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THE ROYAL MARINES PHYSICAL TRAINING BRANCH- SPORT IN THE 1930’S – 1970’SA brief overview of some of the PT Branch’s outstanding sportsmen of that period.Compiled by Peter Brown MBETake a Trip down MeMory Lane…

THE ROYAL MARINES PHYSICAL TRAINING BRANCH- SPORT IN THE 1940’S – 1970’S:INTRODUCTION:The aim of this brief overview is to fondly remember some of the outstanding PT Branch sportsmen of the PT Branch between the period of the 1940’s to the 1970’s, which many would consider to be the ‘Golden Era’ of Corps sport - or so it seemed to those of us who were serving during this period. Producing such a document is not easy because much of our physical training and sporting history has not been recorded or photographs available. What information there is has been gained from past copies of The Sportsman, the PT Branch Archive at CTCRM, past PT Newsletters and much from personal memory! This is merely a brief overview, of many of the sports events and outstanding sportsmen of the time. It is not intended to be a comprehensive history, so apologies to those who may not have been mentioned. Nevertheless, it does provide a real nostalgia trip for our veteran PTI’s and may, perhaps, inspire the fine young PTI’s of today. It is intended to produce a far more comprehensive summary of our physical training and sporting history in the very near future. In the meantime, put your feet up, relax and enjoy, especially if you were there! Peter Brown MBEHon Chairman RMA PT Branch.Member of the Royal Marines Historical Society. 22

MY SPORTING REFLECTIONS OF ANOTHER ERAFormer PT&SO Jonathan Thomson CBEThe passing of Frank Allen caused me to look back at an era of remarkable sportsmen and women. I jotted down some first thoughts and sent them to Peter, who promptly sent me four copies of The Sportsman and asked that I reflect a bit more!I only worked in the PT Branch for two years, at the end of the 1960’s, so am not an expert, but in that time, I met a very wide group of most unusual people in the PT Branch, and it is those I’ll try to recall to the best of my memory of those days. If my facts are wrong, I’m very happy to be corrected.Having completed the PT Officers’ course in early 1967, I was appointed to Eastney Barracks as the PT&SO. Little did I realise that I was about to meet and mix with a very different world! Corps Sport was run by Jeff Beadle MBE MC, who ran things with a sure hand. He was supported by Sgt WL “Spike” Kelly PTI, whose talents were to come to my rescue after he heard of my imminent demise on account of some quite dreadful double-entry bookkeeping. As the firing squad was rehearsing outside, Spike asked if he could help? He then drew a red line through all of my work and 24 hours later produced accounts that were immaculate and passed muster, for which I was forever grateful!The gym at RMB Eastney was run with an iron hand by Sandy MacVicar. My office was upstairs, overlooking the gym which was a constant hive of activity. The Corps boxing team trained there under the indefatigable Derek Evans who over the years produced a string of champions from ABA downwards. As a runner I was very skinny and not at all strong, but I benefitted greatly from taking part in some of the sessions, being very careful not to go anywhere near a ring with the likes of Maxi Smith, John Laing and Ron Adam, to name but three! Occasionally the ‘heavies’ would train with us, in particular Ted Kelland, and John Watts, who broke the British record for the discus when representing GB against Poland in September 1968. Unseen, because it wasn’t a Corps Sport, cyclist Mike Parker went from novice to Navy record holder in less than 8 months, riding machinery that many today would find impossible. Mike went on to have an impressive career on two wheels. Elsewhere Jim Goldsworthy was bringing sports parachuting to many others. Alan Downton (a 3rd Jan in Judo) had been instrumental in forming the British Judo Association in 1948 and encouraged sufficient talent for the Royal Marines to form the entire RN judo team of 1968. My own judo training consisted of being thrown around the dojo by John Stark!Deep in the forests, unseen and unheralded, Mike Wells-Cole was upsetting the established order in British Orienteering. He was to become the British Champion in 1969 & 1970 and competed in three World Championships. Tragically, he died after a training run when preparing for the 1976 World Championships. This was quite unbelievable because in his day he was magic, slipping through the forests like a young gazelle and completely uncatchable!33

