Threfall attempted to retrieve the guns and ammunition, but Cook was seriously wounded, and the attempt failed. A second attempt succeeded, and one gun and a box of ammunition was recovered, the second gun was brought off some few minutes later, in a cutter manned by seamen and some RM machine gunners.
Lt May's patrol met with very strong opposition, but succeeded in forcing an entry to the fort, reporting "all clear", they then proceeded to search the fort.
The advance on Yeni-Shehr was started but after covering about one mile the platoon came under very heavy rifle fire, and it was realized that the enemy was dug-in in great strength, making further advance inadvisable. The MG's mounted on the top of Fort Kum Kale assisted to cover the withdrawal, which was successfully carried out but with considerable loss. The fleet in response to a signal also bombarded the enemy positions. It was during this retirement that a marine was seen carrying a wounded comrade on his back, shots were fired at him by the Turks and he tried to take cover, when the firing stopped, he was seen to get up and to struggle on with his comrade, when more shots rang out, this was repeated several times until he fell not to rise again. The man he was carrying was afterwards recovered unconscious, but the man who can-led him was never identified.
At Kum Kale, the companies re-embarked and at dusk, boats manned by volunteer seamen and marines from the Irresistible returned to search for any wounded, by 1 93Ohrs only three men were not accounted for. The companies had lost 22 killed and 23 wounded.
After a short demonstration off Gaba Tepe on the 19th March, the transports returned to Lemnos. On the 24th, the Division sailed for Alexandria to reorganise, arriving at Port Said on the 26th & 27th, the RM Brigade was landed and went into camp on the 29th, there they remained until the 7th April. It was at this time the MG Sections of Deal Battalion with other detachments was sent to El Kantara on the Suez Canal, as the Turks were expected to make an attack on the canal, but it did not materialise.
Re-embarked, the division returned to Mudros on the 11th and 12th April, and next day Brigade HQ transferred to the Gloucester Castle. From then until the 24th April the RN Division was at Trebuki Bay, Skyros. Except for certain supply details and a number of drivers, the bulk of the Divisional Train were left at Alexandria as a base for re-enforcements and convalescents, together with a Base Records Office.
With the exception of Plymouth Battalion, the RM Brigade was employed on a feint landing off Xeros Island on the 25th and 26th, in an attempt to draw the Turkish forces away from Gaba Tepe, but at daylight on the 27th they were off Cape Helles.
1915. Sunday 25th April. The Landing of Plymouth Battalion at ‘Y’ Beach.
Plymouth Battalion and the RMLI detachment of HMS Cornwallis were the only RM units to land at Gallipoli on the 25th, but the members of the Corps serving in the Fleet were fully employed in manning their batteries in the covering ships and in various other duties such as Beach Masters on "X" and "Y" beaches.
Plymouth Battalion with the 1St King's Own Scottish Borderers and a company of the 2nd South Wales Borderers were detailed to land at "Y" Beach in an attempt to draw the Turkish forces away from the landing sites at Gaba Tepe and "X" Beach. They were told the object of the landing was to attack the Turks in the rear, engage his reserves, and when driven back from the other landings, endeavour to cut him off. That done they were to join with the other battalions of the 87th Infantry Brigade at "X" Beach. This landing was timed to last six hours, they were actually ashore for more than 30 hours, during which time they received no new orders, resupply or support.
"Y" Beach consisted of a narrow strip of beach at the foot of 200 foot high steep cliffs, covered with shrub, up which ran a small steep gully, the beach was situated about 6,000 yards from "X" Beach. The covering ships were HMS Goliath, Dublin, Amethyst and Sapphire.
Plymouth R.M.L.I. transferred from the Braemar Castle into the trawlers, which took them inshore, where they transferred into ships boats and landed unopposed at 0545 hrs, having waded ashore in waist deep water. Contrary to plans, the 1st KOSB went up the gully first and at the top advanced a short distance before taking up a defensive position, followed by Plymouth RMLL No 1 and 4 Companies dug in on their left, facing the north-east, while 2 and 3 Companies advanced inland towards the south-west to locate a supposed Turkish force, and having reached Gully Ravine which was about 100 foot deep "fell down one side and crawled up the other" as one account says, they pushed forward for about another 500 yards and started to dig-in to await the advance from "X" Beach, they met with no opposition but did capture two Turkish soldiers on patrol.
Turks were reported to be advancing the left and the RMLI were ordered to attack, but as they moved off, they were shelled by their own ships in the bay, which killed one or two and wounded others, of the Turks there was no sign. At about 1330hrs, the edge of the cliff was hit by a few heavy Turkish HE shells, apparently fired from the south. Colonel Mathews decided to close in his perimeter and entrench a position covering the approach to the beach. At 1430hrs, Nos 2 & 3 Companies were shelled with shrapnel and long range sniping, which opened on them as they were withdrawing to the new position. Several men were hit and Major Palmer, the 21ic, wounded. Their withdrawal was completed just before 1600hrs. The dispositions at this time were: A semi-circle with Nos 1 & 4 Companies RMLI on the left or northern flank, the 1st KOSB in the centre, with SWB on their right, with Nos 2 & 3 Companies RMLI holding the right flank. The defences, dug entirely with entrenching tools, were at the most, 3 foot deep on the left and in the centre, and about 2 ft deep on the right, when the first attack commenced.
Contact by hello was made with "X" Beach and they learned that the landing was not going as well as planned and that they would have to hold a lot longer than the six hours of the original plan. About the same time an aeroplane reported Turkish forces were advancing from Krithra. Sgt Meatyard, the battalion signal sergeant, made contact with the Fleet by lying on the edge of the cliff and using a large flag, all the while under heavy fire. As night fell and having no signal lamps, he made do with the CO's torch to get the important signals off.
At 1630hrs, a Turkish field battery near Krithra, opened fire on the positions with HE and shrapnel and at 5.30, there developed the first of a series of attacks which continued until daybreak on the 26th, increasing in pressure as it grew dark. The night was very dark, with showers of rain, and the Turks were able to assemble in Gully Ravine, Which ran close to the left front. During the night they kept up a continual fire and bomb attack, with occasional battalion strength assaults, but the line remained unbroken. The Turkish field battery also kept up spasmodic shelling.
The main Turkish assaults were made on the left and centre of the defences, and although no bayonet charges were made on the right flank, the companies there, with only light cover, lost heavily through being exposed to enfilade fire. At about 21 O0hrs, owing to the gravity of the position in the left centre, No 3 Company (Major Bewes) was moved from the right flank to support the left centre, and No 2 Company under Captain Knight was moved back about 100 yards to dig in again alongside the SWB.
At dawn, the situation was serious, the troops were tired, ammunition was low and casualties very heavy. Colonel Mathews was again compelled to shorten his front by drawing in his flanks. At about 0630hrs, Turks were seen assembling for another assault, which materialized at 0645. Unfortunately, at the same time as this attack commenced, two six inch shells from the fleet fell into the left centre of the line, causing more than a dozen casualties and breaking down the defences. The Turks were pushing through this break when a counter attack by two platoons of No 3 Company under Colonel Mathews and his adjutant Captain Lough rallied the broken line and the position was restored by a bayonet charge, the Turks fleeing in disorder. The Turks, now as tired as the defenders, having lost heavily, appeared to have had enough, and only occasional shots were fired. There was still no sign of the 87th Brigade advancing from the south, and the situation was now extreme, the KOSB had lost practically all their officers, of the RMLI Major Palmer, Major Bewes and Captain Knight were wounded, and Lt May killed, the cliff and beach were crowded with wounded, ammunition was almost expended, and the only water was what some had left in their water bottles. Signals were sent to the ships to send in their boats with water and ammunition and to take off the wounded, while Colonel Mathews signalled his appreciation of the situation, but no orders or instructions were received from the Divisional Commander.
The boats were sent in by the ships, and without Colonel Mathew’s knowledge, the KOSB, the SWB and the right flank of the RMLI were ordered to re-embark. When Mathews, on the cliff top, observed this at about O8OOhrs, he sent Captain Lough to find what was happening, but it was too late, most of the centre and right of the line was deserted and the troops were on the beach, re-embarking as the boats arrived.
At 0830, only Colonel Mathews with No 1 Company (Captain Tetley), No 4 Company (Captain Andrews) and a few KOSB's were still in position, disposed around the head of the watercourse, running down to Hr Beach.
Patrols were sent out to the front and flanks, a few wounded were found and taken to the beach, but the only sign of Turkish activity was some occasional sniping. By 1 000hrs all had retired to the beach unmolested and by 11 O0hrs all had re-embarked; Colonel Mathews being the last man to leave.
Casualties were KOSB: 296 men and nearly all the officers:
Plymouth Btn. RMLI: 317 men and 14 officers.
(To be continued)
1915 – 1926 The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles (Part Two) The Royal Marine Brigade at Anzac Cove.
Before describing the operations at ANZAC Cove, it may be well to remember the composition of the Battalions, comments which apply equally to Plymouth Battalion.
The Australian Official Historian says, "they looked strangely young and slender", and this was only too true; these battalions were different from the usual Marine Battalions who had served in Egypt and other wars, composed of seasoned long service marines. The bulk of the regular Corps were afloat, and the ranks of the battalions had been filled with recruits, both long and short service, many, of them lads between 17 and 18 years of age. The Army had fixed 19 years as the age for overseas service but not so the Navy. Most of the junior officers were of a similar age, but fortunately a good number of Reserve Officers were still young and active, many only recently retired. In the ranks there was a considerable number of Reservists, in particular Royal Fleet Reserve NCO's, who provided the nucleus of experienced men, so that each Battalion comprised about 75% recruits, 20% reservists and 5% regulars. They had not had the opportunity of steady training as afforded to the Kitchener and Territorial Battalions with whom they were compared, no sooner had they formed than they were sent to Ostend, and within three weeks of returning from that expedition, after what was practically a re-organization, they were sent to Dunkirk, where training was impossible; then came the Antwerp operation, in which heavy casualties in proportion to their numbers were incurred.
On return to England they received more recruits to raise the numbers from 700 to 1,000 per Battalion; Deal Battalion which had been formed by drafts from the other three Battalions had an even larger percentage of recruits.
For training there were only the short days of the three winter months of November, December and January, at the end of which month they embarked for the Mediterranean, it should also be remembered when you read the words of the Australian Official Historian that "they looked shaken and unsteady on their feet" as they came ashore into the desperate and almost chaotic conditions described in the official history, that except for the short re-organisation in Egypt and a few practice landings, they had been cooped up afloat in their transports for practically three months.
Brigade HO, Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions with the 1st Field Company, Divisional Engineers RM, and the Bearer Division of the 3rd Field Ambulance landed at Anzac Cove on the 28th April, the disembarkation being completed at 8 pm. Portsmouth were the first to land; and only a few stores and no kits were taken as it was understood that they were only to be ashore for 48 hours, they were, in fact, to remain for 14 days.
The Brigade was placed under the orders of Major-General W.T. Bridges commanding the 1st Australian Division and was at once ordered to take over the No 2 Sector of the defences, relieving the 1st & 3rd Australian Brigades on McLaurin's Hill and the northern part of the Lone Pine plateau. This terrain was described thus: "the sides of the gully were rocky and what in the wet season was the bed of a mountain torrent, was now the only path which the landscape offered: on the upper slopes, thickly covered with, dwarf oak and other shrubs, the passage of men had worn narrow tracks, these were not serviceable but merely showed the least dangerous line of advance to the firing lines"
It was a cold evening with black storms of rain and as the Australian Official History says, “they were led at night, over the top to the worst sectors of the line; to trenches, of which those who had held them for days did not realise the badness-merely isolated potholes - on the edge of the plateau".
The ground in front of these holes was covered with thick scrub, broken only by small depressions; on the enemy side was another similar gorge to this gully which formed the centre of the Anzac position, where the Turkish reserves were posted.
An Australian guide led them up; but after going some distance he had missed his way and they had to turn back for some distance before turning off and started to climb the side of the gully by a steep track. They reached the ridge just as it was getting light, and the relief of the Australians was completed by 0400hrs.
Portsmouth RMLI were on the right and Chatham RMLI on the left: and owing to the extent of the front to be covered, it was not possible to relieve all the Australians and isolated parties of the 9th & 12th Australian Battalions remained in the centre trenches.
Chatham had "C", "A", "B" and "D" Companies in line from left to right, with the
machine-guns to the right and left of "6", with Battalion HQ behind the same company.
Portsmouth were in the same formation, "D" Company (Major Clark) "placed three platoons in the front line and one in reserve". The trenches were only shallow scraping and the marines were ordered to dig in at once using their entrenching tools, by daybreak they had had improved the defences to some three feet in depth. Next day picks and shovels were sent forward and made use of during the following night, only faint attacks being made on their positions during the day. Their packs and pith helmets proved a great nuisance, and the helmets were soon being replaced with Australian bush hats picked up from the dead.
The defences were described by one officer thus: "In some places there were two lines of shallow trenches with a fair field of fire up to 400 yards; in others no field of fire and only a few feet from the edge of the slope; the slope was too steep to climb without the aid of a man-rope (made of rifle slings) up which one had to haul oneself hand over hand; The trenches were quite isolated with thirty or forty yards of open ground between them, all under accurate and close-range fire"
At 0900hrs, 29th, a company of the RNAS Motor Maxim Squadron under Major C.E. Risk RMLI was placed in the Brigade reserve. That same day Brigadier-General D. Mercer with HQ 1st Naval Brigade, Deal Battalion RM and Nelson Battalion RN landed at 0800hrs. The Battalions in the trenches were subject to several small attacks all along the front.
Deal Battalion RM moved up into the line with the other RMLI Battalions, while Nelson was held in reserve. Deal crossed Shrapnel Gully as it was now called, and "D" Company (Major Tupman), "A" (Major Muller) and "B" (Captain Bush) moved up Victoria Gully while "C" (Captain Lawrie) went up Wantiss Gully, after a long climb they reached the edge of the Lone Pine plateau and relieved the Australians holding the Western Edge. The relief being completed by 1 53Ohrs on the 30th.
The ground held by the RMLI now included half of the eastern front and was much too long for their strength, Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions were holding the old line of the 3rd Australian Brigade on McLaurin's Hill and also that of the 19th Australian Battalion on the north part of the Lone Pine plateau, south of this was held by Deal, on whose front the ground fell away into hollows and ravines in Which the Turks could form up for their attacks, just under 100 yards from the British lines.
General Trotman's HQ was at Scott's Point, on the southern shoulder of McLaurin's Hill, which part of the line included the important position of Courtney's Post.
The Battalions worked hard to improve the trenches, but those on the plateau were under constant heavy shellfire, and little improvement was possible.
On the 30th, the Turks who had been massing in Wire Gully, renewed the attack, and the pressure on Courtney's Post and southwards became very great, the 14th Australians relieved the RMLI at Courtney's Post and the RM Supports were brought up, but it was found the trenches prepared at the head of Wire Gully could not be occupied, owing to heavy enemy machine-gun fire.
At 1 700hrs, a heavy attack was made on Chatham's positions and part of "B" Company was overrun, the Marines clinging desperately to the edge of the slope. Captain Hatton rushed out single handed to stop the Turks and was instantly killed, but his effort had the effect of checking the Turkish rush and Major Graham who was in reserve with "D" Company, seeing what was happening, at once rushed his company up the "rifle sling" pathway and drove the Turks back, "B' Company re-occupying their trenches, while "D" went back to their reserve positions. "D" Company had had their place in the line taken over by a company of Australians earlier in the day, who also took part in the counter-attack.
All along the front, the companies were fighting to repel the Turkish attacks, on the Deal front, Lt Moxham was killed in the trenches, and Lieutenants Empson and Alcock with two platoons were pinned down in one of the isolated forward positions, but still holding out. Empson who was in command was wounded early in the day and was killed the following morning, Lt Alcock was finally compelled to withdraw after having held out for four nights and three days, during which time, no food or water could be got to them, and at one stage they were down to about five rounds per man.
It was in connection with this defence that the first Victoria Cross awarded at Anzac Cove, was won by Lance Corporal Walter Richard Parker, Portsmouth Battalion
His deed was described in the "Gazette" thus: "On the night of the 30th April/1st May, a message was received from the isolated trench at Gaba Tepe (really the Lone Pine plateau) asking for water, ammunition and medical stores. A party of NCO's and Marines were detailed to carry up water and S.A.A., and in response to a call for volunteers from among the stretcher-bearers, Parker at once stepped forward. He had during the previous three days, whilst in charge of the battalion stretcher bearers, displayed conspicuous bravery and energy under fire Several men had already been killed in a previous attempt to bring assistance to the exposed trench, to reach which it was necessary to thrives an area of over 400 yards which was completely exposed and swept by rifle fire. It was daylight before they were ready and as they emerged from shelter, one man was immediately wounded. Parker organised a stretcher party and then going on alone succeeded in reaching the trench, all the ammunition and water carriers being killed or wounded. After his arrival at the trench he rendered assistance to the wounded, displaying extreme courage, and remaining cool under very trying circumstances. When the trench was finally evacuated, Parker although seriously wounded himself, helped remove and attend the wounded."
In another section of the line, Private Henry Hoskins of Chatham Battalion RMLI was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, for volunteering to take a message to another sector of the line asking for ammunition and water. Moving across open ground under very heavy and close range fire, he delivered his message and attempted to return to his platoon, in doing so he was wounded twice.
On the 1st May at 0400 hrs, the Turks attacked again, but this time they broke under the heavy fire. At 1600 hrs another full scale attack was made along the front of Quinn's Post and the Lone Pine trenches, while over 1,000 Turks attacked Chatham, who opened fire with rifles and machine-guns, which stopped them before they were nearer than 200 yards, by 1800 the Turks had retired. During the night Lt Colonel Bendyshe, who had returned to the service from retirement, was killed while making his rounds of the trenches.
At 0100 on the 2nd, the Turks rallied at the head of the valley, and attacked on the right as soon as the moon rose, sweeping past the Australian's on Bolton's Hill, they attacked Deal battalion. At 0200hrs, masses of the enemy were seen in front of "D" Company (Major Tupman) and an attack was launched on them soon after. The Marines, were kept under cover until the Turks could be seen charging towards them in the dim light, then on orders, they rose up and opened fire. The attackers were simply mown down, only a few reaching the parapet, where they too were shot down with rifles and revolvers. Attacks were also made on "A" and "C" Companies both of which failed, while others enfiladed an attack on Portsmouth Battalion. Artillery fired at 700 yards, assisted in repelling the attack. No more direct attacks were made, but considerable parties of Turks were seen moving about and were fired on.
The Australian Official History says: "The Marines bore the brunt of Mustafa Kemal's third attack; though better timed and delivered than the last, it completely failed"
At daylight on the 2nd, the Royal Marines Brigade was relieved by the 1St Australians, who had been rested and re-organised, and the Marines went into bivouacs. At 0200 on the 3rd, the RMLI Battalions were ordered to dig in behind the 4th Australian Brigade and support them at the head of the Monash Valley. They moved off at 0330 hrs and proceeded in single file to the head of the gully up which they advanced to support the Australians in the forward trenches; Portsmouth RMLI moving along the eastern ridge and Chatham along the western.
The advance was led by "D" Company, Portsmouth, who had been ordered to entrench on the support line, but approaching the trenches, these were observed to be crowded, and messages were received from the forward trenches to say they were full and no further re-enforcements could be received. "D" Company under Major Clark was then ordered to move to the right, but as it did so "A" Company (Captain Stockley) passed through them with entrenching tools. As it got light, further messages were received from the fire trenches to say they were in difficulties but having had strict orders to entrench the support line, Colonel Luard continued to detail his companies to their positions.
Suddenly, the Australians manning the fire trenches about 50 yards forward
were observed coming out of their trenches and retiring into the ravine below. Though only the leading platoons of "A" and "D" Companies were in sight, Colonel Luard gave the order 'Charge, a call repeated by all the officers present, and the Marines at once charged up the slope, many of the retiring Australians turning about to join with them.
When the 16th Australians were driven out of their defences, they had carried part of Portsmouth Battalion with 'them, but these were rallied by Major Festing and also led up the slope at the charge. At the top of the slope they were met with withering fire of shrapnel and machine-guns, taking heavy casualties, once they reached the ridge, they advanced, still under intense machine-gun fire to regain the line of trenches from which the Australians had just been driven. There "D" Company were directed to incline to their left and continue to advance on the left of the ravine, where a projecting spur gave some cover from enfilading fire. "A" Company followed and "C" Company from further below; gained a spur further to the left, on the extremity of which, the Portsmouth machine-gun section was in position, "B" Company moved up to the edge of the slope afterwards known as the "Razorback" (Dead man’s Hill), but the trenches there were untenable as they were overlooked by Turkish machine-guns, so they were withdrew during the night. The attack had proved very costly for Portsmouth Btn, with their strength now down to seven officers and 350 men, they were reorganized into two companies.
Meanwhile, Chatham RMLI made an attack on the enemy trenches to their front. "B", "C" and "D" Companies advanced up the minor gullies leading east off the main gully, and Captain Richards led a charge up "Razorback" Hill to gain the ridge, Captain Richards was killed in the charge but the machine-guns were got up and brought into action on the top; two lines of trenches were taken and held, but once again, as no support was forthcoming, after a gallant six hour defence they were driven off the ridge by machine-gun fire enfilading from their left and reoccupied their original trenches. The battalion had suffered nearly 300 casualties during this attack and defence of the 'Razorback"
The Official Australian History sums up the attack as follows: "the attempt to improve the defective position at the head of the Monash Valley had definitely failed. and the throwing in of the Marines at daybreak to retrieve a battle already lost resulted only in the slaughter of many brave officers and men of these already overstrained battalions".
Brigadier Trotman RMLI was detailed to command the 3rd Sector with the remnants of Portsmouth and Chatham Battalions, who were now down to 1,100 all ranks and the freshest of the Australians, the 4th Brigade. This sector comprised Pope's Hill on the left, Quinn's Post in the centre and Courtney's Post on the right.
From the 4th to the 8th May, the defences were reorganised and improve but casualties still occurred, Major Armstrong was killed and Captain Syson the only remaining Company Commander of the Portsmouth Battalion wounded. Bugler Earnest Sillence of Chatham gained the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal on the 4th, for continually risking his life to throw back enemy grenades, thus saving the lives of many of his comrades.
On the night of the 9thI10th, Chatham Battalion took part in the assault on the Turkish trenches facing Quinn's Post, occupying the first trench, but were forced to withdraw at 9 am on the 10th to their old positions. From then until the 12th was one of severe and continuous fighting and the positions were difficult to hold but hold they did.
To quote again from the Official Australian History: "Monash Sector was the most difficult of the line, few positions of the nature of Pope's Hill and Quinn's Post were held by any troops during the war".
Deal Battalion, with Nelson Btn RND, both under the command of General Mercer, had relieved the Australian and New Zealanders on the 5th May by taking over the left flank of the Anzac positions, being placed on Russell's Top and Walkers Ridge where the fighting was less severe. Two companies from Deal and two from Nelson under Lt Colonel Eversilegh on the left and the other two of each under Major Tupman on the right, on Walker's Ridge, later one company of Deal and one of Nelson were sent from Russell's Top to reinforce Major Tupman's command on Walker's Ridge. From then until they were relieved on the 13th, no attacks were made on them.
On the 12th May, Chatham and Portsmouth Btns were relieved by the
Australian Light Horse, fresh from Egypt. and were embarked in the Cawdor Castle and transferred to the Helles Sector, rejoining the Royal Naval Division.
On the 13th, Deal and Nelson were relieved by the New Zealanders, embarking in the Alnwick Castle, at 1800 hrs, and disembarked at the Helles Sector next day, so that for the first time since Antwerp, General Paris had the whole of his division once more under his command.
The embarkation state of the Royal Marine Brigade from Anzac Cove was:
.............Officers………Other ranks
Brigade HQ………………        .5………… …… .18
Chatham Battalion                  12                       559
Portsmouth Battalion                7                       424
Deal Battalion                         23                      845
3rd Field Ambulance RM        10                       113
4th Signal Company RM          1                         19
Divisional Train RM                  2                         40
Casualties from the 25th April to the 13th May for the Royal Marine Brigade
were:
…………………………    Killed                             Wounded
..............................Officers    Other Ranks.     Officers     Other Ranks
Brigade HQ…………………………….2………… 1……….… 11
Chatham Battalion            4            68                  7            2206
Portsmouth Battalion      10            98                  7            3205
Plymouth Battalion           3             29                11            2212
Deal Battalion                   4            10                  3              440
Total                               21         .217                 29           7764
Missing presumed killed:
Chatham Battalion 28 Portsmouth Battalion 28 Plymouth Battalion 66.
(To be continued)
1915-1916. ‘The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles’
(Part Three – The Final) ‘Helles Sector.’
Plymouth Battalion, re-embarked from "Y" Beach on the 26th April, having lost a third of their effective force, were detailed for beach duties at "X" Beach in support of the landings there. From the 6th to 8th May they were reformed as part of a Composite Brigade comprising Plymouth RM and Drake RN Battalions of the 1st Royal Naval Division and the 1St Lancashire Fusiliers. This brigade together with the 2nd RN Brigade and an Anzac Brigade had then been formed into a Composite Division under General Paris, his own division having been so widely scattered.
The Second Battle of Krithra.
On the 6th May, it was decided to mount an attack before the Turkish forces had had a chance to settle in to their defences; the 29th Division less the 86th Brigade, a brigade of the 42nd Division and the 29th Indian Brigade were to attack on the left, the Composite Division less the 2nd Naval Brigade in the centre and the French Corps with the 2nd Naval Brigade on the right. Three objectives assigned, the last of these being Achi Baba. The C-in-C suggested a night advance but the Corps Commander Sir Hunter Weston, who was in charge, determined on a daylight attack.
The Composite Brigade's task was to advance up the Krithra nullah on the left centre with the 2nd Naval Brigade on his right. The Lancashire Fusiliers, being fresh, were to lead followed by Plymouth and Drake to consolidate any success. The advance was slow and came to a standstill at 1530hrs, Plymouth Battalion advanced in Artillery formation at 1500, but after a short distance were halted and did not move again until 1600tws when they came into the support trenches for the night.
Fighting was resumed at about 1645hrs on the 7th but no material advance was made.
On the 8th, on the front of the Composite Division, the Australians delivered the main attack at 1 700hrs and achieved an advance of 600 yards, while the French seized the southern edge of the Kerves Dere and the Redoubt. At about 2000hrs, the 2nd Naval Brigade came up on the left of the French and two companies of Drake Battalion were used to plug the gap between their left and the Australians, where the Turks were beginning to break through in force. At 01 i5hrs on the 9th Plymouth moved up into the line between Drake and the Australians and consolidated the position during the night and next day. The Turks at this stage were about 500 yards distance, and during the day opened heavy and continual fire, but did not attempt to attack.
At dawn on the 10th, the Turks mounted a counter-attack on the French and the Naval Battalions and for a short time the situation was critical, but the situation was restored in front of the Composite Brigade by Captain Tetley RMLI who counterattacked with No 1 Company, Plymouth, as the enemy were on the point of breaking through and threw them back. Captain C.B. Andrews of No 4 Company, (who had returned from Australia to rejoin his old Corps) and Lieutenant Barnes were killed during the attack
On the 12th, the Composite Brigade was relieved by the 42nd Division and withdrew to bivouac southwest of the Achi Baba nullah, here they were joined by Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions.
A conference of senior Royal Marine officers was held on the 16th, to discuss the question of amalgamating the battalions due to their weakened strength, but no decision was arrived at.
They remained at the rest camp until the 24th, carrying out fatigues, improving communications etc, but the Rest Camp at Helles did not mean the same as on most other fronts; because the camps were fully exposed to the view and fire of the enemy entrenched on Achi Baba, which overlooked them down the slopes and the plains at its foot. Private Horace Bruckshaw of the Plymouth Battalion recorded: "I have known the Battalion to be in the line for a week with only eight casualties, whilst there were 18 hit by stray bullets in the rest camps"
Night advances were made by the RN Division on the 18th, 22nd, 24th and 27th, Which advanced the line for about half a mile, bringing the division to within 200300 yards of the main Turkish defences across the peninsular. The advance on the 24th was made by the 1St RN Brigade including Deal Battalion, when "Mercer Road" was constructed, and on the 25th the RM Brigade relieved the 1st RN Brigade in the line, the mud being up to their thighs in some places and over the knees in most. The advance by the RM Brigade on the night of the 27th/28th, with Chatham on the right, Portsmouth in the centre and Plymouth on the left captured another 200-250 yards ground, bringing them to within the same distance from the enemy. Deal Battalion, which had not yet rejoined the RM Brigade, provided one company, "C", to dig a communication trench while the Divisional Engineers laid out road works and traverses with white pegs. During this time the right came under fire from the Turkish redoubt, and started digging-in, as one man recorded it "We started digging in our equipment and finished in our shirtsleeves". The trench was dug to six feet deep and the machine-guns mounted in positions specially dug for them, this trench was named by the marines "Trotman Road". As the machine-guns were being put into position, Lt C. White of Chatham was killed, one of his men described the incident thus:
“Lieutenant White selected the two positions to site the guns and set us to work as it was now getting light, one marine, a volunteer went over the parapet and built up the positions with sandbags filled from the trench, covering them with earth and shrubs, crawling along the front to test their viability in daylight. He got back safely and then went out again to take the ranges of roads trenches etc to the front. Lt White then being satisfied, went to report to the adjutant haw much ground was covered, but to get a good view, it was necessary to climb on the parapet, this he did and was shot dead" Many others, officers and men suffered the same fate attempting to report the effect of the machine-gun fire.
A call was made for RM officers serving in fleet to volunteer for the under strength battalions, and although most responded, their ships captains refused to release them, and only one Major and three Lieutenants of the RMA were transferred.
On the 30th, Deal Battalion finally joined with the other RM Battalions, bringing the RM Brigade together for the first time since Egypt That day they also received their first replacements, one Major, 5 Captains, 7 Lieutenants, 9 Sergeants, 8 Corporals and 472 Marines The RN Division was also re-enforced by the addition of Benbow (RN) Battalion commanded by Lt-Colonel Oldfield RMLI (all the RN Battalions were commanded by RM Officers, with another as Adjutant).
The Third Battle of Krithra
On the 4th June, the RN Brigades lost heavily during an attack, the RM Battalions being held in reserve. They had had pieces of biscuit tin sewn to their backs so the reflection might indicate how far they had reached. During the attack the 2nd Naval Brigade carried the Turkish trenches to their front, but the Turks held on to several strong points prevented them from holding on or receiving help, so they fell back and in doing so left the 42nd Divisions flank exposed, it was only due to a gallant attack by Colonel Eversilegh RMLI of the Nelson Battalion that a diagonal trench was made during the night joining the 42nd with the RN Division. The patrols sent out to cover the digging parties had several hand-to-hand skirmishes with the Turks. Had the overall attack been successful the RM Brigade was to advance and occupy Krithra, but as the attack failed, they were not required to move.
The casualties sustained by the RN Brigades in this attack necessitated a reorganization of the Naval battalions, so that Benbow and Collingwood were broken up and the two Naval Brigades reformed with three battalions each.
During late May and early June, the Cyclist Companies, were broken up and used to replace casualties within the companies of the RM Battalions, but at the end of the month they were reformed and trained as Bombers and in the use of catapults, bomb guns and trench mortars.
On the 6th June, as Chatham was sent up to Kanli Dere to reinforce the 42nd Division, they were caught in enfilading fire and suffered several casualties. Here they were attached to the Reserve Brigade at Clapham Junction, only 'D' Company going forward into the line.
The next day a reconnaissance was made with a view to an attack, the task assigned to the battalion, being to clear the East & West Krithra nullahs. The attack was timed to start at 1 900hrs but "C" Company were not available as they had been scattered by the battalion to which they had been attached. At first "C" Company made good progress, but then came under very heavy fire from the Vineyard and was held up. Reinforced by a platoon of "A Company, they were still pinned down and at 2100hrs pulled back to the junction of two nullahs and called for artillery support, but none was available, so the Brigadier postponed any further advance. On the 9th, they were relieved and rejoined the Royal Naval Division having suffered further casualties of 4 officers and 130 other ranks.
Meanwhile, on the 7th, Portsmouth had relieved Hawke Battalion in the trenches, and pushed forward a series of advances by sapping forward, with two parallel saps, then having gone a required distance turned in to each other forming a bight. On the 10th, No 2 Company constructed a new fire trench connecting up the heads of several saps that had been run out some 40-50 yards, a great success this new work was known as The Rectangle, while Plymouth dug a new communication trench from the firing line to the old communication trench, relieving the congestion during changeovers, this trench became known to all as "Plymouth Avenue".
On the 21st June, Chatham and Deal's "A" Company were sent to act as Reserve to the French during the Third Battle of Krevres Dere, but returned next day, when the RM Brigade relieved the 1st RN in the trenches, Deal having its one of its companies attached to each other three battalions, with the remainder held in Reserve.
At 2200hrs on the 23rd, Portsmouth's "A" Company attacked an advanced Turkish trench opposite The Rectangle, considered easy to take and hold, it would permit the line being pushed into a more favourable position for further advances. Led by Lt Jermain , they carried the trench at the point of the bayonet, with Major Glover following with the supports, he was to fire a Very's light as soon as the trench was secure, so the machine-guns to open fire and prevent any Turkish interference with the consolidation, but unfortunately before he could give the signal, Major Glover was killed and the Turks rallied and counter-attacked, bombing the marines heavily, to which they had no reply, after hiding out for 90 minutes, the company was forced to retire with the loss of both officers and 31 killed and wounded and another 22 missing.
On the night of the 24/25th, a trench was dug some 90 yards in front of the fire trench held by Portsmouth and Chatham, the digging was successful in spite of a full moon and there were no casualties, even though the Turks were now only 70 to 100 yards away.
On the 11th July, Plymouth, now seriously under strength was reorganized into only two companies.
Next day, an attack was mounted by the 52nd Lowland Division, the Royal Naval Division being held in reserve. Although successful, they only advance to the first two lines of the Turkish defences and had used up all their Divisional Reserves. At noon, Chatham was sent to Backhouse Post in support of the 52nd and a 1 600hrs Portsmouth and Plymouth were ordered to the same place. By nightfall the Turks were still holding their communication trenches, while the 52nd had suffered heavily, and were in some confusion, with only a few officers left.
At daybreak it was found that a great deal of the ground gained by the 52nd had been lost, and Plymouth found themselves in sole occupation of the captured trenches, the 157th Brigade having been withdrawn to Plymouth Avenue, it was at this time that while reconnoitering the situation, Colonel Mathews who had led Plymouth Battalion since leaving England was slightly wounded by a stray bullet.
The 157th, in an attempt to make contact with the remainder of their division had started to retire, the Turks quick to seize this advantage, mounted an attack, which was beaten off by Plymouth. taking 12 prisoners and capturing two machine-guns.
Major Sketchley RMLI, seeing the 157th pulling back, rallied them and led them, with some marines of Plymouth Battalion over the parapet to reoccupy the trenches they had lost, at the point of a bayonet. He himself, was armed with only his flywhisk, which he waved over his head as he charged. For his gallantry, he was awarded the DSO and his orderly L/Cpl J.G. Way RMLI, who had stuck close to his side the whole time, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
During the night of the 12th/13th, Nelson and Drake Battalions moved up and were attached to the RM Brigade. Nelson to act as support between Portsmouth and Plymouth. The left was still dangerously isolated, and the Turks still held their third line of defence. Given these circumstances only two choices remained, advance or retire. General Trotman was ordered to regain the lost ground, with Chatham, Portsmouth and Nelson Battalions. The attack was timed for 1400hrs but later put back to 1630hrs. Plymouth was to assist with covering fire. The French on the right were also to attack.
At I 600hrs, the French artillery opened fire, to which the Turks immediately replied causing heavy casualties in the congested communication trenches, especially in Chatham's area, and they suffered severely, the trenches becoming impassable so that only one Chatham company made the start line, nevertheless they charged, but the French on their right had not received their orders and did not advance. Chatham managed to work its way forward between the two lines of trenches already captured and held by details of the 52nd Division, and consolidated them, but in doing so, lost touch with Portsmouth.
The C.O.'s of Portsmouth and Nelson Battalions gave hurried orders and at 1630hrs led their battalions over the top, the attack was met by a perfect hail Of shrapnel and machine-gun fire, but despite heavy losses they captured and consolidated the left of the objective and made contact with the 5th Highland Light Infantry in the neighbourhood of Achi Baba nullah. Nelson Battalion had suffered grievously including the loss of their C.O, Lt-Colonel Eveliegh RMLI and 5 other officers.
Portsmouth, who advanced in two lines, found that their objective, the third Turkish trench was unrecognizable and had advanced beyond it, some advanced so far that they were cut off and were killed, so the remnants of the Battalion fell back and dug a line in advance of the Turkish third trench (which proved to be a narrow ditch only 18" deep). They had advanced the line 400 yards, but at a terrible cost,
Portsmouth had only one officer untouched, Captain Gowney, and he was wounded the next day. Colonel Luard, who had returned after being wounded at Anzac Cove, together with four other officers had been killed and seven others wounded. While 86 NCO's and Men were killed and 140 wounded.
At nightfall, Nelson was dug-in in tolerably deep and traversed trenches but were without communications, and the remnants of Portsmouth were clinging to and digging in on an undefined line running from the right of Nelson to a point some 200 yards in advance of the line held by Chatham. Drake Battalion RN was sent up at midnight to connect Nelson and Chatham Battalions.
There was still a portion of the third Turkish trench to the left of the French that had not been captured, but the line was now the best the Division had held, so it was decided it should be consolidated and reorganised. The sector was divided in to two sections, the 1st, Brigade HO with Chatham, Hawke Battalion RN and Plymouth on the right, with Plymouth digging a new trench and Deal with Portsmouth, Nelson and Drake on the left.
On the 18th July, four officers, two warrant officers and 159 N CO's and Marines arrived as reinforcements, but even these could not replace the heavy losses to which were now added those suffering from Dysentery, Jaundice, Skin and Gastric problems due to the heat, dirt and life in the trenches.
From the 18th June to the 30th July the Royal Marine Brigade losses were:
Killed - 6 Officers 173 NCO's and Men
Wounded - 14 Officers 360 NCO's and Men
Unable to sustain four RM Battalions it was decided to reorganise the Brigade into two Battalions, Chatham and Deal forming the 1st RMU Battalion and Portsmouth and Plymouth, the 2nd. Lt-Colonel E.J. Stroud RMLI who arrived on the 28th was given command of the 1st RMLI and Lt-Colonel Mathews, having recovered from his wound, command of the 2nd.
Losses had also been high in the RN Battalions, while an addition of 300 Stokers had been withdrawn from service in the Fleet as replacements. The RN Division was therefore reorganized into two Brigades, the 1St under Brigadier-General Mercer RMLI, comprised Drake, Hawke, Nelson and Hood RN Battalions, and the 2nd under General Trotman RMLI consisted of the 1st and 2nd RMLI Battalions and Howe and Anson RN Battalions.
This reorganisation was completed on the 2nd August.
In an attack on the 6th and 7th August mounted by the 29th and 42nd Divisions, the 1st and 2nd RMLI were kept in Reserve. During these summer months the flies and the fleas became unbearable and contributed to the sickness that was now affecting all the divisions.
On the 15th August, the RN Division took over the trenches between Gully Ravine and the Krithra nullah from the 29th Division, which in consequence of the fighting of the 6th/7th were in poor condition and required heavy work to put them back in order. The RM Battalions were in the line from the 16th to the 23rd August
On the 30th August, Lt-Colonel Mathews, commanding the 2nd RMLI was invalided with eye problems, to be replaced by Lt-Colonel A.R.H. Hutchinson RMLI newly arrived from England and they then moved back into the line.
On the 2nd September, three officers and 242 NCO's and Marines arrived as reinforcements, bring with them a large number of Machine-guns collected from the Grand Fleet, with a view to increasing the division's fire power, as it was proving difficult to provide men and rifles in adequate numbers. The RM Brigade had made great use of the use of these weapons and Captain Lathbury of Portsmouth Battalion had become an expert in their deployment, he was therefore appointed Battalion Machine-Gun Officer. The MG Sections had done splendid work throughout the campaign but had incurred very heavy losses.
The original officers of the MG sections on landing were:
Chatham - Lieutenant M. Curtain (Killed) Lieutenant H. Watts (Wounded)
Plymouth -Lieut C.B. Conybeare (Wounded) Sgt-Major Staughton (Killed)
Deal - Lieutenant H. Millet (Invalided) Lieutenant K.L. Higgins (Killed)
The RMLI remained in the line until the 8th September. This section of the trenches had two barricades, one each end, the northern and the southern, which consisted of a widening of the end of the trenches, making an opening about 20 foot square and sandbagged around to a height of some 12 foot, where it was possible for a catapult to be mounted to throw bombs, there was also a plated loophole at the end just large enough for a man to crawl in and lie down, to watch No Man's Land.
On the 19th September, the first party of 100 from the Royal Marine Brigade were sent to Imbros for a rest, The RN Brigades having had their turn in July and August
Sickness was now taking a heavy toll of the Brigades despite the efforts of the overworked medical staff. From the end of September to the end of October the two RMLI Battalions were regularly relieving each other in the trenches.
On the 4th October the War Diary recorded that the 2nd RN Brigade was holding 1861 yards of the front with 1286 rifles and on the 11th Plymouth diary notes that in the morning they had started to prepare dug-outs for the winter, but that very little material in the shape of timber or corrugated iron was available, and played football against the Howe Battalion in the afternoon, a game which they lost 4 goals to 1, the game being stopped twice when shells fell on the pitch. Also, during October, the Rest Camp was moved to the left of the peninsula and on the 26th, large flocks of birds were seen flying south for the winter.
On the 27th, another 6 officers and 210 NCO"s and Marines joined as reinforcements, and on the 31th, Private Mark Turner, 2nd RMLI, was working on the catapult when a live bomb failed to clear the parapet and fell back inside the barricade, Turner without thought picked it up and threw over the top, to explode outside, an act for which he received the C.G.M.
The first winter storm of the year broke over the Peninsula on November 27th, and torrential rain and sleet pounded them for 24 hours then turned to snow and frost. this caused a live bomb to stick in its pocket on a catapult and only the swift action of L/Cpl Grindley of Portsmouth, 2nd RMLI, in pinching the fuse until it died out saved the crew and earned him the C.G.M. This storm was followed on the 28th by a blizzard, the bitterness of the wind had to be felt to be realized. The troops in the trenches suffered cruelly, and the casualties were many, 24 cases of frost bite in the 1St RMLI alone. There was totally inadequate protection against such weather.
On the 1st December the weather improved and the first week of December was normal; but is the case in that part of the world, December was a month of chilling rain and heavy gales, which caused concern as to the state of the piers at the landing besides rendering the landing of stores very difficult.
The RN Division was on the right of the British sector, and on the 12th, the 2nd Brigade had taken over part of the French lines, next day Lieut. C.F. Mead who had served with his battalion since the beginning and had been twice wounded, was killed by a sniper.
On the 19th December, the trenches at Anzac Cove were evacuated, and the Anzac Divisions were re-embarked with only very minor losses. The RN Division took no part in this, but Royal Marines from the Fleet were employed in various capacities.
On the 30th December, General Paris received orders to prepare for an early evacuation. Order had already been issued on the 25th, that silence was to be observed for about four hours every night. To reduce the number of formations to be withdrawn, the 42nd Division and the French Divisions were relieved on the nights of the 31st December and 1st January 1916, and the 2nd Brigade extended their flank to the sea on the Dardanelles. The 1st Brigade under General Mercer on their left. Only the French artillery remained in their positions as support.
In the 2nd Brigade, the 1st RMLI and the Howe Battalions were in the line with the 2nd RMLI in Reserve. At this time each of the two Naval Brigades had a battalion of the London (Territorials) Regiment attached to them. The 1St RMLI held the sector that had been held by the French since its capture, and in an effort to deceive the Turks, French uniforms were sent up to be worn in the trenches during the daylight
hours. Their positions were, on the right "C" Company, centre was "B" with the
Grenade Company and on the left and partly in the 2nd RMLI lines were "A" Company with the MG's, and "D" in Reserve, their total effective strength at this time was about 630 all ranks.
On the 2nd January "A" and "B" Companies were reduced to six NCO's and 18 Marines each, "C" to 90 NCO's and men, "D" to 65 NCO's and men, the Grenade Company to 10, MG's to 24, and HQ to 13. the remainder being ordered back to be in readiness to go to the Rendezvous, and to act as working parties; but by the 4th. the strain on those in the lines was too great and some were ordered forward again.
On the 6th, the front trenches and the reserve lines were at full strength, but the artillery was withdrawn, and on the night of the 6th/7th the 2nd London Regiment and all the excess battalions were embarked so that by dawn on the 7th, the divisional strength was only 4,400. Of the 1st RMLI one officer with 272 other ranks was withdrawn, leaving 17 officers and 357 men to be withdrawn on the last day, the 8th.
On the 7th the Turks opened fire with the heaviest bombardment so far experienced and made a heavy attack, but the guns of the covering ships counter bombarded and smashed the attempt, after three hours all was quite.
On the night of the 7th/8th, the 2nd RMLI and Hawke Battalion left the trenches for the last time and went into bivouac in support. The lines now some 3,000 yards in length were manned by only 2,000 men with 12 MG's.
On "W" Beach, the covering force was 600 men of the 29th Division's, 1 St Border Regt, with 10 MG's, and "V" Beach, the 400 men of the 2nd RML! with 3 MG's under Lt-Colonel Hutchinson.
Lt-Colonel Hutchinson issue his final orders on the 7th and the beach defence party was comprised of "A", "B", "C" & "D" Companies each of 94 all ranks with an MG Section of 20 men.
The tracks to the beach were picketed and control posts established by officers who knew the exact numbers in each of the parties as they proceeded through to the beach. Each party was scheduled to the exact minute and their arrival at each post telephoned through to the next, until they reached the beach in order that the boats could be loaded to capacity and not delayed, there was no margin for errors.
An eyewitness describes the retirement of the last platoon "By half past three in the morning, all were through and our task was done, so with mingled feelings, we reluctantly turned our backs for the time being on Achi Baba. In complete silence, we marched to the beach and boarded the waiting tug, which immediately got under way for Imbros. We had not gone far before we saw the stores, which could not be brought off, were a mass of flames. Still the Turks were sending up their customary signals, and holding an imaginary enemy, and now thoroughly wakened, but too late, the Turks began shelling the beach heavily".       The last man to board the tug, was Lieutenant‑Colonel Hutchinson, 2nd RMLI. Thus, ended the grand finale to the campaign on Turkish territory.
“THE FIRST TO LAND - THE LAST TO LEAVE”
In keeping with this old Corps motto, It is interesting to note that the first landing in the Dardanelles was by seamen and men of Plymouth Battalion RMLI, on the 4th March 1915, and it was the remnants of that battalion, as part of the 2nd RMLI, who were the last to leave.
Reorganised and brought up to strength, the RMLI Battalions with the Naval Division were at the end of 1916 sent to France and took part in most of the battles in and around the Somme, Paschendaele and the attack at Gravelle Windmill, where Private Horace Buckshaw, Plymouth Battalion, RMLI, who had survived unscathed the campaign on Gallipoli, was killed by a grenade, and now rests in an unknown grave.
Finally, that with the Armistice, on the 11th November 1918, it was the 3rd Battalion, Royal Marines, who took over the Turkish batteries on the Peninsula. (from the RMAQ Brisbane)

