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Gilly Howe. Royal Marine.

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Rover
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Gilly Howe. Royal Marine.

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Gilly joined Royal Marines at Deal in 1946, after infantry and advanced field training at Dalditch and Bickleigh he moved to Eastney for gunnery training and thence to Chatham for Kings Squad pass out.

Gilly then joined HMS Sheffield in 1947 for North Atlantic and West Indies cruise, and experienced gunboat diplomacy against Guatemalans in Belize. He then joined 40 Cdo in 1948 in Malta and travelled with them to Hong Kong and then to Malaya for the Emergency. Gilly was awarded DCM on operations in Malaya.

He then returned to Royal Marines Barracks, Stonehouse in 1951 for involvement in the London Lord Mayors Show and the Cenotaph commemorations. In 1952 he was drafted to HMS Vanguard as Corporal of the Gangway for Home Fleet visits to Holland and the Arctic Circle.

Late the same year to RMB Eastney for the SC3 course, Aldershot/Abingdon for parachute training and, on completion back to Eastney as Boat Team Cpl and qualified as SC2 in 1953 he was then drafted to HMS Royal Prince in Krefeld, Germany, for duties with the Rhine Squadron. He then returned to Poole in 1956 and was Promoted to Sgt and served as an instructor and as Sgt Major, 2 SBS.

He was then drafted to 42 Cdo in 1962 completing tours in Borneo during the confrontations. Gilly was founder of the combat tracker teams using dogs and Iban tribesmen. He was awarded the MM during confrontation as part of a combat tracker team engagement.

Returning to the UK in 1964 and fulfilled both training and operational roles including detachments to Gibraltar during Spanish 'sabre rattling' and border closure.

Whilst at Poole he became deeply involved in revolutionary CQB techniques and long range pistol shooting, and was instrumental in refining techniques for the take down of terrorist strongholds on oil platforms and ships at sea. He was awarded the BEM and MSM during this period.

CSgt Howe left the Corps in 1978. Gilly is something of a legend among his SBS peers, and deservedly so. His ideas and exemplary leadership have influenced many who have worked with, or come after him.

As a mark of respect the SBSA flag has been lowered to half mast.

C/Sgt Gilbert Rex Howe DCM MM BEM, joined the Corps 1946.

Distinguished Conduct Medal for Malaya London Gazette 12.6.51. Presented at Buckingham Palace, King George VI 14.11.51.

Military Medal for Borneo London Gazette 17.11.64. Presented at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II March 1965.

British Empire Medal 1976 Presented by CGRM Sir Peter Whitely.

Meritorious Service Medal, presented Januaary 1977 by Maj. Gen. P.L. Spurgeon.

LS&GC Medal 1962 and clasp 1977.

He also knocked off a considerable 3 Hours and 12 Minutes for the Devizes - Westminster canoe event with Marine Tandy.

RIP Gilly.
Many memories of a legend beyond his own lifetime.
Admit nothing. Deny everything.
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