Royal Marines

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the racehorse, see Royal Marine (horse).

Corps of Royal Marines
Badge of the Royal Marines
Active28 October 1664 – present
(360 years, 5 months)
Country United Kingdom
TypeMarines,
Special operations-capable[1]
Size5,820 as of 1 April 2022[2]
  • 770 officers
  • 5,050 other ranks
Part of
King Charles III[4][5]
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval StaffAdmiral Sir Ben Key
Commandant GeneralGeneral Sir Gwyn Jenkins[6]
Corps Regimental Sergeant MajorWarrant Officer 1 Nick Ollive[7]
Insignia
Non‑ceremonial flag
Commando flash
United Kingdom
His Majesty's
Naval Service
of the British Armed Forces
Components
  • Special Forces
History and future
Operations
Equipment
Personnel
Auxiliary services

The Royal Marines, also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, and officially as the Corps of Royal Marines, are the United Kingdom's amphibious special operations capable commando force,[8] one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy,[9] and provide a company strength unit to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG).[10] The Royal Marines trace their origins back to the formation of the "Duke of York and Albany's maritime regiment of Foot" on 28 October 1664,[11] and the first Royal Marines Commando unit was formed at Deal in Kent on 14 February 1942 and designated "The Royal Marine Commando".[12][13][14][15]

The Royal Marines have seen action across many conflicts but do not have

battle honours as such, but rather the "Great Globe itself" was chosen in 1827 by King George IV in their place to recognise the Marines' service and successes in multiple engagements in every quarter of the world.[16] The Corps has close ties with allied marine forces, particularly the United States Marine Corps and the Netherlands Marine Corps (Dutch: Korps Mariniers).[17][18][19]

Today the Corps consists of the United Kingdom Commando Force, the Royal Marines Band Service, the Commando Training Centre and four Reserve Units.[20]

History

Main article: History of the Royal Marines

Origins

The Royal Marines trace their origins back to 28 October 1664 when the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot was formed at the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company.[11]

The 'first official' unit of English naval infantry, originally called the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot and soon becoming known as the Admiral's Regiment, was formed on 28 October 1664, with an initial strength of 1,200 infantrymen recruited from the

Lord High Admiral and brother of King Charles II, was Captain-General of the Artillery Company, now the Honourable Artillery Company, the unit that trained the Trained Bands.[11]

It was the fifth European Marine unit formed, being preceded by the

Infantería de Marina (1537), the Fanti da Mar of the Republic of Venice (1550), the Portuguese Marine Corps (1610) and France's Troupes de marine (1622). It consisted of six 200-man companies and was initially commanded by Colonel Sir William Killigrew with Sir Charles Lyttleton as lieutenant-colonel. Killigrew had commanded an English regiment in Dutch service, and many of the regiment's initial complement of officers had served there as well.[21]

The

deposed in the Glorious Revolution.[22]

Two marine regiments of the army were raised in 1690. They were the Earl of Pembroke's and Torrington's, later Lord Berkeley's.[11] These two regiments participated in an opposed landing during the Williamite War in Ireland at Cork, Ireland on 21 September 1690 under the command of John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough.[23]

In 1699 the marine regiments were disbanded, but they were raised again from 1702 to 1713 to fight in the War of the Spanish Succession; their most notable contribution being the capture of Gibraltar in 1704.[24]

Early British Empire

On 5 April 1755, His Majesty's Marine Forces, fifty Companies in three Divisions, headquartered at

field officer ranks were honorary sinecure positions awarded to senior Royal Navy officers. This meant that the furthest a Marine officer could advance was to lieutenant colonel. It was not until 1771 that the first Marine was promoted to colonel. This attitude persisted well into the 1800s. During the rest of the 18th century, they served in numerous landings all over the world, the most famous being the landing at Belle Île on the Brittany coast in 1761.[11] They also served in the American War of Independence, notably in the Battle of Bunker Hill led by Major John Pitcairn.[25]

Major General John Tupper His Majesty's Marine Forces

In 1788 a detachment of four companies of marines, under Major Robert Ross, accompanied the First Fleet to protect a new colony at Botany Bay (New South Wales). Due to an error the Fleet left Portsmouth without its main supply of ammunition, and were not resupplied until the Fleet docked in Rio de Janeiro midway through the voyage.[26] Some scholars contend that the Marines deliberately spread smallpox among Australia's Indigenous population in order to protect the settlement, but this incident does not appear in contemporaneous Marine or government records and most researchers associate the disease outbreak with other causes.[27][28][29][30]

Private of Marines, 1815

In 1802, largely at the instigation of Admiral the

bomb ketches. These had been manned by the Army's Royal Regiment of Artillery, but a lawsuit by a Royal Artillery officer resulted in a court decision that Army officers were not subject to Naval orders. As RMA uniforms were the blue of the Royal Regiment of Artillery they were nicknamed the "Blue Marines" and the infantry element, who wore the red uniforms of the British infantry, became known as the "Red Marines", often given the semi-derogatory nickname "Lobsters" by sailors.[31] A fourth division of the Royal Marines, headquartered at Woolwich, was formed in 1805.[32]

During the

Fort Bowyer in Mobile Bay in what was the last action of the war.[35]

Royal Marines march through the streets of Chania, Crete, in spring 1897, as part of the British occupation during the Greco-Turkish War

