'Landguard Fort' Royal Marine Museum

By Terry Aspinall

All Royal Marines are what we call family. Where and when ever a Marine needs help, we do our best to try and help. During 2014 Rod Spinks and Steve Searle came up with the idea of setting up a Royal Marine museum within the Landguard Fort complex at the southern end of Felixstowe (Suffolk) overlooking the Rivers Stour and Orwell as they flow into the North sea. It also happens to be the last place a foreign invading force landed on the British main land. To every bodies relief they were defeated with the help of Captain Nathaniel Darell, and pushed back into the North sea from wince they came. It was also the very first battle that the Royal Marines fought on land, having been formed only three years earlier during 1664.
2014 was the first year that the British Heritage who now owns the fort, gave Rod and Steve permission to go ahead with their idea of a Royal Marine Museum. Their aim was to hope for donation to help all wounded Royal Marines, where ever they are.
This E-book is about the Museum, the history of Landguard Fort, and of the Royal Marines then selves. Their very long active service history that has been ongoing for just over 350 years. Of their and their traditions and every day talk. This is a continuation of Rod and Steve’s work hoping to raise more donation during 2015.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Aspinall
• Release date: Jan 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311597441

Terry Aspinall

I was born during the Second World War while my father was chasing Rommel out of North Africa and Italy, for this reason I never saw him until late 1946. I grew up in the sleepy little Suffolk country side town of Stowmarket, and underwent an education that to me seemed an absolute waste of time. Although with that wonderful tool known as hindsight, my reading and writing skills would have served me well in the writing of this book. I should have taken the trouble and given the teachers my full undivided attention and not the girls sitting next to me, while behind me was always the wall. Yes I was a back of class type of guy who was always getting into trouble and talking during class. Upon leaving school I became what was known as a Teddy boy and hung around with the Ipswich town local gangs. Once the novelty began to wear off, and I realised that if I carried on along the path I had chosen, it would only lead me into trouble with the law, so I decided on a complete life style change and joined the Royal Marines. My growing up during this period of time can certainly be attributed to my Royal Marine training, something that is still part of my life to this day. I tell of my service years and of being on active service in Borneo. Upon my release I became very interested and involved in the Rock n Roll music of the day, and helped form a local band in the town of Leiston in Suffolk. I also became involved in the then new sport of hang gliding. Which later lead me to strapping an engine on to my glider, and being amongst the first in the UK to pioneer the sport of Microlighting, and to set a record that still stands to this day. Eventually while working for Bernard Matthews I upped my family and immigrated to New Zealand, to help build a new factory in a small county town of Waipukurau on the North Island. Where I experienced a complete new style of living that my family and I all enjoyed, and took to it like ducks to water. It was a taste of what was to come when after three years I once again up rooted my family and move over the ditch as they say to Australia, but that’s another story?

Book preview

Landguard Fort

Royal Marines

Museum

© Copyright 2015 by Terry Aspinall

First edition January 2015

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying) recording, or otherwise without prior permission in writing from the author.

ISBN: 9781311597441

Published by Terry Aspinall

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Dedication

Once A Marine Always A Marine

I would like to dedicate this book to all Marines Past and Present.

I'm proud to be a member of the family.

Please help our wounded

All Donations will be appreciated

www.helpourwounded.co.uk

Acknowledgement

As a historian I'm aware that when we go in search of information on any subject. The most common research method is to look it up in earlier books. However, when earlier books have the story incorrect, then that wrongful information can and does get easily passed on. With this in mind I've had to make sure that the information I'm using in this book is correct to the best of my knowledge. The Royal Marines created and later taught me their history, so what better place to start my research than the owners of that history.

When I joined the 779 Squad Royal Marines on the 16th April 1962, a major part of my training was to learn the Corps History. Something that was forced upon us at all times by our instructors. At first it was all a little alien to me, but gradually I began to understand and wanted to learn more, and it became 'hopefully' embedded in my memory. However, it's now 2014 and although a vast majority of that information is still in my head, in order that I do not make a fool of myself by getting some of the finer detail and facts wrong, I have had to turn to the computer and online searching of places, names, and fellow Marines to check that my facts and details are correct. Where I have been wrong I have corrected myself with information from the sources below. Therefore I would like to acknowledge and thank the following websites, and newspapers for their help in jogging my memory. Without the information gained and refreshed, this free E-book would not have been possible: I sincerely thank you all.

