Monday 23rd April 2018 was a very special day in the branch and club calendar.  Firstly, in the morning there was the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Zebrugge Raid in 1918. This took place at the Cross of Sacrifice at St James cemetery in Dover.  From there the parade moved into the town centre  and marched to the town hall where a further short service was held, and the Commemorative Bell, which used to hang at the end of the Mole where fierce fighting took place, and which was presented to Dover from the people of Zeebrugge as a memorial to all those lost, was sounded “Eight Times”. Afterwards, a reception was held in the Connaught room of the town hall.

Later, in Deal, after many years in the planning, the opening of the Royal Marines Heritage Trail took place.  This began at 1500 when The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood marched from the South Barracks housing estate, followed by a Company of serving Royal Marines from 42 Commando RM, in full Blues, wearing Pith Helmets and carrying rifles.  They marched through the Jubilee Gates onto the main road leading to Walmer and Deal town. This march was viewed by thousands of residents and hundreds of school children who had been let out of school early to watch this nostalgic event.  The march continued to Deal Castle and formed up alongside some fifty former Royal Marines, many RMA, RBL and other standards, a very smartly turned out party of former Wrens and RM and Sea Cadets from several local units.  The RM Heritage Trail was then officially opened by the Commandant General Royal Marines Maj Gen C R  Strickland OBE. This was followed by an inspection of all those on parade by the CGRM and Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL.

On completion of the inspection the whole parade exercised their right to the Freedom of Deal, originally granted them in 1945, by marching through Deal with  ‘Bayonets Fixed’ and ‘Flags Flying’ along the promenade to Deal Pier where the salute was taken.  The parade then continued through the town centre and was dismissed at the town hall.  A wonderful occasion for Deal, the Branch and our Royal Marines, we thank Bill Butler for all his hard work to make this happen.

with many thanks to Bob Davies.