In 1855 the infantry forces were renamed the Royal Marines Light Infantry (RMLI). During the

Peiho in 1859, where Admiral Sir James Hope ordered a landing across extensive mud flats.[38]

The Royal Marines also played a prominent role in the Boxer Rebellion in China (1900), where a Royal Marine earned a Victoria Cross.[36]

Status and roles

Through much of the 18th and 19th centuries Marine officers had a lower standing status than their counterparts in the Royal Navy. A short-lived[39] effort was made in 1907, through the common entry or "

Selborne scheme", to reduce the professional differences between RN and RM officers through a system of common entry that provided for an initial period of shared training.[40]

By the early twentieth century the Royal Marines had achieved a high professional status, although there was a serious shortage of junior officers. Numbering about 15,000 during the Edwardian era,[41] enlistment for other ranks was for at least 12 years, with entitlement to a pension after 21 years of service. After basic training new recruits were assigned to one of three land-based divisions and from there to warships as vacancies arose.[42] From 1908 onwards one gun turret on each battleship was manned by RMA gunners. The RMLI continued their traditional role of providing landing parties and shore-based detachments. Specialist positions on board ship, such as postmen, barbers, lamp trimmers and butchers, were reserved for Royal Marines. After 1903 the Royal Marines provided bands for service on board battleships and other large vessels.[43]

World wars

First World War

During the

amphibious landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It also served on the Western Front. 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 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.[44]

The Royal Marines also took part in the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918. Five Royal Marines earned the Victoria Cross in the First World War, two at Zeebrugge, one at Gallipoli, one at Jutland and one on the Western Front.[36]

Between the wars

After the war Royal Marines took part in the

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.[47]

Second World War

British Commandos in action during Operation Archery
, Norway

During the

Namsos in April 1940, seizing the approaches to the Norwegian town preparatory to a landing by the British Army two days later. The Royal Marines formed the Royal Marine Division as an amphibiously trained division, parts of which served at Dakar and in the capture of Madagascar. After the assault on the French naval base at Antsirane in Madagascar was held up, fifty Sea Service Royal Marines from HMS Ramillies commanded by Captain Martin Price were landed on the quay of the base by the destroyer HMS Anthony after it ran the gauntlet of French shore batteries defending Diego Suarez Bay. They then captured two of the batteries, which led to a quick surrender by the French.[48]

In addition the Royal Marines formed Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisations (MNBDOs) similar to the

British Army Commandos. The Division command structure became a Special Service Brigade command. The support troops became landing craft crew and saw extensive action on D-Day in June 1944.[49]

Men of 4 (Army) Commando engaged in house to house fighting with the Germans at Riva Bella, near Ouistreham

A total of four Special Service Brigades (redesignated Commando brigades in December 1944 as the "SS" abbreviation was unpopular) were raised during the war, and Royal Marines were represented in all of them. A total of nine RM Commandos were raised during the war, numbered from 40 to 48. These were distributed as follows:

1 Commando Brigade took part in first in the

Burma. 4 Commando Brigade served in the Battle of Normandy and in the Battle of the Scheldt on the island of Walcheren during the clearing of Antwerp.[50]

Royal Marine Commandos attached to 3rd Division move inland from Sword Beach on the Normandy coast, 6 June 1944

In January 1945, two further RM Brigades were formed, 116th Brigade and 117th Brigade. Both were conventional Infantry, rather than in the Commando role. 116th Brigade saw some action in the Netherlands, but 117th Brigade was hardly used operationally. In addition one Landing Craft Assault (LCA) unit was stationed in Australia late in the war as a training unit. In 1946 the Army Commandos were disbanded, leaving the Royal Marines to continue the Commando role (with supporting Army elements). A number of Royal Marines served as pilots during the Second World War. It was a Royal Marines officer who led the attack by a formation of Blackburn Skuas that sank the Königsberg. Eighteen Royal Marines commanded Fleet Air Arm squadrons during the course of the war, and with the formation of the British Pacific Fleet were well represented in the final drive on Japan. Captains and Majors generally commanded squadrons, whilst in one case Lt Colonel R.C. Hay on HMS Indefatigable was Air Group Co-ordinator from HMS Victorious of the entire British Pacific Fleet.[51]

Throughout the war Royal Marines continued in their traditional role of providing ships detachments and manning a proportion of the guns on Cruisers and Capital Ships. They also provided the crew for the UK's Minor Landing craft, and the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group manned Centaur IV tanks on D Day; one of these is still on display at Pegasus Bridge.[52]

Only one marine (

Italy. Hunter was the most recent RM Commando to be awarded the medal.[36] The Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment under Blondie Haslar carried out Operation Frankton and provided the basis for the post-war continuation of the SBS.[53]

Post-colonial era

The Corps underwent a notable change after 1945 however, when the Royal Marines took on the main responsibility for the role and training of the

British Commandos. As of 2009, since their creation in 1942 Royal Marines Commandos had engaged on active operations across the globe, every year except 1968.[54] Notably they provided the first military unit to perform an air assault insertion by helicopter, during the Suez Crisis in 1956.[55] They were also part of the land element during the 1982 Falklands War.[56]

