RMC Annual Review 2020-21 digital (1) - Flipbook - Page 42
Never above you, never below you, always by your side
Funerals
Crossing
the bar
During 2020, the year of
COVID-19, the Membership
Team were involved
with 130 funerals.
From a mother of a
former Royal Marine
From a sister of a
former Royal Marine
I want to say a ‘HUGE THANK
YOU’ to everyone who took part
in my son’s funeral service.
The passion and personable touch
that the Membership Team dedicate
to supporting funerals highlights
what makes us different from many
other Associations and demonstrates
the “Once a Royal Marine, always
a Royal Marine” statement.
The R.M. Attendees, The Guard of
Honour, The Standard Bearer, The
Buglers, the ex-officers who were
with him at C.T.C. and later. Please
forgive me if I have missed anyone.
Thank you so much for your call
today. To be perfectly honest with
you, I was completely overwhelmed
by your kindness. The thought of
being able to keep Bob’s Green Beret,
is wonderful. He always described
it as his proudest moment.
The level of support provided to
families is different for every funeral
as no two funerals are ever the
same. This can vary from just taking
a phone call and being a shoulder to
cry on, sending a condolence card,
arranging a Bugler and Standard
Bearer, supplying appropriate flags to
dress the coffin, organising veterans
to represent at the funeral, organising
veterans and funeral protocols at the
service and liaising with undertakers.
We have even conducted funerals from
start to finish, including the service of
Paupers Funerals where the former
Royal Marine had no family or money.
We will always do our best to make sure
every Royal Marine receives the sendoff they deserve after their service for
Queen and country. “Never above you,
never below you, always by your side.”
The planning, the timing, the whole
spectacle was carried out with respect
and feeling. It was an excellent
‘performance’ throughout. The part
which ‘creased ‘ me was when the
coffin came into church draped in the
Union Jack with one GREEN beret and
one BLUE beret. Depicting his 42 years
in services caring for others said it all...
As a parent, I felt the whole funeral
was so uplifting it reduced my grief
to one of pride (momentarily).
I send my heartfelt thanks & gratitude
to all those concerned for honouring
his life in such a fitting manner.
41 Independent Commando Memorial Day
A wreath was laid
at the Commando
Training Centre Royal
Marines (CTCRM)
Memorial in memory
of 41 Independent
Commando RM.
We are truly
humbled for your
warmth, support,
and are greatly
appreciative
for all your help
and kindness.
29th of November is 41
Independent Commando Memorial
Day. However due to COVID-19 the
commemorations have not been
possible. Phil Gilby MBE was asked
to lay a wreath at the Memorial
Wall at CTCRM, accompanied by
RSM Ross Wilson, on their behalf.
In August 1950, shortly after the
outbreak of the war between the
communist North Korea and South
Korea, 41 Independent Commando
was formed in Plymouth for service
with the United Nations who had
gone to the aid of South Korea.
Bob would never have believed
that the one thing in life he wanted
as a child, would be there with him
through his death. He was always a
Royal Marine in everything he did in
life — that mindset never left him.
Under command of Lt. Col. D.B.
Drysdale RM 41 Independent
Every hospital appointment I picked
him up for, he would say, “can you
pick me up at 11am”. I would arrive at
10.55, he would be on the door, and
say, “your cutting it fine aren’t you!”
Celebrating the 75th Year of the RMA
Having succeeded in its aim the
Commando was withdrawn from
North Korea on 23rd December 1951.
31 members of 41 Independent
Commando, whose names are
recorded on a roll of honour in St.
Mary’s Church, Bickleigh, where
another wreath will be laid on
their behalf on Sunday, were killed
in action or died in captivity.
There were numerous battle
casualties, caused by enemy action
and atrocious sub-zero weather.
Another 31 were prisoners of
war, some spending 3 years in
the most grim conditions both
physical and psychological,
during which 12 were killed.
41 Independent Commando
were recognised with numerous
awards for their service in Korea.
Once a Marine, always a Marine! I
thank you very much for everything.
42
Commando, with a strength of
just over 200, was composed
of three separate groups: a few
Royal Marines and sailors from
ships of the Royal Navy Pacific
Fleet, approximately 100 from
the UK, who were flown to Japan
in civilian aircraft of BOAC and
another 90 from a reinforcement
draft who had left Plymouth for
3 Commando Brigade in Malaya
and were diverted to Singapore.
www.rma-trmc.org
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