About us and the events we have been involved in...

Medal of Honour
As reported in April newsletter Jim Kelly was presented with his Legion of Honour at the Zeebrugge Parade in April.
During his annual return to Lion-Sur-Mer in Normandy, the French also held a presentation, for Jim and his Oppo from 41, Dennis Fawcett
      
Jim receives his Medal of Honour from  French Consul, and in the photo is with School children and Dennis                                                                                              
Jim and Dennis both laid wreaths at the memorials to 41 Cdo Royal Marines earlier in the evening. The presentation of the Medals went smoothly except for one of the French Standard Bearers collapsing. Thankfully he made a full recovery. Thanks to RMA Merseyside, Richie Puttuck and the Royal Marines and Navy Museum for the donations to the goody bags. Excess bags were to be taken to the local school for distribution.

Lady Mayor addressing the Public

Jim taking Salute at 41 Cdo RM Memorial

Jim receiving his Legion of Honour from Jean Mouchel French Consul

Jim and Dennis with French School Children

Jim and Dennis in 41 Cdo RM Place, Lion Sur Mer

Jim and Dennis after receiving their Medals

Jim and Dennis giving goody bags to local school children

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Zeebrugge Parade   24th April 2016

There was an excellent turn out for the parade. The weather held until the final moments of the march past.
10.00am saw us all on the ferry for a short service and laying of wreaths and ashes into the river.
Back at the terminal a service was held in the restaurant.
All ranks then fell in around the memorial stone, were wreaths were laid.
Major General Wilson then presented Wally Bigland and our own President Jim Kelly BEM with their Legione Of Honour Medals.
All ranks were then inspected by the Mayor and Major General Wilson.
The parade then marched off, with eyes right at the dais.

Message from Major General Wilson
Dear Alan,

Forgive the use of email instead of a proper letter (I'm off abroad shortly) but I wanted to say thank you for taking charge of me so efficiently during what was, I thought, a superb event yesterday.
The arrangements and choreography were quite excellent and, of course, it was a distinct privilege to be able to present Jim and Wally with their Legion D'Honneurs (what delightful and characteristically understated men they both are)n and I gained much from the relaxed conversation with so many of the Members in the British Legion. I regret not being able to stay a while longer.
It was also very generous of your men to present me with such a marvellous bottle of malt which, I can assure you, will add immeasurably to my team's contentment on the banks of the Spey after a good days fishing in a couple of weeks time. Please pass on my appreciation.
I wish you and all branches represented on Sunday every good wish in the months and years ahead and I look forward to hopefully seeing you at the Reunion in September or, quite possibly, at some other event before then.
Thank you again for making Sunday so uncomplicated for me, and please be assured that I enjoyed myself enormously.

As ever,

David

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"Girls Go Commando"

On Saturday 10th October our very own fundraiser for RMA Merseyside branch, Debbie Partridge, along with two female friends took part in the 10k Royal Marines Commando Challenge down at Lympstone. Their team "Girls Go Commando" had been training hard in the lead up to the event to get themselves fit to take on the Endurance Course in all its glory which included the tunnels, smartie tubes, crocodile pit, Peter's Pool and the infamous Sheep Dip. As you would expect on a chilly October day, there was plenty of mud and cold water to keep the girls on their toes!

As well as the physical challenge, Debbie and her team had to raise a minimum of £60 per person in sponsorship. The two official charities at this annual event are RMCTF and Devon Air Ambulance and with two such worthy causes the team was keen to raise as much as they could and with the generous support of friends, family and the veterans at RMA Merseyside, they raised a fantastic £1200.

The girls were even more delighted to learn that they had also got first place in the Ladies Team Event and while they didn't get a coveted green beret, they were delighted with the trophy that was sent to them. 

Debbie's son Ben had joined the Corps at the tender age of 16 and had served with 42Cdo, going on Herrick 14 in 2011 so she was especially keen to take part in this event to help raise funds for RMCTF and also to get a taste for just a small part of the tough training that the lads go through. The water in the sheep dip must have affected her rational decision making as she has already signed up for the next one in October 2016.

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Normandy Revisited 2015

Jim Kelly, myself and Jims Nephew set off on Monday 1st June, to travel down to Pompey to pick up the ferry. On arrival in Portsmouth we called in at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, to pick up some goodies to give to the school children of Lion Sur Mer, kindly donated by Richie Puttock (RM Pens, bottle openers, balloons and stickers).

During the week wreaths were laid at Ranville, Hermanville and Douves Deliverande. Late on the 4th June, Pete Dugard and his wife joined us in Lion. Pete was map reading. So of course I received a phone call saying they were lost! (an Officer with a map...............!)

On Friday 5th June, Jim was honoured for his bravery by the people of Lion Sur Mer, and presented with the 70th Anniversary Medal. Unfortunately due to French red tape, the Legion of Honour could not be presented at this time. The local school children were in attendance, and received a speech from the President du Bombardment. (Similar organisation to our RBL) about the bravery of Jim and all the men who had landed and liberated Europe. The goodies given by Richie were given out to the children. Unfortunately, Jim had all the children involved in a huge balloon fight within minutes! Showing them how to get them to emit a rude noise! And releasing them all over the hall.
We were then taken for lunch with the Lady Mayor. ( I hate fish!)