43 Commando was active as amphibious infantry from 1961 to 1968, and 41 Commando was disbanded in 1981.[57]

After 1945 and the Cold War

Royal Marines during an exercise in Scotland

In 1946 the Army Commandos were disbanded, leaving the Royal Marines to continue the commando role (with supporting army elements). During the

3 Commando Brigade began to train annually in Northern Norway and had large stores of vehicles and supplies pre-positioned there. At the end of the Cold War in 1989 the structure of the Royal Marines was as follows:[58]
Royal Marines in 1972

Royal Marines were involved in the

1st Marine Division at Koto-Ri. As Task Force Drysdale with Lt. Col. D.B. Drysdale RM in command, 41 Commando, a USMC company, a US Army company and part of the divisional train fought their way from Koto-Ri to Hagaru after the Chinese had blocked the road to the North. It then took part in the famous withdrawal from Chosin Reservoir. After that, a small amount of raiding followed, before the Marines were withdrawn from the conflict in 1951. It received the Presidential Citation after the USMC got the regulations modified to allow foreign units to receive the award.[59]

After playing a part in the long-running

3 Commando Brigade, and Nos 40, 42 and 45 Commandos took part in the operation. It marked the first time that a helicopter assault was used operationally to land troops in an amphibious attack. British and French forces defeated the Egyptians, but after pressure from the United States, and French domestic pressure, they backed down.[60]

In September 1955 45 Commando was deployed to Cyprus to undertake anti-terrorist operations against the EOKA guerrillas during the independence war against the British. The EOKA were a small, but powerful organisation of Greek Cypriots, who had great local support from the Greek community. The unit, based in Malta at the time travelled to the Kyrenia mountain area of the island and in December 1955 launched Operation Foxhunter, an operation to destroy EOKA's main base.[61]

Further action in the Far East was seen during the

Limbang raid saw three of the 150 marines involved decorated, L company 42 commando are still referred to today as Limbang Company in memory of this archetypal commando raid.[62]

In January 1964, part of the

Tanzanian Army mutinied. Within 24 hours elements of 41 Commando had left Bickleigh Camp, Plymouth, Devon, and were travelling by air to Nairobi, Kenya, continuing by road into Tanzania. At the same time, Commandos aboard HMS Bulwark sailed to East Africa and anchored off-shore from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The revolt was put down and the next six months were spent in touring Tanzanian military out-posts disarming military personnel.[63]

From 1969 onwards, Royal Marine units regularly deployed to Northern Ireland during The Troubles, during the course of which 13 were killed in action.[64] A further eleven died in the Deal barracks bombing of the Royal Marines School of Music in 1989.[65] Between 1974 and 1984, the Royal Marines undertook three United Nations tours of duty in Cyprus. The first was in November 1974, when 41 Commando took over the Limassol District from the 2nd Battalion of the Guards Brigade, following the Turkish invasion, and became the first commando to wear the light blue berets of the UN when they began the Corps' first six-month tour with the UN forces in Cyprus (UNIFCYP).[66]

The Falklands War provided the backdrop to the next action of the Royal Marines. Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982. A British task force was immediately despatched to recapture them, and given that an amphibious assault would be necessary, the Royal Marines were heavily involved. 3 Commando Brigade was brought to full combat strength, with not only 40, 42 and 45 Commandos, but also the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment attached. The troops were landed at San Carlos Water at the western end of East Falkland, and proceeded to "yomp" across the entire island to the capital, Stanley, which fell on 14 June 1982 to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. A Royal Marines divisional headquarters was deployed, under Major-General Jeremy Moore, who was commander of British land forces during the war.[67]

Boarding procedures demonstrated by Royal Marines on the frigate HMS Somerset in the Persian Gulf, in 2004

The main element of 3 Commando Brigade was not deployed in the 1991 Gulf War. However, 24 men from K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines were deployed as six-man teams aboard two Royal Navy destroyers and frigates. They were used as ship boarding parties and took part in numerous boardings of suspect shipping. There were also further elements deployed to provide protection of shipping whilst in ports throughout the Gulf. The main element of 3 Commando Brigade was deployed to northern Iraq in the aftermath to provide aid to the Iraqi Kurds as part of Operation Safe Haven.[68]

In 1992 recruiting into the RM Band Service was opened to females.[69] From 2000 onwards, the Royal Marines began converting from their traditional light infantry role with the introduction of the Commando 21 concept, an emphasis on force protection leading to the introduction of the Viking, the first armoured vehicle to be operated by the Royal Marines for half a century.[70]

Note: "(V)" denoted British Army reserve units.

Current status and deployment

Personnel

Royal Marines in Sangin, Afghanistan, 2010

The Royal Marines are part of His Majesty's Naval Service, alongside the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and they are under the full command of the Fleet Commander. Despite that, the rank structure of the Royal Marines is the same as that of the British Army. Uniquely, in the Royal Marines, officers and all other ranks undergo initial, commando and specialist training together at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM).[71]

On average, 26,000 men apply to join the Royal Marines Commandos every year, but only 400 make it.[72]

Number of Royal Marines personnel, 2000–2022 inclusive.