1914. Lieutenant J d'Albiac RMA became the first RM officer to qualify as an observer in the RNAS and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during operations off Dunkirk. He qualified as a pilot in March 1918 and after transferring to the RAF rose steadily from senior appointment to senior appointment retiring after the WW2 as an Air Marshall.

1914. The Royal Marines Cyclist Company Formed after the Antwerp Expedition in late 1914 from RMLI volunteers, they were to take the place of 'Divisional Cavalry;' communications & despatch carrying their primary function.
At an establishment of 8 officers & 210 other ranks RMLI, they sailed aboard the HMT "Somali" for the Dardanelles at the end of February 1915 with the bulk of the RND.
Although the personnel were almost exclusively Royal Marines, many were formerly RNVR recruits who volunteered for the Cyclist Coy. & were transferred to RMLI Short Service.
During May & June 1915 the Cyclist Coy. was used to reinforce the RM Battalions in the firing line at Cape Helles, but later converted into the 'Divisional Bombers', with the personnel being trained in the use of catapults, bomb guns & trench mortars.
On the 12th of July the OC of the Cyclists, Major A.H. French DSO started a bombing school to train battalion bombers, the first school that was instituted on the Peninsula. The bombs used were known as "Tickler's Bombs" as they were made from empty tins of Tickler's Jam. There was an acute shortage of hand-grenades & the troops were forced to improvise with jam tins stuffed with explosive & barbed wire, cut up to act as shrapnel in the bomb. They were fired from a catapult, which had legs six feet high and threw a bomb up to 90 yards, but suffered from the elastic constantly breaking (All this wonderful improvisation was just another indication of an ill-prepared invasion force).
Although the Company suffered no deaths as a result of their first stint in the firing line, it was a tragedy that PO/334/S Pte. James BRADLEY was to be their first fatality. Pte. Bradley died of his wounds 14/5/15 & was buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Cape Helles. The absence of casualties amongst RM Cyclists at Gallipoli indicates that they were never employed in any attacks, only in the occasional support of the RMLI Bns. in the way Major French describes above, up to their re-employment in forming the Divisional Bomb School 12/7/15.
For a single unit, the Cyclists suffered negligible casualties during their short career, despite serving at Cape Helles for the whole of the Gallipoli campaign. I found only four Cyclist's deaths in the records of the CWGC & this struck me as a little odd. Further research showed three more deaths, incorrectly recorded as either Plymouth or Portsmouth Bn. Seven deaths, two by disease & one by accident, is still a suspiciously low number. There may still be more as yet undiscovered. The CWGC were notified of these further three Cyclists & have amended their records.
In early 1916 after the Gallipoli Evacuation, the Cyclists were based at Mudros with the RND HQ. In March rumours began about the Company being disbanded. They were half-true. Within a month the Cyclists Coy. were converted into a 12 pdr. Gun Battery.
Since February 1916, a detachment of 50 Cyclists had been manning AA guns at Mudros. It would appear that the Cyclist Coy. was becoming something of a 'white elephant', with no real purpose within the RND. However, their personnel were trained specialists in the field of Trench Mortars & other bomb throwing devices & it was to this end that they eventually found their new vocation in France.
There is good evidence to suggest that the Cyclists were an 'elite' to some extent, with their own individual camaraderie. A Cyclists' Guard was used to quell a 'disturbance' in the Greek Labour Corps in February 1916, a job demanding true loyalty to authority. Also, a large number of Cyclists received recognition, in the form of gallantry awards or commissions in the RM or Army.
The fact that our Jack comes across as 'nobody's fool' is clear, with his sharp comments on the problems & injustices done to the Marines of the RND, & this supports the idea that the Cyclists were something of an 'intelligentsia'; specially selected from the RMLI ranks for service in the Cyclists & being the 'brightest of the bunch.' Their employment as the founders of the first Bombing School at Gallipoli also suggests adaptability & ingenuity, specialising with the Trench Mortar & other bomb throwing devices
In late April 1916, decisions had been made in London to reunite the RND at Mudros prior to their despatch to France. The 2nd Brigade was recalled from Stavros & the Division was whole again (except for those serving at Imbros & Tenedos). Those marooned at Mudros since January must have known from all the activity that their time had come & they were finally moving nearer to home.
On the 21/4/16 instructions were received to reconstitute the RND units which existed on the Gallipoli Peninsula & on the 23/4/16 the Vice Admiral, EMS, ordered the 12 pounder gun battery disbanded & the Cyclist Coy. to be reconstituted. On the 26/4/16 the Cyclist Coy. was reformed & the 12pdr guns handed back to the Navy. The Company sailed for Marseilles from Mudros 18/5/16.
On the 24th of June 1916, the Cyclist Company was finally disbanded at the Army Base Depot, Etaples. The Cyclists were found various employments reflecting their specialist skills. The majority were posted to the new Trench Mortar Batteries, attached to the Marine battalions; the Cyclists being already trained in the use of such weapons; whilst others were posted to DHQ, again reflecting their higher than average educational standard. The remainder eventually found their way into either 1 or 2 RM during the following months.Earl Herbert Horatio Kitchener of Khartoum 1850-1916.

1914. General Kitchener commanded fanatical loyalty & respect from the British people in 1914. He was a National Hero, made immortal during the Imperial Wars in Egypt & South Africa. His image, as seen here, was one of imposing authority; possibly the most highly respected Military man since Admiral Nelson. Kitchener's piercing eyes, which were such a powerful weapon in recruiting, are evident in all photos of the man. In August 1914, Kitchener's "Call to Arms" produced a massive surplus of recruits for the Army. The British people's response was totally overwhelming & the Army Barracks were full to bursting with proud & patriotic citizen soldiers. At Pontefract, volunteers were sleeping rough on the parade ground.
As the Admiralty had an immediate requirement for recruits for their new Royal Naval Division, Naval Officers were despatched & toured the Army Depots calling for volunteers. Commodore Henderson RNVR, made a soapbox speech to the men at Pontefract who, after a couple of hard nights outside, responded willingly.
Approx. 2500 'Kitchener's men' were transferred from the Army to the RNVR in this way. They all came from North Country Regiments (the Durham Light Infantry, Northumberland
Fusiliers, Sherwood Foresters, York & Lancs. & KOYLI), the greater proportion from the Durham/Tyneside area. The RNVR had acquired its core of hard men, almost all Miners or Labourers. The majority served in the RN Division with great distinction. Cynics would call these drafts 'Cannon fodder' for the new Brigades, but they might have been more accurately called 'the excavation experts.' (A competitively minded Company from another battalion training at Blandford, once challenged a Company of the Collingwood Bn. RNVR to a trench-digging contest. The Collingwood's ranks contained many ex-miners from Yorkshire, Durham & Scotland & the match was poorly made; they were down & out of sight before the challenger had barely scratched the surface!).
The RMLI & RNVR received around 3100 'Kitchener's men' in September 1914.

1914. The Marines uniforms of the day. (taken from 'Britain's Sea Soldiers: Vol 1 by Cyril Field RMLI).

1915. Friday 1st January. HMS Doris operations on the Syrian Coast (Mediterranean).

1915. Thursday 7th January. Royal Navy and Royal Marines detachment arrived in Belgrade.

1915. Sunday 24th January. The Battle of the Dogger Bank in the North Sea, involving the Royal Marines afloat.

1915. January. The Battle off the coast of Syria involving the Royal Marines afloat.

1915. Saturday 6th February. The Royal Marine Light Infantry (RMLI) Brigade less Portsmouth and Deal left for the Mediterranean. Plymouth and Chatham Battalions entrain at Shillingstone near Blandford and move to Devonport. They are temporarily known as the Royal Marine Special Service Force. While Portsmouth and the Deal Battalions remained at Blandford.

1915. Saturday 6th February. About 6pm Plymouth Battalion and the headquarters of the Royal Marine Brigade sail on the HMS Braemar Castle. The Chatham Battalion sails on HMS Cawdor Castle. Both arrived at St Paul's Bay (Malta) Sunday 14th February 1915, and sailed 8am on Friday 19th February. Arrive Tenedos 3.15pm on Sunday 21st February, Lemnos 4pm on Wednesday 24th February, and returned to Tenedos the next day. Sailed at 1am on Friday 26th February for Dardanelles, arriving 8am. The Ships return to Tenedos but at 5pm were ordered to Imbros. Orders to land on Gallipoli on Sunday 28th February cancelled due to bad weather at sea.

1915. Friday 12th February. Captain C.F. Kilner DSO RMLI, embarked in HMS Ark Royal and enroute to the Dardanelles, became the first aviator to take off and land an aircraft in Malta. Flying a seaplane he took off and landed back in Grand Harbour having completed a circuit of the island.

1915. Monday 15th - 23rd. February. A small Royal Marine detachment of HMS Cadamus assisted in quelling a mutiny in Singapore.

1915. Friday 19th - 20th February. The Naval bombardment of the Straits forts and emplacements commenced in the Dardanelles, involving the Royal Marines afloat..

1915. Thursday 25th February. Actions at Nonidas and Goaknontes in German West Africa.

1915. Thursday 25th February. Royal Marine Detatchments Garrison at Kribi in the Cameroons.

1915. Thursday 25th - 26th February. The Bombardments continued in the Dardanelles.

1915. During February and March elements of the 3rd Royal Marines Brigade (Brigadier C.N. Trotman RMLI), landed largely unopposed on the Gallipoli peninsula to dismantle Turkish defensive positions. After the unsuccessful naval attempts to force the Narrows in March, the Turkish Army reinforced the peninsula in strength. Thereafter a major amphibious operation was required. The Plymouth Battalion RMLI took part in the initial landing on Sunday 25th April but the Brigade did not land until the night of 28th-29th April when it went ashore at Anzac Cove to relieve 1 and 3 Australian Brigades. On Friday 30th April it was joined in the line by 1 Royal Navy Brigade (Brigadier D Mercer RMLI) which contained the Deal RMLI Battalion. For the next 13 days both brigades were engaged in continuous heavy fighting, bearing the brunt of the Turkish attacks and displaying great resolution. After a counter-attack in the Monash Valley by Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions on Monday 3rd May 1915 the Turks were driven back with heavy losses. Major Quinn, a great Australian VC, said to Major Jerram of the Royal Marines Brigade: "The bravest thing I've seen so far was the charge of your two Battalions up that hill on Bloody Sunday".

During another incident Lance Corporal W R Parker (Portsmouth Battalion RMLI) was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry in evacuating a party of wounded men under fire. The Royal Marines Brigade's casualties during this period were 21 officers and 217 men killed, 29 officers and 764 men wounded and 122 men missing. On 12 May both brigades were deployed to Cape Helles to re-join the RN Division for the remainder of the campaign.

1915. Monday 1st March. Royal Marine Light Infantry Brigade less Portsmouth and Deal Battalions sent to Imbros in the Dardanelles.

1915. Tuesday 2nd March at 5am. The ships were ordered to Tenedos. Operations once again cancelled due to bad weather.

1915. Thursday 4th March 8.30am. The Plymouth Battalion landed one company each at Kum Kale and Sedd el Bahrat Gallipoli, to cover the demolition of Turkish guns by raiding parties.
The Sedd-el-Bahr company re-embarks at 2.30pm, and Kum Kale at 7.15pm. Operations were successful, at cost of 22 dead and 22 wounded.

1915. Saturday 6th March at 2.30pm. The ships were ordered to Lemnos, and arrived 8.30pm.

1915. Saturday 6th March. No1 Howitzer RMA in action for the first time on the Western Front.

1915. Sunday 7th March. Action between HMS Lord Nelson and HMS Agamemnon with the Forts at the narrows at the Dardanelles.

1915. Monday 8th March. The Dresden chased to Juan Fernandez by HMS Kent in the Pacific.

1915. Wednesday 10th - 13th March. The Battle of Neuve Chapelle on the Western Front, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and The Royal Marines Artillery..

1915. Thursday 11th March. The Portsmouth Battalion arrived at Lemnos from England on HMS Gloucester Castle and the Deal Battalion arrived on HMS Alnwick Castle.

1915. Friday 12th March. The Royal Marine Brigade reorganised and Royal Marine Special Service Force ceases to exist. The Brigade comes under orders of Royal Naval Division. The Deal Battalion is placed under orders of 1st Royal Naval Brigade. A contingent of Chatham Battalion (4 officers and 200 men) together with 2 officers and 20 men from Australian forces boarded HMS Cawdor Castle in preparation for a landing. The Ship sailed to Tenedos at daylight Thursday 18th March but this force was not used and returned to units on Tuesday 23rd March.

1915. Sunday 14th March. The Dresden was sunk by HMS Kent, HMS Glasgow and HMS Orama in the Pacific.

1915. Thursday 18th March at 6.30pm. The Royal Marine Brigade sailed for a demonstration off Gaba Tepe, which was carried out at 5.30am the next day. 1.30pm the ships returned to Lemnos.

1915. Wednesday 24th March, The Royal Marine Brigade (now including the Deal Battalion) sails for Alexandria in Egypt. Orders are modified on route and force sails instead to Port Said, arrives Friday 26th - 27th March.

1915. Thursday 18th March. HMS Dreadnought sank a German submarine in the North Sea.

1915. Friday 19th March. Demonstration by the Fleet off Gaba Tepe in the Dardanelles.

1915. Tuesday 23rd March. Fly Marines. It had been ordered that No 1 Squadron R.N.A.S., Commanded by Captain Ivor T. Courtney R.M.L.I., would carry out a raid on the German submarine base at Hoboken near the port of Antwerp, Belgium, but it had to be postponed for 24 hours because of poor weather conditions.
The four pilots detailed for the raid were Flt-Comdr B.L. Huskisson RN, Flt-Lieuts B. Crossley-Meares RN, P.G. Andreae RN and Harold Rosher RN, led by the Squadron Commander, Captain Ivor T. Courtney RMLI.
With the postponement, the pilots were ordered to sleep on the base ready for an early start next day. On the morning of the 24th they rose at 0330 hrs and breakfast followed, but as Lt Rosher wrote in a letter home `it's mighty hard to get down eggs and bread and butter at that hour"
They cut cards for the order of starting but with the intention of keeping together once in the air, and all were airborne by 0545 hrs. The order of the first three to take-off is not known, only that, Lt. Rosher was the last but one, followed by the Squadron Commander. Once in the air, they headed out to sea, but lost contact due to the ground mists and heavy cloud at 2,500 feet. Flt-Lieut Rosher spotted one machine ahead of him but lost it immediately in the heavy cloud.
Flt-Lieut Crossley-Meares was forced down in Holland with engine trouble and was interned. Fit-Lt Andreae lost his way in the fog and heavy cloud and returned to base, while Fit-Comdr Huskisson, who also had lost his direction, flew on to drop his bombs on Ostend before turning back.
Rosher, his machine heavily laden with bombs (as they all were), was having difficulty climbing, but followed the pre‑arranged course up the coast, passed Zeebrugge, and then at the mouth of the Scheldt got clear of the clouds at 5,000 feet to find the Squadron Commander behind and some 2,000 feet above him coming up fast, (they were both flying Avro's but Courtney's was the faster machine) and he soon overtook Rosher's aircraft.
Turning inland, they headed for their target, but unfortunately, over Antwerp there was no concealing clouds.
By now Courtney was about five or six minutes ahead of Rosher and they again lost contact, until Rosher spotted the shipyards that were the target and saw his commander, at about 500 feet , flying towards the coast with shrapnel bursting all around him. Being the first to arrive, he had made a low level attack, dropping his bombs before being fired on.
As the wind was dead against him, Rosher decided to come round in a semi-circle to cross the yards with the wind, so as to attain greater speed. He was then about 5,500 feet up, and the enemy opened fire on him with shrapnel as soon as he came into their range. The gunfire began to get a bit heavy, so before he got quite round, he shut off his petrol and came down in a steep glide to 2,500 feet, where he turned on his petrol again and continued to descend at a rate of well over a hundred miles an hour, passing over the yards at about 1,000 feet, he released his bombs.
The whole way down he was under fire from two anti-aircraft guns in the yards, guns from the forts on either side, rifle fire, mitrailleuse or machine-guns and most weird of all, great bunches (15 to 20) of what looked like green rockets, but were in fact, tracers.
In a letter home, he later wrote "the excitment of the moment was terrific. l have never travelled so fast before in my life. My chief impressions were the great speed, the flaming bullets streaking by, the incessant rattle of the machine-gun and the rifle fire, and one or two shells bursting close by, knocking my machine all sideways, and pretty nearly deafening me. l found myself across the yards, and felt a mild sort of surprise. My eyesmust have been sticking out of my head like a shrimp's. l know l was gasping for breath and crouching down in the fuselage. It was, however, by no means clear, for the shrapnel was still besting around me. Ijammed the rudder first one way and then the other. l banked first on to one wing tip and then on to the other, now slipping outwards, and now up and down. l was literally hedged in by forts (and still only 1, 000 feet up), and had to run the gauntlet before getting away. l was under fire right up to the frontier, and even then the Dutch potted at me.
My return journey was trying ( his engine giving him several anxious moments when for some reason it cut out over the Scheldt and he had actually given up all hope when it fired again). Most of the time l had to fly at under 500 feet, as l ran into cloud and thick mist. /pottered gaily right over Flushing, and within a few hundred yards of a Dutch cruiser and two torpedo boats. l got home about a quarter of an hour after Courtney, having been very nearly four hours in the air, and having covered, l suppose, getting on for 250 miles."
On examining his machine he found that from all that flak he had received only two hits - a bullet through the tail and a piece of shrapnel buried in the main spar of one wing, which he dug out for a souvenir.
The Admiralty's official account of the raid read:
"THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON [24TH MARCH 191 S] ISSUED THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION FROM WING-COMMANDER LONGMORE:
`I HAVE TO REPORT THAT A SUCCESSFUL AIR ATTACK WAS CARRIED OUT THIS MORNING BY FIVE MACHINES OF THE DUNKIRK SQUADRON ON THE GERMAN SUBMARINES BEING CONSTRUCTED AT HOBOKEN, NEAR ANTWERP. Two OF THE PILOTS HAD TO RETURN OWING TO THICK WEATHER, BUT SQUADRON-COMMANDER IVOR T. COURTNEY AND FLIGHT-LIGUTCNAN'I' HAROLD ROSHER REACHED THEIR OBJECTIVE AND AFTER PLANING DOWN TO 1,000 FEET DROPPED FOUR BOMBS EACH ON THE SUBMARINES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE "I'O BOTH THE WORKS AND TO SUBMARINES. THE WORKS WERE OBSERVED "I'0 BE ON FIRE. IN ALL FIVE SUBMARINES WERE OBSERVED ON THE SLIP. FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT B. CROSSLEY-MEARES WAS OBLIGED BY ENGINE TROUBLE TO DESCEND IN HOLLAND. OWING TO THE MIS"I"THE TWO PILOTS EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING TI IE IR WAY, AND WERE SUBJEC.I TO A HEAVY GUNFIRE WHILE [)ELiVERIN(; II I IR ATTACK.'
Later they learned from an official French communique the precise results of their raid, thus: "AT HOBOKEN, THE ANTWERP SHIPBUILDING YARD WAS SET ON FIRE AND TWO SUBMARINES WERE DESTROYED AND A THIRD DAMAGED. FORTY GERMAN WORKMEN WERE KILLED AND SIXTY-TWO WOUNDED. "
NOTES:
Captain (later Major) Ivor Courtney RMLI, survived the war, being transferred to the Royal Air Force when it was formed from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. He retired in the rank of Group-Captain.
Flt-Lieut. Rosher RN completed several more raids on enemy targets and also made an attempt to intercept a Zeppelin on its way to bomb England. He was killed on Sunday 27th February 1916 on a test flight at Dover.
From T. C.

1915. Friday 26th March. Machine gun detachments of the Deal Battalion moved to the Suez Canal defences at Kantara.

1915. April. The Royal Naval Reserve was became known as 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade.

1915. Sunday 11th - 13th April. The advance on Jaunde, Royal Marines operations at Kribi in the Cameroons.

1915. Monday 12th April. No3 Howitzer RMA embarked Marseilles (France) for the Dardanelles.

1915. Friday 16th April. The Brigade was moved to Trebuki Bay, Skyros, where the Division was concentrating.

1915. Sunday 18th April. Bombardments and Reconnaissance of forts in the Dardanelles.

1915. Thursday 22nd April. A Royal Marine detachment from HMS Egmont sank an Austrian Monitor on the River Danube.

1915. Friday 23rd April. Headquarters 'B' and part of 'C' batteries, AA Brigade RMA, reached Dunkirk in France.

1915. Sunday 25th April – Monday 26th April. The Gulf of Xeros campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915.Sunday 25th April – Monday 26th April. The Landing at Cape Helles campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915. Sunday 25th April. Division carried out feint landing at Bulair, while the British 29th Division landed at Cape Helles beach and the Australian and New Zealand forces at a beach near Gaba Tepe / Ari Burnu later to be named Anzac Cove.

1915. 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 3rd RM Bde. First called the Royal Naval Division with three brigades, two of seamen and 3rd (RM) Brigade, the Division served
in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns of 1915 and from 1916 served in France and Belgium. The 3rd Bde originally contained four RM battalions, but after losses at Gallipoli they were reorganised in August 1916 into two battalions. There were several Marine supply, medical and other units (including 190th MG Coy RM under the division’s command. All were demobilised under army arrangements, the long - service Marines being dispersed to their RMLI Divisions in June 1919.(RMHS)

1915. Sunday 25th - 26th April. Feint Landings by the Royal Naval Division at Bulair (Gallipoli).

1915. Tuesday 27th April. Ships carrying the Brigade arrived off Cape Helles at daylight.

1915. Wednesday 28th April 5pm. HMS Gloucester Castle and HMS Cawdor Castle were ordered to move and anchor off Gaba Tepe. The Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions ordered to disembark and come under orders of 1st Australian Division on arrival. On completion of disembarkation at 8pm, the Brigade was ordered to take over No 2 Section of defences held by Australian and New Zealand forces. This was the western edge of Lone Pine plateau.

1915. Wednesday 28th April. The RMLI Brigade less Plymouth and Deal Battalions. landed at Anzac Cove Gallipoli.

1915. Wednesday 28th April. 'B' Battery, AA Brigade RMA were in action for the first time on the Western Front.

1915. Thursday 29th April. The Deal and Nelson Battalions together with Brigade Headquarters land at Anzac Cove in the evening and move up through Shrapnel Gully to the forward defences.

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 at Gallipoli.

1915. Wednesday 28th April -12th May. The Defence of Anzac campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915. Saturday 1st May – Sunday 2nd May. The Battle of Eski Hissarilk campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915. Saturday 1st May. Lance Corporal Walter Parker VC, Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry. If you wander among the graves at Shrapnel Gully Cemetery, Gallipoli, you will find in front of the Stone of Remembrance the Special Memorial to Lieutenant R Empson, Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, of Somerset, England. Empson was killed on Saturday 1st May 1915 just three weeks short of his nineteenth birthday high up on the ridge at the end of Shrapnel Gully. Few Australians today are aware of the presence on Gallipoli of the men of the Royal Naval Division who fought beside the Anzacs during the Battle of the Landing between 25th April and 3rd May 1915.
In drizzling rain during the night of 28th-29th April 1915, the exhausted men of the 3rd Brigade AIF, men who had fought their way ashore at dawn on 25th April, were relieved at the front line by the Portsmouth and Chatham Battalions of the Royal Naval Division. Hearing that marines were coming to their aid, the Anzacs believed they would be British regular soldiers from a famous regiment, men who they had been urged to imitate, models of ‘steadiness, order and training’. Bean, however, described these particular marines as raw, untrained, many barely 18, youths – ‘Some had but a few weeks training; most only a few months’. They had expected to go into orderly trenches but found only holes in the ground, hastily dug to protect the Anzacs from Turkish bullets:
From the dark came the distant sounds of Turkish bugle-calls. Close in front of them from the dense scrub flashed the occasional rifles of snipers; overhead the bullets cracked; machine-guns sent the mud of the parapets in showers upon them.
(Charles Bean, The Story of Anzac, Vol 1, Sydney, 1935, p.533) Among these youngsters filing into these precarious positions was an older recruit, Lance-Corporal Walter Parker, aged 33, from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. The Anzac front line, as the marines found it, was merely a series of disconnected pot-holes. The most isolated position lay across 350 metres of open ground and was garrisoned by 60 men led by Lieutenant R Empson.
During the afternoon of 30 April, the Turks began vigorous attacks on the marine positions and a number of them were overrun. Empson’s little band was now even more cut off and alone and he sent back a message for urgent relief.
Walter Parker VC, sometime after World War I, shaking hands with King George V. Parker had actually left the services when The King had presented him with his VC at Buckingham Palace on 21st July 1917. (Photograph in Stephen Snelling, VCs of the First World War: Gallipoli, Stroud, 1995, p.93)
A party of marines was detailed to go to Empson’s aid and, when a medic was requested, Lance-Corporal Parker volunteered. Parker had already drawn attention to himself for his brave direction of the battalion stretcher-bearers in battle. As the relief party emerged into the open in the dark, they came under heavy fire, a man was hit, and Parker stayed with him while the others went on. As day dawned Parker realised that to reach Empson he would have to run over open ground totally exposed to Turkish fire. Despite being threatened by an Australian officer that he would shoot him if he did not turn back, Parker leapt from the trench and ran down the slope towards the cut-off position. During his epic run he was twice wounded but reached the trench to the cheers of his comrades. There he learnt that none of the other members of the relief party had got through; they were either dead or wounded or had given up in the face of such murderous fire.
Parker now set about treating the wounded notwithstanding his own injuries. During a full scale Turkish attack, which was beaten back, Lieutenant Empson was killed and command assumed by Lieutenant A. Alcock. By the next day, the 2nd May, the little garrison had been reduced to 40 unwounded men and ammunition was running low. Retreat was essential. Again Parker proved himself a brave and capable leader by managing to get all the wounded back safely up the hill in the open through the enemy bullets. During this evacuation, Parker suffered multiple wounds, some of them serious, and he crawled the final few metres to safety.
Parker’s heroism and self-sacrifice had been noticed by many in the Royal Naval Division. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but the award was only confirmed after a serious of mishaps in June 1917, more than two years after Parker’s time on Gallipoli. By then ill health had forced him to leave the service and for the rest of his life – he died in 1936 aged 55 – he was a semi-invalid due to his war wounds. Parker’s daughter, Vera Constance, born in 1919, was christened in honour of his VC. She recalled the last years of her father’s life:
“He was a very sick man for a lot of years … When he knew he was dying, he set out to get my mother a pension. But the authorities said he had survived too long for his death to be have been caused by his war wounds. When his doctor heard, he hit the roof. He said he had treated him and that he was a complete wreck. He said it was a miracle he had lived so long.”
(Vera Parker, quoted in Stephen Snelling, VCs of the First World War: Gallipoli, 1995, p.93)
Lance-Corporal Walter Parker VC lies buried in Stapleford Cemetery. In August 2000 Stapleford’s new town square was officially dedicated as the ‘Walter Parker VC Memorial Square’ and a plaque there tells of his deeds on Gallipoli. It makes no bones about the cause of his death – ‘He died in 1936 as a result of his wounds’.
There is a photograph of Walter Parker VC in later life wearing his war medals, including the Victoria cross. In recent years Parker has been remembered in his home town of Stapleford, England, by the naming of the new town square the ‘Walter Parker VC Memorial Square’.(AWM H13928)
Contemporary observers and later historians have not dealt kindly with the Royal Marine Division at Anzac. Lieutenant General William Birdwood, the Anzac Corps commander, himself an Englishman, was particularly scathing describing them as ‘nearly useless’. He can perhaps be excused by the fact that he faced a situation in those early days on the peninsula when the Turks could well have driven the Anzacs into the sea and Birdwood needed the best of troops to assist him, not raw recruits. Recruits could die in battle, however, as well as anyone else.
On 3rd May, the Portsmouth Battalion, Parker’s battalion, was ordered forward during the failed attempt by Australians and New Zealanders to capture the ridge line at the end of Monash Valley, the last great Anzac attack of the Battle of the Landing. Charles Bean recorded how the marines were bravely led up the steep slope of Dead Man’s Ridge and how, when they reached the top, they were mown down by the Turkish machine guns ‘with great slaughter’:
“For many days afterwards on the ugly bare shoulder at the top of Monash Valley their dead lay like ants shrivelled by a fire, until a marine climbed out at night and pushed them down into the valley, where they were buried. The name 'Dead Man's Ridge’ clung to this shoulder when its origin was almost forgotten.”
(Charles Bean, The Story of Anzac, Vol 1, Sydney, 1935, p.533)
The men of the Royal Naval Division were finally withdrawn from Anzac in mid-May. They had played their part in the terrible actions that made up the Battle of the Landing in the most hotly contested central section of the line at the head of Monash Valley. The names of those of them who have no known grave can be found on the British Empire and Dominion memorial to the whole Gallipoli campaign at Cape Helles – the Helles Memorial. The remains of those who were found, like young Lieutenant Empson of the Portsmouth Battalion, lie in the cemeteries of Anzac, a reminder that it was not only the Australians and New Zealanders who fought the Turks on this part of the Gallipoli peninsula. When he came to write the official Australian history of the campaign in the early 1920s Charles Bean summed up the part played by the Royal Naval Division at Anzac in these words:
“Young and but partly trained, thrown without preparation into a terrible struggle, over-tried, gallantly but often needlessly exposing themselves, they had suffered heavily, and their dead lay thickly among the Australians and New Zealanders upon those dreadful heights.”
(Charles Bean, The Story of Anzac, Vol 1, Sydney, 1935, p.116)
Remembering the men of the Royal Naval Division who fought and died at Anzac brings to mind one of their number who, although he did not ever fight on Gallipoli, was perhaps the best known of them all. On 23rd April 1915, Sub-Lieutenant Rupert Brooke, Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, destined for Gallipoli, died from blood-poisoning aboard a French hospital ship and was buried on the Greek island of Skyros. Before the full horrors of places like Gallipoli and the Western Front became evident to a new generation of poets, Brooke had written lines which might stand as the epitaph for the English dead of the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli. Most of them had rushed to volunteer in August 1914 when, it was said, the war would be over by Christmas:
“If I should die think only this of me, That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. There shall be in that rich earth a richer dust concealed. A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England’s, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less, Gives something back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.”
(Rupert Brooke, 'The Soldier', The Complete Poems of Rupert Brooke, London, 1933, p.148)

(https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/gallipoli-and-anzacs/events/bravery-awards-gallipoli/lance-corporal-walter-parker)

1915. Sunday 2nd May. Congratulatory message from HM the King to the Forces in Gallipoli.

1915. Monday 3rd May. Anzac, attacks on Chessboard, known as Black Monday, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

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 Monday." Between the 6th and 8th May 1915 HMS Drake, HMS Plymouth, HMS Howe, HMS Hood and HMS Anson' Battalions fought the Second Battle of Krithia.

1915. Tuesday 4th May. Landings at Gaba Tepe by detachments from HMS Triumph, HMS Bacchante and HMS Dartmouth.

1915. Thursday 6th - 8th May. The second battle of Krithia, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915. Friday 7th May. The Lusitania was sunk off Queenstown in Southern Ireland.

1915. Saturday 8th - 13th May. The Battle of Frezenberg Ridge on the Western Front.

1915.Saturday 8th May. The Battle of Neuve Chapelle involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1915. Sunday 9th May. The Battle of Aubers Ridge on the Western Front, involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1915. Monday 10th May. The Chatham Battalion took the Turkish trenches at Quin's Post, Anzac.

1915. Monday 10th May. Plymouth Battalion repulsed a Turkish counter attack at Helles.

1915. Wednesday 12th May. 80 Royal Marines were lost when HMS Goliath was sank by Turkish Torpedo boats.

1915. Friday 15th May. The Battle of F'Estubert on the Western Front, involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1915. Saturday 23rd May. HMS Albion and Canopus affair at Gaba Tepe in the Dardanelles.

1915. Tuesday 26th May. Whilst bombarding HMS Triumph was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine, 1 Royal Marine was lost.

1915. Wednesday 27th May. Night advance by RM Brigade and construction of the Trotman Road.

1915. Wednesday 27th May. HMS Majestic, lying off Gaba Tepe in the Daranelles, was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine and 4 Royal Marines were lost.

1915. Friday 4th June. The third Battle of Krithia at Gallipoli, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1915. Thursday 24th - 25th June. Construction of Parson's Road at Helles, Gallipoli.

1915. Sunday 11th July. The Koenigsberg was destroyed by monitors in the Rufiji river in East Africa.

1915. Monday 12th - 13th July. The Turkish trenches at Achi Baba were captured (Gallipoli).

1915. Friday 16th July. 'B' Battery AA Brigade in action at Nieuport on the Western Front.

1915. July. The air operation to sink the German cruiser Kőenigsberg off the coast of East Africa was commanded by Major R Gordon RMLI for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

1915. Monday 2nd August. 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade was re-designated as 1st Brigade.

1915. Monday 9th - 14th August. The cruiser HMS Juno in operations at Dilwar in the Persian Gulf.

1915. Sunday 15th August. Royal Naval Division took over left section of the line at Gallipoli.

1915. Tuesday 24th August. One gun of 'C' Battery AA Brigade destroyed at Ypres on the Western Front.

1915. Saturday 28th August. South African Heavy Artillery left for England, from German South West Africa.

1915. Thursday 9th September. HMS Pyranus and HMS Juno in action in the defence of Bushire in the Persian Gulf.

1915. Sunday 19th September. First RMLI Brigade party to Imbros for leave (Gallipoli).

1915. Saturday 25th - 8th September. The Battle of Loos on the Western Front, involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1915. Sunday 26th - 28th September. The second Battle of Bellewarde on the Western Front.

1915. Tuesday 28th September. 'D' Battery AA Brigade RMA formed for the Western Front.

1915. Wednesday 6th October. A Royal Marines detachment from HMS Sirius landed in defence of Molko Post in the Cameroons.

1915. Friday 22nd October. 'C' Battery AA Brigade moved to Louvencourt on the Western Front.

1915. Monday 26th October. 'A' Battery AA Brigade brought down a German reconnaissance aircraft ay Ypres on the Western Front.

1915. Wednesday 3rd - 11th November. RMA Battery put out of action during Rear Guard Actions in Serbia.

1915. Friday 5th - 6th November. Royal Marines from HMS Challenger in the capture of Metum and Mbula in the Cameroons.

1915. Wednesday 10th - 19th November. A visit by Lord Kitchener to discuss future policy.

1915. Saturday 13th November. Change of Command and Staff in Royal Marines Brigade.

1915. Thursday 2nd December. HMS Agamemnon and HMS Endymion destroyed Kavak Bridge in the Gulf of Xeros.

1915. Wednesday 8th December. RMA AA Brigade in action at Nieuport on the Western Front.

1915. Sunday 12th December. Royal Marines Battalion took over the French sector.

1915. Sunday 26th December. RMA Guns at Mersa Matruh for the Senussi campaign in Egypt.

1915. Monday 27th December. Royal Marine Detachment reached San Giovanni di Medua in Serbia.

1915. Friday 31st December. HMS Natal blown up at Cromarty with the loss of 57 Royal Marines.

1915. F.H. Sykes, an Army Officer was commissioned as a Colonel in the Royal Marines and appointed to command all Royal Naval Air Service operations in the Eastern Mediterranean including the Dardanelles. At the same time Major E L Gerrard RMLI was deployed to the Dardanelles in Command of No 2 Wing, RNAS.

