Nmrn Royal Marines Museum Service Narrative

NMRN ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM SERVICE NARRATIVE REVIEWED BY THE COLLECTIONS RESEARCH AND LEARNING COMMITTEE OF THE TRUSTEES / 17 MAY 2017 1 3 NMRN RMM SERVICE NARRATIVE 1 Operation Glacier 4 directed at the Taliban’s gateway into Helmand, Operation Herrick, 16 February 2007. 2 A Fancy Portrait of a Royal Marine, 1851 painted by Lieutenant W.G.R. Masters RMLI (Royal Marine Light OURS IS THE STOR Y of the Royal Marines, the Infantry). nation’s vital amphibious force which has fought 3 47 (RM) Commando in landing craft approaching at sea and on land across four centuries. We tell the beach, Westkapelle, Walcheren, Netherlands, 1 November 1944. this dynamic story of challenge, conflict, heroism and change through the inspirational achievements 4 A Victoria Cross awarded to Bombardier Thomas of Marines past and present. Wilkinson RMA (Royal Marine Artillery) during the Crimean War, 7 June 1855. Royal Marines Museum ~ Service Narrative NARRATIVE between Marines along with the resourcefulness to tackle of marine forces allows them to be poised, choosing when has led to a multitude of individual roles; as signalmen, Our narrative has four overlapping themes: whatever awaits. We consider what it means to become a and where to take the initiative to land and whether to snipers, ships’ policemen, artillerymen, infantrymen, Marine and join the Corps Family; and how that family copes deploy by sea or take to the air in helicopters. We show how coxswains, paratroops, aircrewmen, mountain leaders, People with the human costs and consequences of service. political will is essential to the exercise of this power and bandsmen and in special forces. consider its future use. We tell the story of the people who have served as Royal Power Progress Marines and consider the future of those still to join. Purpose We look at the challenges they have faced in extreme We describe the impact that the Royal Marines have made We consider the impact of innovation and of technology and environments as they fight on and from the sea. We describe at sea and on land, in peace and in war, and show the Corps We trace how the versatility of the Corps of Royal Marines has how these have allowed the Royal Marines to reach further, the origins of the Marine Regiments in 1664 and trace their as an enduring example for forces in other countries. We enabled it to embrace many different roles over the last four faster and deeper in all environments across the globe. We development from a temporary, ad hoc force raised during highlight when and where the Marines have made decisive centuries and examine how, despite the great changes in the look at the change in the 19th century from ships relying on war into a permanent Corps of Marines which from 1755 interventions around the world – for example at Belle Isle in scale and complexity of joint operations, it has survived the wind and boats relying on oars, to using steam powered craft developed a distinctive capability, tradition and identity – 1761, at Zeebrugge in 1918, D-Day and Walcheren in 1944, successive attempts to abolish it. We consider the challenges which were capable of moving against the wind and the tide. one of, ‘soldier an’ sailor too’. We show how the Corps the Falklands in 1982, the Al Faw Peninsula in 2003; also faced by Marines; on bullet-swept decks and in steel turrets, We show the impact made by the development in the 20th changed through peace and war, examine its strong public where they have been vital in sustained operations – for or in boats, landing craft and helicopters: when wading century of many specialist ways of moving on, and between, reputation and a character which mixes daring and example at Gibraltar in 1704, on the Western Front, or more ashore in countless landings or yomping to confound the sea and land: the landing craft, the commando carrier, the regimental discipline with the excellence epitomised by the recently in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. We trace how enemy in every kind of terrain. We show how different parts landing platform dock, helicopters and armoured vehicles. We Royal Marines Band Service. We trace the changes in the the Marines serving with the Navy were central to extending, of their identity are emphasised or re-cast for a new use in look at the changes in the kit and equipment of individual service lives of Marines as specialist roles were created as protecting and policing British empires and interests in the different periods. We consider how a role which spans sea Marines over time, and consider the importance of being able infantry, artillery and commando; we look at the 18th and 19th centuries. We look too at their involvement and land has given the Corps a unique relationship to, and to modify and adapt that kit. Against progress of technology introduction and development of roles for women. We