At its height in 1944 during the Second World War, more than 70,000 men served in the Royal Marines. Following the Allied victory the Royal Marines were quickly reduced to a post-war strength of 13,000. When

Commando-trained force of 9,000 personnel.[73] As of 1 January 2021, the Royal Marines had a strength of 5,968 Regulars, and a combined strength of 6,500 when including reserves.[74] The Royal Marines are also the only British naval unit capable of conducting amphibious operations at brigade level.[75]

Equipment

Main article: List of equipment of the Royal Marines

Light weapons

The basic personal weapon of the Royal Marines Commandos is the 5.56mm

L131A1 pistol[80] and the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife.[81] The Royal Marines are in the process of replacing all of their L85 rifles with the L119 and the KS-1 (L403).[82]

Armour

The Royal Marines maintain no heavy armoured units, instead, they operate a fleet of lightly armoured and highly mobile vehicles intended for amphibious landings or rapid deployment. The primary

BvS 10 Viking All Terrain Armoured Vehicle.[83] Other, lighter vehicles include the Land Rover Wolf, and the Jackal 2 (MWMIK) protected patrol vehicle.[84]

Artillery

Field artillery support is provided by

Commando-trained.[85]

Aviation

The Commando Helicopter Force of the Fleet Air Arm provides transport helicopters in support of the Royal Marines. It currently uses both Merlin HC4/4A medium-lift transport and Wildcat AH1 light transport/reconnaissance helicopters to provide direct aviation support for the Corps. In addition, the Royal Air Force provides Chinook heavy-lift and Puma HC2 medium-lift transport helicopters, and the British Army provides Apache AH-64E attack helicopter gunship support.[86]

Vessels

The Royal Marines operate a varied fleet of military watercraft designed to transport troops and materiel from ship to shore or conduct river or estuary patrols. These include the Mk10 Landing Craft Utility and the Mk5b Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel, and the BAE Fast Interceptor Craft and MK 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible used by the Special Boat Service. Other smaller amphibious craft such as the Offshore Raiding Craft, Rigid Raider and Inflatable Raiding Craft are in service in much greater numbers.[87]

  • Royal Marines equipped for Arctic warfare during an exercise in Norway
    Royal Marines equipped for Arctic warfare during an exercise in Norway
  • BvS 10 Vikings of the Viking Squadron on exercise
    BvS 10 Vikings
    of the Viking Squadron on exercise
  • Royal Marines Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk10
    Royal Marines Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk10
  • A Royal Marines Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk5
    A Royal Marines Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk5
  • Royal Marines Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
    Royal Marines Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)

Organisation

Main article: Structure of the Royal Marines

Command structure

The overall head of the Royal Marines is

Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. The ceremonial head of the Royal Marines is the Captain General Royal Marines. In October 2022 King Charles was announced as the new Captain General on the occasion of the 358th anniversary of the foundation of the corps.[4] Full Command of the Royal Marines is vested in the Fleet Commander (FLTCDR).[88]

The operational capability of the corps comprises a number of battalion-plus sized units, of which six are designated as "commandos":[89]

With the exception of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group and the Commando Logistic Regiment, which are each commanded by a full

lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Marines, who may have sub-specialised in a number of ways throughout their career.[90]

UK Commando Force

Main article: United Kingdom Commando Force
Insignia of 3 Commando Brigade

Operational command of the five commandos and the Commando Logistics Regiment is delegated to UK Commando Force, of which they are a part. Based at

Stonehouse Barracks, the brigade exercises control as directed by either CINCFLEET or the Permanent Joint Headquarters. 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group is a battalion-sized formation providing information operations capabilities, life support and security for the Brigade Headquarters.[89]

43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, responsible for the security of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent and other security-related duties was originally outside the brigade, but was incorporated into it from April 2012.[92] It also provides specialist boarding parties and snipers for the Royal Navy worldwide, for roles such as embargo enforcement, counter-narcotics, counter-piracy and counter-insurgency activities of the Royal Navy. It is the largest unit in the brigade, at 790 strong.[92]

Other elements

The other elements of the Royal Marines outside of the UK Commando Force are:

A Royal Marines team boards US Navy destroyer USS O'Bannon

Structure of a commando

Main article: Commando 21

40 and 45 Commando are each organised into six companies, further organised into platoon-sized troops, as follows:[93]

  • Command company
    • Main HQ
    • Tactical HQ
    • Reconnaissance Troop with a sniper section
    • Mortar Troop
    • Anti-Tank (AT) Troop
    • Medium Machine Gun Troop
  • 2× Close Combat Companies
    • Company Headquarters
    • 3× Close Combat Troops
  • 2× Stand Off Companies
    • Company Headquarters
    • Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Troop
    • AT Troop
    • Close Combat Troop.
  • Logistic Company
    • A Echelon 1
    • A Echelon 2
    • FRT (Forward Repair Team)
    • RAP (Regimental Aid Post)
    • B Echelon

In general a rifle company Marine will be a member of a four-man fire team, the building block of commando operations. A Royal Marine works with their team in the field and shares accommodation if living in barracks. This structure is a recent development, formerly Commandos were structured similarly to British Army light infantry battalions.[94]

Commando Helicopter Force

Main article: Commando Helicopter Force

The Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) forms part of the Fleet Air Arm. It comprises three helicopter squadrons and is commanded by the Joint Aviation Command.[95] It consists of both Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines personnel. RN personnel need not be commando trained. The CHF is neither under the permanent control of UK Commando Force nor that of the Commandant General Royal Marines, but rather is allocated to support Royal Marines units as required. It uses both Merlin HC4/4A medium-lift and Wildcat AH1 light transport/reconnaissance helicopters to provide aviation support for the Royal Marines.[86]

Future Commando Force (FCF) Programme

See also: Future Commando Force
40 Commando Royal Marines helping trial the Littoral Strike concept in 2020.