1915. Imbros Island Ship watchers.' C J Smith and I joined the old cruiser HMS EDGAR, late March 1915 at Harland and Wolff's Dockyard, Belfast, and leaving there proceeded down the channel and picked up the submarine Eli and escorted her to Mudros. During our passage through the Bay of Biscay, in tempestuous seas and whilst she was charging her batteries on the surface, 3 of her ratings were washed overboard. We lowered a cutter on a grass line and after much brave endeavour we rescued them, 2 alive and I dead. Later Commander Nasmith was to earn the VC for meritorious services in the sea of Mamora and the Dardanelles, along with Commander Holbrook of the Ell who also won the VC.
Marine Smith and I were detailed to man the signal station at the top of the cliffs at "Kaffelo" on the island of Imbros directly opposite Cape Helles in the summer of 1917. It was during this period that the two German battleships GOEBEN and BRESLAU made their dash through the Dardanelles and began shelling our two monitors RAGLAN and 1428, who were lying stern to sea in Kaffelo Harbour as the wind was coming off the land. In fact it was just a slaughter as neither of our ships were able to fire a shot, and there were very few survivors. Eventually our light cruiser squadron appeared on the horizon and the two German ships made a dash back to the Dardanelles. The BRESLAU was sunk in the minefield, but the GOEBEN made it through the straights to Constantinople, and although our Handley Page bombers tried to bomb her, the large smoke screen was very effective. Marine Smith and I used to beachcomb every day for a while and haul the bodies on the beach and inform HQ. So life went on a usual at the signal station. Sometimes the solitude was broken when a submarine would appear in the harbour and contact us by signal or connect to a cable attached to a buoy in the centre of the harbour and give us a ring fir us to pass the message on to HQ, and as I said to you, almost like a Jules Verne episode! Life on the signal station was rather dreary for the most part. Once a month a trawler used to bring our supplies, and should this fail I had to barter with the natives, using cigarettes, soap or anything we could spare, and I would arrive back at the station with eggs, bread, vegetables and several other items. I had an arrangement with the shepherd who worked his sheep and goats on the surrounding hills and he never failed to deliver to my "Hidey Hole". Like me, Marine Smith came from Leeds, and so we had much in common. Onboard his official duties were "Lamp Trimmer", and I used to trim his lamps whilst he, being a brilliant water colour painter, used to paint battle scenes of our ship the EDGAR., or of the troops invading the shores at Gallipoli, Cape Helles, or Anzac Cove etc. But John had many other talents, i.e. he had a fine physique, and was adept at swinging Indian Clubs and Battle Axes, and was much in demand around the Fleet to give displays at ships concerts. He and I were both Chatham Depot and we both returned there in 1918. He got permission to paint battle scenes around the barrack room walls. He contracted lead poisoning and died in his last six months of service for his 22 years. (by Maj Gen J H A Thompson CB OBE RN)

1915-1916. ‘The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles.’ When the Germans advanced into France and Belgium in August 1914, an RM Brigade was formed in five days as a Flying Column'. They were first landed at Ostend and later sent to the defence of Antwerp where they were in action for several days. In addition, five officers and 200 Marines, joined Commander Sampson's Royal Naval Air Service armoured cars, in the country north of Dunkirk, harassing the German cavalry to such good effect that the Germans believed these Motor Bandits' were the advance guard of a major force.
In September, after their return from the defence of Antwerp, the RM Battalions went into strict training. Short Service recruits and temporary officers were drafted in, and the Battalions were raised to a war strength of approximately 1,000 all ranks. Re-kitted the battalions remained at their own headquarters, Chatham at Gravesend, Portsmouth at Browndown, Plymouth at Tavistock and Deal at the Depot with headquarters. They remained there absorbing their recruits and new officers until the end of January 1915.
The machine-gun sections were reorganized, re-equipped and thoroughly trained, Regimental transport sections were formed, and NCO's trained in First Line Transport duties.
During the last week of January, all were ordered to concentrate at the Royal Naval Division Camp, but as there was insufficient accommodation available, they were billeted in Shillingstone and neighbouring villages.
No sooner was the RM Brigade concentrated, than Brigade HQ with Chatham and Plymouth Battalions, were ordered to embark for special service in the Mediterranean, at the disposal of the Naval C-in-C.
They embarked at Plymouth on the 6th February, HQ and Plymouth Battalion with the Divisional Engineers Signal Section in the Braemar Castle and Chatham in the Cawdor Castle; only limbered waggons were taken without mules, the service they were required for being uncertain, it was considered that these could be obtained at Malta, if required.
Portsmouth and Deal Battalions were ordered to the Rufigi River in East Africa, and Portsmouth embarked in the Gloucester Castle at Portsmouth, while Deal embarked in the Alnwick Castle at Avonmouth, with the Cyclist Company in the Somali and the subalterns of the Deal Battalion being diverted into the Franconia with the HQ staff of the RN Division, sailing on the 1st March. This expedition was cancelled just after sailing and diverted to the Dardanelles.
Brigade HQ, with Chatham and Plymouth Battalions, after collecting stores from Malta arrived at Lemnos on the 22nd February. On the 25th, they left Lemnos and took station off the Dardanelles for the bombardment on the 25th & 26th, but did not land, although the marine detachments of HMS Irresistible and HMS Vengeance did, to provide cover for the naval demolition parties. The transports returned to Tenedos and on the 27th were warned to be ready to land at Kum Kale and Sedd ul Bahr the next day but owing to the gale which sprang up on the 28th these orders were cancelled. The Battalions in the transports then lay off Imbros till the 2nd March, when they sailed again for Tenedos only to return to Imbros on the 3rd.
Finally, on the 4th, the projected landing took place, Plymouth Battalion providing the landing parties; while Chatham lay off Mavro (Rabbit) Island.
Brigade HO were at first in HMS Inflexible, but transferred to the destroyer HMS Wolverine. No 4 Company (Captain C. Andrews) was detailed for the landing at Sedd ul Bahr under Major H.D. Palmer. Their task was act as covering screen to a demolition party, who were to destroy any guns left serviceable after the bombardment, and to escort some Royal Flying Corps officers to reconnoitre for a landing strip.
Five patrols were ordered to search the ground, including the fort, when these reported "All Clear" an escort under Lieut T Edwards of 12 marines with the demolition party was to move forward and make secure the fort. The patrols were to move about half a mile ahead of the platoons, each about 45 strong. Three of the platoons were to cover the ground in from of the village, with the right flank of the line to rest on the cliff, in front of the fort, and the line to be taken up was Hill 141 – Cape Helles batteries – Hill 138, the left overlooking what was later known as Lancashire Landing.
The MGs were to be on the right and one platoon was in reserve. When the "Retire" was signalled, the withdrawal was to be from the left.
The Companies were transferred to two destroyers, and when a half-mile from the entrance to ships boats, five in each row, to be taken to their landing sites. When about 100 yards from the beaches, the boats slipped their tows and started to row in. Fleet bombardment continued throughout until the destroyers moved in. HMS Triumph & Lord Nelson covering the company at Sedd ul Bahr, with the Cornwall, Irresistible, Agamemnon, Amethyst and Dublin covering those at Kum Kale.
No 4 Company landed at Sedd UI Bahr, in the small boat camber at the base of the cliff, and was unopposed except for some long-range artillery fire, until the leading patrol debouched from the path up the hill onto the road between the fort and the village. Here they were met with rifle fire and took cover behind a fountain, while the remainder moved up. The party detailed to the fort entered it without trouble.
As further advance by road was held up, the right hand platoon moved up the edge of the cliff and got among the houses, where they too came under heavy fire. The MG's under Lt A.N. Williams then came into action from the top of the hill, the platoons withdrew, and the ships were requested to open fire. When the short bombardment ended the platoons advance through the village without any further opposition, finding a few dead Turks. The houses were searched, but as the time allotted was drawing to a close, the order was given not to go beyond the village. On reaching the further end, they turned back, the demolition party having completed their work; they re-embarked, bringing off their killed and wounded under intense fire from the ships.
No 3 Company under Major Bewes with the CO, Colonel Mathews CB, had a much more trying experience. The object of their landing was to form the covering party for the Fleet Demolition Parties who were to destroy the guns, which had escaped the previous week's bombardment. With Fort Kum Kale made good, they were to advance two miles inland to the village of Yeni-Shehr, and reconnoitre for a landing strip, then deal with Fort No 8 as with Kum Kale. Lt J.F. May with a strong patrol was to search Fort Kum Kale first, then examine the village of that name, reporting if it was occupied. The MG's were ordered to land with the first platoon; the remainder of the company to remain in reserve and to form the party intended to advance to Yenshehr. On arrival at the long pier, if was found to be most unsuitable as a landing place and only eighty men got ashore, The remainder rowing round to the beach, reached the fort unopposed. The fleet had covered the landing by firing on the village and the fort but there were still a few casualties in the boats before all were landed.
The MG's also landed at the pier, coming under very heavy fire from two windmills close to the fort. The gun crews were ordered to take cover under the fort leaving the guns on the pier. Sergeant Cook and Private Threfall attempted to retrieve the guns and ammunition, but Cook was seriously wounded, and the attempt failed. A second attempt succeeded, and one gun and a box of ammunition was recovered, the second gun was brought off some few minutes later, in a cutter manned by seamen and some RM machine gunners.
Lt May's patrol met with very strong opposition, but succeeded in forcing an entry to the fort, reporting "all clear", they then proceeded to search the fort.
The advance on Yeni-Shehr was started but after covering about one mile the platoon came under very heavy rifle fire, and it was realized that the enemy was dug-in in great strength, making further advance inadvisable. The MG's mounted on the top of Fort Kum Kale assisted to cover the withdrawal, which was successfully carried out but with considerable loss. The fleet in response to a signal also bombarded the enemy positions. It was during this retirement that a marine was seen carrying a wounded comrade on his back, shots were fired at him by the Turks and he tried to take cover, when the firing stopped, he was seen to get up and to struggle on with his comrade, when more shots rang out, this was repeated several times until he fell not to rise again. The man he was carrying was afterwards recovered unconscious, but the man who can-led him was never identified.
At Kum Kale, the companies re-embarked and at dusk, boats manned by volunteer seamen and marines from the Irresistible returned to search for any wounded, by 1 93Ohrs only three men were not accounted for. The companies had lost 22 killed and 23 wounded.
After a short demonstration off Gaba Tepe on the 19th March, the transports returned to Lemnos. On the 24th, the Division sailed for Alexandria to reorganise, arriving at Port Said on the 26th & 27th, the RM Brigade was landed and went into camp on the 29th, there they remained until the 7th April. It was at this time the MG Sections of Deal Battalion with other detachments was sent to El Kantara on the Suez Canal, as the Turks were expected to make an attack on the canal, but it did not materialise.
Re-embarked, the division returned to Mudros on the 11th and 12th April, and next day Brigade HQ transferred to the Gloucester Castle. From then until the 24th April the RN Division was at Trebuki Bay, Skyros. Except for certain supply details and a number of drivers, the bulk of the Divisional Train were left at Alexandria as a base for re-enforcements and convalescents, together with a Base Records Office.
With the exception of Plymouth Battalion, the RM Brigade was employed on a feint landing off Xeros Island on the 25th and 26th, in an attempt to draw the Turkish forces away from Gaba Tepe, but at daylight on the 27th they were off Cape Helles.
1915. Sunday 25th April. The Landing of Plymouth Battalion at ‘Y’ Beach.
Plymouth Battalion and the RMLI detachment of HMS Cornwallis were the only RM units to land at Gallipoli on the 25th, but the members of the Corps serving in the Fleet were fully employed in manning their batteries in the covering ships and in various other duties such as Beach Masters on "X" and "Y" beaches.
Plymouth Battalion with the 1St King's Own Scottish Borderers and a company of the 2nd South Wales Borderers were detailed to land at "Y" Beach in an attempt to draw the Turkish forces away from the landing sites at Gaba Tepe and "X" Beach. They were told the object of the landing was to attack the Turks in the rear, engage his reserves, and when driven back from the other landings, endeavour to cut him off. That done they were to join with the other battalions of the 87th Infantry Brigade at "X" Beach. This landing was timed to last six hours, they were actually ashore for more than 30 hours, during which time they received no new orders, resupply or support.
"Y" Beach consisted of a narrow strip of beach at the foot of 200 foot high steep cliffs, covered with shrub, up which ran a small steep gully, the beach was situated about 6,000 yards from "X" Beach. The covering ships were HMS Goliath, Dublin, Amethyst and Sapphire.
Plymouth R.M.L.I. transferred from the Braemar Castle into the trawlers, which took them inshore, where they transferred into ships boats and landed unopposed at 0545 hrs, having waded ashore in waist deep water. Contrary to plans, the 1st KOSB went up the gully first and at the top advanced a short distance before taking up a defensive position, followed by Plymouth RMLL No 1 and 4 Companies dug in on their left, facing the north-east, while 2 and 3 Companies advanced inland towards the south-west to locate a supposed Turkish force, and having reached Gully Ravine which was about 100 foot deep "fell down one side and crawled up the other" as one account says, they pushed forward for about another 500 yards and started to dig-in to await the advance from "X" Beach, they met with no opposition but did capture two Turkish soldiers on patrol.
Turks were reported to be advancing the left and the RMLI were ordered to attack, but as they moved off, they were shelled by their own ships in the bay, which killed one or two and wounded others, of the Turks there was no sign. At about 1330hrs, the edge of the cliff was hit by a few heavy Turkish HE shells, apparently fired from the south. Colonel Mathews decided to close in his perimeter and entrench a position covering the approach to the beach. At 1430hrs, Nos 2 & 3 Companies were shelled with shrapnel and long range sniping, which opened on them as they were withdrawing to the new position. Several men were hit and Major Palmer, the 21ic, wounded. Their withdrawal was completed just before 1600hrs. The dispositions at this time were: A semi-circle with Nos 1 & 4 Companies RMLI on the left or northern flank, the 1st KOSB in the centre, with SWB on their right, with Nos 2 & 3 Companies RMLI holding the right flank. The defences, dug entirely with entrenching tools, were at the most, 3 foot deep on the left and in the centre, and about 2 ft deep on the right, when the first attack commenced.
Contact by hello was made with "X" Beach and they learned that the landing was not going as well as planned and that they would have to hold a lot longer than the six hours of the original plan. About the same time an aeroplane reported Turkish forces were advancing from Krithra. Sgt Meatyard, the battalion signal sergeant, made contact with the Fleet by lying on the edge of the cliff and using a large flag, all the while under heavy fire. As night fell and having no signal lamps, he made do with the CO's torch to get the important signals off.
At 1630hrs, a Turkish field battery near Krithra, opened fire on the positions with HE and shrapnel and at 5.30, there developed the first of a series of attacks which continued until daybreak on the 26th, increasing in pressure as it grew dark. The night was very dark, with showers of rain, and the Turks were able to assemble in Gully Ravine, Which ran close to the left front. During the night they kept up a continual fire and bomb attack, with occasional battalion strength assaults, but the line remained unbroken. The Turkish field battery also kept up spasmodic shelling.
The main Turkish assaults were made on the left and centre of the defences, and although no bayonet charges were made on the right flank, the companies there, with only light cover, lost heavily through being exposed to enfilade fire. At about 21 O0hrs, owing to the gravity of the position in the left centre, No 3 Company (Major Bewes) was moved from the right flank to support the left centre, and No 2 Company under Captain Knight was moved back about 100 yards to dig in again alongside the SWB.
At dawn, the situation was serious, the troops were tired, ammunition was low and casualties very heavy. Colonel Mathews was again compelled to shorten his front by drawing in his flanks. At about 0630hrs, Turks were seen assembling for another assault, which materialized at 0645. Unfortunately, at the same time as this attack commenced, two six inch shells from the fleet fell into the left centre of the line, causing more than a dozen casualties and breaking down the defences. The Turks were pushing through this break when a counter attack by two platoons of No 3 Company under Colonel Mathews and his adjutant Captain Lough rallied the broken line and the position was restored by a bayonet charge, the Turks fleeing in disorder. The Turks, now as tired as the defenders, having lost heavily, appeared to have had enough, and only occasional shots were fired. There was still no sign of the 87th Brigade advancing from the south, and the situation was now extreme, the KOSB had lost practically all their officers, of the RMLI Major Palmer, Major Bewes and Captain Knight were wounded, and Lt May killed, the cliff and beach were crowded with wounded, ammunition was almost expended, and the only water was what some had left in their water bottles. Signals were sent to the ships to send in their boats with water and ammunition and to take off the wounded, while Colonel Mathews signalled his appreciation of the situation, but no orders or instructions were received from the Divisional Commander.
The boats were sent in by the ships, and without Colonel Mathew’s knowledge, the KOSB, the SWB and the right flank of the RMLI were ordered to re-embark. When Mathews, on the cliff top, observed this at about O8OOhrs, he sent Captain Lough to find what was happening, but it was too late, most of the centre and right of the line was deserted and the troops were on the beach, re-embarking as the boats arrived.
At 0830, only Colonel Mathews with No 1 Company (Captain Tetley), No 4 Company (Captain Andrews) and a few KOSB's were still in position, disposed around the head of the watercourse, running down to Hr Beach.
Patrols were sent out to the front and flanks, a few wounded were found and taken to the beach, but the only sign of Turkish activity was some occasional sniping. By 1 000hrs all had retired to the beach unmolested and by 11 O0hrs all had re-embarked; Colonel Mathews being the last man to leave.
Casualties were KOSB: 296 men and nearly all the officers:
Plymouth Btn. RMLI: 317 men and 14 officers.
(To be continued)
1915 – 1926 The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles (Part Two) The Royal Marine Brigade at Anzac Cove.
Before describing the operations at ANZAC Cove, it may be well to remember the composition of the Battalions, comments which apply equally to Plymouth Battalion.
The Australian Official Historian says, "they looked strangely young and slender", and this was only too true; these battalions were different from the usual Marine Battalions who had served in Egypt and other wars, composed of seasoned long service marines. The bulk of the regular Corps were afloat, and the ranks of the battalions had been filled with recruits, both long and short service, many, of them lads between 17 and 18 years of age. The Army had fixed 19 years as the age for overseas service but not so the Navy. Most of the junior officers were of a similar age, but fortunately a good number of Reserve Officers were still young and active, many only recently retired. In the ranks there was a considerable number of Reservists, in particular Royal Fleet Reserve NCO's, who provided the nucleus of experienced men, so that each Battalion comprised about 75% recruits, 20% reservists and 5% regulars. They had not had the opportunity of steady training as afforded to the Kitchener and Territorial Battalions with whom they were compared, no sooner had they formed than they were sent to Ostend, and within three weeks of returning from that expedition, after what was practically a re-organization, they were sent to Dunkirk, where training was impossible; then came the Antwerp operation, in which heavy casualties in proportion to their numbers were incurred.
On return to England they received more recruits to raise the numbers from 700 to 1,000 per Battalion; Deal Battalion which had been formed by drafts from the other three Battalions had an even larger percentage of recruits.
For training there were only the short days of the three winter months of November, December and January, at the end of which month they embarked for the Mediterranean, it should also be remembered when you read the words of the Australian Official Historian that "they looked shaken and unsteady on their feet" as they came ashore into the desperate and almost chaotic conditions described in the official history, that except for the short re-organisation in Egypt and a few practice landings, they had been cooped up afloat in their transports for practically three months.
Brigade HO, Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions with the 1st Field Company, Divisional Engineers RM, and the Bearer Division of the 3rd Field Ambulance landed at Anzac Cove on the 28th April, the disembarkation being completed at 8 pm. Portsmouth were the first to land; and only a few stores and no kits were taken as it was understood that they were only to be ashore for 48 hours, they were, in fact, to remain for 14 days.
The Brigade was placed under the orders of Major-General W.T. Bridges commanding the 1st Australian Division and was at once ordered to take over the No 2 Sector of the defences, relieving the 1st & 3rd Australian Brigades on McLaurin's Hill and the northern part of the Lone Pine plateau. This terrain was described thus: "the sides of the gully were rocky and what in the wet season was the bed of a mountain torrent, was now the only path which the landscape offered: on the upper slopes, thickly covered with, dwarf oak and other shrubs, the passage of men had worn narrow tracks, these were not serviceable but merely showed the least dangerous line of advance to the firing lines"
It was a cold evening with black storms of rain and as the Australian Official History says, “they were led at night, over the top to the worst sectors of the line; to trenches, of which those who had held them for days did not realise the badness-merely isolated potholes - on the edge of the plateau".
The ground in front of these holes was covered with thick scrub, broken only by small depressions; on the enemy side was another similar gorge to this gully which formed the centre of the Anzac position, where the Turkish reserves were posted.
An Australian guide led them up; but after going some distance he had missed his way and they had to turn back for some distance before turning off and started to climb the side of the gully by a steep track. They reached the ridge just as it was getting light, and the relief of the Australians was completed by 0400hrs.
Portsmouth RMLI were on the right and Chatham RMLI on the left: and owing to the extent of the front to be covered, it was not possible to relieve all the Australians and isolated parties of the 9th & 12th Australian Battalions remained in the centre trenches.
Chatham had "C", "A", "B" and "D" Companies in line from left to right, with the
machine-guns to the right and left of "6", with Battalion HQ behind the same company.
Portsmouth were in the same formation, "D" Company (Major Clark) "placed three platoons in the front line and one in reserve". The trenches were only shallow scraping and the marines were ordered to dig in at once using their entrenching tools, by daybreak they had had improved the defences to some three feet in depth. Next day picks and shovels were sent forward and made use of during the following night, only faint attacks being made on their positions during the day. Their packs and pith helmets proved a great nuisance, and the helmets were soon being replaced with Australian bush hats picked up from the dead.
The defences were described by one officer thus: "In some places there were two lines of shallow trenches with a fair field of fire up to 400 yards; in others no field of fire and only a few feet from the edge of the slope; the slope was too steep to climb without the aid of a man-rope (made of rifle slings) up which one had to haul oneself hand over hand; The trenches were quite isolated with thirty or forty yards of open ground between them, all under accurate and close-range fire"
At 0900hrs, 29th, a company of the RNAS Motor Maxim Squadron under Major C.E. Risk RMLI was placed in the Brigade reserve. That same day Brigadier-General D. Mercer with HQ 1st Naval Brigade, Deal Battalion RM and Nelson Battalion RN landed at 0800hrs. The Battalions in the trenches were subject to several small attacks all along the front.
Deal Battalion RM moved up into the line with the other RMLI Battalions, while Nelson was held in reserve. Deal crossed Shrapnel Gully as it was now called, and "D" Company (Major Tupman), "A" (Major Muller) and "B" (Captain Bush) moved up Victoria Gully while "C" (Captain Lawrie) went up Wantiss Gully, after a long climb they reached the edge of the Lone Pine plateau and relieved the Australians holding the Western Edge. The relief being completed by 1 53Ohrs on the 30th.
The ground held by the RMLI now included half of the eastern front and was much too long for their strength, Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions were holding the old line of the 3rd Australian Brigade on McLaurin's Hill and also that of the 19th Australian Battalion on the north part of the Lone Pine plateau, south of this was held by Deal, on whose front the ground fell away into hollows and ravines in Which the Turks could form up for their attacks, just under 100 yards from the British lines.
General Trotman's HQ was at Scott's Point, on the southern shoulder of McLaurin's Hill, which part of the line included the important position of Courtney's Post.
The Battalions worked hard to improve the trenches, but those on the plateau were under constant heavy shellfire, and little improvement was possible.
On the 30th, the Turks who had been massing in Wire Gully, renewed the attack, and the pressure on Courtney's Post and southwards became very great, the 14th Australians relieved the RMLI at Courtney's Post and the RM Supports were brought up, but it was found the trenches prepared at the head of Wire Gully could not be occupied, owing to heavy enemy machine-gun fire.
At 1 700hrs, a heavy attack was made on Chatham's positions and part of "B" Company was overrun, the Marines clinging desperately to the edge of the slope. Captain Hatton rushed out single handed to stop the Turks and was instantly killed, but his effort had the effect of checking the Turkish rush and Major Graham who was in reserve with "D" Company, seeing what was happening, at once rushed his company up the "rifle sling" pathway and drove the Turks back, "B' Company re-occupying their trenches, while "D" went back to their reserve positions. "D" Company had had their place in the line taken over by a company of Australians earlier in the day, who also took part in the counter-attack.
All along the front, the companies were fighting to repel the Turkish attacks, on the Deal front, Lt Moxham was killed in the trenches, and Lieutenants Empson and Alcock with two platoons were pinned down in one of the isolated forward positions, but still holding out. Empson who was in command was wounded early in the day and was killed the following morning, Lt Alcock was finally compelled to withdraw after having held out for four nights and three days, during which time, no food or water could be got to them, and at one stage they were down to about five rounds per man.
It was in connection with this defence that the first Victoria Cross awarded at Anzac Cove, was won by Lance Corporal Walter Richard Parker, Portsmouth Battalion
His deed was described in the "Gazette" thus: "On the night of the 30th April/1st May, a message was received from the isolated trench at Gaba Tepe (really the Lone Pine plateau) asking for water, ammunition and medical stores. A party of NCO's and Marines were detailed to carry up water and S.A.A., and in response to a call for volunteers from among the stretcher-bearers, Parker at once stepped forward. He had during the previous three days, whilst in charge of the battalion stretcher bearers, displayed conspicuous bravery and energy under fire Several men had already been killed in a previous attempt to bring assistance to the exposed trench, to reach which it was necessary to thrives an area of over 400 yards which was completely exposed and swept by rifle fire. It was daylight before they were ready and as they emerged from shelter, one man was immediately wounded. Parker organised a stretcher party and then going on alone succeeded in reaching the trench, all the ammunition and water carriers being killed or wounded. After his arrival at the trench he rendered assistance to the wounded, displaying extreme courage, and remaining cool under very trying circumstances. When the trench was finally evacuated, Parker although seriously wounded himself, helped remove and attend the wounded."
In another section of the line, Private Henry Hoskins of Chatham Battalion RMLI was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, for volunteering to take a message to another sector of the line asking for ammunition and water. Moving across open ground under very heavy and close range fire, he delivered his message and attempted to return to his platoon, in doing so he was wounded twice.
On the 1st May at 0400 hrs, the Turks attacked again, but this time they broke under the heavy fire. At 1600 hrs another full scale attack was made along the front of Quinn's Post and the Lone Pine trenches, while over 1,000 Turks attacked Chatham, who opened fire with rifles and machine-guns, which stopped them before they were nearer than 200 yards, by 1800 the Turks had retired. During the night Lt Colonel Bendyshe, who had returned to the service from retirement, was killed while making his rounds of the trenches.
At 0100 on the 2nd, the Turks rallied at the head of the valley, and attacked on the right as soon as the moon rose, sweeping past the Australian's on Bolton's Hill, they attacked Deal battalion. At 0200hrs, masses of the enemy were seen in front of "D" Company (Major Tupman) and an attack was launched on them soon after. The Marines, were kept under cover until the Turks could be seen charging towards them in the dim light, then on orders, they rose up and opened fire. The attackers were simply mown down, only a few reaching the parapet, where they too were shot down with rifles and revolvers. Attacks were also made on "A" and "C" Companies both of which failed, while others enfiladed an attack on Portsmouth Battalion. Artillery fired at 700 yards, assisted in repelling the attack. No more direct attacks were made, but considerable parties of Turks were seen moving about and were fired on.
The Australian Official History says: "The Marines bore the brunt of Mustafa Kemal's third attack; though better timed and delivered than the last, it completely failed"
At daylight on the 2nd, the Royal Marines Brigade was relieved by the 1St Australians, who had been rested and re-organised, and the Marines went into bivouacs. At 0200 on the 3rd, the RMLI Battalions were ordered to dig in behind the 4th Australian Brigade and support them at the head of the Monash Valley. They moved off at 0330 hrs and proceeded in single file to the head of the gully up which they advanced to support the Australians in the forward trenches; Portsmouth RMLI moving along the eastern ridge and Chatham along the western.
The advance was led by "D" Company, Portsmouth, who had been ordered to entrench on the support line, but approaching the trenches, these were observed to be crowded, and messages were received from the forward trenches to say they were full and no further re-enforcements could be received. "D" Company under Major Clark was then ordered to move to the right, but as it did so "A" Company (Captain Stockley) passed through them with entrenching tools. As it got light, further messages were received from the fire trenches to say they were in difficulties but having had strict orders to entrench the support line, Colonel Luard continued to detail his companies to their positions.
Suddenly, the Australians manning the fire trenches about 50 yards forward
were observed coming out of their trenches and retiring into the ravine below. Though only the leading platoons of "A" and "D" Companies were in sight, Colonel Luard gave the order 'Charge, a call repeated by all the officers present, and the Marines at once charged up the slope, many of the retiring Australians turning about to join with them.
When the 16th Australians were driven out of their defences, they had carried part of Portsmouth Battalion with 'them, but these were rallied by Major Festing and also led up the slope at the charge. At the top of the slope they were met with withering fire of shrapnel and machine-guns, taking heavy casualties, once they reached the ridge, they advanced, still under intense machine-gun fire to regain the line of trenches from which the Australians had just been driven. There "D" Company were directed to incline to their left and continue to advance on the left of the ravine, where a projecting spur gave some cover from enfilading fire. "A" Company followed and "C" Company from further below; gained a spur further to the left, on the extremity of which, the Portsmouth machine-gun section was in position, "B" Company moved up to the edge of the slope afterwards known as the "Razorback" (Dead man’s Hill), but the trenches there were untenable as they were overlooked by Turkish machine-guns, so they were withdrew during the night. The attack had proved very costly for Portsmouth Btn, with their strength now down to seven officers and 350 men, they were reorganized into two companies.
Meanwhile, Chatham RMLI made an attack on the enemy trenches to their front. "B", "C" and "D" Companies advanced up the minor gullies leading east off the main gully, and Captain Richards led a charge up "Razorback" Hill to gain the ridge, Captain Richards was killed in the charge but the machine-guns were got up and brought into action on the top; two lines of trenches were taken and held, but once again, as no support was forthcoming, after a gallant six hour defence they were driven off the ridge by machine-gun fire enfilading from their left and reoccupied their original trenches. The battalion had suffered nearly 300 casualties during this attack and defence of the 'Razorback"
The Official Australian History sums up the attack as follows: "the attempt to improve the defective position at the head of the Monash Valley had definitely failed. and the throwing in of the Marines at daybreak to retrieve a battle already lost resulted only in the slaughter of many brave officers and men of these already overstrained battalions".
Brigadier Trotman RMLI was detailed to command the 3rd Sector with the remnants of Portsmouth and Chatham Battalions, who were now down to 1,100 all ranks and the freshest of the Australians, the 4th Brigade. This sector comprised Pope's Hill on the left, Quinn's Post in the centre and Courtney's Post on the right.
From the 4th to the 8th May, the defences were reorganised and improve but casualties still occurred, Major Armstrong was killed and Captain Syson the only remaining Company Commander of the Portsmouth Battalion wounded. Bugler Earnest Sillence of Chatham gained the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal on the 4th, for continually risking his life to throw back enemy grenades, thus saving the lives of many of his comrades.
On the night of the 9thI10th, Chatham Battalion took part in the assault on the Turkish trenches facing Quinn's Post, occupying the first trench, but were forced to withdraw at 9 am on the 10th to their old positions. From then until the 12th was one of severe and continuous fighting and the positions were difficult to hold but hold they did.
To quote again from the Official Australian History: "Monash Sector was the most difficult of the line, few positions of the nature of Pope's Hill and Quinn's Post were held by any troops during the war".
Deal Battalion, with Nelson Btn RND, both under the command of General Mercer, had relieved the Australian and New Zealanders on the 5th May by taking over the left flank of the Anzac positions, being placed on Russell's Top and Walkers Ridge where the fighting was less severe. Two companies from Deal and two from Nelson under Lt Colonel Eversilegh on the left and the other two of each under Major Tupman on the right, on Walker's Ridge, later one company of Deal and one of Nelson were sent from Russell's Top to reinforce Major Tupman's command on Walker's Ridge. From then until they were relieved on the 13th, no attacks were made on them.
On the 12th May, Chatham and Portsmouth Btns were relieved by the
Australian Light Horse, fresh from Egypt. and were embarked in the Cawdor Castle and transferred to the Helles Sector, rejoining the Royal Naval Division.
On the 13th, Deal and Nelson were relieved by the New Zealanders, embarking in the Alnwick Castle, at 1800 hrs, and disembarked at the Helles Sector next day, so that for the first time since Antwerp, General Paris had the whole of his division once more under his command.
The embarkation state of the Royal Marine Brigade from Anzac Cove was:
……………………….       ..   Officers………Other ranks
Brigade HQ………………    ..    5………………..18
Chatham Battalion                    12                      559
Portsmouth Battalion                 7                      424
Deal Battalion                           23                      845
3rd Field Ambulance RM          10                      113
4th Signal Company RM         1                        19
Divisional Train RM                    2                        40
Casualties from the 25th April to the 13th May for the Royal Marine Brigade
were:
…………………………    Killed                          .......   Wounded
....................................Officers     Other Ranks.     Officers     Other Ranks
Brigade HQ…………………………..….2……………..1……..…..11
Chatham Battalion              4              68                    7            2206
Portsmouth Battalion        10              98                    7            3205
Plymouth Battalion             3              29                   11            2212
Deal Battalion                     4              10                    3              440
Total                                  21            217                  29           7764
Missing presumed killed:
Chatham Battalion 28 Portsmouth Battalion 28 Plymouth Battalion 66.
(To be continued)

