Early-1920s Marines
 

Some time ago I purchased a large quantity of photographic postcards of Marines (chiefly taken at Deal in the early-1920s) and I thought that they might be of interest to our RM collectors. I've meant to put some on the forum for some time but never got round to it! Sorry! The early-20s were a great period of change for the Royal Marines and this is reflected in the variety of insignia and uniform shown in some of these pictures. A lot of the pictures depict various squads at Deal and various individuals within the squads. Unfortunately, while many individuals are named on the back of the pictures, very few of them are dated. I have selected just a few of the pictures but these are just a handful of the pictures I bought.

Firstly, here are some pictures of different squads.

Early-1920s Marines
 

And here are a few pictures of individuals and smaller groups.

Early-1920s Marines
 

The two pictures shown below do not come from the same collection of photographs but I am including them simply because they are interesting!

The first picture shows an RMLI scout (WW1 or prewar?) and the second shows a member of the RMA and is dated August 1919.

Early-1920s Marines
 

And finally a mystery! These gentlemen are obviously Marines but sporting rather unusual headgear! Any ideas about the date or where the picture might have been taken?

I hope these pictures have proved of interest and if anyone wants to see some more of the pictures from Deal please let me know!

Pete

Mystery headgear & question
 

Afternoon Guzzman
Total guess on the headgear picture - Boer War? The reason I offer this guess is based merely on a set of figures I once saw, mixed Naval ratings & RMA gun crew in the Boer War and one of the ratings had a hat like this.

Question - in your 2nd post, last picture (bottom right). Are you able to tell with naked eye or magnifying glass whether the collar badges end in a single leaf and therefore a point, or in 2 leafs?
Ray

Early-1920s Marines
 

Hi Ray

The picture with the mystery hats has had me puzzled for a while now! I thought at first it might be related to the Boer War but then I looked at the rifles - they appear to WW1 period Lee-Enfields. I know that some imperial German troops in the far East used to wear similar headgear so I have always wondered if they might be 'trophy' hats worn for the picture. They appear to be wearing blue tunics and white trousers which I have always thought of as rig for the Tropics. Its a real puzzle!

I'll get the magnifying glass out and check the other image!

Pete

Early-1920s Marines
 

Hello Ray

I've had another look at the picture (hopefully the right one - it was the coloured image wasn't it?) and it appears to end in a single leaf. I've also tried to enlarge the image for a better view. Excuse my ignorance (I'm more of an RN collector than an RM collector) but what's the significance?

Pete

The hats appear to be of straw, Senmet hats, I won't waffle on, some info. here:http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...t=25787&page=2

Early-1920s Marines
 

Definately not sennet hats. Never worn by marines and the ones in the picture are not RN pattern. Re forum reference - I wrote most of it :)!

Pete

Didn't mean that to sound as big-headed as it does! And thanks for venturing a suggestion.

Ne problema, hats look smaller on a phone screen is my excuse.
Badged on turn ups & looks like the front on at least one?

Is it possible that they are a team in a shooting competition? I seem to recall seeing pictures of "big hats" being worn at Bisley.

Tim

The bandoliers suggest horse mounted troops so I would agree that it is Boer war.

Many thanks for posting those pictures Guzzman. I have a feeling that many years ago I saw a copy of the one with the crossed rifles in front, and have a suspicion my father may be in the photo. He enlisted in the RMLI in 1918 and went on to serve 26 years in the Royal Marines. Invalided out in 1944 after being blown up in Italy in 1943.

I went over the photo with a magnifying glass and have a vague idea I might have recognised him, probably not as so many of them look pretty much alike, but it sure gave me a jolt.

Best wishes,

John

Early-1920s Marines
 

Hi John

I was half-expecting someone to say that they had identified a member of their family! I think it's really great! As I said I also have a lot of pictures which have the names of the Marines included in the picture written on the back. What was his name? I'll see if he's named on any of the other pictures.

Pete

Hi Pete,
He went by the name of 'Peter' Gurney, but real name Frederick. Your pictures brought back some great memories of his extensive collection of photo's, of which I was able to salvage only a few following his death in 1967.

Cheers,
John