On 11 April 2017 the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, announced[96] that the Royal Marines Commandos were to be restructured, and will be capable of deploying on special operations as part of the Future Commando Force (FCF) Programme. Indeed, the Ministry of Defence has also said that under the FCF programme, the Royal Marines Commandos will take on many of the traditional tasks of the SAS and SBS, alongside a new Army Ranger Regiment.[74][97] As part of this programme, Navy Command is also creating the staff and intellectual horsepower for a land littoral strike division programme.[98] An example of the FCF was depicted by young engineering graduates from the UK Naval Engineering Science and Technology forum (UKNEST).[99][100] There will be two Littoral Response Groups: One based East of Suez, one based in the High North.[101] On 27 June 2020, the Royal Marines announced they will adopt a new uniform with the MultiCam camouflage instead of the MTP camo.[102][103]

Selection

Process

Main article: Royal Marines selection and training
A Royal Marine stands beside a tree to sight in his weapon during a training exercise
Royal Marines snipers displaying their L115A1 rifles

Royal Marine Commandos are required to undergo the longest and one of the most physically demanding specialist infantry training courses in the world. Recruit training lasts for 36 weeks for Royal Marine Commandos and 64 weeks for Royal Marine Commando Officers. Potential recruits must be aged 16 to 32 (18 to 25 for Commissioned Officers).[104] Applicants must undertake a series of interviews, medical tests, an eye/sight test, psychometric tests, a PJFA (pre-joining fitness Assessment), a 5-day CPC (candidate preparation course), and a 4-week ROP (recruit orientation phase).[105] If an applicant successfully completes all of these phases, then they will get selected for a place in mainstream recruit training, which will take place at CTCRM (commando training centre Royal Marines) in Lympstone, Devon, UK. A large proportion of training is carried out on Dartmoor's inhospitable terrain and Woodbury Common woodland.[106]

Training

Throughout recruit training, Royal Marines Commando recruits learn and develop a vast amount of knowledge and warfighting skills such as weapons handling, marksmanship, proficiency with a variety of different firearms and weapon systems, unarmed and armed

close quarters combat (CQC), develop elite levels of physical fitness and mental resilience, demolition, reconnaissance, small team tactics, small boat operations, breaching, raiding, direct action, SERE training, fieldcraft skills such as camouflage and stalking, survival skills, bushcraft, mountaineering, fast-roping (helicopter), abseiling, vertical assault, underwater escape, chemical biological radiological nuclear (CBRN) training, military communications and signals, map reading and navigation, leadership and teamwork skills, first aid, patrolling and sentry duty, amphibious landings training, personal administration, and marching and parade ground skills.[107]

The best recruit to finish training is awarded the Kings Badge. King George V 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. 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.[108]

Throughout their career, a Royal Marine Commando can specialise in a number of different roles upon completion of their respective courses after spending one to two years as a general duties (GD) rifleman at a unit. Examples of some specialisations and different courses includes the mountain leader (ML), physical training instructor (PTI), Assault Engineer (AE), Royal Marines police (RMP), sniper (S), medical assistant (MA), pilot, reconnaissance operator (RO), drill instructor (DL), driver (D), clerk (C), signaller (SI), combat intelligence (CI), armourer (A), and heavy weapons (HW). Royal Marines can also apply for swimmer canoeist/

UKSF.[109] All Royal Marines will also conduct training exercises on differing military skills on a regular basis including development in mountain, arctic, jungle, amphibious and desert warfare. They can also be involved in exchange training programs with other countries' forces – particularly the United States Marine Corps[17] and the Netherlands Marine Corps/Korps Mariniers.[18]

Museum

The

Ministry of Defence. It will soon be moving from Eastney Barracks to Portsmouth Dockyard.[110]

Customs

Traditions

The Royal Marines have a proud history and unique traditions. With the exceptions of "Gibraltar" and the laurel wreath for the Battle of Belle Island, their colours (flags) do not carry

battle honours in the manner of the regiments of the British Army or of the US Marine Corps, but rather the "globe itself" as a symbol of the Corps.[111]

The

siege against a numerically superior Franco-Spanish force.[31]
Their determination and valour throughout the siege led to a contemporary report published in The Triumphs of Her Majesty's Arms in 1707 to announce:

Encouraged by the Prince of Hesse, the garrison did more than could humanly be expected, and the English Marines gained an immortal glory

— referred to by Paul Harris Nicolas, Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces[112]

There are no other battle honours displayed on the

Naval Service.[111]

The regimental quick march of the Corps is "

Earl Mountbatten of Burma on the occasion of the Corps's tercentenary in 1964. Lord Mountbatten was Life Colonel Commandant of the Royal Marines until his murder by the IRA in 1979.[113]

The Royal Marines are allowed by the

Lord Mayor of the City of London to march through the City as a regiment in full array. This dates to the charter of Charles II that allowed recruiting parties of the Admiral's Regiment of 1664 to enter the city with drums beating and colours flying.[114]

The dark blue Number 1A uniform worn with pith helmets

Uniforms

Modern Royal Marines uniforms are broadly similar to British Army uniforms but include a number of distinctive uniform items. These include the green "Lovat" shade of service dress uniform; the green beret (for those who have passed the commando course) or navy blue beret with a scarlet patch behind the badge (for those who have not); dark blue parade dress worn with either the white Wolseley Pattern Helmet (commonly referred to as "pith helmet") or white and red peaked cap; the scarlet and blue mess dress for officers and senior non-commissioned officers; and the white hot-weather uniform of the Band Service.[115]

For historical information regarding Marine uniforms, see Uniforms of the Royal Marines.

