The Royal Marine’s 350th Birthday Foundation Parade of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Cadets
A Brief History
On October the 28th 1664, a selection of foot soldiers was called up to form a regiment that was then known as The Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime regiment of foot. The regiment soon became known as the ‘Admiral’s regiment’; it had a small strength of only 1,200. Today, this regiment is known as the elite Royal Marines Commandos.
Like most other armed services within the British military, the Royal Marines has other sub-organisations such as the Royal MarinesReserves and the Royal Marines Association (plus many other Royal Marines Charities). However, in 1955 an organisation called the Marine Cadets was formed under request from the Commandant-General Royal Marines; this organisation is part of the Sea Cadets who are part of the Royal Navy. In 2010, the patron of the sea cadets, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, granted the Marine Cadets with the title ‘Royal’ which was finalised in 2012.
Today, there are 3 known ‘Royal Marines Cadet’ organisations: RMSCC (Royal Marines Cadets-Sea Cadet Corps), RMVCC (Royal Marines Cadets- Voluntary Cadet Corps), RMCCF (Royal Marines Cadets- Combined Cadet Force). These three cadet forces are all part of the same corps and all share the same morals, ethos and traditions that the Royal Marines- themselves -follow.
Tuesday 8th July 2014
This year is the 350th birthday of the Royal Marines Commandos. In celebration of their birthday, the different Royal Marines organisations, associations and charities set out to raise money by doing different challenges. One being the 1664 challenge which would be undertook by the commandos themselves.
Prior to the City of London Privilege March on the 25th of July; that saw 720 members of the Royal Marines family march through the city of London with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed -a selection of 400+ cadets and staff from all three Royal Marines Cadet Organisations converged on Wellington Barracks to ready for the RM350 Foundation Parade. At 2pm, the parade left Horse Guard’s Parade and travelled down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace - leading the parade were the Royal Marines Band Service.
Once the parade had arrived at Buckingham Palace and entered the palace grounds, it formed up for a small break before marching onto the lawns at the rear of the palace. The Captain General Royal Marines, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip then inspected the review detachment (a selection of cadets chosen to be greeted and inspected by the Captain General, himself). In this detachment were myself (student Michael Booley) and in another detachment in the parade was another student, Alexander Ogg.
After the inspection, an introduction and a speech wrote by Prince Phillip, followed a ceremony in which the corps was presented a new banner made by the Royal Marines. The parade then marched off the lawns and into Wellington Barracks. At 4:15pm a reception with VIPs, cadets and their families commenced.
The following day, before everyone departed home, Lieutenant Commander Poke (SCC) presented every cadet with a unique coin which was created specificallyfor the staff and cadets who attended this event.
Overall, the experience was truly outstanding and unforgettable, especially being able to speak with HRH Prince Phillip for even a brief amount of time.
-Michael Booley