Another lovely runner was Frank Allen, which is where this piece started. In his day he was lethal over both the country and the track, where he specialised in the 3,000m steeplechase and ran for Guernsey in the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh – in equine terms Frank was both Derby winner and Grand National champion.Horses also featured in the Pentathlon, where Rod Tuck, was extremely prominent, as well as Paul Stevenson and both were outstanding athletes, with Rod being one of the few (if only), British athletes to compete both in winter and summer Olympic games (Biathlon and Pentathalon). Tuck would have been hard to beat over the steeplechase in his day and was marvellously eccentric - but a degree of eccentricity and determination was the hallmark of many of our great champions.One characteristic of very successful sportsmen is their great attention to detail. Terry Harrison, was a brilliant fencer, who combined athletic grace with the lightening reactions of a striking cobra! He talked of the need for a killer instinct, something that he demonstrated to the full. He also writes that “Champions are ordinary people who have used their talents to the full”, and many of those mentioned here would have recognised that description. He goes on to say that a killer instinct does not imply “Win at any price”, because “A victory gained by underhand methods is no victory at all”. This brief survey misses many outstanding sportsmen including those who excelled at squash, hockey, football, cricket, sailing, canoeing and rugby; gymnasts with their amazing strength and worn-out hands; the motor-cyclists who put on displays amid mind blowing speeds, and many others – the list is endless but includes many sports in which we had internationals. It also missed the climbers, John Barry and David Nicholls, whose routes in the 1970’s were to be truly top class; the emerging distance runners such as Barry Heath, with impressive wins over the marathon, and Jim Douglas whose times over 1,500m on the track were of international standard. These were special times with very special people who gave us great sporting memories. I am extremely proud to have known them all and witnessed their skills. My apologies to all the many other very talented sports men and women who are not mentioned in this short article and my sincere thanks for the many sports people that I met - and sometimes emulated! Jonathan Thompson.Brigadier Jonathan Thomson served in the Royal Marines with great distinction, commanding the SBS, 45 Commando and 3 Commando Brigade; he was appointed OBE following the Falklands War, awarded the QGM for service as C.O. 45 Cdo. in Iraq in 1991, and promoted to CBE before he retired from the Corps. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches twice, for service in Borneo and Northern Ireland.Still very fit and determined, in October 2020 Jonathan (now over 75 years old), trained extremely hard and then set off to cycle 500-miles in the very hilly, wet and windy, North West of Scotland. He cycled from Inverness Castle to John o’Groats, and then back again, raising £11,000 for service veterans suffering from PTSD. 44

In 1972 Major Beadle reported: “We have had a good sporting year. Athletics and BasketbalI have confirmed their commanding lead in Royal Navy competitions. Corps Rugby enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever - winning 9 out of 10 matches, the Army Sevens and in fielding a substantial proportion of the Navy Fifteen. Towards the end of the sporting year the Canoeists swept the board in alI sections of the Devizes-Westminster race. The individuals have also been busy in their pursuits. Sergeant Watts thrice improved the National Discus Record. Captain Sheridan achieved the distinction of winning the National Biathlon Championships. Corporal Allan-Williams will undoubtedly be canoeing in the Olympics and Lieutenant Cooper has qualified for the Transatlantic Singled Handed Racewith a 500-mile solo sail to Gibraltar.There are of course, many others who have also distinguished themselves, but it is equally important not to overlook the fact that our aim is to encourage the maximum interest and participation in all sporting activities sponsored by the RM Sports Association.” Under Major Jeff Beadle MBE MC RM (Left) and the supporting PTI’s, the Corps Sports Office at RMB Eastney greatly encouraged Corps sport and also produced regular copies of “The Sportsman” as shown below:CORPS SPORT IN 1972:(Left): Lieutenant A.J.W. HIGGINSON RM (later to become the IPTRM at CTCRM) who played Rugby for the Corps in 1966/67/68: for the RN in 1967/68: for Combined Services in1966/67/68, and also for Ulster and Devon in 1968. His Club sides were London Irish and the N.I.F.C.RUGBY:55

C/Sgt Derek Evans BEM, Corps Boxing Coach, with some of his corps Boxing team at RMB Eastney at that time. Big Ted Kelland BEM - Another trophy!John Watts with the NATO sports trophyMike (“The Bike”) Parker - Plymouth to Portsmouth record.Alan Downton MBE (3rd Dan Judo)John Stark MBE (1st Dan Judo)Mike Wells-Cole GB OrienteererCORPS SPORTSMEN OF 1960’s/1970’s:Corps sports was prominent in the 1960’s & 1970’s, with many PTI’s excelling in their chosen sports. RMB Eastney played a big part in hosting and training many corps sportsmen, with also the Corps Sports Office located there under Major Jeff Beadle MBE MC. Here are some of the sportsmen mentioned in Jonathan Thompson’s article:Johnnie Laing66