Ranks and insignia

See also: Royal Navy officer rank insignia § Royal Marines, and Royal Navy other rank insignia § Royal Marines

The Royal Marines rank alongside their army equivalents. However, when on the books of any HM Ship or Naval Establishment, Royal Marines were subject to the Naval Discipline Act 1957. In those circumstances, many officer ranks in the Royal Marines formerly enjoyed greater status. Second lieutenants were equivalent to sub lieutenants and ranks from lieutenant to major were considered equivalent to one rank higher (OF-2 to OF-4). Lieutenant colonels were considered equivalent to RN captains with less than six years in the rank, and colonels were equivalent to captains with more than six years seniority. This state of affairs ended on 1 July 1999, when Royal Marine officer ranks were fully aligned with those of the army.[116][117]

Royal Marines other rank insignia
NATO Code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2
United Kingdom Rank Insignia (View) No insignia
Rank Title: Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Colour sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Marine
Abbreviation: WO1 WO2 CSgt Sgt Cpl LCpl Mne

Captain General

Main article: Captain General Royal Marines

The current uniform and insignia worn by the Captain General Royal Marines, presently King Charles III, is the uniform and insignia of field marshal, consisting of two crossed batons surrounded by yellow leaves below a Crown.[118][119]

Rank Insignia
Captain General Royal Marines

However, as Captain General Royal Marines,

Major General.[120] Despite this, Prince Harry, at least on some occasions, opted to wear the rank insignia of a Colonel,[121][122] traditionally worn by some Colonels-in-chief in the British Army.[123]

Associations with other regiments and marine corps

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Early connections date from Balaclava in the Crimean War and Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, but the main association stems from World War II. In July 1940, after the fall of Dunkirk, the 5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders served with the Royal Marine Brigade for over a year. When the battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk in December 1941, the Royal Marines survivors joined up with the remnants of the 2nd Battalion, in the defence of Singapore. They formed what became known as 'The Plymouth Argylls', after the association football team, since both ships were Plymouth manned. Most of the Highlanders and Marines who survived the bitter fighting were taken prisoner by the Japanese. The Royal Marines inter-unit rugby football trophy is the 'Argyll Bowl', presented to the Corps by the Regiment in 1941.[11]

Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

The fore-bearer regiments of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot was initially raised as amphibious troops. They served as Marines for a period. To this day one officer from the Royal Marines serves with the PWRR and Vice Versa. Also the Royal Marine Lanyard is worn by all ranks in Service Dress and Number 2 Dress uniform and barrack dress of PWRR.[124]

United States Marine Corps

The Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps have close cultural links arising from the Special Relationship, having trained together and fought together on multiple occasions.[125]

Barbados Defence Force

Close links have existed between the Royal Marines and the Barbados Defence Force since 1985 when a bond was established following a series of cross-training exercises in the Caribbean. The Alliance was approved by HM the Queen in 1992.[11]

Netherlands Marine Corps

The Royal Marines have close links with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, with whom they conduct NATO exercises throughout the year. Units of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps work in close co-operation with 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines. Operational units of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps are fully integrated into this brigade. This integration is known as the United Kingdom-Netherlands Landing Force and is a component of the United Kingdom-Netherlands Amphibious Force as a key strike force during the Cold War to strengthen the Nordic area.[126]

French 9th Marine Infantry Brigade (former 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade)