focus in conflicts which marked the withdrawal from empire, understanding of, both the Royal Navy and the Army. How an we balance the importance of the resourcefulness of the particularly on the Royal Marines Commandos since 1942 and and at their contribution to NATO during the Cold War – instinctively joint approach and the ability to move between individual operating the technology. We look ahead to the on how officers and men uniquely strive together through particularly protecting northern and southern Europe. We fighting, peace-keeping and intelligence gathering means future recruitment and training of women as Royal Marine the most demanding and realistic military training in the examine how their special strength stems from their constant that Marines are always in demand. We show how this work Commandos. We also consider the Corps’ marked ability to world. We examine how this training creates the ‘Commando readiness, capability and mobility which means that they has been carried out in the places in which Marines serve – flex to accommodate new men and women coming as Spirit’ – marked by courage, determination, unselfishness have often been the first to arrive off a foreign shore and the sea, the jungle, the desert, in arctic and urban hostilities only volunteers, national servicemen and reservists and cheerfulness in adversity – and develops the bond first to understand the situation. Further, how the versatility 2 environments. We consider how for individual Marines this and to supply the country’s special forces. 4 2 3 NMRN RMM SERVICE NARRATIVE HISTORICAL NARRATIVE 1 The following sections sets out the key event s/ developments infantry regiments. From the very start England’s first 4 The historical narrative outlines in more detail our story which have been identified as a focus within our four Marines included Drummers (later known as Buglers) to within different periods; we will bring it to life through our 1 A Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund Sword awarded to themes. provide signalling and the passing of orders; they were soon museum galleries, special exhibitions, programmes, Lieutenant Robert Hayes while serving on HMS trained to play the fife, becoming the first Marine Bands. Hydra , around 1807. publications and partnerships. Key to telling the story will be 166 4 ~1755 ENGLAND’S FIRST MARINES This first regiment was disbanded in 1689 so, like the other ‘sea service’ regiments formed principally to fight in wartime our historic assets – our museum collections and buildings. 2 Kit and equipment worn by Corporal Marty Murray up to the end of the 1740s, it did not establish a permanent of FPGRM during Operation CAPRI, 2010. People The historical narrative is designed to be an active tool for existence. Each time new regiments were raised experienced internal use which will help inform the decisions we need 3 The Prince George of Denmark’s Regiment of Foot In 1664 Charles II ordered 1,200 land soldiers to be raised in soldiers enlisted but when they were disbanded they then to make to actually tell this story – from focusing collecting at King James's Gate, Portsmouth in 1687. readiness for ‘sea service’ in his fleet. The men of this ‘Duke sought employment back in line regiments. Other new strategy, to creation of the New Royal Marines Museum, to of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot’ (aka the recruits chose to become seamen in ships’ companies and the 4 The Taking of Gibraltar by an Anglo-Dutch Fleet, exhibitions and programmes. Admiral’s Regiment) were the fore-runners of the Royal Marines was known as a ‘nursery for the fleet’. In this period 1704, shown from a military camp ashore. Marines. Many came from the City of London’s trained bands the woman Hannah Snell famously disguised herself and (a form of militia), whilst experienced commissioned and served as a Marine, but in fact as early as 1702 each company FIGURE 1 Narrative Sections non-commissioned officers transferred from existing of Marines could bring three women on board to assist with clothing and subsistence. For all the early close connections with the infantry, differences did begin to grow – for 2 3 example although Marine officers also purchased their commissions, these were much cheaper because of the discomfort of service at sea. By the 1740s a politician could claim, ‘… a soldier and a Marine are quite different creatures, as different as an otter and a fox …’ Power Regiments for Sea Service were raised and disbanded as the chance of war, and the willingness of Parliament to vote As the pursuit of wealth and trade expanded the Navy’s money, waxed and waned. The Admiral’s Regiment took part operations overseas, the power of a force which could land, in all the major engagements of the Dutch Wars, but was capture and hold the bases to sustain the fleet became more disbanded in 1689.

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