Frank Allen1970 Commonwealth games Rod Tuck (Back R) competed in both a winter & summer Olympic games.He later became OCPT Wing at Deal.Terry Harrison MBE 1976 – Inter-Services Champion-At-Arms. Jim Douglas,GB Runner training at RM Eastney Barracks.The corps had many more PTI’s representing the Corps, Navy, Inter-services and national teams, not mentioned here. It was a very healthy time for all corps sport. This sporting ethos was continued in the Commando units, who competed strongly in all corps sports competitions against each other.John Ellis – Football Coach: Receiving the 1964 Tunney Cup from Maj Gen Houghton (Depot RM 4 vs. 43 Cdo 0). John coached the Corps, Navy, and Combined Services Football teams and achieved much more in later life. 77

Jim Douglas was very active in Athletics, especially on the track in the 1,500m and he broke the existing Corps and Navy records at the RN Pitt Street athletics track. He also represented the Corps and Navy at basketball and cross-country, and the Corps in Volleyball.He was also was awarded the NATO sports trophy in 1972, as the “Most Outstanding Sportsman of The Year” by Dennis Healy, the Defence Minister at the time. Jim still has the NATO trophy and intends to donate it to the PT Branch at CTCRM in due course.In 1969, Jim was then selected for the GB team in the GB v France athletics match at the White City track, where he broke the 4-min mile record. Following this he was selected to represent GB at the European Championship in Athens, where he set a new British 1500m record of 3 min 38 seconds.During 1970 and 1972 although Jim had injuries that curtailed his training, he was still able to run sub-4 min miles, but received no call-ups for the GB team. Having recovered from injury he was selected for the trials for the 1972 Munich Olympics. However, his intense training had led to some severe injuries. Jim recalls: “A week or two before the trials I started to develop pain in my Achilles tendon. It just started getting worse and worse. During the final of the trials at Crystal Palace, I couldn’t finish and I ended up sitting with my heel in the water jump because the pain was so severe.” Sadly, Jim’s athletics career was all but over. However, having recovered somewhat from his injuries, Jim attended and passed the PT2 course at Deal in 1972, under SPTI Tony Higgins. Jim reflects: “Somehow I never seemed to be able to fulfil my full potential due to injuries. However, such is life and worse things happen at sea!Years later, Jim Douglas has now retired from managing the Council Recreation Centre in Carlisle and has set up an RMA Carlisle Branch. (Above): Jim Douglas: GB v France at White City, 1969 - winner of 1,500 m. in British record time. (Right): Jim: At Athens – GB v Greece,in June 1972. A new British 1500m record of 3min, 38.8 seconds.JIM DOUGLAS - GB ATHLETE:88

THE ROYAL MARINES PHYSICAL TRAINING DISPLAY TEAM - 1968Sergeant D. Sherriff, SPTI RM"It will never work!" This was the thought that immediately sprang to my mind (and to the minds of many the members of the PT Branch!) when I was confronted with the motley collection of volunteers who were to form the Royal Marines Display Team, that first day in the Eastney gymnasium. None of them had had any experience at display work, few had ever seen, let alone worked with, the apparatus which was to be used, and to cap it all, there were only SIX weeks to go before we were scheduled to give the first public performance! In those first few weeks the injury rate was little less than terrifying, there being, at one stage, eleven of the boys attending sick bay! The team had been split into two separate entities; those who formed the high table vaulting squad being one and the dozen, or so, mat-happy unarmed combat display team being the other . At first, both produced a large crop of injuries - the inexperience, the faint hearts, the well missed parry of the well aimed kick, resulted in many a cry of anguish and many a crumpled heap! Over-confidence also took its toll - one member, vaulting without a stand-in, landed on his head and fractured the third cervical vertebra, but fortunately, he recovered in a few weeks. Another managed the same head first landing and broke a toe!! Gradually, the landings ina relaxed position and the correct execution of parries were perfected and the injury rate dropped dramatically. Under the watchful eye of the IPTRM, Major Jeff Beadle, we had bounced over the hightable on our heads, bounced on the judo mats on our heads - and just generally bouncedeverywhere on our heads until, after the six weeks was over, we were as ready as was humanly possible to take the RM Display Team show on the road!During the months that followed our 'pussers' blue coach, with its attendant three tonner full of stores, was to be seen over the length and breadth of the whole country. From Portsmouth to Edinburgh, from the West Country to Deal, we performed our display with growing expertise. The places we visited were many and varied - too many to mention each by name here. Suffice to say, we performed 71 separate shows and trundled some 12,000 miles in the process."All work and no play”. The old adage still holds true and it led us out on some unforgettable 'runs ashore'. The finest cure for depression and fatigue was found to be a pint of bitter and a sing song in one of the local hostelries. Strange to relate, fatigue and depression appeared to descend upon us at regular intervals - the timing being controlled by the local licensing laws! From early in the tour we had a small fan club of two young ladies who followed us everywhere and there are those members of the team who could fill you in on the lurid details.On the whole the tour was a great success and the administrators, the coaches and, especially, the lads themselves, are to be heartily congratulated. In closing, I am proud and very gratified to be able to say - "It did work!“ Derek (Del) Sherriff SPTI99