1915-1916. ‘The Royal Marines in the Dardanelles’
(Part Three – The Final) ‘Helles Sector.’
Plymouth Battalion, re-embarked from "Y" Beach on the 26th April, having lost a third of their effective force, were detailed for beach duties at "X" Beach in support of the landings there. From the 6th to 8th May they were reformed as part of a Composite Brigade comprising Plymouth RM and Drake RN Battalions of the 1st Royal Naval Division and the 1St Lancashire Fusiliers. This brigade together with the 2nd RN Brigade and an Anzac Brigade had then been formed into a Composite Division under General Paris, his own division having been so widely scattered.
The Second Battle of Krithra.
On the 6th May, it was decided to mount an attack before the Turkish forces had had a chance to settle in to their defences; the 29th Division less the 86th Brigade, a brigade of the 42nd Division and the 29th Indian Brigade were to attack on the left, the Composite Division less the 2nd Naval Brigade in the centre and the French Corps with the 2nd Naval Brigade on the right. Three objectives assigned, the last of these being Achi Baba. The C-in-C suggested a night advance but the Corps Commander Sir Hunter Weston, who was in charge, determined on a daylight attack.
The Composite Brigade's task was to advance up the Krithra nullah on the left centre with the 2nd Naval Brigade on his right. The Lancashire Fusiliers, being fresh, were to lead followed by Plymouth and Drake to consolidate any success. The advance was slow and came to a standstill at 1530hrs, Plymouth Battalion advanced in Artillery formation at 1500, but after a short distance were halted and did not move again until 1600tws when they came into the support trenches for the night.
Fighting was resumed at about 1645hrs on the 7th but no material advance was made.
On the 8th, on the front of the Composite Division, the Australians delivered the main attack at 1 700hrs and achieved an advance of 600 yards, while the French seized the southern edge of the Kerves Dere and the Redoubt. At about 2000hrs, the 2nd Naval Brigade came up on the left of the French and two companies of Drake Battalion were used to plug the gap between their left and the Australians, where the Turks were beginning to break through in force. At 01 i5hrs on the 9th Plymouth moved up into the line between Drake and the Australians and consolidated the position during the night and next day. The Turks at this stage were about 500 yards distance, and during the day opened heavy and continual fire, but did not attempt to attack.
At dawn on the 10th, the Turks mounted a counter-attack on the French and the Naval Battalions and for a short time the situation was critical, but the situation was restored in front of the Composite Brigade by Captain Tetley RMLI who counterattacked with No 1 Company, Plymouth, as the enemy were on the point of breaking through and threw them back. Captain C.B. Andrews of No 4 Company, (who had returned from Australia to rejoin his old Corps) and Lieutenant Barnes were killed during the attack
On the 12th, the Composite Brigade was relieved by the 42nd Division and withdrew to bivouac southwest of the Achi Baba nullah, here they were joined by Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions.
A conference of senior Royal Marine officers was held on the 16th, to discuss the question of amalgamating the battalions due to their weakened strength, but no decision was arrived at.
They remained at the rest camp until the 24th, carrying out fatigues, improving communications etc, but the Rest Camp at Helles did not mean the same as on most other fronts; because the camps were fully exposed to the view and fire of the enemy entrenched on Achi Baba, which overlooked them down the slopes and the plains at its foot. Private Horace Bruckshaw of the Plymouth Battalion recorded: "I have known the Battalion to be in the line for a week with only eight casualties, whilst there were 18 hit by stray bullets in the rest camps"
Night advances were made by the RN Division on the 18th, 22nd, 24th and 27th, Which advanced the line for about half a mile, bringing the division to within 200300 yards of the main Turkish defences across the peninsular. The advance on the 24th was made by the 1St RN Brigade including Deal Battalion, when "Mercer Road" was constructed, and on the 25th the RM Brigade relieved the 1st RN Brigade in the line, the mud being up to their thighs in some places and over the knees in most. The advance by the RM Brigade on the night of the 27th/28th, with Chatham on the right, Portsmouth in the centre and Plymouth on the left captured another 200-250 yards ground, bringing them to within the same distance from the enemy. Deal Battalion, which had not yet rejoined the RM Brigade, provided one company, "C", to dig a communication trench while the Divisional Engineers laid out road works and traverses with white pegs. During this time the right came under fire from the Turkish redoubt, and started digging-in, as one man recorded it "We started digging in our equipment and finished in our shirtsleeves". The trench was dug to six feet deep and the machine-guns mounted in positions specially dug for them, this trench was named by the marines "Trotman Road". As the machine-guns were being put into position, Lt C. White of Chatham was killed, one of his men described the incident thus:
“Lieutenant White selected the two positions to site the guns and set us to work as it was now getting light, one marine, a volunteer went over the parapet and built up the positions with sandbags filled from the trench, covering them with earth and shrubs, crawling along the front to test their viability in daylight. He got back safely and then went out again to take the ranges of roads trenches etc to the front. Lt White then being satisfied, went to report to the adjutant haw much ground was covered, but to get a good view, it was necessary to climb on the parapet, this he did and was shot dead" Many others, officers and men suffered the same fate attempting to report the effect of the machine-gun fire.
A call was made for RM officers serving in fleet to volunteer for the under strength battalions, and although most responded, their ships captains refused to release them, and only one Major and three Lieutenants of the RMA were transferred.
On the 30th, Deal Battalion finally joined with the other RM Battalions, bringing the RM Brigade together for the first time since Egypt That day they also received their first replacements, one Major, 5 Captains, 7 Lieutenants, 9 Sergeants, 8 Corporals and 472 Marines The RN Division was also re-enforced by the addition of Benbow (RN) Battalion commanded by Lt-Colonel Oldfield RMLI (all the RN Battalions were commanded by RM Officers, with another as Adjutant).
The Third Battle of Krithra
On the 4th June, the RN Brigades lost heavily during an attack, the RM Battalions being held in reserve. They had had pieces of biscuit tin sewn to their backs so the reflection might indicate how far they had reached. During the attack the 2nd Naval Brigade carried the Turkish trenches to their front, but the Turks held on to several strong points prevented them from holding on or receiving help, so they fell back and in doing so left the 42nd Divisions flank exposed, it was only due to a gallant attack by Colonel Eversilegh RMLI of the Nelson Battalion that a diagonal trench was made during the night joining the 42nd with the RN Division. The patrols sent out to cover the digging parties had several hand-to-hand skirmishes with the Turks. Had the overall attack been successful the RM Brigade was to advance and occupy Krithra, but as the attack failed, they were not required to move.
The casualties sustained by the RN Brigades in this attack necessitated a reorganization of the Naval battalions, so that Benbow and Collingwood were broken up and the two Naval Brigades reformed with three battalions each.
During late May and early June, the Cyclist Companies, were broken up and used to replace casualties within the companies of the RM Battalions, but at the end of the month they were reformed and trained as Bombers and in the use of catapults, bomb guns and trench mortars.
On the 6th June, as Chatham was sent up to Kanli Dere to reinforce the 42nd Division, they were caught in enfilading fire and suffered several casualties. Here they were attached to the Reserve Brigade at Clapham Junction, only 'D' Company going forward into the line.
The next day a reconnaissance was made with a view to an attack, the task assigned to the battalion, being to clear the East & West Krithra nullahs. The attack was timed to start at 1 900hrs but "C" Company were not available as they had been scattered by the battalion to which they had been attached. At first "C" Company made good progress, but then came under very heavy fire from the Vineyard and was held up. Reinforced by a platoon of "A Company, they were still pinned down and at 2100hrs pulled back to the junction of two nullahs and called for artillery support, but none was available, so the Brigadier postponed any further advance. On the 9th, they were relieved and rejoined the Royal Naval Division having suffered further casualties of 4 officers and 130 other ranks.
Meanwhile, on the 7th, Portsmouth had relieved Hawke Battalion in the trenches, and pushed forward a series of advances by sapping forward, with two parallel saps, then having gone a required distance turned in to each other forming a bight. On the 10th, No 2 Company constructed a new fire trench connecting up the heads of several saps that had been run out some 40-50 yards, a great success this new work was known as The Rectangle, while Plymouth dug a new communication trench from the firing line to the old communication trench, relieving the congestion during changeovers, this trench became known to all as "Plymouth Avenue".
On the 21st June, Chatham and Deal's "A" Company were sent to act as Reserve to the French during the Third Battle of Krevres Dere, but returned next day, when the RM Brigade relieved the 1st RN in the trenches, Deal having its one of its companies attached to each other three battalions, with the remainder held in Reserve.
At 2200hrs on the 23rd, Portsmouth's "A" Company attacked an advanced Turkish trench opposite The Rectangle, considered easy to take and hold, it would permit the line being pushed into a more favourable position for further advances. Led by Lt Jermain , they carried the trench at the point of the bayonet, with Major Glover following with the supports, he was to fire a Very's light as soon as the trench was secure, so the machine-guns to open fire and prevent any Turkish interference with the consolidation, but unfortunately before he could give the signal, Major Glover was killed and the Turks rallied and counter-attacked, bombing the marines heavily, to which they had no reply, after hiding out for 90 minutes, the company was forced to retire with the loss of both officers and 31 killed and wounded and another 22 missing.
On the night of the 24/25th, a trench was dug some 90 yards in front of the fire trench held by Portsmouth and Chatham, the digging was successful in spite of a full moon and there were no casualties, even though the Turks were now only 70 to 100 yards away.
On the 11th July, Plymouth, now seriously under strength was reorganized into only two companies.
Next day, an attack was mounted by the 52nd Lowland Division, the Royal Naval Division being held in reserve. Although successful, they only advance to the first two lines of the Turkish defences and had used up all their Divisional Reserves. At noon, Chatham was sent to Backhouse Post in support of the 52nd and a 1 600hrs Portsmouth and Plymouth were ordered to the same place. By nightfall the Turks were still holding their communication trenches, while the 52nd had suffered heavily, and were in some confusion, with only a few officers left.
At daybreak it was found that a great deal of the ground gained by the 52nd had been lost, and Plymouth found themselves in sole occupation of the captured trenches, the 157th Brigade having been withdrawn to Plymouth Avenue, it was at this time that while reconnoitering the situation, Colonel Mathews who had led Plymouth Battalion since leaving England was slightly wounded by a stray bullet.
The 157th, in an attempt to make contact with the remainder of their division had started to retire, the Turks quick to seize this advantage, mounted an attack, which was beaten off by Plymouth. taking 12 prisoners and capturing two machine-guns.
Major Sketchley RMLI, seeing the 157th pulling back, rallied them and led them, with some marines of Plymouth Battalion over the parapet to reoccupy the trenches they had lost, at the point of a bayonet. He himself, was armed with only his flywhisk, which he waved over his head as he charged. For his gallantry, he was awarded the DSO and his orderly L/Cpl J.G. Way RMLI, who had stuck close to his side the whole time, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
During the night of the 12th/13th, Nelson and Drake Battalions moved up and were attached to the RM Brigade. Nelson to act as support between Portsmouth and Plymouth. The left was still dangerously isolated, and the Turks still held their third line of defence. Given these circumstances only two choices remained, advance or retire. General Trotman was ordered to regain the lost ground, with Chatham, Portsmouth and Nelson Battalions. The attack was timed for 1400hrs but later put back to 1630hrs. Plymouth was to assist with covering fire. The French on the right were also to attack.
At I 600hrs, the French artillery opened fire, to which the Turks immediately replied causing heavy casualties in the congested communication trenches, especially in Chatham's area, and they suffered severely, the trenches becoming impassable so that only one Chatham company made the start line, nevertheless they charged, but the French on their right had not received their orders and did not advance. Chatham managed to work its way forward between the two lines of trenches already captured and held by details of the 52nd Division, and consolidated them, but in doing so, lost touch with Portsmouth.
The C.O.'s of Portsmouth and Nelson Battalions gave hurried orders and at 1630hrs led their battalions over the top, the attack was met by a perfect hail Of shrapnel and machine-gun fire, but despite heavy losses they captured and consolidated the left of the objective and made contact with the 5th Highland Light Infantry in the neighbourhood of Achi Baba nullah. Nelson Battalion had suffered grievously including the loss of their C.O, Lt-Colonel Eveliegh RMLI and 5 other officers.
Portsmouth, who advanced in two lines, found that their objective, the third Turkish trench was unrecognizable and had advanced beyond it, some advanced so far that they were cut off and were killed, so the remnants of the Battalion fell back and dug a line in advance of the Turkish third trench (which proved to be a narrow ditch only 18" deep). They had advanced the line 400 yards, but at a terrible cost,
Portsmouth had only one officer untouched, Captain Gowney, and he was wounded the next day. Colonel Luard, who had returned after being wounded at Anzac Cove, together with four other officers had been killed and seven others wounded. While 86 NCO's and Men were killed and 140 wounded.
At nightfall, Nelson was dug-in in tolerably deep and traversed trenches but were without communications, and the remnants of Portsmouth were clinging to and digging in on an undefined line running from the right of Nelson to a point some 200 yards in advance of the line held by Chatham. Drake Battalion RN was sent up at midnight to connect Nelson and Chatham Battalions.
There was still a portion of the third Turkish trench to the left of the French that had not been captured, but the line was now the best the Division had held, so it was decided it should be consolidated and reorganised. The sector was divided in to two sections, the 1st, Brigade HO with Chatham, Hawke Battalion RN and Plymouth on the right, with Plymouth digging a new trench and Deal with Portsmouth, Nelson and Drake on the left.
On the 18th July, four officers, two warrant officers and 159 N CO's and Marines arrived as reinforcements, but even these could not replace the heavy losses to which were now added those suffering from Dysentery, Jaundice, Skin and Gastric problems due to the heat, dirt and life in the trenches.
From the 18th June to the 30th July the Royal Marine Brigade losses were:
Killed - 6 Officers 173 NCO's and Men
Wounded - 14 Officers 360 NCO's and Men
Unable to sustain four RM Battalions it was decided to reorganise the Brigade into two Battalions, Chatham and Deal forming the 1st RMU Battalion and Portsmouth and Plymouth, the 2nd. Lt-Colonel E.J. Stroud RMLI who arrived on the 28th was given command of the 1st RMLI and Lt-Colonel Mathews, having recovered from his wound, command of the 2nd.
Losses had also been high in the RN Battalions, while an addition of 300 Stokers had been withdrawn from service in the Fleet as replacements. The RN Division was therefore reorganized into two Brigades, the 1St under Brigadier-General Mercer RMLI, comprised Drake, Hawke, Nelson and Hood RN Battalions, and the 2nd under General Trotman RMLI consisted of the 1st and 2nd RMLI Battalions and Howe and Anson RN Battalions.
This reorganisation was completed on the 2nd August.
In an attack on the 6th and 7th August mounted by the 29th and 42nd Divisions, the 1st and 2nd RMLI were kept in Reserve. During these summer months the flies and the fleas became unbearable and contributed to the sickness that was now affecting all the divisions.
On the 15th August, the RN Division took over the trenches between Gully Ravine and the Krithra nullah from the 29th Division, which in consequence of the fighting of the 6th/7th were in poor condition and required heavy work to put them back in order. The RM Battalions were in the line from the 16th to the 23rd August
On the 30th August, Lt-Colonel Mathews, commanding the 2nd RMLI was invalided with eye problems, to be replaced by Lt-Colonel A.R.H. Hutchinson RMLI newly arrived from England and they then moved back into the line.
On the 2nd September, three officers and 242 NCO's and Marines arrived as reinforcements, bring with them a large number of Machine-guns collected from the Grand Fleet, with a view to increasing the division's fire power, as it was proving difficult to provide men and rifles in adequate numbers. The RM Brigade had made great use of the use of these weapons and Captain Lathbury of Portsmouth Battalion had become an expert in their deployment, he was therefore appointed Battalion Machine-Gun Officer. The MG Sections had done splendid work throughout the campaign but had incurred very heavy losses.
The original officers of the MG sections on landing were:
Chatham - Lieutenant M. Curtain (Killed) Lieutenant H. Watts (Wounded)
Plymouth -Lieut C.B. Conybeare (Wounded) Sgt-Major Staughton (Killed)
Deal - Lieutenant H. Millet (Invalided) Lieutenant K.L. Higgins (Killed)
The RMLI remained in the line until the 8th September. This section of the trenches had two barricades, one each end, the northern and the southern, which consisted of a widening of the end of the trenches, making an opening about 20 foot square and sandbagged around to a height of some 12 foot, where it was possible for a catapult to be mounted to throw bombs, there was also a plated loophole at the end just large enough for a man to crawl in and lie down, to watch No Man's Land.
On the 19th September, the first party of 100 from the Royal Marine Brigade were sent to Imbros for a rest, The RN Brigades having had their turn in July and August
Sickness was now taking a heavy toll of the Brigades despite the efforts of the overworked medical staff. From the end of September to the end of October the two RMLI Battalions were regularly relieving each other in the trenches.
On the 4th October the War Diary recorded that the 2nd RN Brigade was holding 1861 yards of the front with 1286 rifles and on the 11th Plymouth diary notes that in the morning they had started to prepare dug-outs for the winter, but that very little material in the shape of timber or corrugated iron was available, and played football against the Howe Battalion in the afternoon, a game which they lost 4 goals to 1, the game being stopped twice when shells fell on the pitch. Also, during October, the Rest Camp was moved to the left of the peninsula and on the 26th, large flocks of birds were seen flying south for the winter.
On the 27th, another 6 officers and 210 NCO"s and Marines joined as reinforcements, and on the 31th, Private Mark Turner, 2nd RMLI, was working on the catapult when a live bomb failed to clear the parapet and fell back inside the barricade, Turner without thought picked it up and threw over the top, to explode outside, an act for which he received the C.G.M.
The first winter storm of the year broke over the Peninsula on November 27th, and torrential rain and sleet pounded them for 24 hours then turned to snow and frost. this caused a live bomb to stick in its pocket on a catapult and only the swift action of L/Cpl Grindley of Portsmouth, 2nd RMLI, in pinching the fuse until it died out saved the crew and earned him the C.G.M. This storm was followed on the 28th by a blizzard, the bitterness of the wind had to be felt to be realized. The troops in the trenches suffered cruelly, and the casualties were many, 24 cases of frost bite in the 1St RMLI alone. There was totally inadequate protection against such weather.
On the 1st December the weather improved and the first week of December was normal; but is the case in that part of the world, December was a month of chilling rain and heavy gales, which caused concern as to the state of the piers at the landing besides rendering the landing of stores very difficult.
The RN Division was on the right of the British sector, and on the 12th, the 2nd Brigade had taken over part of the French lines, next day Lieut. C.F. Mead who had served with his battalion since the beginning and had been twice wounded, was killed by a sniper.
On the 19th December, the trenches at Anzac Cove were evacuated, and the Anzac Divisions were re-embarked with only very minor losses. The RN Division took no part in this, but Royal Marines from the Fleet were employed in various capacities.
On the 30th December, General Paris received orders to prepare for an early evacuation. Order had already been issued on the 25th, that silence was to be observed for about four hours every night. To reduce the number of formations to be withdrawn, the 42nd Division and the French Divisions were relieved on the nights of the 31st December and 1st January 1916, and the 2nd Brigade extended their flank to the sea on the Dardanelles. The 1st Brigade under General Mercer on their left. Only the French artillery remained in their positions as support.
In the 2nd Brigade, the 1st RMLI and the Howe Battalions were in the line with the 2nd RMLI in Reserve. At this time each of the two Naval Brigades had a battalion of the London (Territorials) Regiment attached to them. The 1St RMLI held the sector that had been held by the French since its capture, and in an effort to deceive the Turks, French uniforms were sent up to be worn in the trenches during the daylight
hours. Their positions were, on the right "C" Company, centre was "B" with the
Grenade Company and on the left and partly in the 2nd RMLI lines were "A" Company with the MG's, and "D" in Reserve, their total effective strength at this time was about 630 all ranks.
On the 2nd January "A" and "B" Companies were reduced to six NCO's and 18 Marines each, "C" to 90 NCO's and men, "D" to 65 NCO's and men, the Grenade Company to 10, MG's to 24, and HQ to 13. the remainder being ordered back to be in readiness to go to the Rendezvous, and to act as working parties; but by the 4th. the strain on those in the lines was too great and some were ordered forward again.
On the 6th, the front trenches and the reserve lines were at full strength, but the artillery was withdrawn, and on the night of the 6th/7th the 2nd London Regiment and all the excess battalions were embarked so that by dawn on the 7th, the divisional strength was only 4,400. Of the 1st RMLI one officer with 272 other ranks was withdrawn, leaving 17 officers and 357 men to be withdrawn on the last day, the 8th.
On the 7th the Turks opened fire with the heaviest bombardment so far experienced and made a heavy attack, but the guns of the covering ships counter bombarded and smashed the attempt, after three hours all was quite.
On the night of the 7th/8th, the 2nd RMLI and Hawke Battalion left the trenches for the last time and went into bivouac in support. The lines now some 3,000 yards in length were manned by only 2,000 men with 12 MG's.
On "W" Beach, the covering force was 600 men of the 29th Division's, 1 St Border Regt, with 10 MG's, and "V" Beach, the 400 men of the 2nd RML! with 3 MG's under Lt-Colonel Hutchinson.
Lt-Colonel Hutchinson issue his final orders on the 7th and the beach defence party was comprised of "A", "B", "C" & "D" Companies each of 94 all ranks with an MG Section of 20 men.
The tracks to the beach were picketed and control posts established by officers who knew the exact numbers in each of the parties as they proceeded through to the beach. Each party was scheduled to the exact minute and their arrival at each post telephoned through to the next, until they reached the beach in order that the boats could be loaded to capacity and not delayed, there was no margin for errors.
An eyewitness describes the retirement of the last platoon "By half past three in the morning, all were through and our task was done, so with mingled feelings, we reluctantly turned our backs for the time being on Achi Baba. In complete silence, we marched to the beach and boarded the waiting tug, which immediately got under way for Imbros. We had not gone far before we saw the stores, which could not be brought off, were a mass of flames. Still the Turks were sending up their customary signals, and holding an imaginary enemy, and now thoroughly wakened, but too late, the Turks began shelling the beach heavily". The last man to board the tug, was Lieutenant‑Colonel Hutchinson, 2nd RMLI. Thus, ended the grand finale to the campaign on Turkish territory.
“THE FIRST TO LAND - THE LAST TO LEAVE”
In keeping with this old Corps motto, It is interesting to note that the first landing in the Dardanelles was by seamen and men of Plymouth Battalion RMLI, on the 4th March 1915, and it was the remnants of that battalion, as part of the 2nd RMLI, who were the last to leave.
Reorganised and brought up to strength, the RMLI Battalions with the Naval Division were at the end of 1916 sent to France and took part in most of the battles in and around the Somme, Paschendaele and the attack at Gravelle Windmill, where Private Horace Buckshaw, Plymouth Battalion, RMLI, who had survived unscathed the campaign on Gallipoli, was killed by a grenade, and now rests in an unknown grave.
Finally, that with the Armistice, on the 11th November 1918, it was the 3rd Battalion, Royal Marines, who took over the Turkish batteries on the Peninsula. (from the RMAQ Brisbane)

1916. Registered Numbers. Royal Marine Submarine Miners. No special suffix or prefix exists for this unit, the majority of recruits were entered into the Chatham short service registers and each man issued the next CH (S) number that was available but the register was annotated with the letter RMSM at the top. ADM159/211 contains partial register entries for numbers 3278-3345, this register is titled Special Home Coast Défense and the numbers have no suffixes or prefixes. Each man in this register appears to have then been issued a PO (S) series number and their details are recorded fully in ADM159/208. They served with the RMSM.

Royal Marines Labour Corps (RMLC) and Suffix ‘N’. Ranks enlisted in the No.1 (Home Service) Labour Company in 1916 were given Chatham registered numbers in the series CH/14100(S) to CH/14343(S). Ranks enlisted or transferred to the RM Labour Corps, which was formed in 1917 (the RMLC OLD Formation), were allocated numbers with the prefix ‘Deal’ and with a suffix ‘S’ in brackets in the series Deal/8000(S) to Deal/15955(S). Ranks enlisted in the post-war RM Corps formed in 1919 (the RMLC New Formation) were allocated numbers with a ‘Deal’ prefix and the suffix ‘N’ in the series Deal/1(N) to Deal/ 1424(N).

1916. Monday 3rd January. The Bombardment of the Asiatic Coast in the Dardanelles.

1916. Thursday 6th January. HMS King Edward VII mined and sunk off North Scotland.

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.

1916. January. Following their withdrawal from the Gallipoli Peninsula, the 1st and 2nd RMLI Battalions were once again moved in May to France and reorganised. The strength of each was brought up to 1,000 men and they were re-equipped with a new machine-gun companies. By July, the two battalions formed with the Howe and Anson Battalions of seamen, the 188th Brigade of the 63rd RN Division.
From then on, 1st & 2nd RMLI were in action at regular intervals until October, when on the 2nd, they marched out of their rest areas behind Arras to entrain for the north. Unlike those who serve in the 90's when each Marine carry approximately 27kgs, they were weighed down with nearly 44kgs of kit, ammunition and weapons, with which to cover the 30 kilometers or more a day along the French roads, in the exhausting bitter winds of the winter months. Trains, the only means of moving large bodies of .men at that time, then took the Division to training areas behind Ypres, where it came under the command of the XVIII Corps, and where for the next two weeks they carried out intensive training programs.

The three Brigades of the RN Division were to mount an attack on the enemy line of strong points facing the canal bank 1,000 yards north of Ypres. Across their front ran the Paddebeek, a muddy stream 600 yards north of the canal, adding to the quagmire of this sector of the front, which had been made even worse by the wet autumn weather. The whole area, once farmlands, now so riddled by shell-fire, it was almost impracticable for any form of coordinated attack. Industrious Belgian farmers had originally drained the land by labouriously digging a series of ditches to carry away the water, but the 41/2 tons of high explosive shells on nearly every square yard of the land had destroyed these ditches and the land was again a swamp.
Not withstanding this, the 189th Brigade moved into the line at Passchendaele so the 188th could move through them to attack on the 26th, with the 190th following up with a second attack four days later.
The assault was to be made by the two RMLI Battalions, who moved into the forward positions on the night of the 25th, Hood Battalion was in the support line ready to stop.

1916. January. The Military Service Act (1916 – 1920), was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act specified that men from 18 to 41 years old were liable to be called up for service in the military unless they were married, widowed with children, serving in the Royal Navy, a minister of religion, or working in one of a number of reserved occupations.

1916. Friday. 28th January. Royal Marines from HMS Prince George occupied Fort Touzla in Salonica Greece.

1916. Monday 14th February. Royal Marine Detachments from the East African Squadron formed Artillery Batteries.

1916. Tuesday 22nd February - 16th April. 1st and 2nd RMLI Battalions at Stavros Macedonia.

1916. Monday 28th February. HMS Alcantara torpedoed, Greif sunk by gunfire, 8 Royal Marines were lost.

1916. Thursday 2nd March. The Military Service Act passed in January came into being.

1916. Saturday 25th March. Light Cruiser action against German Torpedo Boat in the North Sea.

1916. April. The new 2nd Naval-Brigade & the amalgamation of the four RMLI Battalions were intended as a stop-gap measure until reinforcements allowed the reconstitution of the original formations. Unfortunately, the reinforcements were never forthcoming & despite honest intentions the two RM Battalions remained unchanged until April 1918. However, the 2k" Naval Brigade was disbanded in May 1916 on their arrival in France & the 3rd RM Brigade briefly reformed. There followed and exercise in Admiralty mathematics whereby they got their calculations hopelessly wrong for the number of drafts available. Not before lit & 2°d Hood Battalions had been formed in France & 2' Hawke, 2nd Anson & 2'~d Drake Battalions at Blandford, was the truth revealed & all `2n` Battalions disbanded. The end result was that for a short time the two RM Battalions, with Howe & Anson became part of a new lit RN Brigade. However, as the army had now taken control of the Division it was decided to bring their designation into line with the Army's idea of titles. The RND was renamed `The 63rd (RN) Division & the new 1St RN Brigade became the 188th Infantry Brigade.
1st Royal Marine Bn. 2 Royal Marine Bn. Anson Bn.
Howe Bn.
This new formation was to last until February 1918 when the necessary change in British Army units affected the Brigade strength, when Howe Battalion disbanded, leaving only three Battalions to the Brigade. In late April 1918 the 2°d R Battalion was disbanded & its personnel absorbed by the 1st Royal marine Battalion. From May 1918 only the l' Royal Marine battalion remained from the four RMLI battalions who had fought at Antwerp & Gallipoli.
(information supplied by Jack Clegg www.jackclegg.com, and Cleve Whitworth RMAQ President.)

1916. 16th April - 27th May. Royal Marines from HMS Doris occupied Long Island, Gulf of Smyrna in the Daranelles.

1916. Thursday 27th April. HMS Russell mined and sunk with the loss of 10 Royal Marines.

1916. Thursday 27th April - 15th May. Royal Marine Battalion formed and deployed in Ireland to combat the Easter Rising.

1916. Thursday 27th April. A 12 inch Railway Gun was mounted at Dunkirk in France.

1916. May. A Second Military Service Act extended liability for military service to married men, and a third Act in 1918 extended the upper age limit to 51. Men or employers who objected to an individual's call-up could apply to a local Military Service Tribunal. These bodies could grant exemption from service, usually conditional or temporary. There was right of appeal to a County Appeal Tribunal.

1916. Thursday 4th May. An air raid was made on the Zeppelin sheds at Tondern in Denmark. As it was considered that it might draw out the German High Seas Fleet, supported by the whole of the Grand Fleet. Though the raid was successful, the enemy refused to be drawn and there were no further results. However, at 10am, HMS Galatea and HMS Phaeton brought down the Zeppelin ‘L7’ by gun fire. On the next day away in the Aegean.

1916. Friday 5th May. HMS Agamemnon brought down a Zeppelin, which had previously bombed Salonica, the airship fell in the Vardar Marshes, where it was destroyed.

1916. Friday 19th - 20th May. Royal Naval Division arrived in Marseilles headed for the Western Front.

1916. Sunday 21st May. The German attack on Vimy Ridge involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1916. Wednesday 31st May. Royal Marines afloat were involved in the Battle of Jutland.

1916. Wednesday 31st May – 1st June. The Battle of Jutland, also known as the Battle of the Skagerrak. The only major encounter between the British and German fleets during World War I. Fought in the Skagerrak, an arm of the North Sea, about 60 miles (97 km) off the coast of Jutland in Denmark.

British naval intelligence had alerted admirals John Jellicoe and David Beatty that Admiral Reinhard Scheer had left port with his German High Seas Fleet. Beatty, in command of a scouting force of battle cruisers, spotted a similar German force under Admiral Franz von Hipper and pursued it toward the main German fleet. At about 4pm both sides opened fire. The British suffered heavy losses and turned back toward Jellicoe’s main British fleet, with the Germans in pursuit. After 6pm the main fleets encountered each other, and the battle raged again. In the dusk the British had the advantage, and Scheer soon turned away. However, when the German fleet turned once more to head for home, it again ran directly into the British fleet, which had maneuverer in such a way that it lay between the German fleet and the German ports. At this second crisis, Scheer ordered his battle cruisers and torpedo boats to charge the British fleet and thereby cover a second retreat of his battleships. Jellicoe, arguably overestimating the danger of torpedo attacks, also turned away, and the battle thus came to an indecisive end. Both sides claimed a victory. Germany because it had destroyed or damaged many more ships, and Britain because it retained control of the North Sea.

1916. Wednesday 31st May. The Battle of Jutland. Major Francis John William Harvey RMLI (1873-1916). Whilst serving on the HMS Lion was 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. His Citation 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.

1916. Wednesday 31st May. The Battle of Jutland (Within the British fleets and squadrons, ships were generally listed in order - Dreadnought, Battlecruiser, Cruiser, Light Cruiser, Flotilla Leader, Destroyer, only ships that were hit and lives were lost are listed as damaged).
The British Battle Cruiser Fleet (first in action) Casualties listed in order: HMS Lion, battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary, HMS Princess Royal, HMS Tiger, battlecruisers HMS Indefatigable, HMS Barham, HMS Malaya, HMS Warspite, Dreadnoughts HMS Dublin, HMS Southampton, light cruisers HMS Chester, light cruiser HMS Defender, destroyers HMS Turbulent, HMS Nestor, HMS Nomad, HMS Onslow, HMS Petard.

Fleet Flagship, Battle Cruiser HMS Lion, damaged, five ratings each died of injuries on 3rd, 4th, 7th, 23th June and 3rd July:
BACKHOUSE, George, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7532.
BAKER, Philip T A, Private, RMLI, 16416 (Ch).
BEER, William L, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10417.
BELL, James I, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11670.
BRADFORD, Charles E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12849.
BROWNE, William E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8409.
BURKE, Thomas, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8487.
CASE, William, Private, RMLI, 19125 (Ch).
CASEY, Nicholas, Private, RMLI, 16326 (Po).
CHAPMAN, Arthur G, Gunner, RMA, RMA 6254.
CHAPMAN, Frederick W, Private, RMLI, 15131 (Ply).
COLES, Percy R, Private, RMLI, 11291 (Ply).
COSSEY, Samuel J, Private, RMLI, 7884 (Ply).
DORMAN, Alfred G, Private, RMLI, 14493 (Po).
EVERRETT, George, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10620.
FARLEY, William H, Private, RMLI, 14957 (Ply).
FROOME, William H, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13780.
GREEN, Reginald G, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9415.
GREEN, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 14920 (Ply).
HARVEY, Francis J W, Major, RM - awarded posthumous Victoria Cross.
HAYES, John, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14204.
HENNESSY, Murlagh F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12255.
HOAD, Joseph H, Musician, RMB, RMB 2195.
HOUGHTON, Tom, Private, RMLI, 15683 (Ply).
HOWCHIN, Charles W, Sergeant, RMLI, 13518 (Ply).
HUTCHINS, Thomas J, Corporal, RMA, RMA 11535.
KEMP, John S, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14169.
LUCKING, Charles W, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 7398.
MARTIN, William H, Private, RMLI, 13501 (Po).
MEARS, Walter, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11505.
NORRIS, Victor E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7432.
OWEN, Walter L, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13739.
PIKE, Joseph, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13315.
POPE, William, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 6497.
POTTER, Robert, Private, RMLI, 13118 (Ply).
RAFFERTY, John H, Private, RMLI, 14910 (Ply).
ROGERS, Frederick J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10896.
RULE, Frederick J, Corporal, RMA, RMA 5820.
SALES, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 14074 (Ply).
SCOTT, Arnold, Private, RMLI, 15989 (Ply).
SHEPPARD, Edward E, Corporal, RMLI, 13731 (Ply).
SMITH, Thomas M, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11662.
ULYATT, Wilfred R, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 13204.
WAGSTAFF, William, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8544.
WESTON, William H, Private, RMLI, 15076 (Ply).
WIGHT, Archibald T, Private, RMLI, 19121 (Ch).
WILLATTS, Vivian G C, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13741.
WYNNE, William, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13127’.

First Battle Cruiser Squadron 3 battlecruisers (HMS Queen Mary sunk, HMS Princess Royal and HMS Tiger damaged).
HMS Princess Royal, damaged, 1 rating each died of injuries on 2nd, 3rd and 5th June:
ANDREWS, Frederick C, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10303.
BODELEY, Henry J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9217.
GAMBLIN, Ernest A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 6580.
GOMER, William R, Private, RMLI, 7085 (Ply).
HODGES, Percy A, Private, RMLI, 16046 (Po).

HMS Queen Mary, sunk:
ALLEN, William, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8650.
ARGENT, Charles W, Private, RMLI (RMR B 1258), 11232 (Po).
BAILEY, John T, Private, RMLI (RFR B 1015), 9305 (Po).
BAKER, William, Private, RMLI, 12745 (Po).
BARBER, Alphonso, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13163.
BARFOOT, Edwin A, Private, RMLI, 14966 (Po).
BARTON, Richard P, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12982.
BATCHELOR, Gilbert H, Private, RMLI, 18569 (Po).
BAYLIS, Albert D, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12065.
BILLING, James E, Private, RMLI, 11694 (Po).
BOND, Andrew, Private, RMLI, 18504 (Po).
BROWN, Arthur D, Corporal, RMLI, 13014 (Po).
BROWN, Thomas, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13044.
BUCHANAN, Percival G, Musician, RMB, RMB 1802.
BURRY, Albert C F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13285.
BUTCHER, Charles G, Private, RMLI, 7503 (Po).
BWYE, William G, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14462.
BYATT, Alfred W, Private, RMLI, 10746 (Po).
BYSOUTH, Henry, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13116.
CARTWRIGHT, Joseph, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12994.
CATLEY, Charles, Gunner, RMA.
COLLINS, George, Private, RMLI, 9525 (Po).
COLSON, Victor H, Private, RMLI, 19503 (Ch).
COOPER, Henry, Private, RMLI, 16321 (Po).
COPE, Samuel, Private, RMLI, 16958 (Ply).
DAVIS, Frederick, Private, RMLI, 9828 (Po).
DUNCAN, William, Private, RMLI, 18927 (Ch).
DYKES, William, Musician, RMB, RMB 355.
ELLIOTT, Gideon, Private, RMLI, 9721 (Po).
ESCOTT, Albert, Private, RMLI, 14322 (Po).
ETHERINGTON, Arthur W, Private, RMLI, 17800 (Po).
EVES, Alfred F, Bugler, RMLI, 18194 (Po).
EWART, Victor A, Lieutenant.
EXFORD, George O, Private, RMLI, 12829 (Po).
FELTON, Isaac, Lance Sergeant, RMLI, 8250 (Po).
FERGUSON, John, Private, RMLI, 17859 (Ply).
FERGUSSON, Allan, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10254.
FITZWILLIAM, Joseph, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8666.
FRANKS, Walter H, Private, RMLI, 14738 (Po).
GARDNER, Robert L, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 12907.
GEARY, Archibald I, Private, RMLI, 15692 (Po).
GIBSON, Robert S, Musician, RMB, RMB 1304.
GROVES, Philip, Private, RMLI, 17844 (Po).
HAWORTH, Fielden, Private, RMLI, 12584 (Po).
HAYDEN, Edward J, Private, RMLI, 14838 (Po).
HEAD, Henry G, Lance Corporal, RMLI, 16317 (Po).
HERBERT, Charles J, Private, RMLI, 11139 (Po).
HERBERT, Henry, Act/Bombardier, RMA, RMA 7938.
HEWITT, William E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13722.
HOWARD, William F, Colour Sergeant, RMLI, 10389 (Po).
HOWIE, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 12716 (Po).
HUMPHRYS, Arthur, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13028.
HUNT, Walter, Private, RMLI, 15164 (Po).
JACKSON, Harry, Private, RMLI, 17263 (Po).
JAGO, William E, Private, RMLI, 16310 (Po).
JONES, Albert F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14035.
JONES, Charles F, Private, RMLI, 18935 (Ch).
JONES, George, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9385.
KELLY, Thomas, Gunner, RMA, RMA 5837.
KENEALY, John M, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11730.
LANDRAY, William H H, Private, RMLI, 18319 (Po).
LE MANQUAIS, Ernest G, Private, RMLI, 13223 (Po).
LOTHIAN, William J, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 7384.
LYNN, Robert, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8897.
MARR, Andrew H, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8298.
MARTIN, Horatio, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7992.
MASON, Thomas W, Private, RMLI, 16962 (Ply).
MCKAY, Donald, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8371.
MCLAUGHLIN, Frederick, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13706.
MERCER, Albert W, Private, RMLI, 16316 (Po).
MILLS, Harry, Private, RMLI, 1502 (Ch).
MOORE, Frederick, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13096.
MOORE, John J, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 10866.
MORAN, Albert E, Private, RMLI, 12908 (Po).
MUTTERS, William H, Private, RMLI, 16964 (Ply).
NEIL, William McK, Private, RMLI, 19585.Ch).
NOTTINGHAM, Leslie, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13806.
NUNN, Albert C, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12579.
ORME, George, Musician, RMB, RMB 1767.
OSBORNE, Frederick J, Corporal, RMA, RMA 5103.
OVERTON, Frank, Musician, RMB, RMB 891.
OWENS, John S, Musician, RMB, RMB 982.
PALLETT, Herbert, Private, RMLI, 16985 (Po).
PARKER, Arthur, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13053.
PICKFORD, George, Private, RMLI, 16315 (Po).
POOLEY, John A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10473.
PRYKE, Joseph N, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13048.
RICHARDSON, Henry, Musician, RMB, RMB 1365.
ROONEY, Gerald C, Major, RMLI.
RUBICK, Arthur, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7378.
RULE, Frederick H, Private, RMLI, 16484 (Po).
SELWAY, Sydney J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13045.
SIMMONDS, Arthur J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8313.
SMALLMAN, Lewis G E, Lance Sergeant, RMLI, 13895 (Po).
SMITH, John, Private, RMLI, 16230 (Ply).
SMITH, Thomas H, Band Corporal, RMB, RMB 1294.
STEADMAN, James W G, Musician, RMB, RMB 1153.
STEVENS, Walter J, Private, RMLI, 15688 (Po).
STYLES, Charles R G, Bugler, RMA, RMA 11546.
SWAIN, Edward E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10953.
TATE, Charles W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 1165.
TAYLOR, James A, Bandmaster 1c, RMB 458.
THOMPSON, Robert B, Musician, RMB, RMB 2191.
THOROGOOD, Edmund J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13095.
TIZZARD, William, Private, RMLI, 18440 (Ch).
TULETT, Henry W, Private, RMLI, 9854 (Po).
WALLINGTON, John H, Gunner, RMA, RMA 1378.
WEBB, Ernest, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 9611.
WHITLOCK, Ernest W, Private, RMLI, 18929 (Ch).
WILMOT, Walter P, Musician, RMB, RMB 1876.
WOOD, Arthur O, Band Corporal, RMB, RMB 1174.
WOOD, Frederick W, Musician, RMB, RMB 824.
WOOD, Montague, Musician, RMB, RMB 501.
WOOLLACOTT, Herbert A, Corporal, RMLI, 18928 (Ch).

Second Battle Cruiser Squadron 2 battlecruisers (HMS Indefatigable sunk).
HMS Indefatigable, sunk:
ABRAHAM, Charles, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10681.
ANTROBUS, Harry J, Bugler, RMLI, 16147 (Ply).
ATKINS, Arthur C, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 8852.
BARBER, John, Private, RMLI, 10429 (Ply).
BARHAM, Gerald J, Bandmaster 1c, RMB, RMB 119.
BEAVEN, Harold, Private, RMLI, 15882 (Po).
BEESLEY, William, Private, RMLI, 17155 (Ply).
BEESTON, Stanley A A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10331.
BLACKWELL, Arthur J, Private, RMLI, 10296 (Po).
BROADBRIDGE, Allan, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10435.
BROCKHURST, James, Private, RMLI, 15133 (Ply).
BUCKINGHAM, Edwin, Musician, RMB, RMB 1588.
BURROWS, Stanley, Corporal, RMLI, 15123 (Ply).
CAGNEY, Thomas, Musician, RMB, RMB 667.
CARRICK, George, Private, RMLI, 14722 (Ply).
CARTER, Francis A, Corporal, RMLI, 15569 (Ply).
CHAMP, William E, Private, RMLI, 16791 (Ply).
CHAPPLE, William S, Private, RMLI, 13947 (Ply).
CLARK, Wyndham W, Private, RMLI, 14012 (Ply).
COLLETT, John H, Private, RMLI, 14601 (Ply).
COLLIS, Robert, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11441.
COWELL, William E, Private, RMLI, 16531 (Ply).
CREELMAN, James, Musician, RMB, RMB 488.
DAVIS, William J, Private, RMLI, 15468 (Ply).
DEACON, Bertie W L, Musician, RMB, RMB 1830.
DEAN, William F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 6160.
DOYLE, Francis, Private, RMLI, 16787 (Po).
DYER, George G, Private, RMLI, 14004 (Po).
FALLON, William H, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14165.
FARQUHARSON, Nathaniel M, Private, RMLI, 13572 (Ply).
FELTHAM, William J, Private, RMLI, 6796 (Ply).
FIELD, George H, Gunner, RM.
FIELDING, Harry, Private, RMLI, 17558 (Ply).
FOSKETT, Henry J, Musician, RMB, RMB 856.
FREEMAN, Charles J E, Colour Sergeant, RMLI, 12208 (Ply).
GALLAGHER, Ernest J, Musician, RMB, RMB 1772.
GRAHAM, John, Private, RMLI, 17205 (Ply).
GRIFFIN, Ernest, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13878.
HARMAN, Richard J, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 12304.
HARRIS, Malcolm M, Corporal, RMLI, 14698 (Ply).
HARRIS, Stephen, Private, RMLI, 17641 (Ply).
HENLEY, Bernard R, Musician, RMB, RMB 1834.
HILL, George J, Bugler, RMA, RMA 6306.
HILL, Tom, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8162.
HULSE, Harold, Private, RMLI, 15427 (Ply).
HUNT, Albert, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12924.
JAMES, Frederick, Musician, RMB, RMB 1250.
JINKS, Albert J W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11545.
KELLY, Joseph, Private, RMLI, 15555 (Ply).
KIRTON, Samuel P, Musician, RMB, RMB 1698.
KITCHING, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 13123 (Ply).
LEONARD, Joseph, Private, RMLI, 15543 (Ply).
LONGHORN, James H, Private, RMLI, 16826 (Po).
LOVELL, George, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11884.
MALLIN, John, Private, RMLI, 7041 (Ply).
MALLON, James, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13442.
MASSEY, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 17899 (Ply).
MATTRAVERS, Fred, Private, RMLI, 8256 .Ply).
MCCAUSLAND, William J, Private, RMLI, 17058 (Ply).
MILLS, Harry, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9027.
MITSON, George W, Private, RMLI, S 316.
MORELAND, Harry L, Private, RMLI, 16822 (Ply).
MORLEY, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 14577 (Ply).
MUDDLE, John G, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8415.
MURCH, Francis, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10673.
NUNN, Charles, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 10772.
PHILLIPS, Harry J, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 6341.
RANDALL, William H, Musician, RMB, RMB 413.
RICKMAN, Horace E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13172.
ROURKE, James, Private, RMLI, 12748 (Ply).
ROWBOTHAM, Wilfred, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12894.
SCAMMELLS, William F, Private, RMLI, 11512 (Ply).
SCHUMMAKER, George C, Band Corporal, RMB, RMB 1011.
SEWELL, Herbert, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13084.
SIMPSON, Joseph C, Private, RMLI, 15320 (Ply).
SIZER, Edward, Act/Bombardier, RMA, RMA 11511.
SLOCOMBE, Richard F, Private, RMLI, 17896 (Ply).
SMEES, Alfred, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13109.
SMITH, Albert E, Ship's Corporal 2c, 229684 (Dev).
STAPLES, John W, Gunner, RMA, RMA.140.
STEPHENSON, Garton G, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12783.
STEWART, Samuel, Private, RMLI, 15164 (Ply).
SUTTON, Lawrence, Private, RMLI, 17713 (Ch).
SWEENEY, Patrick, Private, RMLI, 15445 (Po).
THOMAS, William J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12889.
WATTS, George, Private, RMLI, 15635 (Ply).
WEAVERS, Harold, Musician, RMB, RMB 1044.
WHITE, Albert E, Private, RMLI, 17741 (Ply).
WIFFEN, William J, Musician, RMB, RMB 924.
WIGGINS, Edward J, Musician, RMB, RMB 1818.
WILDE, Percy M C, Captain, RMA.
WILTON, Harvey, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9630.

Fifth Battle Squadron (attached) 4 Dreadnoughts (HMS Barham, HMS Malaya, HMS Warspite damaged).
HMS Malaya, damaged, 10 ratings died of injuries on 1st June, and a further 13 ratings and 2 canteen staff on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 23rd and 24th June:
FOUND, William A, Private, RMLI, 18424 (Po).
HAIGH, Harry, Private, RMLI, 18451 (Po).
LEE, Charles, Private, RMLI, 18419 (Po).
OSTRIDGE, William, Private, RMLI, 18428 (Po).
PORTER, Charles, Private, RMLI, 16901 (Po).
ROGERS, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 10521 (Po).
SOUTER, Samuel, Private, RMLI, 18440 (Po).

Second Light Cruiser Squadron, 4 light cruisers (HMS Dublin, HMS Southampton damaged):
MILLER, Richard T, Private, RMLI, 16072 (Po).
WOODLAND, William H, Private, RMLI, 12390 (Po).

Third Light Cruiser Squadron, 5 light cruisers (HMS Chester damaged):
HMS Chester, damaged, two ratings died of injuries on 1st June and one each on 2nd, 11th, 14th June and 27th July.
HMS Chester:
COOPER, William H, Ship's Corporal 1c, 225272 (Ch).
FASSNIDGE, Edward, Private, RMLI, 20012 (Ch).
GIBBS, John P, Private, RMLI, 16102 (Ch),
GRIMLEY, John M, Private, RMLI, 18024 (Ch).
PATTERSON, William J, Private, RMLI, 10319 (Po).
PRESTON, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 20048 (Ch).
SMITH, William, Private, RMLI, 14230 (Ch).
THORP, Raymond W, Bugler, RMLI, 18245 (Ch).
TUCKER, Albert H, Private, RMLI, 17433 (Ch).

