{"id":177788,"date":"2024-10-11T15:01:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T14:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/?p=177788"},"modified":"2024-10-11T15:57:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T14:57:12","slug":"177788","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/?p=177788","title":{"rendered":"ORAL HISTORY OF A RETIRED ROYAL MARINE"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">ORAL HISTORY OF A RETIRED ROYAL MARINE<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>British Marine (Known as JG) and NCO served with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in GB, Northern Ireland and Cyprus, 1972-1975; served aboard HMS Ashanti in GB coastal waters, 1976-1977; served with Air Sqdn, 3rd Commando Bgde, Royal Marines in GB, Northern Ireland, Norway and during Falklands War, 1978-1982; served with 42 Commando, Royal Marines in Northern Ireland, 1983; various postings as officer with Royal Marines in GB, 1984-2002<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">(few seconds delay at beginning of each audio)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130239\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 1 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 1 Background in Swansea and Dartmoor, GB, 1951-1971: family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Marines in GB, 1971: enlistment; character of recruits; pattern of training at Royal Marine Depot, Deal; drop out rate on course; pattern of commando training at Commando Training Centre, Lympstone; use of tunnels in training; progressive nature of commando training; passing out parade. Recollections of operations as marine with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1972: joining unit in Northern Ireland; deployments to Northern Ireland, 1972-1975; allocation of area of operations; degree of knowledge of area; character of patrols; protective clothing; wearing of beret; attitude of Irish Republicans towards military; orchestration of situation by Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA); urban environment in Northern Ireland; removal of Irish flags; stoning by children; incident of coming under fire in Brown&#8217;s Square.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130240\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 2of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 2 Continues: explanation of term &#8216;Goffer Wallah&#8217;; description of camp at Brown&#8217;s Square; effects of keeping boots on for a week; other duties; duration of tour and leave; arrival at Brown Square; attitude of older members of troop to urban environment. Recollections of operations as marine with Intelligence Section, 40 Commando, Royal Marines in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1973: move to Belfast on advance party; composition of section; nature of relations with members of Ulster Defence Association (UDA); relations with Catholic community; degree of change in situation between 1972 and 1973 tours; character of arrest and search operations; attitude of marines to search operations; Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)&#8217;s use of &#8216;Dickers&#8217;; &#8216;mouseholing&#8217; of houses; Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)&#8217;s method of sniping; lack of no-go areas in Belfast; female and youth sections of Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and Ulster Defence Association (UDA); areas where main antagonism would take place; Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)&#8217;s bombing of city centre of Belfast; character of New Lodge area and sectarian division of city; situation during Protestant marching season; volunteering for special patrol groups with Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130241\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 3 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in Cyprus, 1974: deployment to Cyprus; situation in Cyprus after Turkish invasion; duties in Sovereign Crown Territory (SCT); state of Turkish refugees; attitude to ethnic cleansing taking place; rapid redeployment on verge of return to GB. Aspects of operations as NCO with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1975: deployment to Belfast; manifestation of lawlessness; duties as corporal; changes in operational procedures; technique for exiting barracks; patrolling; clothing worn on patrol; duration of patrols; attitude to posting as recruit instructor at Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, 1975-1976. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Marines aboard HMS Ashanti in GB coastal waters, 1976-1977: drafting to ship; duties of Royal Marines on board; incident of ship catching fire in Bristol Channel; fate of ship and return to 40 Commando, Royal Marines; selection procedure to become air crew. Recollections of period as NCO with Air Sqdn, 3rd Commando Bde, Royal Marines in GB, Northern Ireland and Norway, 1978-1982: organisation of Air Sqdn; role of unit&#8217;s Westland Scout and Aerospatiale Gazelle Helicopters; background to posting to observers course.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130242\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 4 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 4 Continues: pattern of observers course; navigation; learning to fly helicopter; attitude to flying duties; vehicle recognition exercises; posting to Northern Ireland, 1979; operational area; duties operating Aerospatiale Gazelle; threats to helicopters; character of Aerospatiale Gazelle; reasons for changing aircrew and helicopters; mixture of NCO and officer pilots; daily routine briefings; restrictions on flying; ground duties in operations room; shift pattern; question of straying over border into Irish airspace; equipment and armament carried in helicopter; searching for vehicle involved in terrorist incident; limits on pilot flying hours; firing wire guided missiles from Westland Scout.