The 9th Marine Infantry Brigade (9e Brigade d'Infanterie de Marine, 9e BIMa) is a Marine infantry brigade which is one of the two designated amphibious brigades in France. It is unique in being the only 'All Marine' Brigade in the French Army; the other amphibious brigade, 6th Light Armoured Brigade (6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e BLB), is composed of a mix of cap badges. 9e BIMa is also a light armoured brigade, formed of two Marine infantry regiments (2e RIMa and 3e RIMa — Régiments d'Infanterie de Marine) and a tank battalion.[127]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Defence in a Competitive Age" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Historical size by rank – a Freedom of Information request to Royal Marines" (PDF). WhatDoTheyKnow. 2 September 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Jollies". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b "His Majesty The King is announced as Captain General Royal Marines on the 358th Anniversary of the Corps". The Royal Household. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  5. ^ "King Charles III: A look at the Commander-in-Chief's time in the forces". www.forcesnews.com. 5 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Royal Marines appoint new Commandant General". forces.net. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Corps RSM Nick Ollive". Royal Marines Charity. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Royal Marines". Royal Navy. 30 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  9. ^ "The Royal Navy's Surface Fleet" (PDF). royalnavy.mod.uk. MOD UK. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  10. ISBN 9781399040174
    .
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Royal Marines History and Traditional Facts" (PDF). Marine Society & Sea Cadet. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  12. ^ Neillands, p. 238
  13. ^ "42 Commando | Royal Marines". royalnavy.mod.uk.
  14. ^ "Royal Marine Commandos: The Beginning of Best, 3 Brigade's History in Photos". warhistoryonline. 18 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Royal Marines Commandos". History Learning Site.
  16. ^ "Royal Marines in Action All Over 'The Great Globe Itself'". Royal Marines History. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Royal Marines train in Californian desert". GOV.UK. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  18. ^ a b Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Archived 29 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, royalnavy.mod.uk
  19. ^ Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace (23 March 2021). "Armed Forces to be more active around the world to combat threats of the future". GOV.UK (Press release). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  20. ^ "UK armed forces equipment and formations 2024". GOV.UK.
  21. ^ "Killigrew, Sir William II (1606–1695), of Pendennis Castle, Cornwall; later of Lincoln's Inn Fields, London and Kempton Park, Middlesex". History of Parliament. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  22. ^ a b "The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)" (PDF). Kent Fallen. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  23. ^ Lenihan, p. 184
  24. ISBN 978-0-14-028896-4
    .
  25. ^ "Major John Pitcairn". Silverwhistle. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  26. ^ Moore 1987, p.41
  27. S2CID 143644513
    .
  28. doi:10.1089/hs.2014.0092
  29. ^ Warren, Christopher, Could First Fleet smallpox infect Aborigines? – a note (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 6 November 2013, retrieved 6 November 2013, several authors – including Josephine Flood, Alan Frost, Charles Wilson and Judy Campbell – maintain that First Fleet smallpox did not cause the outbreak
  30. ISBN 9781761041952
    .
  31. ^ a b c "The crest, colours, beret, nicknames and prayers of the Royal Marines". Royal Marines Museum. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Admiralty: Royal Marines, Woolwich Division: Correspondence, Registers and Papers". National Archives. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  33. ^ "Per Mare Per Terram – the Royal Marines 1793–1815". Napoleon Series. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  34. ^ "The Royal Marines in the War of 1812". Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  35. ^ "The Battle of Fort Bowyer, Alabama". Explore Southern History. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  36. ^ a b c d "The Victoria Cross and the Royal Marines". Royal Marines Museum. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  37. ^ Chappell, pp. 14–15
  38. ^ "Second Anglo-Chinese War ("Opium war") of 1856 – 1860 (part 2)". William Loney. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  39. ISBN 978-0-946771-32-5
    .
  40. ^ "Class Warfare and the Selborne Scheme: The Royal Navy's battle over technology and social hierarchy". The Mariner's Mirror. 4 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  41. ISBN 978-0-946771-32-5
    .
  42. ISBN 978-0-946771-32-5
    .
  43. ISBN 978-0-946771-32-5
    .
  44. ^ "The RMLI move to, and deployment at, Gallipoli". The Long, Long Trail. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  45. ^ Lamb, Dave (9 September 2006). "Mutiny and resistance in the Royal Navy, 1918–1930". Lib.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  46. ^ London Gazette[permanent dead link‍], 20 July 1923
  47. ^ London Gazette[permanent dead link‍], 16 October 1923
  48. ^ Mountbatten, p. 107
  49. ^ "D-Day: Heroic battle in Port-en-Bessin". The Telegraph. 20 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  50. ^ "Operation Infatuate". Combined Operations. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  51. ^ "Obituary:Colonel Ronnie Hay". The Telegraph. 24 December 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  52. ^ Bingham, John (5 August 2008). "D-Day tanks found on seabed". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  53. ^ "Remembering the secret mission of Cockleshell Heroes". BBC. 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  54. ^ "History of RM deployments". 2009. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  55. ^ Royal Marines Museum – Suez deployment Archived 30 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine (PDF)
  56. ^ Simpson, Aislinn (14 April 2009). "The 22 Royal Marines who took on Argentine Falklands invasion force". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  57. ISBN 978-1-84603-372-8
    .
  58. ^ "Royal Marines". British Army units 1945 on. Archived from the original on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  59. ^ "Britain's Sheet Anchor, Old Brothers in Arms: The 41 Independent Commando at Chosin". November 2001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  60. ^ "1956: Allied Forces take control of Suez". BBC. 6 November 1956. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  61. ^ French, p. 134
  62. ^ "The Assault on Limbang, Sarawak by 'L' Company Group, 42 Commando, Royal Marines". ARCRE. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  63. ^ "The Tanganyika Army Mutiny 1964 and The BFPO Field Post Office". GB Stamp. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  64. ^ Britain's Small Wars, Northern Ireland Roll of Honour Archived 17 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 January 2007