Third Battle Cruiser Squadron (attached) 3 battlecruisers (HMS Invincible lost).
HMS Invincible:
ALLCHIN, George H, Private, RMLI, 10207 (Po).
ASTLE, Reginald H, Private, RMLI, 17356 (Po).
BARKER, Albert W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13479.
BEATWELL, Ernest, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14398.
BECKETT, William, Musician, RMB, RMB 680.
BONCEY, Joseph J, Private, RMLI, 11603 (Po).
BOOKER, Frank W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11432.
BROWN, William L, Private, RMLI, 18333 (Po).
BURFORD, William, Private, RMLI, 13944 (Po).
BURT, Alfred, Private, RMLI, 18338 (Po).
CALLIS, Sidney, Musician, RMB, RMB 1599.
CANNINGS, Willie G, Private, RMLI, 18247 (Po).
CARDEN, William F, Private, RMLI, 18183 (Po).
CHAMPION, Henry, Gunner, RMA, RMA 5375.
CHAMPION, William J, Private, RMLI, 15643 (Po).
CHANCE, Thomas J, Band Corporal, RMB, RMB 1031.
CHARLTON, Albert H, Private, RMLI, 7978 (Ply).
CHEESMUR, William S, Private, RMLI, 18276 (Po).
CLAPSON, Joseph, Ships Corporal 1c (Pens), 350021 (Po).
CLARK, Albert E, Musician, RMB, RMB 227.
CLARK, John, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10056.
COLLINS, Henry W, Private, RMLI, 7283 (Po).
COLQUHOUN, Robert C, Major, RM.
COOK, Reginald, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12724.
CORBON, George W M, Ship's Corporal 1c, 178738 (Po).
COX, Henry J, Private, RMLI, 18307 (Po).
CRUICKSHANKS, Robert, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 5526.
DANIELS, Ernest P, Private, RMLI, 14410 (Po).
DAVIS, Arthur V, Private, RMLI, 16715 (Po).
DENT, Harry, Private, RMLI, 18346 (Po).
DENYER, Frank C, Private, RMLI, 16714 (Po).
DEXTER, Edmond C, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12399.
DOLAN, Thomas J, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 12794.
DOLLING, Francis J, Musician, RMB, RMB 1010.
DOLTON, William F, Private, RMLI, 16710 (Po).
DUNDAS, Norman, Private, RMLI, 12917 (Po).
DUNN, Charles A, Musician, RMB, RMB 2262.
DURHAM, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 18357 (Po).
EMMETT, Maurice (real name, but served as Maurice Maher), Musician, RMB, RMB 1509.
EVERETT, George T, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13445.
EVERTON, Samuel, Private, RMLI, 274 (Ply).
FISHER, Herbert C, Private, RMLI, 16711 (Po).
FITZGERALD, Arthur D, Private, RMLI, 16684 (Po).
FLETCHER, James, Private, RMLI, 18358 (Po).
FREEMAN, Edgar, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10425.
FULKER, Charles F, Private, RMLI, 18360 (Po).
GILLMAN, Sidney G, Private, RMLI, 13019 (Po).
HARDING, William S L, Sergeant, RMLI, 9383 (Po).
HEARN, Albert V, Musician, RMB, RMB 1886.
HERRIDGE, George, Private, RMLI, 14195 (Po).
HERRING, William D, Private, RMLI, 16740 (Po).
HIBBERD, Frederick, Private, RMLI, 16713 (Po).
HIGGS, Sidney J, Corporal, RMLI, 14259 (Po).
HOBBS, Harry T, Private, RMLI, 16663 (Po).
HOWARD, Frank, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14243.
HOWARD, John M T, Musician, RMB, RMB 2045.
HUMPHREY, Charles, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14014.
HUTCHINGS, George W, Musician, RMB, RMB 1019.
HYSLOP, Norman, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12687.
JAMIESON, Robert F, Band Corporal, RMB, RMB 1184.
KEAN, John, Private, RMLI, 13732 (Po).
KEAR, William G, Private, RMLI, 14944 (Po).
KELHAM, Ernest, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13448.
KNIGHT, Albion H, Private, RMLI, 10412 (Po).
LE SEELLEUR, John T, Lieutenant, RMLI.
LEESON, Charles, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12221.
LEGG, Reginald, Private, RMLI, 15563 (Po).
LYNCH, John, Private, RMLI, 10585 (Po).
MANN, Ernest, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7006.
MILLARD, George, Private, RMLI, 15817 (Po).
MITCHELL, Walter, Private, RMLI, 15152 (Ply).
MOORE, Edward W, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 7916.
MORRIS, Herbert W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13797.
NIXON, Albert E, Gunner, RM.
NORMAN, George, Musician, RMB, RMB 408.
ORR, Ernest F J, Private, RMLI, 13892 (Ply).
OTTAWAY, William J, Private, RMLI, 15405 (Po).
PARKER, Frederick W H, Corporal, RMLI, 15023 (Po).
PEARCE, Harry H F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10567.
PEARSON, Reuben, Private, RMLI, 9217 (Ply).
PHELAN, John D, Bugler, RMLI, 16860 (Po).
REEVES, Robin M, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13456.
RENDALL, Frank H, Private, RMLI, 17293 (Po).
RIDGE, Francis, Musician, RMB, RMB 508.
ROBBINS, Samuel H, Private, RMLI, 15758 (Po).
ROLLS, John, Musician, RMB, RMB 678.
SHANKS, Thomas F, Private, RMLI, 18328 (Po).
SHEARING, Henry W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10921.
SHERMAN, Arthur, Corporal, RMLI, 14665 (Po).
SIMMS, Albert, Private, RMLI, 18354 (Po).
SPOONER, Albert E, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12022.
STYLES, Albert H, Private, RMLI, 18329 (Po).
SUNDERLAND, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 18347 (Po).
TAYLOR, George E, Private, RMLI, 18316 (Po).
TEBBITT, William T, Bugler, RMA, RMA 13859.
TERRY, Ernest E J, Private, RMLI, S 1015 (Po).
THOMPSON, Frederick J, Private, RMLI, 17921 (Po).
TRICKS, Robert, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10665.
TURTON, Thomas F, Private, RMLI, 16707 (Po).
VINEY, John, Private, RMLI, 18294 (Po).
WAIT, William T, Private, RMLI, 14552 (Po).
WARD, Harry E, Private, RMLI, 14128 (Po).
WATSON, Alfred J, Musician, RMB, RMB 2063.
WHATLEY, William F A, Private, RMLI, 16736 (Po).
WILES, Theodore, Ship's Corporal 1c, 210928 (Po).
WILSON, George, Private, RMLI, 14939 (Po).
WILSON, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 11164 (Ply).
WOOD, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 15626 (Po).
WOOD, Frederick A, Corporal, RMA, RMA 10231.
YOUNGER, William E, Private, RMLI, 11888 (Ply).

First Cruiser Squadron four cruisers (HMS Black Prince, HMS Defence, HMS Warrior lost).
HMS Black Prince:
ARMSTRONG, Alfred J, Private, RMLI, 13778 (Po).
ASPINALL, Frederick S, Private, RMLI, 12580 (P0).
BARSBY, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 8311 (Po).
BLANDFORD, Sidney H, Private, RMLI, 15988 (Po).
BONNER, William, Private, RMLI, 15171 (Po).
BOWERMAN, Charles G, Private, RMLI, 17914 (Po).
BREWERTON, Abraham H, Private, RMLI, 16598 (Po).
BUTLIN, John H, Private, RMLI, 15447 (Ch).
CALLAGHAN, Bernard, Private, RMLI, 17172 (Po).
CHURCHER, Henry J, Private, RMLI, 16556 (Po).
CHURCHILL, Arthur E, Private, RMLI, 15713 (Po).
CONWAY, Harry, Private, RMLI, 14884 (Po).
COWARD, Thomas A, Private, RMLI, 16570 (Po).
CUOMO, Guiseppe, Bandsman, 363248 (Po).
DABBS, William, Private, RMLI, 16599 (Po).
DAVIS, Horace W, Private, RMLI, 17723 (Po).
DELVES-BROUGHTON, Alfred W, Captain, RM.
DENNING, Christian E, Private, RMLI, 17748 (Po).
DROVER, John E J, Private, RMLI, 17684 (Po).
DYER, James, Private, RMLI, 8856 (Po).
ELLIOTT, Henry G, Private, RMLI, 17171 (Po).
EYLES, Bertram A, Private, RMLI, 16333 (Po).
FISHER, James C, Private, RMLI, 16003 (Po).
FLACK, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 16585 (Po).
FORD, Richard H, Private, RMLI, 16569 (Po).
FORMOSA, Angelo, Bandsman, 354720 (Po).
FRENCH, Richard G, Private, RMLI, 16597 (Po).
GASKIN, Luke, Private, RMLI, 17697 (Po).
GIBBINS, George W, Private, RMLI, 15955 (Po).
GINGELL, Joseph F, Private, RMLI, 16630 (Po).
GOODCHILD, Arthur, Private, RMLI, 16348 (Po).
GREEN, George, Private, RMLI, 18483 (Po).
GUNNER, Christopher J, Private, RMLI, 17688 (Po).
HARRIS, Wilfred J, Private, RMLI, 17383 (Po).
HIGGINS, Frederick D Y, Private, RMLI, 16584 (Po).
HOAR, Charles H, Private, RMLI, 16031 (Po).
HOAR, Ernest W, Private, RMLI, 11167 (Po).
HOLT, Ernest A, Private, RMLI, 11268 (Po).
HOOPER, Charles H, Sergeant, RMLI, 12283 (Po).
INGLIS, Charles, Private, RMLI, 16583 (Po).
KIDSTON, Arthur S, Private, RMLI, 17784 (Po).
LANE, William K, Private, RMLI, 16557 (Po).
LEEDHAM, James G, Private, RMLI, 15331 (Ch).
LINSKILL, Frederick C, Private, RMLI, 15120 (Po).
LOCKLEY, Howard F, Corporal, RMLI, 14211 (Po).
LUGG, Reginald F, Private, RMLI, 17692 (Po).
MACDONALD, Thomas, Private, RMLI, 16562 (Po).
MARTIN, Edward, Private, RMLI, 13151 (Po).
MULROONEY, Edward H J, Bugler, RMLI, 18698 (Po).
NASH, Arthur G, Private, RMLI, 17101 (Po).
PARSONS, Roland W, Private, RMLI, 16620 (Po).
PENNY, Frederick C, Private, RMLI, 16610 (Po).
PHILLIPS, Frederick W, Private, RMLI, 16665 (Po).
PICK, Walter, Private, RMLI, 17710 (Po).
PORTOGHESE, Guiseppe, Bandsman, M 4348 (Po).
PORTOGHESI, Enrico, Bandsman, 114422 (Po).
PRICE, William H, Private, RMLI, 16600 (Po).
.PRIMMER, John H, Lance Sergeant, RMLI, 15167 (Po).
PRINCE, James, Corporal, RMLI, 15071 (Po).
READ, Henry W C, Private, RMLI, 8231 (Po).
ROBERTSON, Robert P, Private, RMLI, 16390 (Po).
ROBINSON, William G, Private, RMLI, 17852 (Po).
ROSMONDO, Mattio, Bandsman, 361392 (Po).
RUFF, John, Private, RMLI, 15267 (Po).
SANGER, Frederick, Private, RMLI, 16563 (Po).
SCOTT, Ernest, Private, RMLI, 17927(Po).
SHAW, Richard E, Private, RMLI, 15530 (Po).
SLAYMAKER, Edward T, Corporal, RMLI, 10971 (Po).
SMITH, Valentine, Private, RMLI, 16340 (Po).
SMITH, William J, Private, RMLI, 17751 (Po).
STEINTHAL, Geoffrey R, Act/Lieutenant, RM.
STIMPSON, Sydney A, Private, RMLI, 17924 (Po).
STOUT, Albert E, Colour Sergeant, RMLI, 7785 (Po).
STRANO, Domenico, Bandsman, 353263 (Po).
STRONACH, Charles, Private, RMLI, 15830 (Po).
STUART, William, Private, RMLI, 16616 (Po).
TAWNEY, Cyril V, Bugler, RMLI, 18659 (Po).
TILBURY, Lawrence A, Private, RMLI, 16560 (Po).
TUCKER, Harry, Private, RMLI, 14190 (Po).
TURNER, Henry W W, Private, RMLI, 16512 (Po).
UNGARO, Luigi, Band Corporal, 353485 (Po).
URSO, Giovannai, Bandsman, 356933 (Po).
VINEY, Bertie J, Corporal, RMLI, 15085 (Po).
WHITE, John M, Private, RMLI, 11691 (Po).
WILLS, Arthur S, Private, RMLI, 15597 (Po).
WILSON, Francis A, Private, RMLI, 17602 (Po).

HMS Defence:
ASHE, Robert, Private, RMLI, 15633 (Ply).
AYERS, Bertie W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11442.
BAGNALL, Leslie J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13055.
BALDACCHINO, Alberto, Bandsman, 157931.
BANKS, Harry, Private, RMLI, 17898 (Ply).
BEAGLEY, Frederick J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13061.
BEET, Arthur, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11765.
BENNETT, Courtney W, Private, RMLI, 16123 (Ply).
BLACKMAN, Ernest A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 5538.
BLATCHFORD, Thomas H, Private, RMLI, 15599 (Ply).
BOLDERSTON, James J, Private, RMLI, 17342 (Ply).
BOWDEN, Alfred A T, Gunner, RMA, RMA 10630.
BOYLING, Albert, Private, RMLI, 14997 (Ply).
BROOKS, Francis G, Private, RMLI, 16429 (Ply).
BROWN, Harold, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14451.
BROWN, Lawrence, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14178.
BUCKELL, George H, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 10679.
BULLEN, Albert B, Private, RMLI, 17893 (Ply).
BURDETT, John E, Private, RMLI, 16739 (Ply).
BURRIDGE, Walter G, Private, RMLI, 14775 (Ply).
CARMANDO, Nunzio, Bandsman, 362456.
CAVALLAZZI, Agostino, Bandsman, 354475.
COLES, Albert, Private, RMLI, 6420 (Ply).
COLTON, James L, Lance Sergeant, RMA, RMA 11374.
CONQUEST, Claude F, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 13062.
.CONSIGLIO, Giovanni, Bandsman, 177581.
COOKE, Frederick, Private, RMLI, 15647 (Ply).
COOPER, Herbert J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14544.
CROSSAN, Thomas L, Private, RMLI, 17318 (Ply).
CROWLEY, Jeremiah, Ship's Corporal 1c, 297253 (Dev).
DANIEL, Frank H, Bugler, RMLI, 16031 (Ply).
DAVIES, David, Gunner, RMA, RMA 11928.
DI MAURO, Virgilio, Chief Bandmaster, 158946.
EDWARDS, Robert, Private, RMLI, 15631 (Ply).
EDWARDS, Stanley F, Corporal, RMLI, 9819 (Ply).
ENGLAND, Albert F, Private, RMLI, 17359 (Ply).
FLINT, William E I, Private, RMLI, 17994 (Ply).
FONDACARO, Nicolo, Band Corporal, 163938.
FURLONG, William, Gunner, RMA, 12643.
GILLARD, William C, Private, RMLI, 17363 (Ply).
GLOVER, Joseph, Private, RMLI, 15628 (Ply).
GOSLIN, Cecil S, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13069.
GOSLING, James T, Sergeant, RMLI, 6621 (Ply).
GRANT, George D, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14651.
GRANT, Stanley W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14469.
GREENWOOD, Leonard M, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12586.
GURNEY, William A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 6795.
HAMILTON, Alexander D P, Act/Lieutenant, RM.
HOARE, William, Private, RMLI, 15624 (Po).
HUBBARD, William, Colour Sergeant, RMA, RMA 4486.
JOHNSTON, Samuel C, Private, RMLI, 17830 (Ply).
JOLLIFFE, Victor, Act/Bombardier, RMA, RMA 11539.
JORDAN, James R, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13900.
KELLY, Patrick, Private, RMLI, 73880 (Ply).
KEYS, Alfred R, Act/Bombardier, RMA, RMA 13067.
LANGMEAD, Ernest J, Private, RMLI, 15637 (Ply).
LIGRESTISCHIROS, Emanuele, Bandsman, 363072.
LITTON, Tom, Private, RMLI, 13632 (Ply).
LONG, William A, Gunner, RMA, RMA 5271.
LOVEGROVE, Benjamin, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7480.
LYNCH, William, Private, RMLI, 13552 (Ply).
MACLEAN, Parry, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13461.
MCGUIRE, Alfred F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 8863.
MCNAMARA, William, Gunner, RMA, RMA 9609.
MONTESIN, Carmelo, Bandsman, 175642.
MONTGOMERY, John, Private, RMLI, 17190 (Ply).
MORLEY, Walter, Private, RMLI, 12335 (Ply).
MORRIS, Ernest J, Sergeant, RMA, RMA 6892.
MUSCARA, Corrado, Bandsman, 355168.
OSBORN, Samuel F, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14523.
O'SULLIVAN, William H, Ship's Corporal 1c, 217980 (Dev).
PACKER, Henry, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12664.
PITTEY, Charles J, Private, RMLI, 16469 (Ply).
POLATO, Antonio, Bandsman, 353280.
PORTELLI, Enrico, Bandsman, 353781.
PORTER, George, Private, RMLI, 10397 (Ply).
PRESTON, Alfred H S, Sergeant, RMLI, 8306 (Ply).
PRICE, James, Private, RMLI, 14572 (Ply).
PRIDE, James, Private, RMLI, 17756 (Ply).
RICHES, Lewis, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 13054.
RIDD, Albert J, Gunner, RMA, RMA 7827.
RONSISVALLE, Alfredo, Bandsman, 356550.
RUSH, Alfred W, Bugler, RMA, RMA 14253.
RYAN, William, Private, RMLI, 17775 (Ply).
SAINT, Frank P, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14470.
SALTER, Charles B, Ship's Corporal 1c, M 19147 (Dev).
ANDERS, William H D, Private, RMLI, 15062 (Po).
SANDHAM, Frederick J, Private, RMLI, 14180 (Po).
SHORROCKS, Bernard, Private, RMLI, 15632 (Ply).
SINGLETON, Tom, Private, RMLI, 14690 (Ply).
STEPHENSON, Albert V, Private, RMLI, 14109 (Ply).
STEVENSON, John W, Gunner, RMA, RMA 13059.
STOCKDEN, Thomas G, Bombardier, RMA, RMA 12867.
TAYLOR, John, Private, RMLI, 17174 (Ply).
TAYLOR, John C, Ship's Corporal 1c, M 16192 (Dev).
TAYLOR, Philip, Private, RMLI, 13635 (Ply).
TURNER, Bertie, Gunner, RMA, RMA 14531.
VENTURI, Roberto, Bandsman, 168700.
WALDEN, George W, Private, RMLI, 17781 (Ch).
WALKER, William, Gunner, RMA, RMA 12638.
WHIDDON, Albert, Corporal, RMLI, 15247 (Ply).
WILLIAMS, Sidney J, Private, RMLI, 15622 (Ply).
WOOD, Arthur W, Private, RMLI, 14132 (Ply).

HMS Warrior - damaged on 31st May, sank 1st June one rating each died of wounds on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 11th June.
HMS Warrior:
LETHEREN, Arthur G, Private, RMLI, 15588 (Ply).
TROTT, Frederick G, Ship's Corporal 1c, M 6036 (Dev).
WILLERTON, William, Bugler, RMA, RMA 7861.
Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron 5 light cruisers (HMS Calliope damaged) and 1 attached HMS Calliope, two rating died of injuries on 1st June, and one on 3rd:
BALCOMBE, Archer W, Sergeant, RMLI, 15620 (Ch).
HORSFALL, Frederick T, Private, RMLI, 10018 (Ch).

Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla 1 light cruiser (HMS Castor damaged), 1 flotilla leader, 14 destroyers (no lives lost).
HMS Castor, light cruiser, damaged:
FLORY, Albert E, Bugler, RMLI, 18169 (Po).

Thursday 1st June 1916.
Battle Fleet, Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, 2 flotilla leaders (HMS Broke damaged on 31st May, HMS Tipperary sunk on 1st June), 17 destroyers (HMS Shark, HMS sunk, HMS Acasta, HMS Porpoise, HMS Spitfire damaged on 31st May, HMS Ardent, HMS Fortune, HMS Sparrowhawk sunk on 1st June).
HMS Tipperary, Flotilla leader, sunk:
HICKS, William H C, Private, RMLI, 15272 (Po).
HOWARD, Temple, Private, RMLI, 15111 (Po).
LEVER, George, Private, RMLI, 5812 (Po).
SAFFERY, Henry T, Private, RMLI, 14720 (Po).
SMALLEY, William, Sergeant, RMLI, 7037 (Po).
STEWART, Neil, Private, RMLI, 15056 (Po).
WARREN, Arthur A E W, Private, RMLI, 16891 (Po).
WATERS, Charles, Private, RMLI, 16359 (Ch).

Died of wounds or injuries sustained in earlier actions.

Battle Cruiser Fleet:
HMS Malaya, Dreadnought battleship, Fifth Battle Squadron, damaged on 31st May:
MABBETT, Frank, Private, RMLI, 7273 (Po).
REDMOND, Michael, Private, RMLI, 687 (Po).

Battle Fleet:
HMS Calliope, light cruiser, Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron, damaged on 31st May:
COLLINS, William A, Private, RMLI, 19073 (Ch).

In all, 593 Royal Marines including bandsmen lost their lives during this sea battle alone.

1916. Wednesday 31st May – 1st June. The Battle of Jutland that took place off the coast of Denmark, saw the German High Seas Fleet and the British Grand Fleet battle for supremacy of the North Sea. On casualty figures it was a German victory, although they never again challenged the might of the British Royal Navy. Admiral Lord Jellicoe sailed from Scapa Flow with the Grand Fleet and joined with the Battle cruiser Squadron under Admiral Beatty from Rosyth. The combined force consisted of 24 Battleships, S Battle Cruisers, 8 Armoured Cruisers, 6 Heavy cruisers. 12 Light Cruisers, 51 Destroyers plus smaller craft and some submarines. The German High Seas Fleet under Admiral Hipper sailed through the Heligoland Bight and was joined by Admiral Sheer with his squadron, bring their combined strenght to 16 Battleships, 5 Battle Cruisers, 5 Light Cruisers, 39 Destroyers, U-Boats and Zeppelins. Although smaller in number, the German fleet was generally more modern, and their gunnery was considered superior to the British. The opening shots were fired at 1548hrs by the German battle cruiser LIJTZOW, followed by the British Battle Cruiser Squadrons some three minutes later. The range was 16.6kms and was effective from the first salvo, for the roof of "0" turret of HMS Lion. Admiral Beatty's flagship was blown off. The turret was under the command of Major Francis J. V. Harvey RHLI, who although mortally wounded, with both his legs blown off, gave the order for the magazines to be flooded. This saved the ship, for a second explosion in the turret passed down the trunking in a great sheet of flame, killing all who had escaped from the magazine and shell room. By 01OOhrs the range had closed to 15kms and a few minutes after the hour the battle cruiser INDEFATIGABLE blew up. An eye-witness aboard a destroyer later recalled how they watched with dissbelief a column of water, steam and smoke engulf Indefatigable and rise a thousand feet in the air, then with relief saw her bows sheer through the base of the cloud, only to realise with horror that it was not Indefatigable but the following ship, who had steamed right over the spot where she had been but a few minutes before. Four British battleships then joined the action as they came into range, the main German fleet conning into action at 1646hrs. However, the British 5th Battle Squadron was not to join the engagement until some 80 minutes later, after which time a running fight continued into the night. Of the light cruisers present. HMS Chester whose RH Detachment totalled 40 men, manning two of the 5.5" guns, entered the action at 1730hrs against 3 German light cruisers. The forth German salvo at 5kms range hit the CHESTER's port side, killing eight of the marines manning the guns and wounding another 10 out of a crew of 20, and knocked out the Port side Not gun. Captain E. Bamford RHLI (later to receive the VC at Zeebrugge) although wounded, left the shattered control room and joined the depleted crew of one of the guns. at the same time controlling the fire of the other 5.50 assisted by two marines who came up from the shell room to keep both guns in action, both were to be killed but the guns continued in action.
As the dawn broke the destroyers put in a final attack, sinking the old German battleship FOMMERN. As the two fleets disengaged. Germany had lost ii ships totalling 61,000 tons sunk and 2,550 dead from crews totalling 45,000men. Britain had lost 14 ships, mostly larger vessels than the German, totalling 116.000 tons with 6,090 men killed from the 60,000 engaged in the action. Of the 5,632 Royal Marines engaged. 538 were killed in action. Major F.J.W. Harvey was awarded a posthumous VC and Captain E. Bamford was Awarded the DSO, the first.RM officer to receive this award for service Afloat.
Of Major Harvey's gallant action in saving the ship. Winston Churchill spoke the now historic words:
In the long, rough, glorious history of the Royal Marines there is no name or deed which in its character or consequences ranks above this".
Known ships engaged:
* Denotes Sunk
BRITISH GRAND FLEET.
Abdiel, Ardent*, Barham, Benbow, Black Prince*, Birmingham, Broke, Calliope, Castor, Canterbury, Colossus, Contest, Chester, Caroline, Dublin, Defence*, Erin, Falmouth, Fortune, Galatea, Indefatigable, Inflexible, Inconstant, Invincible*, Iron Duke, King George V. Lion, Marlborough, Moresby, Minotaur, Malaya, New Zealand, Nomad*, Nestor*. Onslow, Orion, Princess Royal, Queen Mary*, Royalist, Superb, Southampton, Shark*, Sparrow Hawk*, Spitfire, Tipperary*, Turbulent, Tiger, Valiant, Warrior*. Yarmouth.
GERMAN HIGH SEAS FLEET
Derffinger, Deutschland, Ebling*, Frauenlob*, Friedrich der Grosse Frankfurt, Hanover, Kaiser, Konig, Lutzow*, Moltke, Nassau, Pommern*, Osterfriesland, Fossen, Fillau, Regensburg, Rostock*, Stettin, Seydlitz, Stuttgart, Von der Tenn Westfalen

1916. Monday 5th June. The Empire sustained an Irreparable loss, when HMS Hampshire, which was conveying Lord Kitchener and his staff to Russia, struck a mine off the Orkneys and was lost with all hands, except a few who were rescued from a raft. The Royal Marines in the Batteries at Hoy (Orkneys) found themselves helpless spectators and could only watch her sink, and search the shore for any survivors who might have been washed up in the rough seas. Captain C.S. Hazeon RMLI, who had narrowly escaped being blown up in HMS Natal, and 63 NCO’s and men of the RMLI were drowned.

1916. Wednesday 7th June. Royal Marines from HMS Talbot involved in the occupation of Tanga East Africa.

1916. Saturday 24th June. Royal Marines Cyclist Company of the Royal Naval Division disbanded while in Flanders France.

1916. Saturday 24th June. Headquarters AA Battalion RMA returned to England.

1916. Saturday 1st July. The Battle of the Somme Commenced - RMA Howitzer Brigade on the Western Front.

1916. Sunday 2nd July. The Royal Naval Brigade was broken up, and the staff joined the 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade.

1916. Saturday 1st - 13th July. The Battle of Albert - RMA Howitzer Brigade on the Western Front.

1916. Wednesday 13th July. 1/RMLI take over trenches for the first time.

1916. Thursday 14th - 17th July. The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - No's 1, 2, 3 and 10 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Friday 15th July - 3rd September. The Battle of Delville Wood - No3 RMA Howitzer on the Western Front.

1916. Thursday 20th July. Royal Navy renumbered 63rd Royal Naval Division on the Western Front.

1916. Saturday 22nd - 26th July. HMS Talbot bombarded Bwem Bluff and Royal Marines landed at Pangani in East Africa.

1916. Sunday 23rd July - 3rd September. The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - No's 1, 2 and 10 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Thursday 27th - 29th July. Seamen and Royal Marines from HMS Talbot captured the village of Mkwadja in East Africa.

1916. Thursday 27th July. 1st Reserve Battalion RMLI formed at Blandford.

1916. Thursday 27th July. Royal Marine School of Musketry created at Browndown (later SASRM).

1916. Tuesday 1st August. Royal Marines from HMS Talbot with the gunboat HMS Thistle occupied Sadani in East Africa.

1916. Thursday 10th August. HMS India, armed merchant cruiser, torpedoed off Norway, 9 Royal Marines were lost.

1916. Tuesday 15th August. Royal Marines from HMS Talbot, HMS Vengeance and HMS Challenger captured Bagamoyo in East Africa.

1916. Thursday 17th August. 1st and 2nd Battalion RMLI carried out reconnaissance patrols at Angres on the Western Front.

1916. Saturday 19th August. Cruisers in action against submarines and light forces in the North Sea.

1916. Monday 21st August. Bombardment of Dar-Es-Salaam by HMS Talbot, HMS Vengeance and HMS Challenger in East Africa.

1916. Saturday 26th August. No 15 Royal Marine Battery occupied Morogoro in East Africa.

1916. August. Due to the large number of RGA siege batteries being formed for service in France there was a shortage of qualified officers to command these siege batteries, therefore the War Office requested that Royal Marine Artillery officers be transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery for service as officers commanding siege batteries. One of these was Captain Hubert Richard, RMA who after almost 18 years of service as an officer was demobilised by the RMA on 21st August 1916 and accepted a commission as Temporary Captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the same day. Two months later he went to France in command of 199th Siege Battery, RGA. He was later promoted Major, RGA and mentioned in despatches. Major Hubert Richard Twiss, Royal Marine Artillery/Royal Garrison Artillery.
1914 - 1915 Star (Captain, R.M.A.)
British War Medal (Major)
WW1 Victory Medal with M. I. D. Emblem (Major)
Twiss was born at Long Ditton, Surrey on 21st December 1880, the son of Arthur Edward Twiss, a clerk in the Secretary’s Office, General Post Office, London and Agnes Forbes Twiss (née Willis). He was educated at Felsted School from September 1895 to July 1898 where he was a Prefect and played on the Football XI in 1897. On 1st September 1898 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery. He was on leave from 1st September 1898 to 29th September 1898 and then was a student at the Royal Naval College from 30th September 1898 until 15th August 1900, being promoted to Lieutenant on 1st July 1899. From 16th August 1900 to 20th January1902 he served at the Headquarters, Royal Marine Artillery.
He served in the Channel on H. M. S. “Magnificent” from 21st January 1902 until 21st January 1903 and then returned to service with the Royal Marine Artillery Division until 10th April 1903. From 11th April 1903 to 12th February 1904 he served on H. M. S. “Repulse” and then with the Royal Marine Artillery Division until being posted to H. M. S. “Revenge” in home waters from 18th May 1904 to 31st August 1905. Up until this point Twiss had received very good reports that stated: “a promising young officer of good physique”; “Very good tact with men. Recommended for advancement;” and “able and zealous, good tempered and tactful.”
Twiss served with the Royal Marine Artillery Division from 1st September 1905 to 18th April 1906 and then served on H. M. S. “Caesar” from 19th May 1906 until 25th May 1907. From 26th May 1907 to 15th July 1907 he was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery Division and then served on H. M. S. “Good Hope” from 16th July 1907 to 17th August 1909. He was promoted to Captain, Royal Marine Artillery on 10th December 1909 and served with the Royal Marine Artillery Division from 18th August 1909 to 26th September 1910. During this period his reports began to hint at some problems with his financial obligations: “capable and has good judgment but is not entirely reliable for the command of a detachment afloat owing to his lack of self-control and of his sense of pecuniary obligations;” “good ability and judgment but lacks zeal and is careless with his pecuniary obligations;” “capable officer but careless in money matters.” These financial problems eventually caught up with him and he was tried by General Court Martial in the Officers’ Library at Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth on 18th July 1910 on two charges of “acting to the prejudice of good order and military discipline”. He was found guilty of the second charge and sentenced to be severely reprimanded. On 27th September 1910 he was posted to H. M. S. “Agamemnon” where he served until retiring at his own request with a gratuity of £1200 on 1st April 1911 and being appointed to the Reserve of Officers, Royal Marines on the same day. From 1911 to 1914 he was a planter in Ceylon.
He was recalled to active service on 10th August 1914 and served in the Orkneys commanding the batteries at Hoxa and Stanger at Scapa Flow. Through his efforts “the batteries were brought to a state of efficiency, whilst they kept their personnel, consisting of mostly old men in a fit and efficient condition throughout the trying winter of 1914-1915. The men were for a long time in tents. On boggy ground without even bottom boards, for the winter was well advanced before the huts were built; this was a high test of the stamina, discipline and courage of the Royal Marine Reservist, which triumphed over all difficulties and even over his rheumatism.”
From 23ed December 1914 until 7th June 1915 he served on H. M. S. “Cyclops” at Scapa Flow. He was tried by naval court martial on board H.M.S. “Royal Arthur” on 7th June 1915, charged with being drunk on board “Royal Arthur.” He was found guilty and sentenced to be dismissed from “Royal Arthur” and to be severely reprimanded. From 8th June 1915 to 16th October 1915 he was posted to a 4-inch Royal Marine Artillery Battery in France. In late October 1915 a battery of 4-inch guns on field carriages was formed at Eastney, with Major Harding in command and with Captain Twiss as Battery Captain. They left headquarters for Plymouth on 15th October 1915 and embarked from there for Salonika. On arrival at Malta the battery was diverted with its guns to Alexandria, which was being used as a base for the forthcoming Salonika expedition. They arrived in Alexandria on 30th October 1915 and were added to the coastal defences there. Battery headquarters and two of the guns were established at Sil Silleh and the other two guns were sent to Mustapha under Captain Twiss.
Meanwhile the Senassi were causing trouble on the northwest frontier of Egypt, supported by Turkish submarines. When they captured Sollun in November 1915, Captain Twiss with 20 N.C.O.s and men and the two 4-inch guns from Mustapha were landed at Mersa Matruk on 26th December 1915. The sand proved so soft that the guns sank in it up to their axles and so for the time being there was nothing that could be done until a general advance was possible. On 29th November 1915 he was admitted to the 15th General Hospital at Alexandria with fever but re-joined his unit on 13th December 1915.
In January and February 1916 there were various small engagements, and at the end of February a general advance was possible, but due to the ground conditions the guns remained in position. In the early part of March Sollum was recaptured and Twiss was transferred to the Coast Defence, Sollum on 18th March 1916. He embarked at Alexandria on 8th May 1916 and returned to England via Marseilles on 20th May 1916. He served with the Royal Marine Artillery Division from 21st May 1916 to 21st August 1916. On 24th May 1916 he was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar with an oriental sore on the calf of his left leg. He was re-surveyed on 11th August 1916 and found fit for active service.
In consequence of a request from the War Office to the Royal Marine Office for officers for Siege Artillery he was demobilized from the Royal Marine Artillery on 20th August 1916 and appointed as a Temporary Captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the same day. He went to France on 15th November 1916 and was appointed as an Acting Major while commanding 199th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery from 21st November 1916 to 15th July 1917. At Achiecourt, near Arras, on 8th April 1917 he was “struck on the back by falling debris and while resting, was later in the same day, thrown over by another shell striking the room he was in.” In his own words: “as however, I was only badly shaken and bruised and at that time not sufficiently bad in my opinion to leave the line, I carried on.” In July 1917 near Boesinghe “he was blown up by a shell” and spent a fortnight in the hospital, re-joining his battery at Passchendaele. On 15th August 1917 he was appointed an Acting Major while commanding a Siege Battery.
“Subsequently he complained of lumbar pain and sciatica on the right side which rendered him incapable of performing his duties and he was admitted to hospital on 30th March 1918.” On 27th April 1918 he was evacuated from Boulogne to Dover on a Hospital Ship and admitted to a hospital in London where he remained for seven months. He was mentioned in the 15th September 1917 despatches of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Commanding-in-Chief, the British Armies in France “for gallant service and devotion to duty” (in the London Gazette of 11th December 1917) and was appointed as a Temporary Major, Royal Garrison Artillery on 15th September 1918.
In November 1918 he was posted to the 4th Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade at Ramillies Barracks, Aldershot, but in in December 1918 he was sent back to the hospital. He left the hospital on 6th March 1919 and returned to the 4th Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade on 30th April 1919. On 20th July 1919 he was “ informed that his services were of no further use and ordered to report back to the Admiralty. He relinquished his temporary commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 22nd July 1919 and retained the rank of Major in the army. The Admiralty denied responsibility for him, because they had demobilized him in 1916. Their Lordships in 1920 approved Twiss being allowed to volunteer for the Royal Irish Constabulary. In 1921 he engaged in a tour through Scotland delivering lectures “illustrated by a unique and beautiful series of colour and motion pictures, on the campaigns in Arabia and Palestine.” On 17th April 1924 Twiss left Southampton, England on the SS Minnesota bound for Quebec, Canada to take up farming. He died at The Vicarage, Bicester, Oxfordshire on 9th June 1945, leaving £49 5s 11d to his sister, Adelaide Ouchterlony Cowland-Cooper, wife of Charles Paul Cowland-Cooper. At the time of his death he lived at 1 Windsor Drive, Audenshaw, near Manchester.
Sources:
Army Lists
London Gazette
Medal Index Card
Royal Marine Papers (ADM196/63
RGA Officer’s Papers (WO339/68833)
Globe and Laurel, September 1916
Globe and Laurel, June 1921
Globe and Laurel, November 1945
Britain’s Sea Soldiers: History of Royal Marine Artillery, 1930
Royal Marines in the War of 1914-1919
Alumni Felstediensis 1852-1921. Alumni Felstediensis 1890-1950. (www.gmic.co.uk/topic/37275)(Gunner1)

1916. Saturday 2nd - 5th September. Royal Marines from HMS Talbot, HMS Vengeance and HMS Challenger' occupied Dar-Es-Salaam in East Africa.

1916. Sunday 3rd - 6th September. The Battle of Guillemont - No's 3 and 10 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Thursday 7th September. Kilwa Kiwimc, and Kilwa Kisiwane surrendered to a Royal Marine force.

1916. Saturday 9th September. The Battle of Ginchy - No's 3 and 10 RMA Howitzers.

1916. Wednesday 13th September. A Royal Marines Force embarked in HMS Himalaya and landed at Mikindani in East Africa.

1916. Friday 15th - 22nd September. The Battle of Flers-Courcellette - No's 2 and 10 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Sunday 17th September. A Royal Marine force embarked in HMS Himalaya and later occupied Lindi in East Africa.

1916. Monday 18th September. HMS Challenger occupied Kiswere in East Africa.

1916. Monday 25th - 28th September. The Battle of Morval - No's 1 and 2 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Tuesday 26th - 28th September. The Battle of Thiepval Ridge - No's 1, 2 and 5 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Sunday 1st - 18th October. The Batttle of the Transloy Ridge - No 3 RMA Howitzers on the Western Front.

1916. Tuesday 10th - 11th October. The Battle of the Ancre Heights - No's 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 and 12 RMA Howitzers on the Western front.

1916. Wednesday 11th October. Royal Marines from HMS Exmouth and HMS Duncan occupied Lipso Island in Greece.

1916. Friday 13th October. General Paris, Commanding Royal Naval Division was wounded.

1916. October - November. 3rd RMLI Battalion Raised to replace army units as garrisons on Greek–administered islands in the eastern Aegean. Gen Sir H. E. Blumberg, KCB, a Brigadier at that time, commanded from June 1918 until November 1919. In the summer of 1919 4,000 Russian refugees were housed in a camp which had been improvised by the Battalion which was now small in numbers. Meanwhile 170 of the Battalion manned Bosphorous forts from January to November 1919, when all the garrisons were reduced to a total of 194 all ranks, the French taking over when 15,000 defeated White Russians arrived on Mudros, and the garrison finally left the islands on 25 June 1921.(RMHS)

1916. Wednesday 1st November. Private Frank Ward RMLI on board HMS MINERVA fired a 6 inch shrapnel shell at the Turkish fort at Akaba. This was probably the first shot fired by the British against the Ottoman Empire in the Great War. (Private Ward was killed in a landing at Akaba on New Year's Eve 1914, his 30th birthday.)
An account of this incident was reported in 'The Times' on 4th November 1914 which stated that "On arrival at Akaba HMS MINERVA (Captain P H Warleigh) found the place in the occupation of soldiers, one of whom had the appearance of a German officer, and armed natives. The MINERVA then shelled the fort and the troops. The town was evacuated, and a landing party proceeded to destroy the fort, the barracks, the post office, and stores. There. was some loss to the enemy, but no British casualties."
I was serving in HMS MINERVA at the time. She was a two funnel cruiser, brought out of the reserve and specially commissioned for the review. She was launched in 1895 (the year I was born). At Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Review at Spithead in 1897 she was one of the newest ships; at King George V Review at Spithead in July 1914 she was one of the oldest.
Her tonnage was 5600, and she was armed with 11 6 inch guns, and 8 12 pounders, and 2 torpedo tubes.
Captain P H Warleigh, a gunnery officer, was in command. About 40% of the officers were RNR or RNVR the remainder were serving officers. We were lucky to have Lieutenant Bruce Fraser (the late Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser of Cape North) as our gunnery officer.
The officer commanding the Royal Marine Detachment was Captain S W Snepp RMLI, a magnificent officer. The Royal Marines were all Red Marines from Forton Division. Almost a half were reservists, who in civilian life were postmen, policemen, firemen etc. There were 3 Bisley shots in the detachment, and 2 footballers who played in the famous Lillywhite team that won the army Cup and the Amateur Cup in the same year. (Pinky Yates and Jock White, who died of black water fever in German East Africa in 1917.) Most of the detachment had 2 or 3 good conduct badges, and several had the long service and good conduct medal.
When the review was over Mr Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, cancelled the order for the fleet to disperse, and HMS MINERVA together with the remainder of the fleet remained at Spithead. War clouds were gathering; every day the situation got more tense.
On the 4th of August whilst we were at "Quarters clean gun" the Bosun's Mate interrupted proceedings when he piped "D'ye Hear there";
(then after a short pause for all hands to stop work and listen)
"We are now at war with Germany. Hands carry on with your work".
(By Lieutenant Colonel C K Hawkins OBE Rb!)