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130243\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 5 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 5 Continues: role of air gunner; firing live missiles during course on Otterburn Ranges; procedure for removal of hung up missiles; training at French Mountain Flying Training School; reasons for transporting helicopters by sea to Norway; dealing with climatic conditions in Norway; exercises in Norway. Recollections of operations as air gunner with Air Sqdn, 3rd Commando Bde, Royal Marines during Falklands War, 4\/1982-6\/1982: hearing news of deployment to Falkland Islands, 4\/1982; unit driver who stowed away on ship; embarkation on board HMS Fearless; preparations during voyage between GB and Ascension Island; suitability of Westland Scout for campaign; training ashore at Ascension Island; incident with unit Aerospatiale Gazelle; cross-decking onto RFA Sir Tristram; relations with Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel; issue of equipment; problems with water supply on board RFA Sir Tristram; attachment to 45 Commando, Royal Marines; arrival in San Carlos Water; first flight transporting mortars onto hill; establishing base ashore; establishing crews and teaming up with Captain Jeff Niblett; tasking of jobs; delivering rations to reconnaissance troop; sight of shot down Argentinean FMA 1A 58 Pucara aircraft.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130244\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 6 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 6 Continues: loss of unit helicopters; degree of knowledge of FMA 1A 58 Pucara; types of work engaged in; attempts to hide helicopter on ground; navigation around island; under fire on board ship; threat of being caught over water; description of cocoon like nature of helicopter; relations with pilot Captain Jeff Niblett; hours operated; weather conditions; sleeping arrangements during campaign; attachment of helicopter to 2nd Parachute Regt, 27\/5\/1982; evacuating wounded Argentinean POW, 27\/5\/1982; evacuating casualties in Westland Scout; sight of burning maintenance area at Ajax Bay, 27\/5\/1982; allocation as supporting helicopter for 2nd Bn Parachute Regt attack on Goose Green; resupply flights; duration of flights and dropping of supplies; discovery of situation at Goose Green; threat of anti-aircraft fire; degree of protection available over battlefield; supplying ammunition; hearing of wounding of Colonel Herbert &#8216;H&#8217; Jones; formation flown towards Goose Green; sight of FMA 1A 58 Pucaras; sighting of his helicopter by FMA 1A 58 Pucara.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130245\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 7 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 7 Continues: communicating with pilot during attacks by FMA 1A 58 Pucaras; pitching forward of helicopter by explosion; touching down near Camilla Creek House; sight of smoke and flight to find wreckage of second Westland Scout; discovery of body Lieutenant Richard Nunn; evacuating wounded Sergeant Bill Belcher; visit to Sergeant Bill Belcher in hospital; recovery of Lieutenant Richard Nunn&#8217;s body from wreckage; how Sergeant Bill Belcher survived crash; his attitude to prospect of death; effect of casualties in close-knit unit; types of missions flown during rest of war; attitude to Royal Navy decision to not risk Westland Sea King helicopters; sense of vulnerability after events of 27\/5\/1982; evacuating troops from a forward slope; suitability of Westland Scout for operations; flying senior officers; example of black humour; flying into Port Stanley on surrender and reaction to number of Argentinean POWs, 14\/6\/1942; duties after surrender.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwm.org.uk\/embed\/?id=80029008&amp;media_id=130246\" width=\"480\" height=\"430\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">CONTENT DESCRIPTION REEL 7 of 8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>REEL 8 Continues: return to GB on board SS Canberra. Aspects of operations as NCO with 42 Commando, Royal Marines in Northern Ireland, 1983: posting to unit; nature of operations; changes in operations between 1970s and 1980s; reasons for not using road transport; threat of culvert bombs on border; terrain on border; awareness of hearts and minds campaign; behaviour of population on border; question of border infringements; lack of contact with southern Irish authorities; provision of grenade launcher on patrol; incident of marine standing on bomb; booby-trapping of petrol tankers. Aspects of various postings as officer with Royal Marines in GB, 1984-2002: commissioning; pattern of career; attending Royal Naval College at Greenwich, 1992; motivation of marines; appointment to Ministry of Defence, London; final appointment as Area Officer to Sea Cadets in North West England; attitude to having served with Royal Marines.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Above Audio History copied from &#8220;IWM&#8221; Imperial War Museum Website<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-176897\" src=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/brightgreenline-300x7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"7\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ORAL HISTORY OF A RETIRED ROYAL MARINE British Marine (Known as JG) and NCO served with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in GB, Northern Ireland and Cyprus, 1972-1975; served aboard HMS Ashanti in GB coastal waters, 1976-1977; served with Air Sqdn, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/?p=177788\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,54,13,117,97,126,32,47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-177788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-rm-expats-wherever-you-are","category-rma","category-rmc","category-royal-marines-museum","category-rn","category-royal-marines","category-royal-marines-band"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=177788"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177797,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177788\/revisions\/177797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=177788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=177788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxnwolf.com\/locknload\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=177788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}