On the 6th June we attended the service at Bayeux, and laid a wreath for 41 Cdo RM. In the evening we attended the Lion Sur Mer commemorations, and laid two wreaths. One at 41 Cdo Place, and one at the 41 Cdo Sundial Memorial. On Sunday 7th June, we were taken out on the area lifeboat, and sailed around to Lion Sur Mer, to get a view that the landing parties would have seen in 1944. I suppose there would have been less people sunbathing and walking along the prom in 44.

Mike Kelly

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Normandy Revisited

Jim Kelly, myself and Jims Nephew set off on Monday 1st June, to travel down to Pompey to pick up the ferry. On arrival in Portsmouth we called in at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, to pick up some goodies to give to the school children of Lion Sur Mer, kindly donated by Richie Puttock (RM Pens, bottle openers, balloons and stickers).

During the week wreaths were laid at Ranville, Hermanville and Douves Deliverande. Late on the 4th June, Pete Dugard and his wife joined us in Lion. Pete was map reading. So of course I received a phone call saying they were lost! (an Officer with a map...............!)

On Friday 5th June, Jim was honoured for his bravery by the people of Lion Sur Mer, and presented with the 70th Anniversary Medal. Unfortunately due to French red tape, the Legion of Honour could not be presented at this time. The local school children were in attendance, and received a speech from the President du Bombardment. (Similar organisation to our RBL) about the bravery of Jim and all the men who had landed and liberated Europe. The goodies given by Richie were given out to the children. Unfortunately, Jim had all the children involved in a huge balloon fight within minutes! Showing them how to get them to emit a rude noise! And releasing them all over the hall.
We were then taken for lunch with the Lady Mayor. ( I hate fish!)

On the 6th June we attended the service at Bayeux, and laid a wreath for 41 Cdo RM. In the evening we attended the Lion Sur Mer commemorations, and laid two wreaths. One at 41 Cdo Place, and one at the 41 Cdo Sundial Memorial. On Sunday 7th June, we were taken out on the area lifeboat, and sailed around to Lion Sur Mer, to get a view that the landing parties would have seen in 1944. I suppose there would have been less people sunbathing and walking along the prom in 44.

Mike Kelly

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Zeebrugge Parade 2015
"On Sunday 26th April, the sun shone on the River Mersey as Royal Marines past and present came together to go on board one of the Mersey Ferries in Seacombe, Wirral to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the raid on Zeebrugge.

The DCG RM, Brigadier Richard Spencer OBE was also in attendance as well as the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Steve Foulkes. There was a brief service on board conducted by Rev. Dr John Harrison and Rev. John Williams MBE followed by wreath laying in the river to remember the men who gave their lives. While on board, Brigadier Spencer took time to chat to two D Day Veterans, Mr Jim Kelly BEM and Mr Walter Bigland, both from RMA Merseyside.

Back ashore there was another service at the ferry terminal and on conclusion of this, wreaths were laid by representatives of Wirral Borough Council, the Royal Marines, RMR, RNR, RMA and RBL at the cenotaph, before all troops were inspected by key dignatories. The Boys Brigade and Girls Union Band, known as "Wirral Sound" performed for the supporting crowds including a rendition of” A life on the Ocean Wave” and provided a bugler for the last post as well as leading the march past.

The event was organised by RMA Merseyside and was fully supported by RMR Merseyside, Liverpool Detachment. After the formalities, all guests were hosted by RMA Merseyside at the RBL Wallasey for light refreshments."
Debbie Partridge

     Jim + Mike Kelly aboard Ferry (top), Eric + Frank with visiting RMA Member (left), Ass CGRM chats with Veteran (right)

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RMR Merseyside Zeebrugge Dinner:
"In advance of the Zeebrugge parade held in Wirral to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the raid and to remember the men who gave their lives, there was a mess dinner held at RMR Merseyside, Liverpool Detachment on Friday 24th April. The event was well attended by both current serving and former Royal Marines Reserves from the region as well as veterans from RMA Merseyside which included Mr Jim Kelly BEM, a D Day veteran who landed on Sword beach in Normandy. The Corps RSM WO1 Phil Gilby and Mr Danny Cox, trustee of RMCTF also attended.
Lt Col Jonathan Dowd, Commanding Officer RMR Merseyside also gave an update on successes from the Liverpool Detachment as well as an overview of the plans for the coming months. 

A raffle to win RM350 Monopoly board game as well as donations for the port fines given out on the night also raised a significant amount of money for RMCTF. Once the formalities were concluded, a live band entertained everyone into the small hours and a great night was had by all."

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Visit from Members of RMR Merseyside
Following on from the visit at February meeting, members of RMR Merseyside will be visiting our Branch on 27th May 2015. Your chance to ask questions, or get your hands on some military hardware on display.

RMR Merseyside on board MV Snowdrop during Zeebrugge Ceremonies

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News Flash!

Your President Jim Kelly BEM has be awarded the French Legion of Honour for his service in WW11

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Visit our Gallery to see pictures from our 2014 Corps Dinner

Click the images below to take you to the full gallery

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Unveiling of Plaque to Royal Marines in Birkenhead

Click the images below to take you to the full gallery

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Every Little Helps...as they say!

As part of their ongoing fundraising activity, the RMA Merseyside branch recently carried out two bucket collections at local Tesco stores in Wirral and collected a combined total of £2084 which is a new record for donations from these stores.

There was a good turnout on both days of RMA members as well as Royal Marines Mums and Grandmas who came to lend their support. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the Tesco customers who stopped to have a chat to find out more about the RMA as well as donating.
Thank you Tesco – every little helps!

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