Before I write about day 211, I
wanted to say thank you to the Banachory Lodge Hotel http://www.banchorylodge.co.uk/
in Kincardinshire for generously gifting my accommodation and my dinner last
night.
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| Banachory Lodge in Kincardinshihre |
It was an absolute pleasure to stay at Banachory Lodge and to be looked
after with such warmth and kindness. I’m also grateful that they washed my
clothes! It’s been a long time on the road and due to walking during the day
and moving on to the next location straight away, it’s hard to complete normal
routine tasks; all these areas of support assist me and I’m very
grateful.
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| The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kincardinshire, Colin Champion DL FRGS |
I left Banachory Lodge and drove
to The Old Pier in Stonehaven, Kincardinshire where I was warmly welcomed by
the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Colin Champion.
I was delighted to be joined by
local cadets from The Air Training Corps, Army Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet
Corps. It was a pleasure to spend time talking to young people with a wide
range of interest and aspirations and I thoroughly enjoyed their company. For
more on the Air Training Corps, please click here; http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/
for more information on the Army Cadet Force, please click here; http://armycadets.com/ and
for more information on the Sea Cadet Corps, please click here; http://www.sea-cadets.org/
My thanks to the Commandant of 2
Highlanders Army Cadet Force, Colonel Dave Chapman MBE, Officer Commanding of
Stonehaven Sea Cadets, S.Lt.(SCC) Sean Fraser RNR and the Officer Commanding
Air Training Corps Portlethen, Flying Officer Sarah McLennan.
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| With Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Training Corps Cadets in Stonehaven, Kincardinshire |
The great thing about all three
organisations is that they have representation throughout Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, they have a huge range of opportunities and activities and
they are always looking to welcome new young people and adult volunteers to
assist.
Following our walk we were
welcomed back to the Maritime Rescue Institute http://www.maritime-rescue-institute.org/
who very kindly fed the whole group and generously treated us.
The Maritime Rescue
Institute (MRI) is a Scottish Charity based in Stonehaven. They have been
playing a key part in waterborne emergency response nationally and
internationally for many years.
Coming from a commercial
background, they have over 30 years’ experience and knowledge built on
programmes delivered to:
Search and Rescue Lifeboat Crews
Customs, Border Patrols, Military
Groups
Offshore Oil and Gas Standby and
Supply Vessels
Fishery Patrol, Seismic and
Survey Operations
This afternoon I travelled to the
Lord Lieutenancy county of Angus where I was welcomed at RM Condor in Arbroath
by the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Georgiana Osbourne and the Commanding Officer of 45
Commando Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Tanner.
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| Lord Lieutenant of Angus, Mrs Georgiana Osbourne & Commanding Officer of 45 Commando Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Tanner |
45 Commando Royal Marines (45 Cdo
RM) is a battalion sized unit of the Royal Marines and a subordinate unit
within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. Tasked as a Commando amphibious unit, 45 Cdo RM is capable of a wide range
of operational tasks. Personnel regularly deploy outside the United Kingdom on
operations or training. While 3 Cdo Bde RM are the principal cold weather
warfare formation, personnel are capable of operating in a variety of theatres
including tropical jungle, desert or mountainous terrain.
All personnel have completed the Commando course at the Commando Training
Centre (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon, entitling them to wear the green beret.
For more information on the Royal Marines, please click here; http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/Royal-Marines?&gclid=CNuc06Gr-bECFYcLfAodg24A9A
The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of
World War II. The proposal that the commandos should start wearing green beret
as their official headdress was submitted to the Chief of Combined Operations
and forwarded by Lord Mountbatten to the Under-Secretary of State for War.
Approval was granted and in October 1942 the first green berets were issued to
the Royal Marines.
The Royal Marines have a proud history and unique traditions. With the sole
exception of "Gibraltar", their colours (flags) do not carry battle
honours like the regiments of the British Army. The "globe itself" is
a symbol of the Corps. This reflects their engagement, from aboard ship, in a
host of naval battles and skirmishes, and amphibious actions, wherever the
Royal Navy fought in the age of sail.
I’d like to explain in a little more detail the history of the Royal Marine
Corps Crest as I visited the 45 Cdo RM Memorial Garden today and as I hope you
will see from some of my photographs, the whole garden is a design of their Corps
Crest.
The heraldic crest of the Royal Marines commemorates the history of the
Corps. The Lion and Crown denotes a Royal regiment. King George III conferred
this honour in 1802 "in consideration of the very meritorious services of
the Marines in the late war."
The "Great Globe itself" surrounded by laurels was chosen by King
George IV as a symbol of the Marines' successes in every quarter of the world.
The laurels are believed to honour the gallantry they displayed during the
investment and capture of Belle Isle off of Lorient in April–June 1761.
The word “Gibraltar” refers to the Great Siege of Gibraltar by French and
Spanish forces, from 1779 to 1783, in support of the American Rebellion. It was
awarded in 1827 by George IV as a special distinction for the services of four
of the old Army Marine regiments (Queen's Own Marines, 1st Marines, 2nd
Marines, 3rd Marines) in holding that fortress against determined assaults,
despite extreme privation.
The Latin motto "Per Mare Per Terram" translates into English as
"By Sea By Land" describing how the Royal Marines both attack and
defend. The motto is believed to have been used for the first time in 1775.
The fouled anchor, incorporated into the emblem in 1747, is the badge of
the Lord High Admiral and shows that the Corps is part of the Naval Service.
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| The memorial to all those who have died in the service of 45 Commando Royal Marines since 1971 |
The Woodlands Garden is a focal point for remembrance and reflection in 45
Commando. The project was timely given the operational burden that they
shouldered in recent years and the sacrifice of the men. The Commando has
undertaken four tours of Afghanistan since 2002 as well as service in Iraq.
Since 2006, fifteen men have lost their lives and many more have been seriously
wounded. Woodlands Garden use to be the Commanding Officer’s kitchen garden. 45
Commando sought a place for their families, themselves, friends and supporters
to remember, reflect and contemplate.
They wanted to strike the right balance between sadness and celebration as
well as somewhere for those carrying mental scars to decompress and adjust in
the aftermath of operational duties. They also wanted to provide occupational
therapy for wounded men. Finally, they hoped building the garden might harness
grief and bereavement positively.
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| A view of 45 Commando Royal Marines Woodlands Garden showing the anchor in the foreground the globe in the middle ground & behind it, the granite memorial |
At the centre of the garden is a large piece of granite, bequeathed by a
local quarry that bears the names of all the men from 45 Commando who have lost
their lives on operational duty since 1971 when they moved to Condor. BY going
back to 1971, 45 Commando wanted to ensure that the garden wasn’t just about
their time, but to salute the inspirational sacrifice made by their forebears
in the Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland. The garden contains a superb
centre-piece in the image of the cap-badge of the Royal Marines; commemorative
rocks from Northern Ireland, Norway, the Falkland Islands, Kosovo, Iraq and
Afghanistan. There is also an 18th century anchor from Portsmouth
Dockyard and a beautiful variety of shrubs, trees and plants.
I am sincerely grateful to
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Tanner, Major Tom Patterson and my great friend,
Lieutenant Colonel John Maddison, for the opportunity to visit RM Condor and
the privilege to see their Woodlands Garden today. I was also delighted to meet
the family of the Lord Lieutenant and Colonel Mike’s children. It was a very
special day for me.
I finished Day 212 of my BRIT
2012 mile walk with 651 miles to go.
With best wishes,
Phil