  65. ^ "Remembering the Deal bombing". BBC. 22 September 1989. Retrieved 6 March 2007.
  66. ^ Henn, p. 237
  67. ^ "3 Commando Brigade". Naval History.net. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  68. ^ Ballantyne, p. 134
  69. ^ "Royal Marines officers and other ranks" (PDF). Royal Navy. p. 2.
  70. ^ "Commando Units To Be Reshaped", Navy News, archived from the original on 11 June 2011
  71. ^ "RMITC / CTCRM – Lympstone". Exeter Flotilla. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  72. ^ "BBC Two – Commando: Britain's Ocean Warriors". BBC.
  73. ^ Nicholas van der Bijl and Nick Bijl, The Royal Marines 1939–93, Osprey Publishing, 1995
  74. ^ a b "Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy: Future of the Royal Marines". lordslibrary.parliament.uk. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  75. ^ "Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review" (PDF). HM Government. 19 October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  76. ^ a b "Royal Air Force Aircraft and Weapons page 45" (PDF). Royal Air Force. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2017.
  77. ^ a b "Royal Air Force Aircraft and Weapons page 46" (PDF). Royal Air Force. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2017.
  78. ^ a b "Royal Air Force Aircraft and Weapons page 48" (PDF). Royal Air Force. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2017.
  79. ^ "Royal Air Force Aircraft and Weapons page 49" (PDF). Royal Air Force. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2017.
  80. ^ "Royal Air Force Aircraft and Weapons page 44" (PDF). Royal Air Force. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2017.
  81. ISBN 978-0-87364-002-2
    .
  82. ^ "£90 million contract equips Armed Forces with advanced new rifle". Gov.UK. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  83. ^ IISS 2010, p. 168.
  84. ^ "British Troops in Afghanistan To Get New Armored Vehicles". Defence News. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012.
  85. ^ "29th Regiment RA". British Army units 1945 on. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  86. ^ a b "Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) | Royal Navy". royalnavy.mod.uk. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  87. ^ "Royal Marines – Landing Craft". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  88. ^ "Senior Naval Staff". Archived from the original on 14 March 2009. As the Commander-in-Chief Fleet, a position he took up in November 2007, Mark Stanhope has full command of all deployable Fleet units, including the Royal Marines.
  89. ^ a b "3 Commando Brigade". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  90. ^ "Bridge Card – 11 February 11" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  91. ^ "Band of HM Royal Marines, Scotland". Welcome to Fife. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  92. ^ a b "43 Commando resurrected as historic Royal Marines unit returns". Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  93. ^ Extract from The Globe & Laurel, November–December 2000, archived from the original on 5 November 2010
  94. ^ Commando Units To Be Reshaped Archived 11 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Navy News article
  95. ^ "Commando Helicopter Force webpage". Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  96. ^ "Royal Marines to be restructured in line with growing Royal Navy". GOV.UK. 11 April 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  97. ^ "Commando Forces 2020". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  98. ^ "UK Royal Marines stand up programme office to lead Future Commando Force". janes.com. London. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  99. ^ "Young engineers design "invisible commandos"". Royal Navy. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  100. ^ "Royal Marines of the Future". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019. ROYAL MARINES OF THE FUTURE Imagined by Britain's best and brightest engineers
  101. ^ Nicholls, Dominic (26 June 2020). "UK's Future Commando Force: a radical and 'lethal' new unit to fight threats across the globe". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  102. ^ "New commando uniform for Royal Marines". Royal Navy. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  103. ^ "Royal Marines Commandos Go MultiCam". Joint Forces News. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  104. ^ "What Does It Take to Be a Royal Marine? Royal Navy Jobs". Royalnavy.mod.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  105. ^ Recruitment Process Royal Marines Archived 24 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, royalnavy.mod.uk
  106. ^ "Woodbury | information and guide to Woodbury Devon UK". Devonlink.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  107. ^ "Royal Marines Commando Training". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  108. ^ "Kings Squad". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  109. ^ Commando specialisations Archived 17 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine, royalnavy.mod.uk
  110. ^ "Royal Marines Museum to be moved to new home in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard". Portsmouth News. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  111. ^ a b "The Royal Marines" (PDF). NATO. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  112. ^ "The Capture of Gibraltar – 24 July 1704" (PDF). Royal Navy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  113. ^ "Sword presentation Royal Marine Corps at the Royal Marines Museum". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  114. ^ "Royal Marines". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  115. ^ "Helmet, Wolseley pattern (Tropical) S/P 1912 Royal Marines". Imperial War Museum. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  116. ^ "Personnel" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  117. ^ "Defence statistics" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  118. ^ "His Majesty the King today welcomed a new generation of Commandos". www.royalnavy.mod.uk.
  119. ^ "The Box | HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh". The Box Plymouth. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  120. ^ "Royal Marines and Other Ranks" (PDF). royalnavy.mod.uk. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2017.
  121. ^ "While Meghan Markle Cooks at Home, It's a Freezing Valentine's Day for Prince Harry". vanityfair.com. 14 February 2019.
  122. ^ "Prince Harry settles claim against Mail on Sunday publisher after being accused of snubbing Royal Marines". The Standard. 2 February 2021.
  123. ^ "Army Dress Regulations section 1, paragraph 02.13" (PDF). whatdotheyknow. 8 March 2017.
  124. ^ "The East Surrey Regiment – Marine Service of the Regiment, War of the Spanish Succession". Queen's Royal Surreys. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  125. ^ Marines vs. Royal Marines Athletic Competition, 8 February 2019, retrieved 8 February 2023
  126. ^ "HMS Bulwark arrives in the Netherlands to mark amphibious pact". Royal Navy. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  127. ^ "Devon Royal Marines in French exercise". Ministry of Defence. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.

Bibliography
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Marines&oldid=1284393605"