1916. Monday13th – 18th November. The Battle of the Somme involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1916. Monday 13th - 15th November. The Battle of the Ancre-Beaumont Hamel - the 63rd Royal Naval Division and 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1916. Friday 24th November. The 3rd Royal Marine Battalion took over the Garrison on the Aegean Islands.

1916. Friday 24th November. The Portsmouth Division RMLI Band sent to France for temporary duty on the Western Front.

1916. Friday 1st December. An RMLI Company inluded in the force landed at Athens in Greece.

1916. The pattern 1914 rifle was produced by three US firms after British manufacturers delay production.

1916. Corporal Norman Finch was promoted to the rank of and Sergeant.

1916. 1st and 2nd RMLI Battalions. Originally four battalions, after losses at Gallipoli the Chatham and Deal Battalions formed the 1st RMLI Bn, the Portsmouth and Plymouth Bns formed the 2nd RLMI Bn and 3rd Bde HQ was absorbed into the divisional units in 1916. further casualties led to the merging of the 2nd RMLI into the 1st RMLI in April 1918, giving a combined strength of about 1,100 all ranks in November 1918, the unit was disbanded with the RN Division in June 1919. (RMHS)

1917. Monday 1st - 2nd January. No 15 Royal Marine Battery in action at Mgeta in East Africa.

1917. Monday 1st January. HMS Cornwallis was sunk in the Mediterranean with the loss of 3 Royal Marines.

1917. Friday 12th January. Royal Marines from HMS Topaz in the landing to capture Salif from the Turks in the Red Sea. The remote and mountainous country of Yemen was in 1917 theoretically part of the Turkish Empire, however during preceding years the Imam of Yemen had loosened Turkish ties so that only in the capital Sanaa, and in Red Sea coastal ports such as Hodeida, and along the Aden border was Turkish military authority paramount. The Turks in Yemen were confronting British troops across the border on Aden territory with what resources they possessed, but basically Yemen was a backwater. Lawrence of Arabia’s line-cutting exploits on the Hedjaz Railway ensured that reinforcements and military weapon and ammunition re-supplies did not get through. The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was award, to James Francis McLoughlin Po. 8873 of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. For conspicuous gallantry during the capture of Salif. Just before its surrender he came across 11 unwounded and one wounded Turkish soldiers. Followed by one petty officer, Sergeant McLoughlin jumped among them, shooting one, and made seven of them surrender. Henry George Bartlett Po. 15558 of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. For conspicuous gallantry during the capture of Salif, he Single handed entered a hut occupied by two unwounded and one wounded Turks and three Arabs and took them prisoner. Henry George Bartlett of the Royal Marine Light Infantry was the third Royal Marine to be awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry medal, for Conspicuous Gallantry at the capture of Salif. When he single handed entered a hut occupied by two unwounded and one wounded Turk and three arabs and took them prisoners.

The Royal Navy maintained a blockade of Red Sea ports to prevent arms traffic, but this was not fully effective as British political considerations allowed ‘friendly’ nations to trade across the Red Sea without too much interference. Since 1915 the largest Yemeni island in the Red Sea, Kamaran, had been garrisoned by Indian Army troops based in Aden; this island was a quarantine station for pilgrims traveling to Mecca and there were some large and useful structures on it.

Opposite Kamaran was the small Yemeni town and port of Salif, garrisoned by around 100 Turkish troops with a few artillery pieces. Before the war the Turks had exported local rock-salt deposits from Salif, and a British company had been contracted to upgrade the port facilities. This company, Messrs Sir John Jackson Limited, had evacuated Salif quickly when hostilities were declared between Turkey and Britain, leaving some valuable heavy plant and equipment behind.

1917. Saturday 20th January – Saturday 27th February. Operations on the Ancre campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1917. Friday 2nd February. RMA Heavy Siege Train formed at Dunkirk.

1917. Friday 2nd February. Royal Marine Labour Corps formed at Deal.

1917. Tuesday 6th - 7th February. 2/RMLI occupied Grandcourt on the Western Front.

1917. Saturday 17th - 18th February. 1/RMLI and 2/RMLI in action at Miraumont on the Western Front.

1917. Friday 16th March. HMS Achilles sunk the German Raider Leopard in the North Sea.

1917. Friday 16th March. 'B' Battery AA Brigade armed with 3 inch guns at Dunkirk.

1917. Friday 16th March. 6 inch guns mounted and manned by Royal Marines at North Foreland.

1917. Friday 16th March. The Royal Naval Division Engineers transferred from the Royal Marines to the Royal Engineers on the Western Front.

1917. Saturday 7th April. While on the Western front Major Frederick William Lumsden DSO RMA (1872–1918) was awarded 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.

1917. Monday 9th - 14th April. The Battle of Vimy Ridge on the Western Front. The 1/RMLI, No's 1, 11, and 12 RMA Howitzers were involved.

1917. Monday 9th - 14th April. The first Battle of Scarpe on the Western Front involved No's 3, 4, 6 and 10 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Saturday 21st April. HMS Swift and HMS Broke in action against German Destroyers off Dover in the English Channel.

1917. Monday 23rd - 24th April. The second Battle of the Scarpe on the Western Front involved No 11 RMA Howitzer.

1917. Monday 23rd April – Sunday 29th April. The Battle of Arras campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1917. Saturday 28th -29th April. The Battle of Arleux on the Western Front involved 1/RMLI No's 10 and 11 Howitzers.

1917. Friday 28th April. 'The Battle for Gavrelle Windmill', in which 335 Royal Marines killed on one day.
During the First World War the Royal Marines lived up to its motto "Per Mare Per Terrain". By sea they served in the Ships of the fleet and provided small landing and boarding parties. By land the Corps saw extensive service with the Royal Naval Division in Gallipoli and France, Russia 1919, Cameroons 1914, etc., etc. What of this land service? If you asked the average military buff to name events in which the Royal Marines participated the events named would be Zeebrugge 1918, Antwerp 1914, Gallipoli 1915 or perhaps The Ancre 1916- 1 doubt that anyone would mention the name of Gavrelle Windmill. It's not surprising really, when trying to research this area I found It very difficult to find much information or any articles about this action.
Why is Gavrelle Windmill so special? Well. the Royal Marines suffered its highest casualties in one day in an action which was both a success and a failure.
On 9th April 19t7 the British Army was on the offensive again in the Arras sector. The Royal Naval Division (RND) was at this tr a in 3th Corps, Ist Army, while the two Royal Marine Battalions being part of 188th Brigade of the Royal Naval Division. Steady progress was being made and the RND had been involved in some of the smaller actions but inflicted casualties nevertheless. The RND found itself on 22nd April just outside the village of Gavrelle on a forward slope. In front of it was a determined enemy, the weather was appalling, the following day the 189th and 190th brigades of the RND were to assault and take Gavrelle, the Marines in 188 Brigade were in reserve mainly providing carrying parties. At the end of the day the RND had taken Gavrelle village almost entirely in a brilliant display of determination. With massive artillery support they had fought from house to house and rooted out a determined enemy of Prussian Guards, after, which they had resisted numerous counter attacks. Street fighting as any soldier in any era knows, is a confused, frightening affair with the man with the most determination winning; it was the RNE) who came out on top.
Gavrelle lay just behind the Oppy defensive line called the Arleux loop, and the RND had created a salient into it. On the east and just outside Gavrelle there was a slight ridge and the high point and key was a windmill. The official history states that it became clear that the Germans considered the Windmill area more vital than Gavrelle itself. This set the scene for the Battle of Gavreile Windmill.
The area needed to be secured, the whole of the enemy front line from oppy southwards needed to be taken the slight ridge outside Gavrelle in which the Windmill was the high point needed to be taken. With these objectives taken the British would be on the better ground. The 2nd Division was given the task of taking Oppy to the north, the Canadians the town of Arleux (hence this day's fighting became known as the Battle of Arleux) and 188 Brigade of the RND were tasked with capturing the ridge outside of Gavrelle and the German front line north of this to secure the flank of the 2nd Division. The task was entrusted to the two Royal Marines battalions with the 1st Honourable Artillery Company (MAC) and Anson battalion in support. These battalions were to make two separate uncoordinated attacks.
The 1st RMLI battalion (1 RMLI) was to continue the line of the 2nd Division and assault the front line south of Oppy with the task of advancing eastwards to a depth of 1000 yards and to connect with the 2nd RMLI Battalion (2 RMLL). The plan was to advance in four stages with each company feeding through and assaulting successive objectives, leapfrogging so a fresh company took on each stage. 2 RMLI was to start from the trenches within Gavrelle and to attack north eastwards and to penetrate to a depth of 750 yards with its right flank along the Gavrelle Fresries road and the northern platoon to take the windmill on the ridge; hopefully I RMLJ would pull alongside it. Starting from Gavrelle 2 RMLI was already forward in a salient and would be advancing with both flanks unprotected and highly susceptible to flank attacks. Between the two RM battalions was the let HAC who were to prove to be real meat in the sandwich. To the south of 2 RMLI the Anson Battalion was to advance behind and peel off to the side to form a defensive flank. Both the RM battalions were to attack at 0425 on 28th April, starting 1000yds apart and acting totally independently. Aggressive patrolling had brought in a couple of prisoners after the capture of Gavrelle, they were of the 84th Prussian Guards, an enemy that was also determined and well disciplined. On the 27th the battalions moved to their starting point, 2 RMLI was shelled as it was getting to the assembly area and suffered B other ranks killed, 14 wounded and' 9 missing. I RMLI reached its positions and a patrol discovered that the wire in • front wasn't cut, and the starting line had not been taped out, so they followed the start line of the Essex Regiment of the 2nd Division to the north. They suffered 2 killed and 2 wounded.
The attacks started at 0425 as planned. To the north 1 RMLI was stopped at the wire which was both uncut and protected by many machine guns particularly a strongpo.int on the railway. This strongpoint had already caused severe casualties to the Royal Fusiliers and the Bedford's during their capture of Gavreile on the 23rd. 1 RMLI were forced to occupy shell holes in front of the German front line and continue the fire fight from Action at Gavrelle Windmill there I HAC proceeded to bomb along the trenches northwards in an attempt to silence the storing point but at 0514 were in touch with it but unable to silence it. The first two waves of I RMLI managed to get through the wire and entered the enemy trenches. The Germans immediately counter-attacked from the north and overpowered the Essex Regiment. A fierce hand to hand battle also took place with the Marines who were eventually ejected. One officer and 30 men fought on but the odds were against them and they were captured Meanwhile the HAC were desperately trying to reach I RMLI and to silence the strongpoint with Stokes mortar fire, they were out of contact with both marine battalions but were aware that things were desperate northwards At 0735 the HAC were still engaging the strongpoint with Lewis guns 1 RMLI were still on the wire although there were some marines in the enemy line to the north of their front where the 2nd Division and the left flank of 1 RMLI had managed to get into the line It was reported that the 2nd Division and remnants of 1 RMLI were bombing down the trench The HAC were trying to get up the trench but the front line in between, where the majority of 1 RMLI had attacked was occupied by Germans Although it had become apparent that this action was slowly slipping away to a failure it was noted in the HAC war diary that "the marines have gone on although having had heavy casualties". At this time, to the north, the HAC had succeeded in subduing the troublesome strong point with the capture of some 50 prisoners. It was too late to save I RMLI though those in front of the wire had been forced to return to their start line, as was the 2nd Division. The prisoner count had now risen to 150 from the strong point, but the enemy had started to claim back their old front line. By 1000 the enemy had bombed down the HACs original front line for lOOyds and retaken the strong point. The northern attack had failed; it was now a case of trying to hang onto the original line.
The rest of the day was a battle for survival. In the north the 2nd Division and I RMLI attack was finished by 1000 with only the northern part of the attack being temporarily successful. I RMLI had been badly machine gunned, many who had fought their way through to the German front line were captured, some had fallen back along the trench to join the HAG. What exactly happened during the attack has been pieced together from other unit accounts, the exact progress is therefore difficult to assess as there were no survivors from the first two waves. Things could have been worse for the survivors, as several times the enemy massed to form a large counter-attack, but the Royal Artillery shelled them, halting the attack.
To the south 2 RMLL advanced, the going was tough, Anson battalion who were to form up behind 2 RMLI and deploy off couldn't actually move due to heavy machine gun fire. They lost touch with 2 RML! who were now effectively with their flanks exposed. To the south at 0.745 the first objectives of 2 RMLI had been taken including the Windmill. 2nd Lt Newling and his platoon had taken the windmill and had taken 100 prisoners. The battalion went on to its second objective despite having both flanks completely unprotected. The Anson battalion at this point still wasn't in a position to cover the right flank as they were still encountering serious problems with enemy machine guns stopping them from advancing and deploying. At 0840 progress was still reported to be good but the enemy was closing in hard on both flanks, the battalion was being caught in a vice and were in severe danger of being cut off. The flanks of 2 RMLI had closed right in, and A, C and D companies were cut off. The windmill was still holding and fighting. 2nd Lt G A Newling had dug in 60 yds beyond the windmill. All along the line now the Germans were counter-attacking to regain lost territory, their artillery was incredibly active. 2 RMLI had lost the remnants of three companies captured as they had been badly machine gunned before that. The windmill was still holding and had been reinforced by elements of B Company and the original German front line was being held. These positions, especially the windmill, was repeatedly counter-attacked. The number of times varies depending on the source consulted, some say as many as 11 times. 2 RMLI was subjected to serious artillery attack and were literally blasted out of the trenches and in the end, it was more than men could deal with. The remnants of 2 RMLI withdrew under the cover of dark to their original front line; there were very few left to withdraw. The windmill, which was the main objective, was still holding. The HAC had held its position and was patrolling out as far as the windmill. The Howe battalion moved forward and reinforced the front line, the windmill though was effectively isolated. The effect of the withdrawal of 2 RMLI was severe on Anson battalion as their C company was left out on a limb and had to extricate themselves which they did this by pulling back driving their prisoners in front of them! So ended the 28th April.
The result of the action on 28th April was a mixed one, the northern attack was a complete failure, the southern attack was a success in the sense that the Windmill the main objective was gained, but was a failure from the point of view that the other gains were lost through running out of men. The casualty figures are ones that: I have deduced from a few sources and relate to the 28th April only. I suggest that at the start of the action both RM battalions had a strength of about 750 all ranks maybe less as the Division had been in the line and probably lost some of its strength through normal wastage.
The following is my calculated casualty figures for the action:
1RMLI
5 Officers and 161 other ranks Killed
150 Wounded and about 150 prisoners of war.
2 RMLI
5 officers and 164 other ranks killed 72 Wounded
4 officers and 208 other ranks prisoners of war
The casualties didn't stop there, over the next couple of days the figures grew higher as badly wounded men died of wounds, amongst them was Lt Col F 3 W Cartwright DSO of 1 RMLI who died on 30th April.
Total honours for the Royal Marines for this action was 3 Military Crosses (Lt G A Newling, Capt E 3 Huskissori and 2nd Lt E A Godfrey) 2 DCMS (Pte G Davies, L/Cpl T Salt) and 19 MM'S. It can be argued that Lt Newling could feel hard done by with an MC when a DSO would have seemed more appropriate.
It can be concluded then that the Northern attack was a failure for the following reasons. The barbed wire in front was untouched by the artillery preparation so the tendency to head for the gaps occurred. The gaps were to the north, so the attack swerved northwards which exposed the marines to the strongpoint on the railway and they got caught from behind and the flank by heavy machine gun fire. Having got into the Germans trenches there were more Germans than anticipated; it was as though large reserves were set aside to counter-attack. So having taken the front line the marines were faced with a counter-attack of huge numbers and came off worse despite resisting strongly. As stated before there were no survivors of those who penetrated the front line, so the exact events are still unclear. The 2 RMLI attack was a success in that its main objective was taken. They were caught by heavy machine gun fire on the south where some 500 yards of flank was exposed. The official history from the German records states that they saw large bodies of British troops in echelon along the Gavrelle-Fresnes road and they cut many down with machine guns. These troops were obviously 2 RMLI. Other accounts, particularly one by Able Seaman Downe of Anson battalion who witnessed masses of troops surrendering to the north behind enemy lines. These were obviously 2 RMLI who had been trapped in the pincer. The enemy artillery was exceptionally heavy and ranged in so that heavy casualties were sustained. Lastly reading war diaries and other contemporary material the first thing which strikes me is the communications difficulties. In this day and age a commander can be in touch by radio with all units and maintain some overall cohesion. At Gavrelie the war diaries contained many sentences along the lines of "nothing heard from 1 RML.” etc. It was apparent that Brigade HQ was totally in the dark to most events as absolutely no information was coming back; news was obtained from the wounded which was out of date obviously by the time the wounded had made it back. Also observation by eye was used and the HAC were particularly good at this and their war diary account of the total action is most enlightening - all 30 pages of it!
The cost though was severe to the Royal Marines. The Corps by its nature, like the rest of the RND, was a close knit family and big losses were sorely felt. As was the case with the Marines, regulars rotated through the battalions to add some strength to the short service men, and about a quarter of the losses were to these regulars. The casualties from this battle were the worst the Royal Marines have suffered in its history. It saw the death of the few remaining Gallipoli and Ancre veterans (Horace Bruckshaw of the Bruckshaw diaries fame was amongst them). Most of the casualties are listed on the Arras memorial as they have no known grave, although some are buried in local cemeteries. There is a good possibility that a large portion of those on the Arras memorial are buried in the many graves that contain an unidentified soldier. In 1990 a memorial was built at Gavrelle for the men of the Royal Naval Division, it contains a large anchor donated by the Navy which is surrounded by a brick wall symbolising the village that was fought for. The memorial was built by the Marines of a later era.
The Marines had to rebuild their shattered remnants, but the spirit of the Marine corps did not die at the Windmill , the torch was handed on to the replacements and was carried until 11th November 1918 when the Marines found themselves near Mons where it had all begun four years previously'
Appendix
Citations for Military Crosses awarded for Gavrelle 28-4-17 London Gazette 18th July 1917
Temp 2nd Lt Ernest Allan Godfrey R Marines
For conspicuous gallantry and resource during operations when he worked his guns with great skill and endurance for 60 hours without rest, and under a heavy enemy barrage, against a strong point which eventually surrendered.
Capt Edward John Huskisson RMLI For conspicuous gallantry when reconnoitring, under a heavy shell fire, a position and organising guides prior to an assault. it was mainly owing to his coolness and courage that the battalion was successfully placed in alignment in the face of the greatest difficulties.
Temp 2nd Lt George Arthur Newling R.M. For conspicuous gallantry in an attack, when he led his platoon with great courage and skill, and held the objective, when captured, against numerous counter-attacks.
Citations for Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded for Gayrelle 28-4-17London Gazette 18th July 1917.
Pte (L/Cpl) Thomas Salt RMLI For conspicuous gallantry in operations when he crawled backwards and forwards for three hours through heavy H.E. barrages in order to signal the effect of the Stokes mortar fire. He was wounded.
Pte Glyndwr Davies RMLJ For conspicuous gallantry. He advanced alone to an enemy strong point, demanded it's surrender and single handed he bought in fifty prisoners.
( by Kyle Tallett (RMHS)

1917. May. The 25th Anniversary Edition of the 'Globe & Laurel' by editor Lieutenant Colonel F. P. Drury RMLI. At this point in the Journal's history its production had rotated between Divisions, utilising officers with capacity to edit the magazine. The editorship changed frequently depending on the officer's deployment. Lieutenant Colonel F.P.Drury RMLI was the first editor to be named in the Journal. Lieutenant Colonel Drury, an accomplished novelist and playwright with some of his works being made into movies in the 1920's, retired to the West Country, becoming the Mayor of Saltashe from 1929 - 31.

1917. Thursday 3rd - 4th May. The third Battle of the Scarpe on the Western Front involved No's 5 and 6 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Saturday 5th - 17th May. The Battle of Bullecourt on the Western Front involved No's 5 and 6 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Saturday 12th May. Royal Marine Detachments leave England with guns for coastal defence in the West Indies.

1917. Tuesday 15th May. HMS Bristol and HMS Dartmouth in action against Austrian Cruisers in the Adriatic.

1917. Sunday 20th May - 16th June. Actions along the Hindenburg Line involved No's 3, 4, and 6 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Monday 21st May. An Ashington lad, a Royal Marine & the Russian Revolution.
William Bell was born in February 1900 at the family home in Sycamore Street, New Hirst, Ashington. He was the third child (only son) to William and Agnes who also had five daughters. By the time that William reached school age at five years, the family had moved to Severn Street, New Hirst, Ashington. He attended the local school and at age thirteen years, he left to take up employment at one of the local collieries, possibly nearby Woodhorn Colliery where his deceased father had worked.
Nothing is known of William until just after his seventeenth birthday. Like thousands of young men, he was desperate to enlist to ‘do his bit for King and Country’. It is not known if he had his mother’s permission but, on the 21st May 1917, he travelled into Newcastle upon Tyne where he enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry. His service record shows that he was 17 years 3 months and 14 days of age and that by profession, he was a coal miner. The record goes on to describe him as being 5 feet 53/4 inches in height with brown eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. He had no distinguishing scars or marks on his body.
Being under the age of 18 years, he was unable to take part in active service. His record shows that he was based at the Royal Marines Light Infantry Depot, Deal, Kent for training from his enlistment until the 28th November 1917. He then transferred to the Marines depot at Portsmouth where he underwent further training until 3rd May 1918. His record shows that he was classed as ‘very good’ in infantry and musketry drills and his sea going gunnery skills were also classed as ‘very good’.
By now, as William was eighteen years of age, he was able to go on active service. On the 4th May 1918, he joined the Marines aboard the battleship HMS Canada, part of the Royal Navy’s 1st Battle Squadron. By October 1918, HMS Canada was with the British Grand Fleet which was preparing for a major sea battle with the German Navy, a battle that never took place due to mutiny aboard the German ships. William remained on board HMS Canada until she returned to Portsmouth on the 29th March 1919.
The 4th April 1919 saw William joining Marines aboard HMS Glory, a battleship that was the Flagship of the British North Russia Squadron and had been stationed at the White Sea (Russia) port of Archangel since 1916. The primary role of HMS Glory was to ensure that urgently needed supplies reached the Russian Army in their fight on the Eastern Front against the Germans. However, the Bolshevik revolution of March 1917 greatly complicated the British position in northern Russia. For a brief period the British fleet and Royal Marines cooperated with the Bolsheviks against the Finns and their German allies, helping to move reinforcements and equipment to exposed parts of Northern Russia. This ended in November 1917 when the Bolsheviks declared Russia as being neutral and ceased fighting against the German Army. The Eastern Front Army were then diverted to the Western Front which caused great alarm amongst the Allies. The Allies decided that the troops in Northern Russia would support the Russian White Army in their fight against the Bolsheviks. The hope was that the White Army would overcome the Bolsheviks and that Russia would re-join the Allies, forcing the Germans to move men back to the Eastern Front.
The Allies continued to fight alongside the White Russian Army, but by January 1919, they found themselves being pushed back to Archangel. It was soon after this that a decision was made that all Allied troops would be withdrawn, leaving the White Russians to fight the Bolsheviks alone. Allied reinforcements in the form of Royal Marines (including William) arrived to assist in the withdrawal of all Allied troops. The withdrawal continued over the next six months until finally HMS Glory left Archangel at the beginning of October arriving back at Portsmouth on the 8th October.
William remained in Portsmouth until his discharge on the 17th November 1919 when he then returned to the family home in Ashington.
It is not known what William did for work when he arrived home, but as his mother was a widow, it is highly likely that he returned to his earlier profession as a coal miner.
William married Isabella Gray in 1928 and it is known from the 1931 baptism record of their first daughter that William was the publican of the Station Hotel in Blyth. The family were still there at the time of the birth of their second daughter in 1936.
By 1938, William was the manager of the North Seaton Hotel, Ashington, a position that he kept for several years, possibly until his death in 1947.

1917. Tuesday 29th May – Saturday16th June. Action in the Hindenberge Line involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1917. Sunday 3rd - 25 June. Souchez River on the Western Front invoved No's 1 and 11 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Thursday 7th June. The Battle of Meesines on the Western Front involved No's 2, 5, and 8 Howitzers.

1917. Saturday 23rd June. The Capture of Oppy Wood involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1917. Tuesday 26th - 29th June. The capture of Avion on the Western Front involved No's 1 and 11 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Thursday 28th June. The capture of Oppy Wood on the Western Front involved No 12 Howitzer.

1917. Thursday 28th June. The first attack on Bullecourt on the Western Front involved No 11 RMA Howitzer.

1917. Thursday 28th June. The inspection of RMLI Battalion on the Western Front by Lord Charles Beresford.

1917. June - July. Royal Marines from HMS 'Talbot' landed for the defence of Port Amelia in East Africa.

1917. Monday 9th July. HMS Vanguard blew up and sank, 90 Royal Marines were lost.

1917. Tuesday 10th - 11th July. German Attack on Nieuport on the Western Front involved No's 2 and 5 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Tuesday 10th July. Heavy Casualties when No 12 Howitzer was shelled in Ypres on the Western Front.

1917. Sunday 15th July. Cruiser Action in the North Sea.

1917. Tuesday 31st July. Enemy shelling blew up RMA AA Brigade Ammunition Dump at Nieuport on the Western Front.

1917. Wednesday 1st - 2nd August. The Battle of Pilkem Ridge on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Friday 3rd August. RMA Battery successfully outgunned Germans at Tandamuti in East Africa.

1917. Wednesday 15th - 25th August. The Battle of Hill 70 on the Western Front involved No 1 RMA Howitzer.

1917. Thursday 16th - 18th August. The Battle of Langemarck on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Saturday 18th August. Guns which left England in May ready for action in the West Indies.

1917. August. Royal Marines afloat were involved in the West Indies.

1917. Thursday 20th - 25th September. The Battle on Menin Road on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 11 and 12 Howitzers.

1917. Thursday 20th September. Increase of RMA Garrisson when RGA(T) ranks were withdrawn from Scapa Flow.

1917. Thursday 4th October. The Battle of Broodseinde on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 8, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Tuesday 9th October. The Battle of Poelcapelle on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 8, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Tuesday 9th October. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and Germany, Austria, Hungary and Allies, on the Eastern Front.

1917. Friday 12 October. The 1st Battle of Passchendaele on the Western Front involved No's 4, 6, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Friday 12th October - 26th November. The 2nd Battle of Passchendaele on the Western Front involved the 1st and 2nd No's 4, 6, 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Friday 26th October – 5th November. The 2nd Battle of Passchendale campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1917. Saturday 27th October. Royal Marine Officers and NCO's directing fire of Monitors during the third Battle of Gaza in Palistine.

1917. Saturday 3rd November. A large number of British Cruisers in action in the North Sea.

1917. Saturday 17th November. A large number of British Cruisers in action in the North Sea.

1917. Tuesday 20th November - 3rd December. The Battle of Cambraion on the Western Front involved No's 1 and 10 RMA Howitzers.

1917. Friday 30th November. No1 RMA Howitzer at Gouzeaucourt on the Western Front.

1917. Friday 30th November. The Royal Marines assumed overall responsibility for the Aegean Islands.

1917. 30th November. The Battle of Cambrai campaign involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1917. Sunday 16th December. No1 (Home Service) Labour Company formed at Mining Depot, Granton Edinburgh.

1917. The abolition of a fee to a Drum Major for training of Buglers.

1917. November. The Women's Royal Naval Service was formed. Women were allowed to enlist in the Auxiliary Services with WRNS (The Women’s Royal Naval Service or ‘Wrens’), when serving with the Royal Marines they were known as ‘Marens’. Wrens and Maren’s were stationed at each of the barracks and undertook a wide range of shore-based duties, such as clerks, mess waitresses, cooks, wireless telegraphers and boat crew members. The Admiralty restricted the WRNS to 3,000 women who were only allowed to do shore service. Their number eventually doubled, as Wrens were able to undertake many different jobs for which women had been thought unsuitable.

1917. Sunday 30st December – Monday 31st December. The Battle of Welch Ridge campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1917. Sunday 30th December. Lt. T. Thomas Westby MC. MID. RMLI. (190th Brigade Machine Gun Company. RND France 1917, MC Passchendaele Friday 26th October 1917. Killed in Action (KIA) on Sunday 30th December 1917, at Welch Ridge. Born Wathe-on-Dearne Saturday 24th August 1895.
Eldest son of Francis Wasing Westby, educated at Rothwell, Leeds and the Holgate Grammar School, Barnsley. Pre-war worked on the staff of the Union of London and Smith's Bank.
He Joined the Inns of Court OTC early 1915 age 19. Granted a Temporary Commission as 2nd Lt. RM on Wednesday 10th November 1915. Awarded the Military Cross 30th November 1917, published in the London Gazette Friday 18th January 1918 for gallantry at Passchendaele on Friday 26th October 1917 whilst in charge of four mobile machine guns, after making a reconnaissance under heavy fire, disposed them with such skill that he achieved his task with negligible casualties.Mentioned in Dispatch of Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, the British Armies in France, for gallant service & devotion to duty, Published in the London Gazette on Friday 7th December 1917.

1917. Naval Mission to Siberia/Kama River Flotillas. During 1917 some 600,000 tons of Allied war materials were a Vladivostock waiting to be shipped on the Trans-Siberian Railway, when an armistice was signed by Russia and Germany. A token Allied force was landed briefly in April 1918 to protect these supplies, and that summer more British, French, Japanese and American forces were landed. By the autumn an armoured train was equipped by HMS Suffolk with one of her 6in guns and 4 of her 12 pdrs. this train, with Royal Marines from Suffolk’s detachment, was in action in support of Czech forces fighting the Russians at Tischima, after the train had made a journey of 105 miles from Vladivostok. When the guns were frozen up, the train withdrew to Omsk in Central Russia, where in March 1919 another 6in gun was fitted. This gun, from HMS Kent, had been brought to Omsk by a Canadian unit. The Suffolk detachment was then replaced by Capt. T. H. Jameson (later Major General, CBE, DSO) with 29 RMLI NCOs and privates. All were volunteers, accompanied by four RN specialists including a doctor.
They reached Perm on the Kama River on 28 April just as the ice was breaking, and within a week had mounted the 6in gun from the train in a Russian steamer renamed Kent, and the second ‘6in’ in a barge named Suffolk. The steamer Kent sank three armed Soviet steamers on 23th May, in an action 300 miles south of Perm. She fired Lyddite shells from an opening range of ,100yds and closed to 4,000yds before the remaining Bolshevik ships retired. The barge Suffolk was moored to support the steamer Kent and six ships of the Omsk government which were with her. But once the Czech Legion decided to withdraw, resistance crumbled. The steamer and barge’s guns were in action against artillery positions on the river bank during June, after the river levels fell. Later they withdrew to Perm. A Bolshevik agent in the steamer Kent’s Russian crew added to the RM Detachment’s difficulties, for ‘a small force in a foreign country [can find] that any lack of security may quickly undermine morale’.
The British Government withdrew its support for the Omsk Government, and the Marines with great ingenuity and little help put the guns on railway flat trucks, requisitioned an engine and set off for Vladivostock. Despite typhus and small pox among refugees, train wrecks and marauding bands of guerrillas, they reached this base in 52 days, on 18th August 1919, having suffered only minor casualties. The Japanese held the base until October 1922; but when HMS Carlisle left the port that November, she reported that there were no disturbances when Soviet forces entered the port.

1917. Royal Marines afloat were involved at St Helena.

1917. – 1918. North Russia – Murmansk involving the 6th Battalion.

1917 – 1921. The Aegean campaign involving the 3rd Royal Marines Battalion.

1918. Thursday 3rd January. The Bombardment of Yarmouth on the UK East Coast.

1918. Sunday 20th January. Sortie of the Goeben and Breslau, a camp of 3 RM Battalion at Imbros shelled in the Dardanelles.

1918. Monday 21st January. Royal Marine Batteries leave for the UK from East Africa.

1918. Monday 21st January. The Royal Marine Garrison for coastal defence increased on the Shetland Islands.

1918. Wednesday 14th February. Brigades of the 63rd Royal Naval Division reorganised into three Battelions on the Western Front.

1918. Thursday 21st February. 4th Royal Marines Battalion concentrated to train at Deal for a raid on Zeebrugge.

1918. Thursday 21st February. The 5th Battalion was formed for anti submarine and AA duties with the Dover Patrol.

1918. Friday 1st March. 63rd Royal Naval Division Machine Gun Battalion formed on the Western Front.

1918. Thursday 7th March. His Majesty King George V visited the Depot Royal Marines, at Deal in Kent. On this occasion he inspected Royal Marines Recruit squads, and took the salute of the 4th Battalion at a March Past. Six weeks later the 4th Battalion were to storm ashore on to the Mole in the raid on Zeebrugge, where they won great fame and two Victoria Crosses. To mark his visit, His Majesty directed that the senior Recruit squad in Royal Marines training would in future be known as the King's Squad. He also directed that his Royal Cypher, surrounded by a Laurel Wreath, would be known as the King's Badge, and would be awarded to the best all round recruit in the King's Squad, provided that he was worthy of the honour. The badge was to be carried on the left shoulder, and worn in every rank. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was graciously pleased to approve that the custom and privilege of the King's Squad remain unaltered. The King's Badge is not awarded to every squad, and is only presented if a Recruit measures up to the very exacting standards required.

1918. Corps strength at that time was 55,000.

1918. Saturday 9th March. A trench raid by 2/RMLI on the Western Front.

1918. Monday 18th March. The Bombardment of Carac Battery of the RMA heavy Siege Train at Dunkirk.

1918. Thursday 21st March Friday 5th April. 1st Battle of the Somme campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Tuesday 21st March. The Battle of St Quentin, and retreat commenced, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and Royal Marines Artillery.

1918. Wednesday 22nd March. 2/RMLI repulsed an attack in Havincourt Wood on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 22nd March. No1 RMA Howitzer in action near Metz during German offensive on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 22nd March. No10 RMA Howitzer in action at Havrincourt Wood before being dismounted on the Western Front.

1918. Thursday 23rd March. Sergeant Norman Finch joined the 4th Battalion.

1918. Sunday 24th - 25th March. 63rd Royal Naval Division engaged in the 1st Battle of Bapaume on the Western Front, involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Sunday 24th March. 63rd Royal Naval Division in action at Bertincourt on the Western Front.

1918. Monday 25th March. 188 Brigade Rear Guard Action at Thiepval-Martinpuich on the Western Front.

1918. Tuseday 26th March. No6 RMA Howitzer shelled when dismounted at Neuville Vitasse on the Western Front.

1918. Tuesday 26th March. The 63rd Royal Naval Division withdrew across the Ancre river, on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 27th March. A Counter attack by 188 Brigade in Aveluy Wood on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 27th March. Royal Marine Engineers commenced to form with an HQ at Chatham.

1918. Monday 1st April. The RNAS and RFC merged and became the Royal Air Force. Ten former RM officers transferred to the new service. The first Chief of Air Staff was (by then) Major General F H Sykes a former, albeit temporary, Colonel RM.

1918. Wednesday 3rd April. Royal Marines from HMS Suffolk landed at Vladivostock in Siberia.

1918. Friday 5th April. The Battle of Ancre campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Friday 5th April. A Counter attack by RMLI Battalion in Aveluy Woods on the Western Front.

1918. Saturday 6th April. 4th Battalion embarked and orders were issued for the Raid on the Zeebrugge Mole but were later postponed.

1918. Wednesday 10th - 11th April. The Battle of Messines on the Western Front involved No's 4 and 5 RMA Howitzers.

1918. Wednesday 10th April. No5 RMA Howitzer at Kemmel on the Western Front were ordered to retire and demolish gun.

1918. Tuesday 23rd April. 4th RM Battalion Assaulted the mole at Zeebrugge, and in their honour no subsequent ‘4th battalion’ has been raised.

1918. Tuesday 23rd April. 4th RM Battalion Assaulted the mole at Zeebrugge, and in their honour no subsequent ‘4th battalion’ has been raised.(RMHS)

1918. Tuesday 23rd April. A 'Corps Remembrance Day' and the St Georges day raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend. 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. The battle took place at Zeebrugge in Belgium. It was mounted by two thousand men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes. This port was a base for German submarines, from which they attacked and sank Allied shipping. They accounted for over a third of all the tonnage sunk in World War One. It was vital that this port was denied to them and this raid was to ensure that it was. The battle was fierce and the attacking force faced fierce opposition and suffered heavy losses. Marines and Sailors landed on the Mole and stormed the enemy defence. Whilst the fighting was in progress three 'blocking' ships (HMS Thetis, HMS Intrepid and HMS Iphiginia and also HM Submarine C3) were scuttled, rendering the trapped German submarines useless. 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.

Sergeant Norman Augustus Finch RMA (26th December 1890 - 15th March 1964), was the second in command of the pom-pom and Lewis gun in the exposed foretop of HMS Vindictive. During one period, the Vindictive sustained hits every few seconds. The officer in command and Finch maintained a continuous covering fire. Two heavy enemy shells hit them directly on the foretop, killing or disabling the others. While severely wounded, Sergeant Finch kept harassing the enemy, entrenched on the Mole, from his battered and exposed position. Another direct hit finally put the rest of the armament out of action.

Whereas Sergeant Finch had been selected for the award of the Victoria Cross by his fellow Royal Marines on account of his indomitable spirit initiative and daring despite Captain Bamford being wounded. Captain Edward Bamford DSO RMLI (28th May 1887- 29th September 1928) was chosen for his award of the decoration on the grounds of his magnificent example, of leadership under fire. The account of Captain Edward Bamford of the Royal Marines Light Infantry was that on the night of the 22nd and 23rd of April 1918, from HMS Vindictive, landed under great difficulty in the darkness. On the Mole with three platoons of Royal Marines In the face of intensive enemy fire and led the Company with great disregard for personal danger, setting a magnificent example to his men. When he was satisfied with the safe establishment of the first strong point, he then led his men in an assault on an enemy battery on the left.

Both Captain Bamford and Sergeant Finch VC's were published in the London Gazette on 23rd July 1918.

After the St Georges day raid on Zeebrugge, in the selection of the Men to receive the Victoria Cross Rule thirteen was not strictly adhered to in this instance. It is believed that it was the intention to award just one VC and it is clear that only one ballot took place. The evidence being the results of the vote by the members of the 4th Battalion. In fact two men were awarded the Victoria Cross from the ballot held on the 26th April at the Royal Marine Depot at Deal. The ballot contained both Officers and Men of the 4th Battalion, contravening Rule 13 of The Royal Warrant for the Victoria Cross, dated the 29th of January 1856. The men were assembled on the Parade ground, where slips of voting paper were handed to those present. (It is not known whether the hospital wounded voted or not, but it is known that they were included in the ballot.) The ballot resulted in two Victoria Cross's being awarded, to Sergeant Norman Finch with 91 votes, and Captain Edward Bamford 64 Votes.

