Royal Marines

History Tracking

In Oct 1664, during a war with the Dutch, The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot was formed in the City of London. Also known as the Admiral's Regiment, these were land soldiers for sea service, funded by the Admiralty. They enforced discipline afloat, formed landing and boarding parties and guarded the hatches, magazines and the ships' keys. In 1689, they were disbanded, then reformed and disbanded again. By 1694 they were also manning the cannon. In 1699, they were transferred to the Army and the regiments abolished.

Reformed again in 1702 as six regiments for the War of Spanish Succession, the corps distinguished itself in 1704 for its marathon defence of Gibraltar - the only battle honour carried on its Colours, by order of King George IV. The Marines served worldwide, accompanying Lord Anson on his circumnavigation of the world, assisted General Wolfe's assault on Quebec, were at Bunker Hill in the American War of Independence and were at the Nile and Copenhagen facing Napoleon's fleet. In 1802, in recognition of their achievements, they became the Royal Marines. In 1804, they were organised into the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

Further doubt about the future of the Corps existed in the early part of the 20th Century, when its officers were frequently transferred to the Royal Navy, until it formed part of the Royal Naval Division in Flanders in the First World War and took part in the Zeebrugge Raid on the U-Boat base. In 1923, recruit training was centralised at Deal in Kent. Other shore bases were concentrated around the Naval Dockyards at Plymouth, Portsmouth and Chatham, which the Royal Marines were also to defend when not at sea. The 1924 Madden Committee report included amphibious operations in their role, specifically.

Shortly after the withdrawal from Dunkirk early in World War II, the Royal Marines held what little amphibious expertise existed and after the Special Service Brigades of the British Army, the Royal Marines were ordered to raise Commando units to meet Churchill's desire to set Europe ablaze, early in 1942. These eventually became 40 to 48 (Royal Marine) Commando and served in Brigades alongside the Army units. In 1946, the Army Commando units were disbanded.

On 1 April 2012, 43 Commando was reformed as the Fleet Protection Group at Faslane.

News

Wildcat and Apache in Norway for Exercise Clockwork

Mar 9, 2019 · Royal Navy’ 847 Naval Air Squadron Wildcats and Apaches from AAC 656 Squadron in Norway for annual winter training during arctic NATO exercise Clockwork
Royal Navy Wildcats Returned from French Mission

Jul 18, 2018 · Two Royal Navy 847 Squadron Wildcat completed their 5 month deployment to the Far East aboard the French assault ship FS Dixmude
AW159 Demonstration in Malaysia

Apr 17, 2018 · Two Royal Navy 847 NAS’ AW159 Wildcats embarked in the French Navy FS Dixmude assault carrier for a 5 month deployment took part of a demonstration to the Malaysian Armed Forces at Lumut naval base
Wildcat Embark on French Ship for Pacific Deployment

Feb 27, 2018 · Two Royal Navy Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron will deploy for 5 months aboard the French Navy s assault carrier Dixmude to the Pacific in her premiere annual amphibious Exercise Jeanne d Arc
Royal Marines Merlin Mk4 First Flight

Oct 28, 2016 · The AW101 Merlin Mk4, converted from ex RAF HC.3, replaced the Junglie Sea King HC.4 and will be the mainstay of British Commando Helicopter Force for the next decade and beyond
Wildcats for the First Time in Arctic Training

Mar 10, 2016 · Royal Marines 847 Naval Air Squadron new Wildcats AH.1 helicopters, part of Commando Helicopter Force, spent six weeks in Norway for the first time in arctic conditions

Dec 7, 2015 · Final UK Lynx Helicopter Depth Overhaul
Jul 21, 2015 · Westland 100 Years Supporting The UK Armed Forces

Jul 13, 2012 · UK 847NAS switch to the Lynx Mk.9A

Units

		Abrev	From	To
Military Forces
847 squadron	847 naval air squadron	847NAS	1943
3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron		3 CBAS	1968	1995

Locations

2020	Bardufoss	ENDU
2008-2013	Camp Shorabak	OAZI
2006-2008	Basrah International Airport	ORMM
2000-2001	Pristina International Airport	BKPR
1991	Silopi airstrip
1991	Bamerne	ORBB
1982-	RNAS Yeovilton	EGDY
1982	Port Stanley	SFAL
1982	Navy Point
1976-1977	Belfast International Airport	EGAA
1975	Malta International Airport	LMML
1971-1982	Coypool
1971	Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport	WMKD
1970	Hong Kong / Kai Tak International Airport	VHKT
1964-1971	Sembawang	WSAG
1963-	RNAS Culdrose	EGDR
??-1977	St George's Barracks

Models

2013-	AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat AH1
1982-2013	Westland Lynx
1973-2005	Aerospatiale SA341B Gazelle AH.1
1970-1982	Westland Scout
1969-1982	Westland Wessex
1965-1975	Westland Sioux
1964	Hiller UH-12E Raven
1963-1964	Westland Whirlwind

Operations

01 Jan 20242024	31 May 20242024	Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024
17 Jun 20232023		King's Birthday Flypast 2023
21 Sep 20202020	15 Oct 20202020	Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2
30 Mar 20192019	11 Apr 20192019	Exercise Joint Warrior 19-1
06 Sep 20172017	--	Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria Relief Operations
03 Oct 20152015	06 Nov 20152015	Exercise Trident Juncture 2015
25 Oct 20112011	28 Oct 20112011	Staff College Sea Days 2011
11 Oct 20062006	05 Nov 20062006	Operation Vela (Green Eagle)
19 Mar 20032003	30 Apr 20092009	Operation Telic
07 Oct 20012001	31 Dec 20142014	Operation Herrick
07 May 20002000	15 Jun 20002000	Operation Palliser
12 Jun 19991999	--	KFOR (kosovo force)
24 Oct 19981998	01 Nov 19981998	Operation Tellar
04 Jun 19941994	05 Jun 19941994	D-Day 50th Anniversary Flypast
18 Apr 19911991	15 Jul 19911991	Operation Haven
02 Apr 19821982	17 Jun 19821982	Operation Corporate
27 Jun 19771977	28 Jun 19771977	Fleet Review: Silver Jubilee of HM The Queen
06 Jan 19711971	16 Jan 19711971	Operation Epigram
19 Nov 19701970	11 Dec 19701970	Operation Burlap
01 Aug 19691969	31 Jul 20072007	Operation Banner
20 Sep 19681968	13 Oct 19681968	Exercise Coral Sands

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