I would also like to say a very special thank you to my dear wife Emily, who has tolerated my many years of research into an array of different subjects since 2003. Thanks also to fellow Marines Roger Burstow, Rod Spinks, and Edward 'Andy' Anderson, who I served with in 40 Commando during the Borneo Emergency Campaign (1962-66), friendships that continue to this day. Thanks to fellow Marines Steve Searle and Cleve Whitworth President of the RMAQ in Brisbane, for helping me with the research. To all the websites listed below, who are keeping the Royal Marine history alive, I offer them a big thank you. Please keep up the good work for future generations to enjoy.

www.royalmarinesassociation.org.uk/

www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/

www.devonheritage.org

www.myweb.tiscali.co.uk

www.en.wikipedia.org

www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk

www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines

www.web.archive.org

www.britishbattles.com

www.axfordsabode.org.uk/spirit.htm

www.exeterflotilla.org/history

www.landguard.com

www.english-heritage.org.uk

www.historyofwar.org/articles/attack_landguard_fort.html

Royal Marines History & Traditional Facts

'The Royal Marines by Sea by Land' by John S. Murray

'Nothing Impossible' General Editor Lt Col Ewen Southby-Tailyour OBE RM

Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of 'Britain's Sea Soldiers': 'A History of the Field' by Cyril, ‘A History of the Royal Marines, their Predecessors and of their Services in Action, Ashore and Afloat’ by Colonel H. E. Blumberg - 1924.

'British Battles' Vol I. by James Grant published by Cassell Petter & Galpin. London 1891.

'Dictionary of Battles' by Thomas Benfield Harbottle published by Swan Sonnenschein & Co Ltd London 1904.

‘The History of Landguard Fort in Suffolk’ by Major J H. Leslie.

‘A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain and Ireland’ Vol 2 by Robert Beaton (London, 1806).

The London Gazette re Capt Halliday No. 27262. page 3. 1st January 1901.

The London Gazette re Major Francis Hardy published September 1915.

The London Gazette re L/C Parker published on 22nd June 1917.

The London Gazette re Major Lumsden No.30122 published September 1915.

The London Gazette re Capt Bamford published 23 July 1918.

The London Gazette: no. 9325. page 2. 1st December 1753.

The London Gazette: no. 11038. page 2. 1st May 1770.

The London Gazette: no. 11865. page 1. 14th April 1778.

The London Gazette: no. 13040. page 529. 4th November 1788.

The London Gazette: no. 15230. page 141. 11th February 1800.

The London Gazette: no. 15366. page 550. 16th May 1801.

The London Gazette: no. 17908. page 483. 25th March 1823.

The London Gazette: no. 15728. page 1002. 14th August 1804.

The London Gazette: no. 15912. page 512. 22nd April 1806.

The London Gazette: no. 16498. page 1153. 22nd June 1811.

I have not linked all of the addresses because as time goes by sites come and go. The first couple, I'm sure will be around for a long time to come. However, if you would like to link them yourself I'm sure you will find a lot of very interesting information.

If any readers and Marines wish to add to some of the lists in this E-book, I would welcome your help. However, please add where you have found the information so that I can give full credit to its source. Being an E-book allows me to keep updating.

The following is my Royal Marine Association membership card and booklet that was handed to me, on 16th April 1962, upon my arrival at the New Intake Block at the Royal Marines Depot based at Deal in Kent. It was simply titled 'The Royal Marines', and at the bottom in small print it read 'Instructions to Recruits'. It goes on to describes what a recruit can expect from the Corps, along with a brief history, but most of all what the Corps expect from him.

terryaspinall.com/photo-gallery/this-hand-book

My RMA membership card issued the day I started training in 1962

The Royal Marines booklet Instructions to Recruits

This E-Book is FREE.

A donation to support our wounded Royal Marines would be much appreciated.