Ballot paper from victoriacross.co.uk/zebrugge.html

1918. Monday 22nd - Tuesday 23rd April. The Zeebrugge Raid By P W Standbridge.
I have received your letter today and was most interested to know that you were compiling information about various medal personnel. Yes, I did know a Lance Cpl Proctor and will endeavour to construct the little I know of him. As you might know the events of that night were so bewildering that it would be difficult for any man to say exactly what another was doing. As a platoon we were billeted in North Barracks Deal after leaving Gosport Barracks. Prior to leaving Gosport the platoon had been at Browndown Camp learning Mills bomb throwing and explosives. At that time, we had no idea that it would soon become necessary to use that knowledge.
At Deal we met parties from Chatham and Plymouth, each day we went on Freedowns just outside Deal, in fact it was not far from the rifle range that the Marines used during training. On the Downs a whole area had been marked out with tapes and we used to line up and attack at a given point many times each day. Whatever point a platoon had been allocated we kept to. During one of these operations four Royal Marines were killed when a Stokes gun exploded, we all attended their funeral. In our attack area we were told if it was Dug Out, gun emplacements or searchlight sites. At that time, we all thought it was a special job in France. After the training had been completed, we were all given seven days leave. On our return we were served out with sand shoes, it seemed strange, but we did not pay much attention to it.1 A few days later we fell in and marched to Deal Station and in a short while we arrived in Dover. We marched down to a boat which I think, but am not positively sure, was the "Prince Edward". Once aboard we all had to go below deck, when this was done, we left the dockside but once out to sea we were allowed on deck. We still thought we were off to France till someone noticed that we were heading north. We passed Deal, Ramsgate and Margate, and what was strange we signalled each ship we passed. When we arrived off the mouth of the Thames, we signalled a vessel which turned out to be the Daffodil, a onetime ferry from Liverpool. She evidently gave the correct signal in return to ours, because we pulled alongside of her. We were then told to embark on the "Daffodil". After this was completed the vessel, we had been on left us and when it was out of sight we got under way. Things must have been very secret. Shortly afterwards we came up with a large number of ships which included the "Vindictive", "Iris", "Dominion, "Thetis" and many others. The "Daffodil" pulled alongside the "Dominion" where the Gosport section and others got aboard. This was to be our home whilst we were waiting for something to happen. This was my first time aboard a Battleship, and I was surprised at its size, I was able to wander around without restriction and I was fascinated with all I saw. The following day we were told to fall in and soon afterwards Sir Roger Keys came aboard, and he then informed us that the operation was the closing off of Zeebrugge and Ostend harbours with concrete laden ships. The Marines job was landing on the Mole to silence guns that controlled the entrance to Zeebrugge Harbour so that the concrete laden ships could make their way to the canal entrance, swing across it and then blow the bottoms out. This would make a complete seal off to prevent enemy submarines coming in or out. The reason so Sir Roger Keys said was that so many ships had been sunk that the feeding of the population was getting acute, and something had to be done about it. There was a canal that ran from Zeebrugge to Bruges and then out to sea again via Ostend, so if the canal was sealed both ends it would complete the blockage.
Sir Roger said the whole operation depended on wind and tide at midnight, this confined the operation to early April, so the time was limited.
For security reasons all vessels that came from shore to the convoy were ordered to remain so that no information could be passed ashore. The essence of surprise was the main factor to success. We were shown aerial photographs of the Mole, where we were to land and could then see the reason for all the taped off sections that we had been training on for so long.
HMS Dominion was a hive of industry, men everywhere, messes were set up to accommodate the extra personnel, food seemed in abundance. We heard afterwards that the majority were not expected to get back and so we were being fed like criminals before execution. Whatever the reason, everyone was in good spirit waiting for the day. There did not seem to be any tension, in fact it was more like getting ready for a hunting expedition. Also, on board was a detachment of sailors who were to be in the landing party and their main equipment were revolvers and cutlasses, evidently hand to hand fighting was expected. We were allowed to write letters, but we know now that none were posted till after the operation was over. A few days went by and then the order came to "Stand To", and we knew something was doing. Late afternoon we transferred from the Dominion" to the "Vindictive" and shortly afterwards we got under way. There was quite a holiday spirit aboard, one of the fellows had a concertina and was playing it on deck and we all gathered round and sang, the sailors were sharpening their cutlasses on a grindstone nearby and sarcastic remarks were thrown across to them to cut their own throats as they were making too much noise. Darkness came down a little later, but before it did, I glanced around and was impressed by the number of vessels that were with us. Motor launches by the dozen were about, these were later to be used to put up a smoke screen and to rescue personnel from the ships that were to be sunk in the canal. The concrete laden boats were astern of us, also the submarine that was loaded with explosives, this sub was later to play an important part in the operation.
Destroyers guarded us on the flanks and also ahead.
The "Vindictive" herself had a false deck where about a dozen gangways had been fitted, these were to be lowered against the Mole to allow speedy landing. A number of Mortars were fixed to the deck for short range firing. A fighting top had been erected containing a gun, when we were to get alongside the Mole this gun would be just above the level of the Mole and could then sweep any attack towards use In this operation my job with a few others was to be Mills bombers. We wore a leather coat with extensions down each thigh to carry the Mills bomb. When it was approximately 11.15 the motor launches went ahead and put up a terrific smoke screen and we steamed slowly behind. The Ostend party had already left to go to the scene of their own exploit. Guns were manned and positions taken up for landing when the order was given to return, everyone was filled with disappointment, to get so near and then to turn back was heart-breaking. Why were we returning? What had gone wrong, was on everyone’s lips, but information was lacking. After a depressing return to our former anchorage we heard that Sir Roger Keys was to come aboard the "Dominion". We had a late breakfast and then cleaned up. Sir Roger Keys came aboard later in the morning. We were all lined up and waiting. Le then explained to us that the wind had changed round after the smoke screen had been laid and that we would have been exposed to the land batteries in a few minutes, and rather than have the whole operation smashed before it had started, he thought discretion would save lives and there would be another day. I remember looking at Sir Roger Keys when he was speaking, and he looked rather heartbroken. I think he felt the same as us, our nerves had got to a pitch and then collapsed, i.e. left us then and we went below to get some sleep. I think a week must have passed when we had orders to go aboard "Vindictive" again. We got under way as before but had only proceeded a few miles down the coast when we were ordered to return. We were never told the reason for this. We returned to the "Dominion" and carried on as before. Plenty of food and only a little physical training to keep us fit. The days dragged on, monotony set in, waiting for something to happen was playing havoc with men’s nerves. Then came 22nd April, orders to get ready to go aboard "Vindictive" again, one mad rush to get out things together and off we go again. The same routine on the way over, the weather was good, and everyone was hopeful. The motor launches put up their smoke screen and we were creeping behind, the crews on the guns were waiting for the first glimpse of the Mole through the smoke. The landing party had been told to lay flat on the deck on the approach, then all of a sudden, the smoke cleared, and we were exposed. It was too late to turn back so in the convoy went. Our guns were in full blast sweeping the Mole. We had three direct hits in as many minutes, the first killed Col Elliot who was in charge of the landing party and a few others who were with him. Capt. Carpenter who was in charge of the "Vindictive" was wounded in the arm, the second shot went into the pursers store and exploded, the third struck the main water pipe line and burst it, in a few seconds the deck was flooded with water, the scupper holes not being large enough to clear it. I looked up and saw we were alongside the Mole. Orders were being given to lower the gangways, this was done but the heavy swell against the wall caused the ship to lay off momentary, the gangways which were against the wall fell between the ship and the wall and were crushed. Only approximately three were left intact. Men began to stream over the gangways to the top of the wall and then we heard someone call out 8th platoon over. We doubled to the foot of the gangway and climbed up. The gangways were rising and falling all the time which made it very difficult. On getting onto the Mole we found that things were out of alinement due to the "Vindictive" tying up several hundred feet nearer the shore than we anticipated. I and several others, one of which I think was Lance Corporal Proctor, ran to where we had been trained to attack but could not locate it in the dark.
Someone’s voice called out make for the boats, there were several German vessels tied up on the other side of the Mole and we could see machine gun fire sweeping the Mole from one of the ships. We rushed across and threw our bombs onto the German ship. The machine gun fire stopped so we guessed it was out of action. In what seemed a very short time we heard the siren and knew we had only about twenty minutes before the "Vindictive" got under way. At that time there was a violent explosion as the Submarine blew the causeway that connected the Mole to the mainland. From that moment there was no order, but everyone was in a hurry to climb the ladders to the parapet; a rear-guard party on board had placed them in position ready for our return. We got away quickly and the old "Vindictives" boilers must have worked overtime. When early morning came and with it day light, we could see the damage which had been done. My roommate in Gosport who was in the fighting top was killed as were all of them except Sergeant Finch who was later to be awarded the VC.
Though the landing was very important I must give credit to the stokers who kept up steam to enable us to get quickly away, also to the medical crew who must have had a horrible time with so many killed and wounded. We arrived back in Dover early morning and were taken to Deal HQ. Then we went straight to bed. Later in the afternoon we had a roll call to see who were missing and who saw the missing ones last. We also voted for a VC which was given to Capt. Bamford. I remember him saying though he had been voted for it he would regard it as belonging to all of us.
At that time, I never knew that Lance Corporal Proctor had been suggested for an award. It may have been allocated later, in that case I would not have known as after a week’s leave, I returned to Gosport and in a few days was off to North Russia attached to HMS Glory 111. In actual fact there were 300 RMLI and some RMA. We were the forerunners of the North Russian Expeditionary Force. Though I have been unable to give a very personal account of Lance Cpl Proctor you will note that this is my personal account of the action taken from my life story that I have written. It will indicate some idea of what was experienced by the 8th platoon. I'm sure if others had made a diary, it would have been very much the same. Owing to the speed of the operation and the darkness I would say it was impossible to isolate individual acts of bravery. This must have been arrived at after the whole action had been collated. Individual men like Capt. Carpenter, Sgt Finch and Lieutenant Sandford had specialised jobs that merited recognition.
Maybe this article will be of interest if only from an ordinary private outlook. Possibly there are very few diaries about now after all these years. I possess a piece of the "Vindictive" funnel and also a piece of the Mole, a great quantity of which fell on the "Vindictive" during the shelling. I would not be surprised that Lance Cpl Proctor was given the DSM for the attack on the German ship that we bombed. I cannot now visualise the man as one meets so many people during one’s life it would be impossible to remember them all.
I was 18 at the time of the Zeebrugge Raid and most likely one of the youngest. I am now 79. During this last war I was WOIl of the Maritime Royal Artillery, a regiment formed to man the guns on merchant ships. I have before me a list of about 270 men of the Royal Marines and Navy who took part in the Zeebrugge Raid and there is a Thomas J Proctor Gnr Vindictive number 15286. According to my records he gave his address as Hampstead Police Station London NW3, I presume he might have been a policeman in civil life. (The sand shoes we were issued with had to be worn to stop slipping on the concrete Mole.) (by P W Standbridge.)

1918. Monday 29th April. The Battle of Schepenberg Ridge on the Western Front involved No 12 RMA Howitzer.

1918. Monday 29th April. The Amalgamation of 1/RMLI and 2/RMLI as 1/RMLI on the Western Front.

1918. Monday 29th April. Royal Marine Recruits lent to Royal Aggison Artillery for 3 month period to man Coastal Defence Batteries.

1918. Monday 29th April. Royal Marines establishment Bases at Kyles of Lock Alsh and Inverness, etc for UK coastal defence.

1918. Friday 3rds May. No 527 Siege Battery mobilised for service with the RGA in France.

1918. Sunday 5th May. RM Field Force was formed. The force of 365 all ranks was commanded by Lt–col R. O. Paterson, RMA, for service in Murmansk to support local forces. They established control posts along the railway, guarded many wooden bridges, and trained 150 Poles to use MGs. A hundred were sent with an Allied assault force, mostly comprising French troops, landed from British warships on Modyuski Island (River Dwina, near Archangel). These Marines later served with the Naval Brigade landed in that area, until July 1919, having been in action in support of British army units. Elements of the field force in Murmansk were concentrated for ski training but were not in action until early May 1919 after the spring thaw. They sailed from Murmansk on 10th July and were disbanded on their return to the UK. (RMHS)

1918. Tuesday 7th May. No 525 Siege Battery mobilised for service with the RGA in France.

1918. Wednesday 8th - 10th May. A Royal Marine detachment of HMS Colhrane landed to defend Pechenga in North Russia.

1918. Thursday 9th May. No 526 Siege battery mobilised for service with the RGA in France.

1918. Friday 10th May. No 528 Siege Battery mobilised for service with the RGA in France.

1918. Saturday 18th - 19th May. An outpost raid by 1/RMLI at Hamel on the Western Front.

1918. Monday. 20th May. Royal Marines Force embarked from Newcastle in the UK for service in North Russia.

1918. Friday 24th - 25th May. 1/RMLI raided German trenches in the Ancre Valley on the Western Front.

1918. Friday 31st May. Royal Marines Field force lands at Murmansk in Russia.

1918. June. Owing to difficulties at RM Divisional HQ in training Buglers to replace those transferring to the ranks, twelve boys were enlisted at the Depot RM Deal for training as Buglers. Four would be transferred to each RMLI Division. On completion they will be transferred to their Divisional HQ and further Buglers trained in their place.

1918. Sadurday 8th June. Royal Marines Field Force Officers and NCO's sent to raise Finnish Legion in Northern Russia.

1918. Saturday 29th - 30th June. Royal Marines Field Force disarmed Bolsheviks in Northern Russia.

1918. Saturday 29th June. Royal Marines from HMS Suffolk disarmed Bolsheviks at Vladivostock in Siberia.

1918. Saturday 29th June. Royal Marines from HMS Talbot landed at Quilimane, Zambesi River mouth in East Africa.

1918. Saturday 29th June. Special Battery from the RMA AA Brigade arrived in Dunkirk from Chatham.

1918. Sunday 7th July. Royal Marines from HMS Attentive restored order at Soroka in Northern Russia.

1918. Wednesday 17th July. The Finnish Legion in action near the Finnish Frontier North Russia.

1918. Wednesday 17th July. Royal Marines Guard formed from the 3rd Royal Marines Battalion in Corfu.

1918. Thursday 1st August. A detachment from Royal Marines Field Force was involved in the capture of the Modjyuski Batteries in North Russia.

1918. Thursday 8th August. The Commencement of the British Offensive on the Western Front.

1918. Tursday 8th - 28th August. Royal Marines from HMS Suffolk on the Ussuri River Operations.

1918. Sunday 11th August. Royal Marines from HMS Jono and HMS Diana leave Basra in Iraq to join the 'Dunster' 'Force.

1918. Sunday 18th August. Action of Outsteen Redge on the Western Front involved No4 RMA Howitzer.

1918. Sunday 18th August. No's 5 and 6 RMA Howitzers formed No 1 Siege Battery, RMA at Audricq on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 21st - 23rd August. The Battle of Albert at Logeast Wood on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division and No's 3 and 10 RMS Howitzers.

1918. Sunday 25th August. Action at Grevillers and Les Barque on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Monday 26th August - 15th September. Part of the 'Dumpster' Force in the Siege and Evacuation of Baku on the Caspian Sea.

1918. Monday 26th August – 30th August. The Battle of the Scrape involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1918. Thursday 29th August. Armoured Train with guns manned by Royal Marines from HMS Suffolk left Vladivostock for the River Volga in Siberia.

1918. Saturday 31st August - 2nd September. The second Battle of Bapaume on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division and No 3 RMA Howitzer.

1918. 2nd September – 3rd September. The Droucourt-Queant line campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. August – 3rd September. The 2nd Battle of Arras involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

August – 3rd September. The 2nd Battle of Arras involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Wednesday 18th September. The Battle of Epehy involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1918. Friday 27th September – Tuesday 8th October. The Hindenburg Line campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Friday 27th September – Tuesday 1st October. The Battle of Canal du Nord campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry and the Royal Marines Artillery.

1918. August – July 1919. Royal Marines afloat were involved in the Caspian Sea.

1918. Monday 2nd - 3rd September. The Battle of Drocourt-Queant Line on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Wednesday 4th September. The attack on Canal du Nord on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Thursday 5th September. Guns and Royal Marines from 'Dumpster' Force leave Ruz on the Caspian Sea.

1918. Thursday 12th September. The Battle of Havrincourt on the Western Front involved the No 3 RMA Howitzer.

1918. Saturday 14th September. Royal Marines in the monitor HMS M25 in action at Chamova, on the River Dwina in Northern Russia.

1918. Wednesday 18th September. The Battle of Epehy on the Western Front involved No 3 RMA Howirzer.

1918. Friday 27th September. The Battle of Canal du Nord on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division and No's 1, 3 and 8 RMA Howitzer.

1918. Friday 27th September. The capture of Anneux on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Saturday 28th September. The Battle of Ypres involving the Royal Marines Artillery.

1918. Saturday 28th September. A 9.2 inch Gun on a Railway Mounting supported the Offensive - No 1 RMA Siege Battery on the Western Front.

1918. Saturday 28th - 29th September. The Bridging of Canal de L'Escaut on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Saturday 28th September - 3rd October. The Battle of Ypres on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Sunday 29th September. The Seizing of a Crossing of the Escaul on the Western Front involved the Drake and Hawke Battalions.

1918. Sunday 29th - 30th September. The attacks on Cambrai on the Western Front involved 188 and 190 Brigades.

1918. Sunday 29th September - 2nd October. The Battle of St Quentin Canal on the Western Front involved No 1 RMA Siege Battery and No's 5, 6 and 12 RMA Howitzers.

1918. Monday 30th September. Bulgaria Surrendered on the Southern Front.

1918. September. The 5th RM Battalion was formed with 20 platoons (907 all ranks), mostly 45 year olds, to operate electrically controlled sea mines etc. in coastal defences. Disbanded January–February 1919. (RMHS)

1918. Tuesday 1st October. The attack on strong point at Cambrai on the Western Front involved D Company 1/RMLI.

1918. Monday 5th - 7th October. The Battle of Sambro by 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Monday 7th October. The formation of 'A' Hun Battery from 1 RMA Siege Battery on the Western Front.

1918. Tuesday 8th - 9th October. The Battle of Cambrai and Capture of Niergnies on the Western Front involved the 63rd Royal Naval Division and No 8 RMA Howitzeron.

1918. Tuesday 8th October. The Capture of Niergnies campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Thursday 10th October. 'B' AA Battery at Nieuport fired its last shot on the Western Front.

1918. Wednesday 11th October. An Armoured Train arrived at Ufa South Russia.

1918. Saturday 12th October. No's 11 and 12 RMA Howitzers formed No 2 RMA Siege Battery on the Western Front.

1918. Monday 14th - 16th October. RMA Heavy Siege Train supported offensive in Belgium.

1918. Thursday 17th - 25th October. The Battle of Selle on the Western Front involved 'A' Hun RMA Battery.

1918. Thursday 31st October.The Armistice with Turkey was signed aboard HMS Agamemnon at Mudros.

1918. Thursday 31st October. Merchant ships seized and converted into warships on the Caspian Sea.

1918. Monday 4th November. An armistice was signed with Austria.

1918. Monday 5th - 11th November. The pursuit to Mons by 63rd Royal Naval Division.

1918. Thursday 7th November – Monday 11th November. The advance in Picardy campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Thursday 7th November. The Battle of Grande Honnelle campaign involving the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

1918. Saturday 9th November. HMS Britannia was torpedoed by a submarine off Cape Trafalgar (12 Royal Marines were lost).

1918. Monday 11th November. The capture of Mons on the Western Front by 63rd Royal Naval Division .

1918. Monday 11th November at 0550. H.L. Eaves of the 13th Hussars B Company had the honour of sending a wireless message that was to end the First World War. The original message was in French, and read: The Commandant in Chief orders that hostilities that are happening on all of the fronts are to cease at 11th November at 11 o’clock for all the troops and allies. They are to wait until news of where to go and at what hour. Signed Marshal Foch 0550.

1918. 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.

1918. Tuesday 12th November. 3rd Royal Marine Battalion occupied the Turkish Forts in the Bosphorus and dismantled the guns.

1918. Tuesday 12th November. Headed by HMS Superb the Allied Fleet passed through to Constantinople.

1918. Thursday 14th November. Guard of Honour from HMS Superb at Constantinople for the GOC.

1918. Friday 15th November. An element of 1/RMLI took part in the official entry into Mons, on the Western Front.

1918. Saturday 16th November. HMS Suffolk's Armoured Train in action on the river Volga in North Russia.

1918. Thursday 21st November. Almost 5,000 Royal Marines were at the Surrender of the German High Seas Feet at Rosyth, Scappa Flow.

1918. Sunday 1st December. Detachment of HMS Temeraire landed to take over the Railway Station and Wharves at Sevastopol.

1918. Sunday 8th December. Royal Marines manning guns in armed merchant ships in action against Bolshevists (Caspian).

1918. Monday 9th December. Occupation by the 3rd Royal Marines Battalion to evacuate German troops from Sevastopol.

1918. Tuseday 17th December. Royal Marines Field Force concentrated at Kandalaksha in North Russia.

1918. Sunday 29th December. Royal Marines in armed merchant ships bombarded the Bolshevists at Star-Techernaya on the Caspian.

1918. Monday 30th December. HMS Temeraire and 3rd Royal Marines Battalion handed over to the French at Sevastopol.

1918. December. Black Sea Operations. A naval garrison of seamen and Marines was landed in December 1918 at Sevastopol in the Crimea, and was strengthened to nearly 500 all ranks by men of the 3rd RM Battalion before being relieved by French troops later that month. Allied support for the White Russian forces continued into the spring of 1919, but after April the RN ships’ help was limited and by June they were observing a strict neutrality.(RMHS)

1918. December. The 9th Battalion was formed after the Armistice in 1918 and was one of the Battalions deployed at the time of the coal miners’ strike in 1921. (RMHS)

1918. North Persian 2 Caspian Flotilla3. A small British Army formation in 1918 had been assisting a local Russian force to hold a Turkish advance, which the Germans had hoped might reach Afghanistan. In August they were joined by an RN force which armed a number of Russian ships and that December prevented the Bolsheviks gaining an ice free port on the Caspian Sea, a sea of 600 miles from north to south and up to 300 miles wide, with nearly 1,000 sizeable vessels on its waters in 1918. The flotilla flew the Imperial Russian ensign before 2nd March 1919, when it came under British command. The ships Venture, Fox, Emile Nobel, Alla Vardi, Salva, and Bibi Abat had RMA/RMLI detachments, each with 11 to 16 Marines, commanded by sergeants or corporals. Other ships had British gunners Kruger with RA field artillery, and Zorcaster and Asia with RN seamen gunners. RN crews operated the Flotilla’s ships, which also included the Windsor Castle, the improvised seaplane carrier Orlionock, and Sergei which carried some of the Flotilla’s 12 RN Coastal Motor Boats. The old ships of the Flotilla, however, were limited to a best speed of 9 knots. Livestock was carried to provide rations for 14 days, but the sheep often died from the cold in the first week at sea.
Ashore a force of Royal Marines had set up coast guns at Petrovsk (Makhachkala in 1980) on the western shores of the Caspian, several hundred miles north of Baku, and from 1918 had garrisoned this advanced base. After January 1919 the 160 Marines of this defence force were attacked several times, but held the port after street fighting.
At sea a typical action by Emile Nobel (3,799 tons) on 21st May 1919, when she was making a reconnaissance of Alexandrovsk (Fort Shevchenko in 1980). It began with her being hit by a 150in shell. This killed 11 of her crew of 845 before she opened fire with her two 4in QF guns. The flotilla then attacked the port and sank nine vessels. Allied aircraft some 40 RAF planes supported the Flotilla, later drove the remaining Bolshevik ships from this port, and by the end of May the only armed Russian ships were in their Astrakhan base on the Volga estuary. But 13 improvised warships and a small force of aircraft could not control this sea, although they captured several Russian ships in August 1919 before handing the Flotilla over to the White Russians. The last Marines left Petrovsk on 2nd September, but before handing over the Emile Nobel, the breechblocks of her guns were thrown over the side, to disarm them.(RMHS)

1918 - 1930. Mutiny and Resistance in the Royal Navy by Dave Lamb.
A short history of the mutinies and rebellions in the British Royal Navy and Marines from the end of World War I, Russian Revolution and up until 1930.
Whilst the mutinies in the German and French Navies in the First World War have been well documented little information is available concerning the British Royal Navy. There was, however, considerable talk of mutiny at Portsmouth, in the summer of 1918. The threat was serious enough for Lionel Yexley, an admiralty agent, to write a report warning the Admiralty of impending trouble. This was only averted by immediate improvements in pay and conditions. Demands for 'lower deck' organisation were taken seriously. Agitation for trade union representation was spreading throughout the Navy. The material conditions of the sailors certainly justified a mutiny. Between 1852 and 1917 there had only been one pay increase, amounting to a penny a day, in 1912. Wartime inflation had reduced the sailors' nineteen pence a day to a mere pittance. Another twopence a day was granted in 1917, plus a miserable separation allowance of ten shillings and six pence a week, for wives. Following a series of mutinies in 1919 pay increases of over two hundred per cent were granted.
After the Russian Revolution the British Navy was sent into action against the Russians. It proved ineffective, but this ineffectiveness had less to do with the efforts of the Bolsheviks than with the unwillingness of the British seamen to fight. The extent of these mutinies can be measured by reference to the following comment made in the House of Commons by G. Lambert MP, on March 12th 1919:
'...undoubtedly there was, at the end of last year, grave unrest in the Navy... I do not wish to be violent, but I think I am correct in saying that a match would have touched off an explosion.'
Shortly after the armistice with Germany the crew of a light cruiser, at Libau on the Baltic, mutinied. Many other ships were sent home from Archangel and Murmansk after similar experiences. In spite of a propaganda campaign against Russia it was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain reliable crews. Refusals to weigh for Russia were a regular occurrence at Invergordon, Portsmouth, Rosyth, Devonport and Fort Edgar.
Many labour historians have written about the refusal of dockers to load the 'Jolly George' with an arms consignment for Poland in May 1920. But we have heard virtually nothing about far greater challenges to authority in the armed forces. For example, early in 1919 a group of dock workers discovered that the destination of a large cruiser being refitted at Rosyth was Russia. Together with some members of the Socialist Labour Party they leafleted the crew, who refused to sail. In fact the crew stayed put for three weeks, although isolated in mid-stream, until their demands were met, and they were paid off at Portsmouth.
In January 1919 there were mutinies on the mine-sweepers at Rosyth. On January 13th, 1919 there was a mutiny on the patrol boat 'Kilbride' at Milford Haven, where the red flag was hoisted. This was an uneasy year for the Admiralty. On October 12th, 150 seamen had broken out of their ships at Port Edgar on hearing that they were due to return to the Baltic. The First Destroyer Flotilla was prevented from returning to the Baltic war. Eventually half the ships sailed on August 14, their crews made up from Atlantic Fleet battleships. Although most of the mutineers were arrested, some 44 men made their way to London to present petitions at Whitehall. They were arrested at King's Cross and sent to Chatham Barracks. Between October 12th and November 21st, 1919 some 96 offenders had been arrested and punished, ten by imprisonment. It should be remembered that the government had repeatedly pledged that only volunteers would be sent to fight against the Russians. It is clear that this was not the practice employed by the Admiralty. Those who did not intend to 'volunteer' had little choice but to mutiny and face the consequence.
By November 1919 discontent had spread to the aircraft carrier 'Vindictive' (pictured, right) in Copenhagen. A marine detachment was called in to disperse a group of seamen demanding leave. Two men were arrested. Later two stokers were caught trying to stop the fan engines. They were each given five years. The following morning virtually no one turned up for duty. This provoked Captain Grace to arrest five more alleged 'ringleaders'. They were condemned to 90 days hard labour before a dishonourable discharge. Another six were arrested, but resistance continued. The next morning 14 crewmen were still refusing duty and were arrested. That evening another two arrests were made.
Meanwhile the crews of the minesweepers operating in the Baltic declared they had had enough. There were incidents aboard the flagship 'Delhi', in December, when only 25% of the crew responded to a command to return to Biorko in the Gulf of Finland.
There was a further naval mutiny in Russia, that of the gunboat 'Cicala' in the White Sea. Death sentences were imposed on the 'ringleaders'. The fact that these were later commuted to one year's imprisonment reflects the continuing strength of the sailors' movement.
Mutinies in the forces of intervention were not confined to the Navy. There was a large mutiny in a Marine battalion at Murmansk. The 6th Battalion of the Royal Marines, formed in the summer of 1919 at a time of unrest over demobilisation, were originally intended to police Schleswig Holstein. But, at short notice, the Battalion had been diverted to cover the evacuation of Murmansk. They were sent to the Lake Onega region, a further 300 miles south of Kem. In August 1919 two companies refused duty: 90 men were tried and found guilty of mutiny by a court martial. Thirteen men were sentenced to death and others to up to 5 years imprisonment.
None of the death sentences were actually carried out. The 90 mutineers were shipped to Bodmin prison, where they continued their resistance to arbitrary authority. (In this they were acting in the best traditions of the Royal Marines. In December 1918 some Marines had been involved in a mutiny inside Bodmin prison which had resulted in three death sentences, later commuted to five years penal servitude.) Continued resistance paid off. The ninety men arrested after the Murmansk incident had their sentences reduced as follows: the 13 sentenced to death were commuted to five years, but 12 were released after only one year, and the other after two years. Twenty men, originally given 5 years, were released after six months. 51 men sentenced to two years were also released within six months.
In recognition of the fact that their officers had acted contrary to Army instructions in employing young and inexperienced lads at the front, the remainder of those arrested were either released or had their sentences commuted to 6 months. Following the announcement, on December 22nd, nineteen of these acts of 'clemency' the First Lord of the Admiralty told the Commons that 'bad leadership' was a factor behind the mutiny. He even hinted at the possibility of disciplinary measures being taken against several officers.
Many other mutinies occurred in North Russia. One took place in the 13th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, which ended with death sentences being passed on two sergeants whilst the other mutineers were cowed by White Russian machine gunners called in by the English officers.
News of these mutinies was suppressed. They highlighted the reluctance of British sailors to fight against Russia when the government was theoretically committed to a policy of peace. Contrary to what the people were being told, and at the very moment when the hysteria surrounding the Armistice was at its height, the Foreign Office and Admiralty were finalising their arrangements for intervention in Russia.
The Navy was not only required for the anti-Bolshevik crusade and to defend Britain's imperial commitments. It was also needed to quell internal disturbances. Towards the end of the 1914-1918 war seamen were trained in the noble art of 'blacklegging' in the event of strikes by railwaymen or power workers. 'The battleship Vanguard', says Walter Kendall, 'was sent to the Mersey to command Liverpool during the Police strike of August 1919'.
Resistance in the Navy continued between 1919 and the time of the large Invergordon mutiny of 1931. In 1930 there were no fewer than six major movements within the Navy against conditions of work and the arbitrary injustice of naval discipline. The 'Revenge' (pictured, right), 'Royal Oak', Vindictive', 'Repulse', 'Ramillies' and 'Lucia' were all affected.
(Edited by libcom.org from Mutinies by Dave Lamb)

1919. Monday 20th January - 17th March. Detachment from HMS Suffolk in garrison at Omsk Siberia.

1919. Thursday 13th February. Royal Marine detachments sent out in June 1917, returned to England.

1919. Friday 21st February. Royal Marines manning guns when Base opened at Petrosk on the Caspian.

1919. February - March. Royal Marines from HMS Ceres and HMS Cardiff in operations at Libau and Riga on the Baltic.

1919. Monday 10th March. Royal Marines Field Force training at Kem in Northern Russia.

1919. Tuesday 25th March. HMS Glory's Detachment to Knabja Ghuba to assist in repatriation of Finnish in Northern Russia.

1919. Monday 7th April. 'A Royal Rescue by a Royal Marine'. HMS Marlborough anchored at Yalta to begin the evacuation of the Dowager Empress Maria, the aunt of King Georg V, to save her from .the advancing Bolsheviks in the Crimea. Her safety lay in the hands of ordinary men like Marine Samuel Bradford, a farm labourer from Devon, who on the morning aboard the ship did not need the usually early morning 'shake a leg there' As orders had already been given for the Marines to collect there kit - rifles, bayonets, lewis guns, ammunition, entrenching tools and tin hats, and muster at the ships boats.

The Marlborough then lay at anchor off a gravel and sandy beach near to the summer palace at 1-larax. This was Koreiz Cave the place where the Empress, a woman on that day tormented and in real fear for her life, had selected for her departure.

The sea was flat calm when the landing party of Marines climbed into the ship's cutters to go ashore. Once on the beach the force dispersed in sections around the palace. Sam was in a Lewis machine-gun crew a half a dozen strong. Time was running short. By now the Bolsheviks forces had tightened their grip to the west, and any move that betrayed the presence of the British secretly helping the refugees to escape would bring the enemy dawn onto the beach head defended by Sam and his mates.

The refugees began trickling out of the- palace escorted by the Royal Marine& In all the Empress counted more than 50 people as her immediate family. This alone agitated Captain Johnson of the Marlborough. So with little ceremony the Empress and the refugees were quickly ferried aboard. On the voyage to Malta Lieut-Cdr Pridham was host to the royal family.

Sam Bradford had no such close contact with the Empress, the one he and others like him had saved. Without them, she most certainly would have perished.

Sam felt of course that he was only a Marine doing his job. His reward was a run ashore when the passengers left the ship at Malta on April 21st. For his part Sam Got a good conduct stripe, but there was no pension when he left the ship in 1922.

Although he had signed on for 12 years the navy chose to dishonour it's agreement. They were overmanned they said using the time-honoured phrase selected whenever they saved money to disband ships and fighting men.

Therefore Sam went home to his quiet village outside Exeter, to a job mining stone. He married Mary Martin, a local girl, and although they never had any children they were happy until she died of cancer in 1968.

Sam today is 98 years old, and has lived In his rented house for 62 years, and soldiers on to his century when perhaps a personal message he might receive from his Queen whose great-great-aunt he helped to save in April 1919. (Author unknown)

1919. Tuesday 15th April. Royal Marines from HMS Kent relieve Royal Marines from HMS Suffolk at Omsk in Siberia.

1919. Thursday 17th - 22nd April. HM Ships in operations off Sevastopol and crushed Bolshevist attack on Kertch in the Crimea.

1919. Saturday 3rd May. Royal Marines Field Force advance and captured Maselskaya in Northern Russia.

1919. Tuesday 6th May. A tug commissioned as Kent and a barge Suffolk at Perm in Siberia.

1919. Wednesday 14th May. The Suffolk barge in action against the Bolshevist on the Viatka River in Northern Russia.

1919. Saturday 17th - 18th May. Royal Marines Field Force captured Medveyja Gora in Northern Russia.

1919. Wednesday 21st May. The Bombardment of Fort Alexandrovsk on the Caspian.

1919. Saturday 24th May. The Kent and Suffolk in action at Elabouga in Siberia.

1919. Thursday 29th - 30th May. The Kent and Suffolk in action on the Bielava River in Siberia.

1919. Tuesday 3rd June. The Kent in action at Sarapoul in Siberia.

1919. Wednesday 4th - 10th June. The Kent and Suffolk in engagements on the Kama River in Siberia.

1919. Friday 6th June. Inspection of details of the 63rd Royal Naval Division by HRH The Prince of Wales in London.

1919. Saturday 14th - 15th June. Details of RMA Howitzer Brigade return to Eastney from France.

1919. Thursday 19th - 21st June. Royal Marines from the Naval Flotilla in action at Topsa and Troitsa in Northern Russia.

1919. Thursday 26th June. The first occasion that a Royal Marine Band appeared as the resident band at the Royal Naval, Military and Air Force tournament - later the Royal Tournament - when Mr P.S.G. O'Donnell and the Band of the Plymouth Division, RMLI undertook this duty. This was the first Tournament since 1914.

1919. Saturday 28th June. The tug Kent and barge Suffolk dismantled at Perm in Siberia.

1919. Saturday 28th June. Sergeant W.H. Beime Chatham RMLI, Sergeant G.H. Locker Plymouth RMLI represented the Royal Marines at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in France.

1919. July. RMA A Globe & Laurel article. 'Inside The Arctic Circle'
Huddled inside sleeping bags and covered with six or seven folds of blanket, we had lain shivering through a night that seemed to have made up its mind never to end. Our bedroom was a railway carriage. Outside a blizzard was blowing and a goodly portion of the said blizzard was finding its way into our shelter through innumerable cracks and loose joints. At long last came the time to get up, and, as we dressed in the darkness of an arctic morning, our remarks at least were heated as we anathematized numb fingers that positively refused to insert buttons into buttonholes and perform the other tasks for which they were intended. A glance at the thermometer which hung outside the door showed temperature of 25 0 below zero - 57 degree of genuine best-quality frost. A few minutes out in the open, exposed to the force of the wind and blinded by the driving snow, sufficed to convince us that the thermometer erred on the side of moderation. Why doesn’t some enterprising scientist invent a process whereby one can, when one desires, remove one's nose and cheek-bones and leave them indoors on the mantelpiece? As it was, we had to keep careful watch on each other's faces to detect the first signs of frostbite.
We didn't stay any longer out of doors than we could help during the day. Not that it was much of a day; just a couple of hours of dim light, from 11 till 1, and then darkness for 22 hours. What little we could see of the surrounding landscape revealed a waste of snow and ice snow so dry that it was like fine white powder and ice that seemed to grow thicker as we watched it.
Another sleepless night a night passed in debating whether it were better to throw off the bedclothes and expose ourselves to the onslaughts of voracious mosquitoes, or to keep ourselves covered up and lie in a bath of perspiration. At midnight the temperature stood at 800 in the shade. I say, 'in the shade” (advisedly, because the earth was then bathed in the rays of a sun which didn't have enough sense to retire at night. How we hated the Midnight Sun - a much overrated natural phenomenon that foolish people used to spend much money for the pleasure of travelling to witness! When our watches decreed that another day’s work was upon us, we rose. The exertion of dressing made us perspire freely: the energy expended in eating bully beef and biscuits caused more moisture to exude from our pores: futile attempts to circumvent the frightfulness of hordes of mosquitoes -evidently in league with the Hun - forced us to move in Turkish baths of our own creation. What would we not have given for just one inch of the three-foot layer of ice so much in evidence during the winter months? How we would have welcomed the arrival of only a few stray flakes of snow which, for six months in the year would hide the earth under a mantle of white.
The above are two of the memories which I have brought back with me from the Murman Coast. The contrasts are violent, but the pictures are none the less accurate. The North Russian Expeditionary Force is campaigning inside the Arctic Circle, but it should not be presumed, on that account, that it is living in a land of perpetual ice and snow. From mid-June till the middle of September the weather is warm during the period in which the sun is shining for twenty-four hours daily (for about two months annually) the conditions are sometimes tropical. Potatoes that are planted half-way through June are eaten in the early days of August. Edible berries grow in luxuriant abundance: wild flowers carpet the wood; and mosquitoes, sand-flies and other pests are- but this is a family paper, so I will not trouble you with our description of them.
There is not such a heavy snowfall as one might perhaps expect; a depth of about three feet is the result of the Clerk of the Weather’s efforts in this direction. The cold, as a rule, is not so very severe. Of course one must take into consideration the fact that our force in the far north is specially equipped for service under Arctic clime conditions. The average temperature at Murmansk during the past winter was somewhere about zero. And that, when the air is calm is quite endurable and even invigorating. When there are only from 10 to .1 5 degrees of frost, one may safely move about in ordinary winter clothing (even a heavy coat is unnecessary), provide one keeps hands well gloved and feet warmly shod, and wears a fur cap to protect the head and ears. Looseness is as important a desideratum as warmth in Arctic clothing; tight-fitting garments are the sworn allies of frost-bite.
When the wind begins to blow well, then one sighs for the life of a coal-miner or tube employee, so that one might be able to burrow into the bowels of the earth. Not otherwise may one hope to escape from the piercing blasts of rude Boreas. Cross-country travelling is immensely easier in the winter than during the summer. The lakes and marshes of July have become hard surfaces, strong enough to bear the heaviest traffic. For about six weeks the sun makes up for working over-time during the summer and withdraws altogether. The resultant gloom is rather depressing, but, probably owing to the presence of the snow, it is never dark during all the 24hours of the day.
The atmosphere during the winter months is dry. Taken as a whole, the weather conditions are preferable to those which obtain during our so-called winter at home. From the 15th "November 1918, to the end of March this year, Murmansk did not experience a single damp day.
Think of it, ye dwellers in Merrie England!
Editor: At a time when so many today have difficultly spelling the simplest of words, I am, when reading articles such as this one published in the July 1919 edition of the Globe & Laurel, always struck by the wonderful command of the English language that the ordinary Marine of that period had, It says much for the education systems that were in use in England in the 19th & early 20th centuries.(Tom C. RMAQ)

1919.July. According to the memoir of Jack Braidwood published in Picton, Ontario in 1976 and called: "Never Loose Steerage Way" ISBN: 0 920028 02 0, pages 18 to 20.
A company of Royal Marines near Sviatnolok close to the Karelian frontier (Finland) in or around July 1919 simply threw down their weapons though stationed in the front lines and walked away saying amongst other things "To hell with the war." General evacuation did commence shortly afterwards but apparently several(?) mutineers were arrested, charged and imprisoned for several years after until Winston Churchill raise the issue in Parliament. The consequence of Churchill's intervention was that most of the "mutineers" were released except for the ringleaders.

1919. Tuesday 8th July. Action at Troitsa on the River Dwina, during a mutiny by White Russians in Northern Russia.

1919. Thursday 10th July. Royal Marines Field Force embarked at Archangel for England.

1919. Summer. The 7th RM Battalion was formed in the summer of 1919 from RMs landed under Lt–Col J. W. Hudleston, RMA, from the Grand Fleet, the Battalion was to help supervise a plebiscite, but was not used and re-embarked.(RMHS)

1919. August. The award of a distinctive badge for musical efficiency. RNSM Musicians who have reached the standard required for the granting of the Musical Proficiency Allowance (KR & AI vol II, App XV, Part III, No 11) were issued with a badge, red star, to be worn on the right arm below the elbow.

