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RSM's

Discussions about those units who make up the Commando’s.
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JR
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RSM's

Post by JR »

:D Looking at the recent list of Royal Marine RSM.s of which there are 12 serving in various establishments.
Anyone know of what proportion of specialist qualifications these Gentlemen hold,I can remember the great Maurice Ruff being a PW and at one time the range warden Straight Point.
I would hazzard a guess that the DL and PW branches would cater for most of the running.

Going back over the years I can remember when there was a Fleet RSM,and even the Technical training wing had its own RSM(T).

Sweep the cobwebs away Gentlemen and come up with your answers,and of course characters.Aye jr :wink: :wink:
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Post by El Prez »

Jim Tappin, RSM Fleet 1974-5-6.
Then on to 45 in 1979 (?). PW and a brilliant instructor. Later SD.

"Ignorance breeds fear,
knowledge breeds confidence."
You should talk to somebody who gives a f**k.
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Post by Shoulderholster »

Jim
Maurice Ruff,now theres a name to conjure with!,he always struck me as the epitome of an RSM.
Thank fark he never caught me glimping his daughter getting changed when I was on wandering picket at St Andrews.
We used to make a detour around his house rather than walk past it on our way down to St Georges Barracks,the brave ones,under the cover of darkness used to sneak into his back garden,but his daughter was essence and worth the risk.

SH
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Post by JR »

:D SH,
I knew Maurice for a number of years going back to the Straight Point days when Maurice and the family lived on the point and the range staff in separate accommodation in a bloody damp and cold tin shack.
But the highlight of the week was to sieve the butts for nickel and lead,a very profitable pastime.Aye jr :angel: :angel:
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RSM's

Post by Delboy »

Had a great RSM (T), Phil ??? ( Memories fading but I believe," Beasley") at 4 CDO LAD based at Bickleigh in 1969. One day I had to go to Stonehouse with the wrecker to pick up a 3 tonner and he, having other business there, came with me.

Arrived at Stonehouse and he said , " Lets go to the cafe for a coffee Sticks " and we started walking ( ambling ) across the parade ground toward the main gate. Next thing, a Stripey in very loud voice was shouting " Oi, you two, get over here at the double ". We were both in overalls and showing no rank ( I had no rank anyway :( ). Phil said , don't run, just walk over to him.

By the time we got to him he was apoplectic. Phil let him have his rant for a few minutes then casually drew back his right sleeve revealing his wrist band showing his rank and saying , " do you normally shout at Officers and Warrent Officers. I'm confused now and start looking around for an officer, when he looked at me and said " Come on Sir, we are short on time " and Sgt, this parade ground is dirty , I suggest you get a broom and sweep it. As we moved away , this Sgt saluted me and apologised and all I could do was stutter, "carry on ".

He chuckled over that for days after.


Del
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Post by sneaky beaky »

The RSM,s that I remember well, were, in order of seniority (I think!) :-

Tom Pedricks. He was our RSM for Kings Squad at Eastney in November 1969. I think he was also RSM at RM Poole or ATURM as it was in those days. He was a good guy and a member of Poole RMA. He died fairly recently (6 months ago).

Jack Lacey. Not one to be remembered with affection.

There was a guy at Poole nickmamed "The Pink Pig" I think his name was Jim Politt? Another guy not remembered with affection!

RSM Frank Agass. Another RSM at Poole, in fact I think he was the RSM when I first went there as a GD Marine. Thought he was very fair but strict. Found out very much later, he was "on the square". Knew he was a good guy.!!

RSM Bert. Blythe. However Bert got to be RSM, I don't know. He and his brother were punchy bastards and would find a fight anywhere. However when I eventually made Sgt. - Bert and I were drinking "oppo's" and had some brilliant times.

