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NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2007 21
Commando march
THE sombre statues that He said: “With little or no pros- year’s race. required to run the 6.9 miles to
rain.” obvious to me that the weather,
stand on the bank of Spean
pect of being involved with any- “It soon dawned on me that, Castle Commando (or Achnacarry After a night of pre-race prepa- terrain, age, and the bloke with
Bridge bore silent witness
thing resembling a military being a total novice, I should find House) at the double, carrying rations (or drinking and dancing a set of gym weights in a cook-
to this year’s Commando
operation on far- out exactly what I had volunteered battle order and rifle at a weight as it’s called by non-Marines), the ing pot was really, really going to
Speed March, as Royal
flung shores, I for...” of 36lb, within the allotted time of big day dawned. annoy me.
decided to put What he had volunteered for 60 minutes. “It was time. All training was “As we fought to make ground
Marines from across the UK
my frustration was a traditional race that dated The modern version dates back put aside, it was now down to it became apparent to me through
gathered in the Great Glen.
to good use and back to 1940 where it was the first to 1996 with the participants rais- individual effort and determina- snot-filled eyes that the CTCRM
Among the teams competing
put my name hurdle for volunteers for com- ing money for the Commando tion. Unfortunately for some of team was giving a good account
were men from the Commando
forward for mando training. Benevolent Fund and the Airborne the lads getting rigged after a of itself. Three of the team had
Training Centre RM
this These hopefuls Forces Charities. couple of pre-match warmers the gone off strong from the start
in Lympstone,
on arrival WO2 Evans continued: night before was a similar epic,” and appeared to be holding the
including WO2
a t the sta- “Arriving at Inverness Airport, we said WO2 Evans. charge.”
Gareth Evans.
tion were greeted by the usual Scottish “Weigh-in complete, it was time This promise held true with
were welcome. Unfortunately the to move to the start and wait for Capt Steve Tamlyn, Col Sgt Mike
Proclaimers were double-booked, the inevitable air horn. Beaton and Cpl Pete Belcher all
so we had to make do with the “As the race began it became finishing in the top three.
The CTCRM team netted the ● The CTCRM team: (back row) Si Knowles, Yorkie Carr, Ash Ashton,
Steve Tamlyn (joint 3rd), Micky Moss, Carl Watkins, (front row) Matt overall winners slot and the tro-
Beaton (joint 3rd), H Jones, Pete Belcher (2nd), Steve Congreve, Ian phy now stands proudly in its new
Glade, Gareth Evans and Mat Lawson home in the south-west.
● (Top) The Commando memorial at Spean Bridge Main picture: WO(Phot) Ian Arthur
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WHILE everybody else was bask- 50 Pier Street, West Hoe
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Morice Square, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4PQ
tion Group were speed marching
through the heart of London.
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The Marines started out from
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The six-mile speed march fin-
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ished in Horse Guards Parade
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where the green berets joined the
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Royal Marines for the Graspan
Memorial Service.
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commanding the RM detach- FREE high speed internet
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speed-march was running past the
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pool. Close to Disney
Square – then receiving a cheer
Email:
from the public and tourists as we
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passed Downing Street.” Website:
The Marines were wearing full
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Northwood Detachment speed
march through London www.navynews.co.uk
Tel: 01202 723494. Email: cherry-
Picture: LA(Phot) Gregg Macready
tree_poole@btinternet.com
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