RMC Annual Review 2020-21 digital (1) - Flipbook - Page 29
A Brief History of the Royal Marines Association
Branches
dinner, accompanied by music, we sat back
and enjoyed a programme of music and
songs, Comrade Cooper giving us a turn.
The toasts of the evening were “H.M. The
King,” proposed by Major-General Jameson,
who then proposed “ The R.M.O.C.A. and
the R.M. Association,” saying how much the
R.M. Association appreciated all the good
work the R.M.O.C.A. had done, especially the
Portsmouth branch, which was 100 per cent
for joining the Association and had given it
their full support, as well as a grant from their
funds. He was sure all the old comrades would
find that same friendship and comradeship in
the Association as they found in the R.M.O.C.A.
Colonel C. R. W. Lamplough, C.B.E., D.S.C.,
replied, thanking Major General Jameson
for the toast, and Colonel Lamplough gave a
few details of the progress of the Association.
Our Vice-President, Comrade Major H. L.
Liddiard (Retd) then proposed “Our Guests,”
which included Major General R. H. Campbell,
Lt. Col Blake, Major Picton Phillipps,
representatives of the Association, Sergeants’
Mess and Junior N.C.O.,’ Club. Major-General
Campbell, replying, thanked the branch for
their kindness in inviting him that evening and
said how pleased and honoured he was to be
with them. Comrade White proposed “Absent
Comrades.” During the evening our Chairman,
on behalf of the branch, presented MajorGeneral Jameson with an Old Comrades
President’s Badge, and the General, on
behalf of the branch, presented our Hon. Sec.,
Comrade W. E. Betsworth, with pipes and an
ashtray as a token of esteem and appreciation
of his good work as Hon. Secretary.
It is impossible to write a history of
the Association and not talk about the
importance of the branches. The first reports
in the Globe and Laurel were clear:
‘The future of the
Association depends
entirely on its branches.
They are the lifeblood
of the Association and
already many new
members are being
attracted by them.’
The same report also set up what was to become
an important tradition in recording the activities
of individual branches, ‘this space in the Globe and
Laurel each month offers a splendid opportunity
for branches to pass on accounts of meetings and
any other items of general interest to all readers.
It can also serve as a medium through which the
date, time and place of regular monthly meetings
can be brought to the notice of all.’ It was in
the branches that the Association fulfilled its
primary task of continuing the comradeship and
friendships which were forged in the Service.
The honour of being the first branch of the RMA
goes to Portsmouth, which met as an RMA branch
on the 19 th March 1946, when Portsmouth RMOCA
voted to become part of the new Association.
They recorded their celebrations in detail;
Soon after Deal also opened as a branch
on 20th April. However, RMA Deal has the
distinction of the longest history linked to
the RMA for they too were an independent
RMOCA who decided quickly to join the RMA;
the RMOCA Deal was formed in 1909, whilst
the Portsmouth RMOCA had formed in 1933.
The dinner to commemorate the affiliation of
the branch to the Royal Marines Association
was held at Kimbell’s Cafe on Tuesday, 7th
May. Our President, Major-General T. H.
Jameson, C.B.E., D.S.O., presided and was
supported by our Chairman, Comrade T.
White. Over 44 old comrades and their
guests were present. After enjoying a good
Since 1946, every edition of the Globe and
Laurel is full of the richness of the activities
of the branches. Sadly, it is beyond this brief
history to explore them all, but perhaps during
this anniversary year branches might take up
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discovering their individual histories through the
pages of the Journal, there is much to discover,
many characters to meet and much to be proud of.
evening. “Did I seem THAT old!” The evening
dinner dance was quite something at Exeter
University, everyone in black tie and the ladies
in ballgowns; a glittering bar on the top table
courtesy of George, and a lively RM band. I felt
I should do my stuff and waltzed away with
a senior lady. “All the little birdies go tweet
tweet tweet” drily commented Tom Seccombe.
Colonel Ian Moore is well placed to give a very
personal insight into the Association, having
hosted its annual reunions whilst Commandant
at CTC, served as CG representative to the
Executive Council and finally as President of
the Hanworth branch for 25 years, his memories
are reproduced here, not as an account of one
particular branch, but as an example of the quality
of the members and life in all RMA branches.
The top table lunches after parade in the
mess on Sunday were also challenging. Barry
Johnson was that hardened city warrior (also
ex HO RM) who was the long-term treasurer
of the Association. I came across him saying
“they can’t still be working out the seating for
the top table…” I responded “surely Barry you
know the Corps well enough to understand the
degree of complexity involved…” Those are my
memories of Lympstone days in the mid-80s.
I first really had dealings with the RMA
when I was the Commandant at CTCRM
Lympstone (86—88). The Association would
have its annual weekend and parade in the
autumn. I made a point of being available to
give a “state of the serving Corps” address at
the AGM, and stump around ensuring that
all was going well with the various activities
on the Saturday (shooting competitions,
standard bearer competition on parade,
quizzes). I would then attend the Sunday
parade, and the officers mess lunch thereafter.
On occasion I went to the grand dinner
dance, then held in Exeter University.
Then to my last job in the Corps, as the director
RM Personnel and Logistics (1988—April 1991),
when I was the CGs rep for the RMA (General
Martin Garrod then General Henry Beverley).
What I do remember of my time bearing that
sinecure was a very remarkable expedition to
Ypres, to place a long overdue plaque for the
Royal Marines who had fallen in those battles
in the hallowed Ypres Chapel. It was a select
group the Corps Chaplain, the Corps RSM, the
Staff Captain A, senior RMA representatives
including one First War veteran, a SNCO, and
a Kings Badgeman, fresh out of training.
The President at that time was General
Peter Spurgeon, the chairman Col Tom
Seccombe, and the long-term secretary
was George Montgomerie. George was
very seasoned: I remember him saying
“they won’t get that past MY Council!”
After an afternoon service in the Chapel
we attended the Sunset Last Post at the
Menin Gate to lay a Royal Marine wreath.
I remember an Australian gentleman, in
his 90s, placing his wreath just before us,
stooped and in tears. He had not been back
to Europe since the fighting 75 years before.
The following day we were given a fine
cemetery and battlefield tour by the late
Richard Lewis (ex-Royal Marines officer),
most articulate and knowledgeable. In his
company one was bound to be well sustained.
It was a particularly hot day, and out on the
battlefields our splendid old veteran felt the
heat, I remember the six-foot Kings Badgeman
giving him a piggyback to the transport, for
which the old-timer was most grateful.
The whole organisation
seemed time honoured,
well ordered and rather
sedate. Everyone knew
where they stood.
Peter and Sue Spurgeon would stay with us
at Gibraltar house. Sue later told me she
was rather put out when we offered her a
“nap” in the afternoon, to recoup before the
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