And eventually, SBS had a guy who made Corps RSM.
Willie Stocks. I was in 41 Cdo. in Malta in 1976. Willie was a Cpl. I was a Sgt. - getting my "balanced career"!
I talked Willie into joining the SBS. Best talk I ever gave. Good guy.
He's still around, working for the Special Boat Squadron Association.
That's a bit of memory recalled!!
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Post by Rotary Booty »

RSM Tom Franks

Also just died recently. :cry:

He was RSM at Stonehouse Barracks in 1956 when I was on the Part 1 of my JNCOs Course. Every Tuesday morning we would form up on the edge of the parade, and Pip Gregory would scream, "Gas, gas, gas". We then completed the next hour's parade and drill session wearing respirators! :o

I forgot to de-mist my respirator, and Tom must have spotted this during the inspection as I stood there with two huge white eye pieces, and couldn't see! He then 'invited' me to take 12 of the course for drill. I tried to visualise where my squad were by turning them to the left each time, but got it wrong somewhere along the way. Pip was screaming blue murder at someone, when I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders turning me to face in the opposite direction; it was Tom Franks. "Take your respirator off Cpl". My squad were marking time up against the guardroom wall! :oops:

Tom and Pip must have had a ball in the Sgts Mess afterwards, but neither of them punished me for this slip up. I guess they realised I'd learned my lesson.

Great guys.

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Post by JR »

:wink: Cheers those few names brushed away a few cobwebs,Pip squeak Gregory,I can hear those dulcit tones now.
Another name to conjure with Tom Franks and Stonehouse barracks the JNCO wing.

Many thanks names I almost forgot,I think its great to revive old memories it certainly keeps me on track.Aye JR :wink: :wink:
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Re: RSM's

Post by Doc »

Delboy wrote:Had a great RSM (T), Phil ??? ( Memories fading but I believe," Beasley") at 4 CDO LAD based at Bickleigh in 1969. One day I had to go to Stonehouse with the wrecker to pick up a 3 tonner and he, having other business there, came with me.

Arrived at Stonehouse and he said , " Lets go to the cafe for a coffee Sticks " and we started walking ( ambling ) across the parade ground toward the main gate. Next thing, a Stripey in very loud voice was shouting " Oi, you two, get over here at the double ". We were both in overalls and showing no rank ( I had no rank anyway :( ). Phil said , don't run, just walk over to him.

By the time we got to him he was apoplectic. Phil let him have his rant for a few minutes then casually drew back his right sleeve revealing his wrist band showing his rank and saying , " do you normally shout at Officers and Warrent Officers. I'm confused now and start looking around for an officer, when he looked at me and said " Come on Sir, we are short on time " and Sgt, this parade ground is dirty , I suggest you get a broom and sweep it. As we moved away , this Sgt saluted me and apologised and all I could do was stutter, "carry on ".

He chuckled over that for days after.


Del

Top dit Del, made 'oi laugh! :lol:

Only RSM I got to know was Bob Ewing (spell check on surname incase Im too Dallas-ed up!), I think he was ex-ML. Was RSM at Chivenor with Logs and used to bimble over from the mess to my block and knock on my oppos door for porn! My mate went on leave and Bob was knocking away until I poked my head out and asked if I could help "ahh Jack yes I want some porn" "Hang on Sir" I had the collection on safe keeping and I thought well theres nowhere safer so handed them over!
I got asked by the Provost lads to do a sketch for his leaving run, I did a few when at Chivenor for different squadrons / troops etc, and spent a week doing a few sketches for his leaving pressy. Ended up doing a huge charcoal sketch depicting various aspects of his career and a comedy sketch of him climbing in Norge with all his kit getting lost! Apparantly he hanged up the comedy one in his bog in his new house!!!

My first RSM, whos name I dont recall, only got close when he came into the Sickbay for his discharge Medical, I was doing his height when the slide got stuck on the height board and as I gave it a nudge it smacked him on his swede!! My heart stopped until he said "weight next Doc and be kind!" I also pointed out to him when he had to depress the button on the hearing booth through the window as he was using the medical for entry into his shoreside civvy job! Didnt even get me a wet the bugger!
Cant remember his name but he apparantly went to work on the Channel Tunnel.

Mitch Proven SSM of 59 was a good bloke and whilst we never swopped spit or spent long evenings staring at the stars together, he did pull strings to get me permanent-ish with 59 and away from the hanger in Logs. He was abit of a sickbay ranger (but with good reason..sometimes :roll: ) and last I heard he was QM of the 59 TA unit up North.

Tony Boyle my SSM at Med Sqn was the best though, ex-ML and a keen Mountain Biker, he was another casualty of my pencil and after the presentation, myself Lumpy Long (Lance Jack of corps squash fame) where in Tony's office for a hot wet and some of Tony's dits.

(I hated all Naval SNCOs except Sinbad, Jumper Collins and Derek Taylor!)
Last edited by Doc on Sat 25 Jun, 2005 10:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Sticky Blue »

Will dit when sober...