1919. July. The 6th RM Battalion was formed under Lt. Col A. de W. Kitkat, RMLI, for supervision of the plebiscite in Schleswig-Holstein (northern Germany), they were diverted to relieve northern Russian garrisons. Many of the older men were employed in GHQ and as clerks on the Murmansk railway. The companies, each reduced by these commitments to some 140 or so young Marines, were sent to forward areas on Lake Onega. At Kapaselga some 15 miles south of the Medvyejya Gora base the Marines took over the outpost line, which had been pushed south. General Maynard was moving what forces he could to secure lines of communication the Shunga Peninsula where a rising against the Bolsheviks had been successful, About this time several small units ‘were relegated to the lines of communication’, including some Marines after they refused duty.
On 23rd August the companies were deployed, and on the night of 28th - 29th August moved against two concentrations of Finnish troops supporting the Bolsheviks. After this action and the subsequent operations, the companies were replaced by White Russians and Serbians (a battalion of these fighters served in the Allied force), and sailed from Murmansk on 8th October, being dispersed a week later. There has never been another 6 Battalion RM.(RMHS)

1919. Friday 1st August. HMS Caradoc bombarded the Bolshevists at Kinburn in the Crimea.

1919. Friday 1st August. 6th Royal Marines Battalion embarked at Tilbury for Northern Russia.

1919. Friday 1st - 8th August. HMS Caradoc engaged in operations on the Rivers Bug and Dnieper in Southern Russia.

1919. Sunday 10th August. Royal Marines from the naval Force in action on the Selmenga River in Northern Russia.

1919. Sunday 17th August. 6 Battalion in action on the Railway at Kapaselga in Northern Russia.

1919. Saturday 30th August. 'C' Coy 6 Battalion in the first skirmish at Koikori in Northern Russia.

1919. Tuesday 2nd September. Details of the Caspian Naval Force leave Petrovsk.

1919. Monday 8th - 10th September. 6 Battalion in action at Ussuna and Koikori in Northern Russia.

1919. Tuesday 16th September. Royal Marines from the Naval Force in action on the Vaga River in Northern Russia.

1919. Tuseday 30th September. The Naval Force evacuated Archangle in Northern Russia.

1919. Thursday 8th October. 6th Royal Marines embarked at Archangle for England.

1919. Tuesday 11th November. The Offical end of the First World War.

1919. November. Discontent had spread to the aircraft carrier 'Vindictive' in Copenhagen. A Marine detachment was called in to disperse a group of seamen demanding leave. Two men were arrested. Later two stokers were caught trying to stop the fan engines. They were each given five years. The following morning virtually no one turned up for duty. This provoked Captain Grace to arrest five more alleged 'ringleaders'. They were condemned to 90 days hard labour before a dishonourable discharge. Another six were arrested, but resistance continued. The next morning 14 crewmen were still refusing duty and were arrested. That evening another two arrests were made.

1919. Late in the year. There was a large mutiny in a Marine battalion at Murmansk. The 6th Battalion of the Royal Marines, formed in the summer of 1919 at a time of unrest over demobilisation, were originally intended to police Schleswig Holstein. However, at short notice the Battalion had been diverted to cover the evacuation of Murmansk. They were sent to the Lake Onega region, a further 300 miles south of Kem. In August 1919 two companies refused duty: 90 men were tried and found guilty of mutiny by a court martial. Thirteen men were sentenced to death and others to up to 5 years imprisonment.
None of the death sentences were actually carried out. The 90 mutineers were shipped to Bodmin prison, where they continued their resistance to arbitrary authority. (In this they were acting in the best traditions of the Royal Marines. In December 1918 some Marines had been involved in a mutiny inside Bodmin prison which had resulted in three death sentences, later commuted to five years penal servitude.) Continued resistance paid off. The ninety men arrested after the Murmansk incident had their sentences reduced as follows: the 13 sentenced to death were commuted to five years, but 12 were released after only one year, and the other after two years. Twenty men, originally given 5 years, were released after six months. 51 men sentenced to two years were also released within six months. (Author Unknown).

1919. Ships Detachments. Many ships were laid up immediately after World War I, or, in the case of older vessels, had been stripped of their guns, but the lists below of capital ships and cruisers existing in 1919 but disposed of by 1932 indicate the Corps’ commitment to naval gunnery at the end of that war. Details are given of displacement tonnage and the date of a ship’s first inclusion in government financial estimates. See any standard reference books of naval ships, for details of the armament, but Royal Marines almost invariably manned at least one main turret and a number of secondary guns.
Detachment sizes are indicated by letter ‘d’ and RM band sizes by ‘b’, where these have been estimated the item is starred (*). These figures are indicative only of the size of these units for several reasons. In the 1930s many detachments were as much as 25 per cent below their establishment strength, due to the shortage of manpower. The approved strengths for wartime service were some 35 per cent above those of peacetime. In some cases the actual strengths were even increased by 50 per cent after the outbreak of World War II as additional armaments were added. Further increases in weaponry during that War, led to further increases in detachment sizes and no doubt in band sizes, where musicians were needed for increased instrumentation in the T/S. Detachments were further increased on those ships acting as flagships.
The dates of a ship’s completion and of its disposal are shown in parentheses, except for those disposed of before 1932. Not included are a number of ships on which Marines served briefly, including the gunboats in China, destroyers at Narvik, and depot ships and submarines on which individual Marines occasionally served.
Battleships and Dreadnoughts of 1919 disposed of by 1932.
Majestic–class (14,900 tons) of 1894 — d–and–b 80*, in Caesar, Hannibal, Jupiter, Magnificent, Prince George and Victorious.
Canopus–class (12,950 tons) of 1896 — d–and–b 100*, in Albion, Canopus, Glory, and Vengeance.
Formidable–class (15,000 tons) of 1898 — d–and–b 100* in Implacable. London–class (15,000 tons) of 1898 — d–and–b 100* in London and Venerable. Duncan–class (14,000 tons) of 1898 — d–and–b 100* in Albermarle, Duncan and Exmouth. Queen–class (15,000 tons) of 1901 — d–and–b 100* in Queen and Prince of Wales. Purchased from Chile Swiftsure (11,800 tons) of 1902 — d and b not traced.
King Edward–class (16,350 tons) of 1902 — d–and–b 100* in Africa, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan and Zealand.
Lord Nelson–class (16,500 tons) of 1904 — d–and–b 100*
Dreadnought (17,900 tons) of 1906 — d and b not traced.
Temeraire–class (18,000 tons) of 1907 — d–and–b 96 in Bellerophon, Superb and Temeraire.
St Vincent–class (19,250 tons) of 1909 — d–and–b 99 in Collingwood and St Vincent.
Neptune (19,900 tons) of 1909 — d–and–b 97.
Colossus–class (20,000 tons) of 1909 — d–and–b 99 in Colossus and Hercules.
Orion–class (22,500 tons) of 1912 — d–and–b 97 in Conqueror, Monarch, Orion and Thunder 1932).
King George–class (23,000 tons) of 1911 — d–and–b 97 in Ajax, Centurion (in 1913 used as radio controlled
target ship see also post–1932) and King George V. When these were flagships the d–and–b was 107.
Iron Duke–class (25,000 tons) of 1912 — d 109 and b 24 in Benbow, Emperor of India, Iron Duke (see also post 1932) and Marlborough.
Battleships 1932–1960
Iron Duke — see above — (1912–46 but disarmed c1922)
Centurion — see above — used as a Mulberry blockship in 1944.
Queen Elizabeth–class (31,100 tons) of 1912–13 — d 115 and b 24 in Barham (1915–41, sunk), Queen Elizabeth (1915–48), Warspite (1915–47, with a d 200 and b 24 at times in World War II), Malaya (1916–48) and Valiant (1916–48).
Royal Sovereign–class (29,150 tons) of 1913–14 — d 125 and b 22 in Resolution (1916–48), Revenge (1916–48),
Royal Sovereign (1916–1943 when secondary armament was reduced, 1944 to USSR) and Ramillies (1917–48). Nelson (33,500 tons) and Rodney (33,900 tons) both of 1922 — d 185 and b 20 (1927–49 and 1927–48) respectively.
King George V–class (35,000 tons) of 1936–7 — d–and–b 350 in King George V (1950–48), Duke of York (1941–58), Prince of Wales (1941 and sunk that year), Anson (1942–58) and Howe (1942–58).
Vanguard (44,500 tons) of wartime (1940) but not built until later — d–and–b 350, for Royal tour in 1947 the band was increased to 50* (1946–60)
Battle–Cruisers
Invincible–class (17,250 tons) of 1906 — d–and–b 86 in Indomitable (1908–21) and Inflexible (19808–21).
Improved Invincible–class (18,750 tons) of 1909 — d–and–b 86 in HMAS Australia (1912–24) and New Zealand (1912–22).
Lion–class (26,350) of 1909 — d–and–b 88 in Lion (1919–24) and Princess Royal 1912–22. When these were flagships, the d–and–b was 94.
Tiger (28,500 tons) of 1911 — d–and–b 115 (1914–32).
Renown–class of world War I — d–and–b 157* in Renown (1916–48) and Repulse (1916–1941 sunk).
Hood (42,100 tons) — d 135* and b 17 (1920–41 sunk).(RMHS)

1919. The list of Medals the British government agreed to award its military personel for taking part in the First World War. (taken from 'Britains Sea Soldiers 1914 - 1919 by Sir H. E. Blumberg).

After the Armistice certain honours were awarded to Royal Marine Officers in conjunction with Naval Officer for their services afloat in the Grand Fleet.
C.B. Major and Brevet Leiutenant Colonel B.C. Gardiner. RMLI who had been Fleet W/T Officer since August 1914.
C.M.G. Major A.G. Little. RMLI. Senior Officer RM. afloat since 1916.

O.B.E.
Major H.E. Gillespie RMLI.
Major G.H. Jooye RMA.
Captain H.R. Haines RMLI.
Captain C.A. Lucas RMLI.
Captain E.J. Jukes-Hughes RMLI.

M.B.E.
RM Gunner J. Cameron.
RM Gunner F.O. Botterill.
Rm Gunner E. Kimber.
Bandsman J.G. Welsh.

The following is a list of those awarded as members of the Corps Afloat.
Seageant W. H. France RMA.
Seageant W. H. France RMA. Miscellaneous.
Gunner A. Fenton RMA. Miscellaneous.
Sergeant A. V. Proctor RMA. Mediterranean.
Lance Corporal R. D. Hale RMLI. (Portsmouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Private R. Burns RMLI (Portsmouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Colour Sergeant N. Sears (Portsmouth) Patrol Cruisers.
Lance Corporal G. Short (Plymouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Private R. Burns RMLI (Portsmouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Colour Sergeant N. Sears (Portsmouth) Patrol Cruisers.
Lance Corporal G. Short (Plymouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Sergeant A. B. Cox (Portsmouth). Miscellaneous.
Sergeant J. Dix (Portsmouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Private F. S. Paul (Plymouth). Mediterranean.
Colour Sergeant F. M. Thompson (Chatham). Mediterranean.
Private J. Wilson (Portsmouth). Patrol Cruisers.
Sergeant A. E. Bowen (Chatham). Egyptian Division.
Sergeant W. H. Padwick (Portsmouth). Egyptian Division.
Sergeant H. Hayes (Chatham). Aegean.
Sergeant F. W. Ladd (Chatham). Belgian Coast.
Private J. M. Stevenson (Plymouth). Miscellaneous.
Sergeant B.W. Hatcher (Portsmouth). Dover Patrol.
Private W. Marriott (Portsmouth). Dover Patrol.
Private T. H. Wïgley. (Plymouth). Aegean.
Private W. G. Geary. (Portsmouth). Miscellaneous.
Corporal D. Griffiths. (Portsmouth). North Russia.
Corporal W. J. Last. (RMA). North Russia.
Sergeant A. Levett. (Portsmouth). North Russia.
Private W. E. Lewington. (Portsmouth). North Russia.
Private W. E Peters. (Portsmouth. North Russia.
Sergeant E. C. White. (Portsmouth). North Russia.

Post-war demobilisation had seen the Royal Marines reduced from 55,000 during 1918 to 15,000 in 1922. Treasury was 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.

1919 - 1939. Conferences. Royal Marines served as orderlies for many conferences, including the Washington Conference of 1922, when seven corporals were commended by the First Lord of the Admiralty, as they ‘proved themselves equal to every emergency in difficult circumstances’.(RMHS)

1920. Sergeant Norman Finch V.C. returned to the Corps and was promoted to Colour Sergeant after recovering from his sever injuries during the battle of Zeebrugge. He later became an Instructor of Coast Defence Gunnery and was made Colour Sergeant on 12th August 1920.

1920. Sunday 18th January. The Memorial Silver Bugles first sounded by Portsmouth Division RMLI. The officers of the Royal Marines purchased thirty two Silver memorial Bugles for Officers killed during the First world War. Issued in groups of eight to the RMLI Division at Chatham, Portsmouth, Plymouth and also the Depot.

1920. June. The 8th Battalion RM. The Battalion was brought together and, sailing to Cork in HMS Valiant and Warspite before being taken by destroyer to protect coastguard and signal stations around the coast. The three companies were split into detachments, none smaller than 27 strong, allowing for two men to be on leave in the UK, with posts often 100 miles from the companies’ HQs. A typical post was at Buncrana on Lough Swilly (Donegal), some 20 miles north of Londonderry. Apart from Lewis gun and rifle practice at a box towed astern of a dinghy, no shots were fired.
Stations were to be defended to the last if attacked. The 1922 G&L p 39 refers to ‘considerable casualties’. Individuals with the Battalion were relieved for home service from time to time, and the Battalion was not withdrawn until the spring of 1922, after the Anglo-Irish treaty was negotiated. The Marines by that date had been guarding some key points for five years, as the 8th Battalion had taken over these duties from the rear party of an RM Battalion that went to Ireland in 1916.(RMHS)

1920. Tuesday 24th August. bandmaster W.E.F Faithfull, veteran of antwerp and Gallipoli (where he was wounded and earned a Mention in Despatches), became the first Band Boy to reach Commissioned rank when he was promoted Lieutenant and QM.

1920. November. Confirmation of rank 'BdCSgt' and 'BdSgt' being substituted for Bandmaster 1st Class and Bandmaster 2 nd Class. Previously described in 1920.

1920. Tuesday 9th November. Colour Sergeant Norman Finch V.C. was a member of the guard of honour mustered at Westminster Abbey during the internment of the Unkown Warrior.

1920. Sunday 21st November. 'Red Sunday'. In Brompton Cemetery, West London, there is a family plot belonging to the Montgomery family. Amongst the memorials is a simple stone cross on a stepped pedestal, dedicated to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Ferguson Montgomery RMLI, who died in Dublin on the 10th December 1920 from 'wounds received at the hands of an assassin on Sunday 21st November of the same year.
Montgomery was foremost a staff officer. He served as Adjutant at the Depot, was posted to the newly established Naval War Staff, where he earned the approval of the First sea Lord for his part in the Naval and Military planning for the defence of Scapa Flow; he was also promoted Brevet Major and was appointed secretary of the Cromarty Defence Works Committee, remaining on the Naval War Staff until June 1915.
That month he left for France to become Brigade Major of 90th Infantry Brigade, a post he held for just under one year before becoming GSO 2 in 34th Infantry Division on the Somme and later in XIII Corps. At the end of October 1917 he was GSO 1 in 19th Infantry Division, a post which he held until May 1919. During his service in France and Germany he was mentioned in despatches six times, was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was awarded the CMG and the DSO and was made a Chevalier of the French Legion D'Honeur.
On return to the UK he was appointed to the Staff in Dublin. By November 1920 Ireland was a violent place, with terrorism, kidnap and murder on the one hand and martial law and 'trigger happy' troops on the other. Intelligence on both sides was good; security was frankly bad. Sunday 21st November brought a crescendo of violence, which was variously reported in the press the following day.
The Dublin newspaper majored on the excesses of the 'Black and Tans"' who had entered the football ground at Croke Park, where a crowd of 15,000 had gathered for a Gaelic football match. Here they were allegedly fired upon from several points in the crowd and returned fire with the inevitable casualties to innocent parties. Initial reports were of some 11 killed and 60 to 100 wounded.
The 'Times' coined the name 'Red Sunday', reporting the 'Football Field Battle', a 'Murder in Nurses' Garden', as well as the kidnap of two constables, one of whom was still missing, and the discovery of the body of a catholic priest who had condemned IRA violence from his pulpit. His senior prelate, Archbishop Mannix, was more circumspect; addressing a crowd of 1,000 in a cinema, he had condemned British 'frightfulness', claiming that he was unaware of any murder gangs, but if they did exist they would soon disappear when the troops were withdrawn. Prominence in the 'Times' columns was reserved for the murder of 14 staff officers and the wounding of four others in a well organised and co-ordinated series of visits by armed republicans to eight addresses, including private homes, lodging houses and the Gresham Hotel. The Dublin paper made no mention of these events. The victims were sought by name and appear to have been staff officers engaged in intelligence work or in the preparation of Courts Martial on IRA activists recently arrested.
Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery was lodged in a large boarding house on Upper Pembroke Road. Shortly before breakfast that Sunday, the house porter opened the door in response to a knock and was promptly held at gun point, along with the landlady, Mrs Grey, while eight of the armed raiders rushed upstairs through the house. Ten or eleven shots later they ran down and out into the street. On the third floor they left two officers dead, on the second floor two badly wounded and on the first floor the landlady found Montgomery at the door of his room, also badly wounded. On the floor of the hail lay another badly wounded subaltern.
Montgomery died a few weeks later. A sordid end to a distinguished career. His body was shipped back from Dublin, where a cortege of 1,000 artillery, cavalry and infantry escorted the coffin to the ship through crowded streets. At Euston it was met by the GOC London District, who led the cortege to Brompton Cemetery, where the service was performed by the deceased's uncle, Bishop Montgomery, father of the Field Marshal. The pall bearers were Royal Marines officers, but the coffin was carried by eight men of the Grenadier Guards, who themselves had lost a field officer in Dublin on 'Red Sunday'.
'The Black and Tans' were an armed force recruited in Ireland to fight Sinn Fein wearing a mixture of military and constabulary uniforms. (Lieutenant Colonel B L Edwards - RMHS)

1920. December. Warrant Rank was assigned to those who had been appointed as a Bandmaster or Commissioned Bandmaster provided the appropriate qualifications had been attained.

1920. Friday 24th December. The Award of the Prince of Wales Plumes to Plymouth Division Band following the Royal Tour to Canada on HMS Renown. This band was selected for its Musicianship and for its dedication to duty whilst on active service during the great war.

1920. Captain and Brevet Major A.R. Chater, the Adjutant at the Depot, Deal, presented a pair of silver and ebony drumsticks to be used by the most efficient Drummer at the depot each year. Awarded to Bugler Crane (1920), Bugler Tyler (1921) and Bugler Astle (1922). The tradition then lapsed but the drumsticks were retained and are now part of the Royal Marines Museum Collection.

1920. 'A Life On The Ocean Waves', written by Henry Russell and arranged by Jacob Kappey (Chatham Division Band RM) was officially recognised as the 'Regimental Quick March' of the Royal Marines by Lords Commissioners of the admiralty. (Thirty eight years after the same recognition by the War Office).

1921. Thursday 31st March - Friday 1st July. The 13th RM (Reserve) Battalion was formed from reservists at the time of the coal strikes, which culminated in the national coal strike, the Battalion provided detachments to protect installations and RN personnel manning pumps at the mines. However, they were disbanded within a year.(RMHS)

1921. Friday 15th April. 'Royal Marines in the Coal Strike', by Lt. Col George R. Hawkins OBE. RM. In the early days of 1921 the headlines in the newspapers were extremely gloomy. The submarine K5 was lost with all hands, the German Delegates refused to sign the Paris Agreement, in Ireland Sinn-Fein outrages occurred almost daily; to add to the gloom the miners declared a National Strike, and appealed to the transport and railway workers for support. This was stunning news because the miners took the unprecedented action of calling out the safety men who man the pumps, with the possibility of mines therefore becoming flooded and destroyed.
Although the mines were privately owned (they were not nationalised until 1947) the Government could not allow the destruction of this valuable part of our national wealth. A state of emergency was declared in the United Kingdom, and armed forces were ordered to protect the coal mines.
An emergency force of R.M.A. from Eastney, and R.M.L.I. from Gosport (Forton) was formed in great haste. In fact, at such short notice that the drafting officer at Forton had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get the numbers required. He could only do this by including the tug-of--war team training for Olympia, the divisional soccer team, and the 'gravel bellies' earmarked for Bisley. All the Young Officers courses were stopped, probably to their delight, and the 2nd Lieutenants were made platoon commanders.
Nobody knew our destination although there was a rumour that it was the Fife coalfields. This interested us because the Scottish miners were the most militant and toughest in the industry, and there was a Scottish saying "Ye need a lang (long) flanked spoon to sup with a Fifer".
The rumour was true, and we went by special train to Glasgow, where we were quartered in the Highland Light Infantry Barracks to await final instructions. The time was well spent on lectures about 'Aid to Civil Power'. The 'Royals' and the 'Jocks' got on extremely well; their regimental tug-of-war team was training for a Scottish Tournament, and an invitation to the Royal Marines to give them a pull was willingly accepted. It was no disgrace to the 'Jocks' to be beaten; they put up a very good show against the team that had won the event at Olympia in the previous year. We hoped that our visit helped them to win their Scottish contests!
The stay in Glasgow was short and enjoyable: as we marched away a piper played "Will ye no come back again" and we were very touched, but in marked contrast we received a chilly reception in Fife. In every village we were greeted with jeers and boos, and at Dysart we were stopped by a road block manned by an angry mob who hurled stones and abuse. Colonel Patterson, the CO, had a quiet manner but larger than life personality. Having selected the striker with the biggest mouth and most abusive tongue he said to a hefty 'Blue Marine', "Bring that man to me for a friendly chat". His words worked wonders, the miner walked back meekly and told the mob to shut up and clear the road, which they did, so we could continue on our way.
Fife is studded with coal mines and the company to which I belonged occupied Balgonie Colliery, but the routine that I describe there was similar to all the others. An angry mob threatened to prevent our entrance to the pit, yet wisely refrained from using violence, so we pressed on and took possession. The OC at Balgonie was Captain F W (Freddie) Dewhurst supported by 2nd Lieuts A G (Cock) Warren, Bertie Knowles and myself. ('Cock' Warren was the subject of a recently published book, 'Marines don't hold horses'). Sentries were posted immediately, and barriers erected (fortunately logs, planks, pit-props and ropes were plentiful) and having made the colliery secure thoughts turned to cooking meals, but apart from a small gas ring, no facilities existed for cooking. This however presented no problem as all marines had practiced cooking in the field but, much more fortuitous, quite a large number had served at sea before 'general messing' was introduced, and had in turn to prepare a meat course and a pudding for their mess mates. It took very little time to construct an efficient field oven and dig narrow trenches for cooking in mess-tins.
By nightfall we had settled in and an excellent hot meal was enjoyed by all, including the pit manager and the volunteer undergraduates from Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities. The messing was very good and there were few complaints about the cooking; Balgonie simply swarmed with rabbits so we had rabbit pie, stewed rabbit, stuffed rabbit and other dishes that Mrs Beeton had never heard of! Private Johnson, the officers' cook was excellent, and when Captain Dewhurst had a birthday the jugged hare, cooked secretly to perfection, was a pleasant surprise for Freddie!
Considering all the circumstances there was much less unpleasantness than might have been expected; not even a squeak of protest came as patrols escorted volunteers in and out of the pit although pickets were placed outside the local store (the Co-op) where they had persuaded the manager not to serve the military. Consequently when marines went to buy bread he refused to serve them, explaining that the miners were his best customers and he could therefore not afford to have his store 'blacked'. This was reported to 'Cock' Warren who called on him and asked for a signed statement "that he would not serve Royal Marines" to be forwarded to 'a higher authority'. This stunned the manager who was unsure of his ground, and immediately he withdrew his objection, but requested that the marines would be 'armed' to impress the watching miners outside his store. This was an isolated incident.
The tension of the first few days died down and we were able to have a more settled routine in which the time from 'reville' to 'lights out' was fully occupied, as apart from guard duties, patrolling and cooking, there was PT, swimming, bayonet fighting with blobstick (home-made), vaulting on a box-horse (also home-made) and exercising ponies. In the evening there was usually a sing-song round the camp fire to the music of the mouth-organ or a fife, or games were played.
The pit ponies had become such good friends that they deserve a mention; they had been below ground for months and it was a pleasing sight to see them gambolling in the fresh air the marines knew the names of all of them except one, which they christened 'Hannah Snell'! When we first saw the brass on the harness it was as black as the leather to which it was attached, but on our departure, after plenty of Brasso and 'elbow-grease', it shone like the ships bell in the fleet flagship!
An army doctor, a Captain RAMC(TA) was attached to HQ but fortunately we never needed his attention, though his car was useful, especially for picnics! There was no Chaplain with the force and in the early days Sunday had to be just an ordinary day, but later when the pressures eased Royal Marines in uniform could be seen in the congregations at many churches, especially at Leven where the OC was Captain Sammy Bucknall a lay-reader who took 'Holy Orders' after he retired. The Minister at Leven welcomed RNs to his church and to the Manse afterwards, in fact Mr and Mrs Patterson and their daughter Jean were very kind to us and organised picnics and sightseeing trips, the favourite attraction being the house where Alexander Selkirk (Robinson Crusoe) was born.
On 25 April, in an effort to get peace, the Government made an offer of ten million pounds, but this was rejected by the miners; nevertheless the RMLI tug-of-war team was recalled to Forton in time to complete training for the Army and Navy Tournament at Olympia (they made a habit of winning the light-weight event whilst the RNA won the heaviest) and a coal strike could not be allowed to spoil the sequence! Social Security, as we know it today, did not exist in 1921 so the miners were forced to rely on their strike funds which were getting dangerously low, although soup kitchens which were organised in every village prevented starvation. Concerts, whist drives, football matches, and fancy dress parades were organised to help the funds, but insufficient money was raised to save the miners and an agreement was finally reached at the end of June. The miners returned to the pits, the volunteers to the Universities, the pit ponies to the underground, and the Royal Marines to their Divisions.
Living for three months in a coal mine had been quite an experience and as we left Balgonie the miners, their wives and children, waved until we were out of sight. We wondered what would happen at Dysart, where we had received such a hostile reception, but as we marched through the village this time instead of jeers there were cheers. When the order "March at ease, carry on smoking" was given, out came the pipes and baccy plus the proverbial mouth-organ to be played whilst we all sang lustily.
It is hoped that the Dysart miners forgot our arrival and only remembered our departure as we marched away singing a song of the Great War, "Good bye-ee, don't cry-ee , wipe the tear Baby dear from your eye-ee , though it's hard to part I know, I'll be tickled to death to go. Good bye-ee, don't sigh-ee, there's a silver. lining in the sky-ee. (from the RMHS)

1921. Friday 18th February. The first six Band Boy Section leaders appointed at RNSM. Selected by the Superintendent based upon 12 months service, 2nd Class Certificate of Education, 'VG' in Infantry Drill, Physical Training and fire Control and having passed the swimming test. Cleanliness, appearance and behaviour, musical ability and sportsmanship were also taken into account. Object was to encourage Band Boy of exceptional ability and those likely to be candidates for future promotion.

1921. Saturday 5th March. On this day the set of five Memorial Silver Drums and a silver finished bass drum Dedicated as the Official Royal Naval School of Music War Memorial and presented at a parade held at the RNSM Eastney. Over one hundred and forty men of the RNSM plus fifty five Buglers and also two Musicians from Royal Marine Divisional Bands lost their lives during World War 1.

1921. Wednesday 16th March. 11th Battalion and RM detachments in Turkey. Turkish Nationalists opposed to the Sultan refused to accept certain treaties negotiated with him by the allies, including the Greeks, who the British government initially supported. Marines and sailors from the Mediterranean Fleet numbering 3,60014 were landed in Constantinople (modern Istambul) on 16th March 19201 and met no resistance. In June ships and planes bombarded the Nationalists occupying the Ismid Peninsula and these Turks withdrew. Early in July strong parties of Marines and seamen were again landed from the Fleet; these were later withdrawn but the Fleet’s presence maintained in Constantinople. A Nationalist army in 1921 drove the Greeks back to their enclave in Smyrna and the French and Italians made peace with the Turks.
The 11th Battalion was initially formed during the emergency declared for the 1921 coal strike.(RMHS)

1921. Tuesday 2nd August. Three O'Donnell Brothers promoted Lieutenant as Directors of Music on the same day.

1921. Friday 11th November. The Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, unveiled the previous year, including the Royal Marines Buglers (Chatham Division) sounding Reveille immediately after the two minutes silence and the singing of 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past'. This was repeated in 1922 but in 1923 there was a reduced Service.

1921. Titles 'Band Colour Sergeant' and 'Band Sergeant' was withdrawn and the old titles of 'Bandmanster 1st class' and 'Bandmaster 2nd Class' reinstated.

1921. The 10th Battalion Formed by the time of the coal miners’ strike in 1921, elements were deployed apparently to defend strategic installations.(RMHS)

1921. 14th Battalion was another internal security battalion formed in 1921, but so far no futher details have been traced.(RMHS)

1922. The Greeks invested Constantinople, weakening their Smyrna army to do so. A few Marines were landed at Smyrna ‘as a calming influence’16 from the battleship King George V, but the city caught fire a few days later and on 13th September was burnt to the ground. Greeks and Armenians numbering 250,000 were then evacuated by sea, and Nationalist Turkish forces of 35,000 moved towards the Dardanelles. Five British army battalions and some planes blocked the Turks’ possible advance across the straits, the troops digging in on the Asian shore around Chanak. The 11th RM Battalion - mobilised in a few days - sailed on 28th September, their transport ship reportedly reaching Constantinople in five days. The Battalion’s four companies, some 70018 in all under Lt. Col J. A. M. A. Clark, CMG, RMLI, included an RMA company sent out as infantry. These gunners were remustered for duty with the RMA Heavy Batteries,19 for on 21st October Maj W. H. Tripp, DSO, MC, joined the Battalion to command 12 naval guns the Marines had installed by building piers on the northern shores of the Dardanelles, 20 to cover a 30 mile arc across the water. At this time they came under command of GOC Chanak (on Amalgamation they became RM Heavy Batteries).
The infantry companies did guard duties in Constantinople and in the defence of the neutral zone around the city. Their only casualty was a death from malaria21 before sailing in August 1923 for the UK, where they were disbanded in September.(RMHS)

1922. Post-war demobilisation had seen the Royal Marines reduced from 55,000 (1918) to 15,000 in 1922.

1922. The Royal Marines 8th Battalion served in Ireland.

1923. Saturday 28th April. Gosport War Memorial Hospital opened, commemorating the 68 officers and 1,703 other ranks of the Portsmouth Division RMLI from Forton Barracks who died during World War 1. This number includes seventeen Buglers.

1923. There was Treasury pressure for a further reduction of Royal Marines down to 6,000 or even the entire disbandment of the Corps. As a compromise an establishment of 9,500 was settled upon but this 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 naval 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 Senior NCO'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 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. The 11th Battalion were serving in Turkey. While the 12th Battalion were in Shanghai.

The Royal Marine Genealogical Tree 1664 - 1923.

1923. Friday 22nd June. The Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry were amalgamated. The Portsmouth Division RMLI, located at Forton Barracks, Gosport, closed, and all ranks moved to the previous home of the RMA at Eastney Barracks, Southsea which became Portsmouth Division Royal Marines. The prefixes ‘CH’, ‘PLY’, and ‘PO’ were retained and the Corps title reverted to ‘Royal Marines’, as in 1802. The register number allocated to a rank entered at one of the Divisions after the amalgamation simply ‘followed on’ the last number allocated before 22nd June 1923, e.g. CH 12346 George Smith (RMLI). Who say joined on 1st June 1923 was followed by CH 12347 William Brown (RM) who say joined on the 1st July 1923. All numbers of up to five digits which follow the prefixes ‘CH’, ‘PLY’ or ‘PO’ indicates ranks entered in the Royal Marine Light Infantry (and subsequently Royal Marines) Divisions before October 1925, including in the cases of Chatham and Plymouth Divisions, former RMA men transferred on amalgamation.
All numbers of up to five digits which follow the prefix ‘RMA’ indicates who had entered in the Royal Marine Artillery before the amalgamation. On amalgamation RMA ranks were transferred to one of the new RM (formally RMLI) divisions. RMA ranks transferred to Chatham and Plymouth Divisions were given new CH and PLY five-digit numbers, but for those transferring to Chatham and Plymouth Divisions the number ‘2’ was added to their old number, so RMA/17000 Thomas Greenslade (RMA) became PO/217000 Thomas Greenslade (RM). Thus the Portsmouth Division ranks with a six-digit register number beginning with 2 can be instantly identified as an ex-RMA.
The suffix ‘S’ to any of the ‘CH’, ‘PLY’, or ‘RMA’ numbers indicates a rank who entered one of these divisions for Short Service during World War 1. In 1914 the short service register numbers began quite simply at ‘Ply/1 (S) (eg PLY 3287 (S) C C Anderson.), Po/1 (S) and Ch/1 (S) and RMA/1(S).
The prefix ‘RMB’ followed by a number of up to four figures (RMB1 – RMB 3087) indicates a rank who entered the Royal Naval School of Music between its foundation in 1903 and before October 1925. This sequence of numbers was resumed again in August 1955, but from RMB 3400 to prevent any duplication.
The prefix ‘Depot’, followed by a number of up to three digits (Depot/1-Depot/688), indicates a rank entered on the establishment of the Depot, Royal Marines Deal, between 1866 and 1931. Ranks would have originally had a Divisional number, ie with Prefix CH, PO or PLY, but on being accepted for the staff of the Depot, they were allocated a new register number; ‘D’ or ‘Depot’ followed by three digits. The last number so allocated was in fact Depot 1688, after which in 1925, in common with all other RN and RM numbers an ‘X’ was added. In 1931 this practice was discontinued and the final number of these was Depot/X 45. Records were then transferred to Chatham, Portsmouth or Plymouth Divisions as appropriate and the next available register numbers were allocated.
During the 1914-18 World War the prefix ‘Deal’, followed by numbers of up to four digits and the suffix ‘S’, were allocated to ranks enlisted for Short Service during World War 1. These ranks served mostly in miscellaneous units of the Royal Naval Division. Numbers were allocated as Follows:
RM Divisional Engineers RN Division D/1(S) to D1500(S).
RM Divisional Train D/1501(S0) to D/2762(S).
RM Medical Unit D/3000(S) to D/4400(S).
Ordnance Company RM Division D/4520(S) to D/4553(S).
RN Divisional Engineers D/5000(S) to D/5599(S).
(The ‘S’ can be shown as either a suffix or a prefix for these numbers. It is also often shown in lower case.)
The prefix ‘D’ on its own seems to have been rarely used. To distinguish between Depot staff and men who were borne on the books
At Deal for pay and admin (e.g. RMLC, RND Engineers, RM Medical Units), the ‘system’ seems to have been for staff to be recorded as Depot/123 and the latter as Deal/1234(S).

1923. Friday 3rd August. As part of the amalgamation of the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry the Portsmouth Division of the RMLI, based at Forton Barracks was integrated with the Royal Marine Artillery at Eastney Barracks. This resulted in the special badge of the Prince of Wales Plumes, awarded Wednesday 5th July 1876 to the Band of the Portsmouth Division RMLI, being transferred, along with many members of the branch, to the Royal Marine Depot Deal Band. While the Colours were transferred to Eastney. The photo is of the Royal Marine Genealogical Tree 1664 - 1923.

1923. Autumn. ‘X’ Organisation, later MNBDO Nucleus (Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation.) Formed in the autumn of 1923 at Fort Cumberland, Eastney in Hampshire, the Organisation experimented with methods of landing guns etc. over scaffolding piers ‘mainly by extemporisation, brute force and guts’. After a major exercise in 1935 on the Isle of Arran (Scotland), the Nucleus arrived in Alexandria on 23rd September, worked on defences in Egypt and Palestine, returning to the UK in July 1936. The authorised strength was then increased but men were drafted from the unit in 1938 to bring fleet detachments up to war–strength. This was later stopped, and the Nucleus organised into eight AA batteries to defend Portsmouth. In August 1939 a battery of eight 3.7–in guns was formed and sent to Alexandria, with some men from the Nucleus and 100 from the Fleet, who were replaced by reservists.
That summer the unit strength was 264 all ranks,4 175 of these manning the AA guns in Alexandria. Men from the Nucleus were also drafted to the Fortress Unit (FU I) that summer. Fourteen of the unit’s 20 AA and coastal guns were sent to the army. Skeleton units were left at Fort Cumberland in September 1939, for an air defence brigade HQ, a signals company, fire control for 6-in gun batteries and a Landing, Transport and Workshop (LTW) Company. The unit had a few tractors, six searchlights, training facilities5 for coastal defence artillery, including indirect fire control gear. It also had quantities of scaffolding and other materials for landing guns over beaches. The experience gained in the 16 years to 1939 gave this Organisation probably the most advanced techniques for the beach landing of heavy equipment of any service in the world. It was situated alongside the ISTDC at Fort Cumberland, so that there was certainly unofficial liaison between these units.
Those remaining at Fort Cumberland joined MNBDO I on its formation. The war establishment of officers and 568 other ranks had been agreed by 17th May 1939, but the unit was not brought up to strength until 1940 as MNBDO I.

1924. Tuseday 11th November. The Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph again featured sixteen Buglers from the Chatham Division. Despite the 1923 amalgamation they were still wearing red tunics. RAF trumpeters, involved for the first time, played the last post. This is the year that the ceremony took the form that is used today.

1924. The Fleet Air Arm of the RAF was created and volunteers were called for from the Royal Marines and 19 officers volunteered.

1924. 'Those Magnificent Royal Marines in Their Flying Machines'. Between the Wars. After the formation of the RAF there were initially no opportunities for RM Officers to fly. However after the Trenchard-Keyes agreement of 1924, Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel were permitted to be seconded to the ‘Fleet Air Arm’, the new name given to the Air Force contingents serving with Royal Navy units. Over twenty RM officers took advantage of the opportunity to become pilots between the wars. A number chose to transfer to the RAF after their secondment so that they could continue to fly.
It was not until 1937 that the Royal Navy finally gained full administrative control of the Fleet Air Arm.
In this period some RM and RN pilots held RAF commissions in addition. Among this number figured officers such as J L MOULTON (who became a Major-General), P NORTH, N SKENE, and G MARTIN. Later on, after a gap, other officers were trained such as F BIRD, R T PARTRIDGE, O PATCH and R C HAY.
During this period one of the most notable achievements was attributed to a Royal Marines Pilot, Owen CATCHART-JONES.
Owen Cathcart -Jones was a man of many talents and great courage. Here, in 1928, serving as a Fleet Air Arm pilot and a Royal Marine, and flying a Fairey Flycatcher, he makes the first ever deck landing of an aircraft aboard HMS Courageous. He did so without the aid of arrester wires. Cathcart-Jones holds the high distinction of making the first successful landing of a fighter aircraft on an aircraft carrier at night, on 25th November 1929.
His airplane, also a Fairey Flycatcher took off from Hal Far RAF base on Malta and landed on Courageous which was moored in Grand Harbour. The Fairey Flycatcher holds the honour of being the first designed-for-the purpose single-seat carrier-borne fighter to be designed and enter production. Cathcart-Jones was literally everywhere during the period leading up to the Second World War, even ferrying aircraft to the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.
Most of Cathcart-Jones' flying time with the Royal Navy was spent in China and in the Mediterranean Sea. His short bio on the FlyingMarines.com website speaks about his penchant for trouble: “He established a reputation as a forceful and daring pilot. One of his escapades became the talk of the Fleet - on 22nd Aug. 1929 he was on exercises with the Fleet and loaded plane with a large packet of "service brown" toilet paper intending to drop it HMS Revenge which should have been last in the line. Unfortunately the C-in-C had inverted the line and he dropped the "bunph" very accurately on the Flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth. His Flycatcher aircraft was clearly numbered "7" and the Captain of HMS Courageous was called to the Flagship on return to harbour to explain. Cathcart - Jones duly appeared before the Admiral with his reasons in writing and had to be on his best behaviour for some time.”
Cathcart-Jones then left the Navy and the Royal Marines to pursue civilian aviation goals. On the 31st March 1931, fellow RH aviator and wealthy playboy Glen Kidston and Owen Cathcart-Jones departed Netheravon on an attempt to break the Cape town record. Routing was Naples, Malta, Cairo, Kosti, Malakal, Kisumu, Salisbury, Bulawayo and Pretoria. A wireless operator, T.A. Vallette on loan from the Marconi Company, joined the flight as far as Cairo. At Cairo his place was taken by an engineer, G.W. Hills. On April the 5th they made a forced landing at Lichtenburg, Pretoria due engine trouble. The propeller was damaged when the Vega ran through wire fences. The aircraft was repaired and departed for Cape town, arriving the next day in the record time of 6 days 9 hours at an average speed of 134 mph.
By the mid-1930s, he had accumulated many awards and records including the 1934 McRobertson Centenary Gold Medal, 1934 Royal Aero Club Silver Medal and held eight long-distance world records. Along with Ken Waller, he came fourth in the McRobertson Centenary Air Race from Mildenhall to Melbourne in 1934.
Cathcart-Jones was a household name in the 1920s and 30s and his face was on everything from newspapers to cigarette cards (No.15 of the Famous Airmen and Airwomen Series). This photo shows him and the somewhat less photogenic and pugnacious Ken Waller during the MacRobertson Centennial Air Race. After arriving in Melbourne, they had a quick turn round and flew photos and film footage of the Australian stages and finish of the MacRobertson Air Race back to Britain, setting a new 'there and back again' record of 13 days 6 hours and 43 minutes. Cathcart-Jones would die in California in February 1986 at the age of 85 after a long retirement as a polo pony breeder.
(Courtesy – ‘Flyingmarines.com’ & ‘Fleetairarmarchive.com’)