Table of Content

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1 Royal Marine Museum

Chapter 2 Landguard Fort

Chapter 3 Royal Marine Badge

Chapter 4 Royal Marine Flag

Chapter 5 Colours

Chapter 6 Cap Badge

Chapter 7 Royal Marine Prayer

Chapter 8 Royal Marine Oath

Chapter 9 Memorable Dates

Chapter 10 Battle Honours

Chapter 11 Victoria Cross

Chapter 12 RM History

Chapter 13 Genealogical Tree

Chapter 14 Lympstone

Chapter 15 Green Beret

Chapter 16 Pusser's Rum

Chapter 17 Marine Talk

Chapter 18 Nick-Surnames

Landguard Fort.com

RMA Website

Other Titles by this Author

Authors Website

Chapter 1

Royal Marine Museum

Landguard Fort

About four years ago former Royal Marines Rod Spinks and friend Steve Searle were looking for some way in which they could assist wounded Royal Marines. They eventually came up with the idea of a display of anything connected with the Royal Marines.

Later they were to approach the English Heritage organisation about a possible Royal Marines display within Landguard Fort just South of Felixstowe. To their surprise they were offered what was then known as the G 10 Room. Later to be re- named the Royal Marines Room.

To their surprise they were asked if they could be ready for a public display during the summer of 2014. It was a tight schedule, but something the Royal Marines thrive on, and with a lot of help from a lot of people, it was successfully achieved.

Eventual the Royal Marines Association (RMA), along with six other RMA local branches agreed to help them financially to get the project up and running. The race was on to set something up and open during 2014.

Rod and Steve had starting with a blank canvass as they say, meaning they started completely from scratch. However, help came when they announced their plans on the 'Once A Marine Always A Marine' (OAMAAM) forum, as many former Royal Marines took to the cause and started sending them items, along with some quite famous pieces.

They started with a few old oil paintings that were salvaged from a waste skip, and turned out to be worth quite a bit of money, along with a couple of old Royal Navy advertising boards.

Some of the other items sent are priceless, like the SLR bayonet that corporal Steve Newlands used when he charged an Argentinean Machine gun position on Mount Harry in the Falklands. Steve went on to also throw a hand grenade into the position killing at least 20 plus of the enemy, and then emptied his full magazine of 7.62 rounds into what remained of the position. Sadly while returning to his section he was shot through both legs by a surviving Argentinean. For his action under fire, Steve was awarded the Military Medal. He also presented his bayonet to the museum.

Another priceless piece of kit is a Second World War Fairbank and Sykes Commando fighting knife that was used during the war.

There then followed a few old uniforms which meant that they had to then visit the local clothing stores looking for and cadging old un wanted display dummies.

The SBS, (Royal Marine Special Boat Service) sent some items that included a large bronze statue of the new SBS badge.

While others sent wall hanging Shields of all the different Commando units, both old and new design. Along with several old and new design cap badges.

A genuine Aussie Bush hat, lots of miniature Royal Navy models and photos of Rods friend Trevor Fendt, (who has sadly since passed over the Bar) Trevor's widow who lives in Adelaide has donated it all to the Museum.

2 x 24 hour ration packs that included Desert and Snow Region rations. The Norway ones made up of approximately 20 different items.

A Royal Marine shield, advertising standards, and loads of framed photographs. .A new type gas mask, a jungle camouflage net. A Lovat Green uniform, full set of Sergeants number one blues uniform, and are hoping to obtain a much later one.

For their trouble during that first year (2014) they collected in donations the grand total of £1500.00 for the Wounded Royal Marines Charity. A great result obtained in such a short period of time.

All involved would like to thank everybody who sent in donation and items to be displayed. The success has spurred them on for the future and growth of the museum. Their target for next year has been set at £2000.

Here we are in 2015 and they have just been allotted a second room, hopefully to be ready for the 2015 summer season.

Rod Spinks and Steve Searle

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

The General Jeff Mason and Rod Spinks at the Museum

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

The General Jeff Mason and Steve Searle at the Museum

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

© Copyright Photo Rod Spinks

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