Kings Badgemen

[exrm193]

Anybody know if there are any books/publications about Kings Badgemen in general?

We all know the origins, but were there any really famous ones??

[ratso]

Have you tried e-mailing the Corps Museum?
They have records on most things to do with service records, and have a listing of most books corps related.

[Yorkie Malone]

I can not recall ever seeing a book about KB's all you get is the phot in the drill shed.

But there are several that i know of who have had various carears in the Corps.

I can remember asn a nod that there was a driver who wore the KB. We could not belive that he was just?!? a driver.

Watch it exrm 193. I can see that you are going to have to do a lot of research to put the book together.

I know noffing

[exrm193]

"putting a book together"

Two hopes!!

I was just planning on reading one.

[thokenda]

The only particularly famous one I met was the leader of the 'Gut', punch-up in the early 50's. Was a Cpl but was busted at a Court Martial, much talk of him losing the Badge as well, but he kept it and returned as a Marine working in the Company Office. He returned to UK and went outside shortly after.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: thokenda on 2002-01-10 17:07 ]</font>

[csoldier]

I can vaguely remember hearing about the famous "Gut Punchup" from a couple of guy's who actually took part in it...is there anyone that can recall what happened that day???

[John_D]

If I recall it correct the way it was told to me it started out with some marines out on the town"I cant recall if they were from 45 or 40" they were having a good time when there was a bit of trouble with "Tiny" if you recall he was the big Maltese Police Sergeant, The way I heard it was Tony layed into one of the lads I,m not quite sure if he killed him or gave him a good beating,a few days later 45,and 40 marched onto the gut and there was a riot.Like I have said Im not quite sure of all the facts but Im sure something in what I have said wiil prompt some ones mind and the we can get the true facts,

Aye John_D

[Andy O'Pray]

The way the Gut mutiny was told to me was that a couple of marines had been beaten by Tiny and his crew, they were then arrested and put in jail.

By the time the story got back to St Andrew's barracks, it had escalated to, that one of the marines had been killed. Some of the unit then organised themselves and marched on the gut to take revenge.

Again, the story is secondhand, however, if it adds any weight to it's credibility, I also had my scull split by Tiny.

[ratso]

I'm pretty sure that as a royal award it would have to go all the way before a Kings Badge could be taken away once awarded no matter what the indiscretion. Its not like a stripe, it is documented into the annals of corps history.

[Shoulderholster]

I'm not sure which one, but wasn't Julian Thompson or Jeremy Moore a KB?.
The "Gut" talk about history repeating itself
who remembers the "Paceville Incident" with 41 & 40 (in 75 I think).

[Nomad]

It was 75 alright - remember the incident well...

I was in HQ & Sigs on Intrepid on the Turkey Exercise Deep Dawn (or was it an Express) and was drafted to 41 (Malta)on the way home dropped off at the docks suitcase and seaman's for a no 98 bus to St Andrews...

But I was not nor am not a Kings Badgeman.
_________________
Yours Aye



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nomad on 2002-01-11 08:25 ]</font>

[dave barrett]

I'm almost certain Julian Thompson and Jeremy Moore were not KB men.....But they were certainly excellent soldiers and leaders. The two KB's I remember best both had bad times in the Falklands...Barry Howells, a radio tech got a very beat up leg the first time Sir Galahad got bombed, and Eddy Candlish, got shot down on D Day...He was the guy who was shot at in the water by the Arg...Fanning Head Mob, as he was trying to get his pilot ashore...sadly the pilot died..Now there is a brave man!!

I was too young for the Gut riot, but was around for the Paceville one!

Regards Dave Barrett

[Rotary Booty]

We had an unusal Kings Badgeman in our Squad, 645, when we passed for duty in June 1956 at Eastney Barracks. He was back-squaded to us when we arrived for Commando Training at Bickleigh, and he was an ex-pongo! He already had 3 medals, and if I remember right he was a 3 badge marine! They made him a Diamond and he was awarded the KB. His name was Gurney and I never saw him again, or heard of him, after the pass-out parade. I guess he was originally 643 or 644 Squad, but if anyone came across him, or knew him, it would be interesting to know how he did in the Corps after recruit training.
Regards, Derek

[eddycan]

Whilst feeling very humbled by Dave Barret's words about me on this topic, I can hopefully add to the general discussion, by saying no it wasn't Julian Thompson or Jeremy Moore, but rather General Pounds, who remains the only Marine to have ever risen from the ranks as a KB, to General rank. Quite an achievement even for wartime.
Perhaps the earlier contributor was correct, maybe there is scope for a book on the subject. I certainly know KBs myself, who I consider to have had pretty remarkable careers.