RMC Annual Review 2020-21 digital (1) - Flipbook - Page 56
Never above you, never below you, always by your side
Cliff assault
We were faced with trying to fill
the void left by fixtures and events,
national lockdown and restricted travel
only compounded the issue, a third
of our Membership are classed as
‘vulnerable’ — but try telling them that.
Cliff
assault
WO2 Rob McIntyre and Steve Perry
MBE conceived one of the toughest
and poignant challenges that took
place during the Heroes at Home
Campaign, The Cliff Assault Challenge.
The idea was to
yomp from the sea
at Chapman’s Pool
up to the Royal
Marines Memorial
on Emmets Hill.
COVID–19 saw the cancellation of RMA
Rugby fixtures, much like every other
sporting fixture in the calendar.
Each round trip was 1.5 miles, and the
team decided to make 245 assents
and descents for each Royal Marine
killed in active service since 1945.
These ranged from campaigns and
War including Northern Ireland,
training accidents in UK and abroad
and the attack by the IRA on The
Royal Marines Band at Deal in 1989.
The Royal Marines Memorial at
Emmets Hill was built to remember
all RMs who have died on active
service since 1945 and overlooks the
training area for the D-Day Landings.
Built from carved stone the memorial is
scribed with the words — REST AWHILE
AND REFLECT THAT WE WHO ARE
LIVING CAN ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF
THE SEA AND COUNTRYSIDE.’ Encased
in its natural stone walls is a well-kept
garden which is maintained monthly
by members of RMA Poole Branch.
They also wanted to do something
to honour and remember all Royal
Marines and attached ranks who
have lost their lives through suicide,
illness, natural causes, and accidents
out of duty. They decided to add one
more Yomp to honour these men and
woman bringing the total to 246.
For each of the 246 trips a British
Legion Memorial Poppy Cross
was planted for each of the Royal
Marines who lost their lives, including
one extra to commemorate and
honour those who have also lost
their lives in the line of duty.
Some members also planted crosses for
those who were close to their hearts.
The troops rallied and they were
quickly supported by branch
members and comrades.
In true yomping bootneck climatic
conditions, the event took place on the
very wet and windy weekend of Friday
23rd—Sunday 25th October, culminating
in a memorial service led by RMA
Poole Chaplain Rev John Hainsworth.
They were able to play The Last Post
courtesy of a recording, bless the
crosses and remember our fallen. A
wreath was laid on behalf of RMA
Poole and RMA Rugby branches.
The service finished with a slice
of Corps Birthday cake and a few
drops of Port whilst toasting absent
friends and the Corps Birthday.
It was a wonderful opportunity to
meet with old friends, events like this
provide much more than fundraising
opportunities and promote positive
mental health among veterans
and the serving corps alike.
As one of the lads commented
to me walking up the hill: “Rob,
I really needed this, thank you!
I have missed bootnecks.”
The event raised £11,044 in total
and was the absolute epitome of
Corps Family. It was brilliant to see
how many people turned up to
plant crosses, support the yompers,
and share their experiences.
We hope to make this an annual
event, and get more of the
Corps Family involved.
Although the event was originally
going to be manned by Steve and
Rob over a long weekend, they
quickly realised they needed
more boots on the ground.
They needed to
cover 369 miles
and a height over
30,750 metres.
56
Celebrating the 75th Year of the RMA
www.rma-trmc.org
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