HIS Majesty the King today welcomed a new generation of commandos on his first visit to their training centre as the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines.

 

In his capacity as captain general Royal Marines, the King watched 28 recruits of 362 Troop pass out at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone.

He told the successful recruits and their families: “As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course.

“We are fortunate indeed to be able to rely on you – as well as on those families here today who so loyally support you.”

For the first time since his grandfather King George VI in 1939, His Majesty presented the coveted King’s Badge to the recruit deemed the most impressive of those passing out, before watching the remaining successful recruits receive their iconic green berets, earned over 32 gruelling weeks.

Marine Stephens from North Wales was just three weeks away from passing out last year when he picked up a serious injury.

After ten months recuperating, he resumed his training this autumn and completed his final five weeks with aplomb to earn that badge – an honour and memorable moment in his career, but especially so to receive it from His Majesty The King.

“This moment will stay with me for ever. I know the last time a King presented the King’s Badge was back in 1939, it’s quite daunting to think that I will be only the second Royal Marine to enjoy that honour,” said the 20-year-old.

“Definitely the hardest part of my training was when I was injured, a real shock to pick up a leg injury, after doing so well for so long. But with determination I took the knock, got back up again and got myself back to where I wanted to be.”

Also triumphing over adversity after a lengthy shoulder injury picked up late in training – he spent five months recuperating and rehabilitating – and the only recipient of a green beret from His Majesty was 20-year-old Marine Ryan from Merseyside.

He received the Commando Medal for epitomising the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine.

To acknowledge that achievement, he was singled out to receive his green beret – the Commandos’ iconic headgear – from His Majesty.

“Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing – honestly the biggest honour I could ever have. I’m very aware that no-one in the Royal Marines has had their beret presented by the monarch, I’m so proud. It is a great honour!” said Marine Ryan.

“The lads in the troop have been brilliant, a really great bunch of guys, we’ve been through so much in the past few weeks together.“

His Majesty used his visit to announce the renaming of two of the Corps’ most prized awards.

Henceforth the Best Marine of the Year will be known as the King’s Royal Marine of the Year.

And the best young officer to complete training will receive The King’s Sword.

His Majesty’s visit to Lympstone – where he went through Commando training 50 years ago – opened with a welcome from Colonel Innes Catton RM, Commandant CTCRM, and a General Salute from a Royal Guard of 96 Royal Marines and the Royal Marines Band Lympstone.

After proceedings on the parade ground, His Majesty moved to the Tarzan Course to see recruits completing one of the four gruelling Commando Tests which qualify them to wear the much sought-after green beret.

The King met instructors, Royal Marines who’ve recently returned from operations and those who have been involved in training Ukrainian Forces, Royal Marines Cadets and staff from the Royal Marines Charity, and had the chance reminisce of his time at the base in 1974 with a tour of the facilities.

His Majesty was also introduced to families and veterans, among the latter D-Day veteran Norman Ashford.

Known affectionately by today’s Royal Marines as ‘grandad’, the 100-year-old drove a landing craft on June 6 1944 and is one of a handful of Royal Marines still with us from the Normandy landings. He returned to the beaches in June to pay homage to comrades on the 80th anniversary.

Before departing, His Majesty signed the visitors’ book at the Officers Mess, where he also met families of serving Royal Marines.

Colonel Catton RM said the royal visit was “an extremely proud moment for all those involved and the crowning glory of this the Royal Marines 360th anniversary year.

“For the King to take time to come down to Lympstone to present the King’s Badge and Commando Green berets to the King’s Squad, as well as speak to his Marines will be an enduring memory for my staff and the whole Royal Marines family.”

The King holds the title captain general Royal Marines and is the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines, assuming the role in October 2022.

Previous holders have been his father Prince Philip, his grandfather King George VI and his great grandfather King George V, who in 1918 designated that the senior training squad should be known as the King’ Squad and the best all-round recruit awarded the King’s Badge.

During his time as a Royal Navy Helicopter Pilot in 1974 whilst serving with 845 Naval Air Squadron and onboard HMS Hermes, The King undertook commando training with the Royal Marines at CTCRM.

The Commando Training Centre is the primary training centre for the Royal Marines.

CTCRM is divided into three training wings (Command Wing, Commando Training Wing and Specialist Training Wing) each with its own Commanding Officer.

On average, 1,300 recruits, 2,000 potential recruits and 400 potential Officers attend training courses every year. In addition, the Training Wings run upwards of 320 courses a year for around 2,000 students.