According to a recent update from the Royal Navy, His Majesty the King made a significant visit to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, marking his first appearance there as the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines.
The visit saw the King overseeing the completion ceremony of 362 Troop, the latest cohort to earn the coveted green beret after 32 weeks of rigorous training.
In an emotional moment, the King awarded the prestigious King’s Badge to Marine Stephens from North Wales, an honour last presented by his grandfather, King George VI, in 1939. Marine Stephens, who had overcome a serious injury that delayed his progress, described the experience as life-defining. “This moment will stay with me forever,” he said, as quoted in the update, reflecting on the rarity of receiving the badge from a reigning monarch.
Another recruit, Marine Ryan from Merseyside, received the Commando Medal for exemplifying the core values of the Royal Marines throughout his training. Despite a challenging shoulder injury, Marine Ryan completed his training with resilience and was honoured with his green beret, presented by the King himself. “Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing – honestly the biggest honour I could ever have,” he remarked, as quoted in the update.
The King’s visit included an announcement on renaming two prestigious awards within the Corps. The Best Marine of the Year will now be known as the King’s Royal Marine of the Year, while the top young officer’s award will be titled The King’s Sword. This rebranding reinforces the Royal Family’s long-standing connection to the Royal Marines, with the King himself undergoing commando training at Lympstone in 1974.
Colonel Innes Catton RM, Commandant of CTCRM, called the royal visit “the crowning glory of this, the Royal Marines’ 360th anniversary year,” as quoted in the update. He noted that the King’s presence underscored the enduring bond between the monarchy and the Royal Marines, adding an element of tradition and continuity to the day’s ceremonies.
The visit also included a meeting with veterans and families, most notably 100-year-old D-Day veteran Norman Ashford. Referred to by today’s Marines as ‘grandad,’ Ashford is one of the few surviving Royal Marines who took part in the Normandy landings in 1944.
Just a few miles from where I live. I often see Merlin’s flying to or from the base (I assume). An honour to have His Majesty in Devon.
A lovely part of the world, I went through CTC in 98, lovey summer, went winter.. bit Devon is great. Exmouth is also beautiful. Is Devon cliffs having camp still there, we would often run form there back down Exmouth along the coast. Straight point was just above the haven holiday park, back then.
Woodbury is a beautiful place too, I spent many a cold and tired night on the common, but it was a beautiful place when you wasn’t hating it.
I always loved a night out in Exeter, I hear it’s got a bit more rough now, but back then we had issues with local lads, as we had money and the girls liked that. I recall the pi bwe refers to as the Nods head, it may of been called the kings head, and about 100meters down the highstead was jumpy Bs,or hep Bs as we’d call it, night club. Are they both sill there almost 30 years on?
Longtime Exmouth/Exeter resident here. Nods Head is the Turks Head on the high street. turned into a Prezzo for ages but is now back as the Turks head. You wouldn’t recognise it inside but its a great pub with its own micro-brewery.
Humphrey B’s (Hump-me-please) nightclub is long gone unfortunately, now a Wetherspoons.
It was 30 years ago. We use to call it Hep Bs lol. From what I really of the Nads, it was a nice looking pub back in the 90s. But that could be rose tinted glasses.
Humphrey B’s form what I recall was a dive with cheesy music. Had some good nights in there. Chers I believe, reminds me of that place every time I hear it.
Of course it would be a weathers now. 😞