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Royal Marine Commandos come together to remember
29 October 2024
Royal Marines from Clyde-based 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group joined veterans and members of the public at Achnacarry’s Commando Monument on Sunday, October 27 for this year’s Royal Marines Charity Memorial Service and Parade.
The event is held annually and is an opportunity for serving and veteran Royal Marines to come together and pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
This year is extra special as 28 October 2024 marks the 360th Birthday of the Royal Marines Corp which was formed in 1664. So, as well as remembering those lost, it is a chance to celebrate the Commandos Forces of today.
General Gwyn Jenkins CB OBE, Commandant General Royal Marines (CGRM) joined the serving Royal Marines and veterans at this special service led by the Reverend Russell Fralick, the Chaplain for 43 Commando at HMNB Clyde.
“It is a huge privilege for me to stand at the Commando Memorial alongside both the serving, and veteran Royal Marines communities, and the wider Corps family in this our 360th year,” said General Jenkins.
It is a huge privilege for me to stand at the Commando Memorial alongside both the serving, and veteran Royal Marines communities, and the wider Corps family in this our 360th year.
“Dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces, raised during World War II, this impressive monument overlooks the wartime training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. It is fitting that the Royal Marine Commando Force of today lives by the forebearers’ commando spirit and values, and there is no better place to celebrate our Corps birthday.”
Wreaths were laid during the service which also included a reading of the Royal Marine’s prayer, with a Bugler playing the last post before a two-minute silence was observed. A lone piper played a poignant lament following a reading of the Kohima Epitaph, which reads: “When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today”.
Celebrating their 360th Year, the Royal Marines trace their origins back to 28 October 1664. They have served and succeeded in engagements in every quarter of the world. This service is reflected in the Corps’ iconic badge, depicting the ‘Great Globe itself’, chosen by King George IV in 1827.