I'm arabic at the moment; Stix Bin Workin Till Late 8)
Drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed...
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Post by Rotary Booty »

I think everyone will have heard of RSM Dai Morgan!

I wished him dead many times and, now, unfortunately, it has worked. :roll:

RSM at Deal in 1955 along with Tex Yardley, the first Drill. What a combination, and with Capt Mansell as the Adjutant, it made our parade ground sessions an absolute joy. :o

Dai was somewhat height challenged, but if you dared to look down at him when he asked a question, he went ballistic. He took some of my squad to the premier of Cockleshell Heroes where we marched on to the stage and presented arms before the film started. One of the girls back stage had a problem with a bra strap, and I was trying to saw through it with a blunt bayonet when Dai appeared with a pair of scissors and snipped off the loose end! "Bayonets are never sharpened in peace time love", he whispered in her ear.

I later saw him in 41 Cdo at Bickleigh as a Second Lieutenant Imprest Holder wearing old slacks and carpet slippers! :o

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Post by JR »

:wink: Derek....Dai Morgan another name to conjure with,Dai was Cpl DI rear rank instructor with my squad (479) Deal 1947 we often cursed the day we joined.
The second time we met 40 Commando Hong Kong 1949 the Fleet club,Dai walked over to the table looked me up and down and said 479 squad,bought us all a wet and buggered off.

Dai was TSM of B Troop 40 and led a patrol to locate and penetrate a occupied CT camp,the patrol was ambushed by 40 CTs,dai moved the patrol from the ambush position and attacked, the terrorist group withdrew after a losing a few killed.For that action TSM Morgan received the DCM,with Dai was a Marine 'Jock' Lowrie who had a long standing hate relationship with Dai going back to the Deal days,'Jock' provided covering fire while the patrol moved back.Jock Lowrie also received the DCM,I heard later that Jock skipped the medal presentation?.
Derek you must have encountered Dai when he was RSM 40 in Cyprus.
Aye jr :wink: :wink:
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Post by Artist »

Sneaky

Don't forget the other SB rating who made RSM, Jonny Moat. 5 foot 7 inches tall. First met him in 1980 when he had been "Farmed" out to get some time in as a Coy S/Major. HQ Sqn LOGS. Great sense of humour but mean as they come when you got on the wrong side of him. He was RSM at Eastney when I was working in the Dockyard. Well remember the "9 O'clock walk" after a Summer Ball!

Willy Stocks was my Bivvy partner in Alfa when I first joined from training. He was a Lancejack then. It was my first realisation that NCO's Dripped as well when their we were stuck on the Moor, persistantly chucking it down from on high and Willy was there sounding off about what a total Effing waste of Effing effing time this effing excercise was!

Mr Marice Ruff was an Oppo of my Pops from way back. On joining CTC from Deal the pipe went out "Recruit Evans, 51 troop report to the RSM" Shat bricks! Found his office and at first was relieved that it was "Uncle" Marice, then came the lecture about him keeping an eye on me etc, etc, His name from that day on was SIR! And I well remember his daughter. We used to play together as kids.

Looking at the last G&L saw a WO1 Steve Jones had been drafted to some Perce establishment with lots of letters n stuff as the new RSM. Have known him 30 years and was amazed to see that he was still in! As a lancejack he was a member of the SA80 trials team.

And lastly what was the name of the RSM of Stonehouse Barracks circa 1975/76 who would take great delight in shouting you over to him, whipping your Beret off and nailing it to his office window if it didnt have a lineing in it? Had a little terrier dog that could clear a room if it came through the door as you knew HE would be a few seconds behind it.

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Post by Si Capon »

"Black Jock" 40 CDO crica 1987???

Best B*llocking for B Coy ever by him in the cinema at Altcar ranges.

He cleared the seniors and officers out and then went into one.

"I HAD ANIMAL RUNS ASHORE WHEN I WAS A MARINE, WE ALL DID.....BUT I NEVER FELT THE NEED TO GIVE ANYONE A BLOOOOOW JOB!!!"

It was fantastic!! :D :D :D :D :D
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Post by sneaky beaky »

Artist,
I never knew John Moate made RSM.
He took over from me in the USA, on the exchange programme with the Seal Team.
I left the Corps very soon afterwards.
I'm glad he made RSM. I think he actually made officer status as a Lt. or even further.
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