THE ROYAL MARINES PT DISPLAY TEAM AT RMB EASTNEY IN 1968:Back Row: J Smith, D Solly, J Pattison, W Evans, R Lloyd, D Mann, L Nash, M Smethurst, P Burnell, G Mc Glynn, D Saltman.Middle Row: D Jackson, A Davies, P Hughes, J McDonough, V Greenhouse, M Frier, B Yowerth, J Appleyard, P Digby, P Hobbs, W Kinnear, C Hancock, M Clarke. Front Row: Cpl. D. Barlow, Cpl. G Malhan, Sgt. D Sherriff, Lt. Lemon, C/Sgt. RF Martin, Cpl. R Hodson, Mne. JF Ford.Many of the above young Marines would later become fully fledged PTI’s – perhaps you can spot them? Sadly, SPTI Del Sherriff passed on in 2016 in Brighton and many of his former PT Branch colleagues attended his funeral.The RM PT Display Team provided displays all over the country, performing at 71 different shows and travelled some 12,000 miles in the process.1010

CORPS FOOTBALL:Throughout the history of the Royal Marines, football has always played a huge part in corps sports. Articles in the Globe & Laurel magazine's show that the Royal Marine Light Infantry & Royal Marine Artillery were playing football in the late 1890’s.The photo left shows the Royal Marines (Portsmouth) Football Club in 1938.The Royal Marines Division Football team in 1941-1943.The PT Branch has always had many talented football players (too many to mention them all here) and have always been well represented in both corps and Navy teams. In the 1960’S and 1970’s they were well-represented in numerous in the winning teams. Many former PTI’s will recognise either themselves or their colleagues in some of the photos that follow: The Royal Marines Artillery Football Club in 1890. 1111

1960 RMB Eastney (4) : JSAW Centre Poole (1) 1961 RMB Eastney (1) : 41 Cdo. RM (0) 1962 41 Cdo RM (1) : 43 Cdo. RM (0) 1963 Depot RM Deal (4) : 43 Cdo. RM (0) 1964 ITCRM (3) : 43 Cdo. RM (1). 1965 43 Cdo. RM (3) : ATURM (1). 1966 43 Cdo. RM (1) : ITCRM (0). 1967 43 Cdo. RM (1) : ITCRM (0) 1968 Depot RM Deal (5) : 45 Cdo. RM (2) 1969 ATURM (Poole) (4) : RMB Eastney (1) 1970 RMB Eastney (3) : 41 Cdo. ( 0) 1971 Cdo. Log Regt. beat RMB Eastney 1972 Depot RM Deal (4) : Cdo. Log Regt (0) 1973 42 Cdo. RM 1974 40 Cdo. RM 1975 42 Cdo. RM (1) : 40 Cdo RM (0) 1976 Depot RM Deal (4) : 45 Cdo. RM (1) 1977 41 Cdo. RM (3) : 42 Cdo. RM (0) 1978 45 Cdo. RM (5) : Cdo. Log Regt (1) 1979 45 Cdo. RM (4) : 42 Cdo. RM (3) 1980 CTCRM (3) : 40 Cdo. RM (1) 1981 CTCRM (4) : Comacchio Group (3) 1982 45 Cdo. RM (3) : Comacchio Group (0) 1983 42 Cdo. RM (3) CTCRM (1)1984 RM Poole (6) : CTCRM (5) 1985 RM Poole (4) : CTCRM (3)1986 CTCRM (1) : 42 Cdo. RM (0)1987 42 Cdo RM (3) : 45 Cdo. RM (2) 1988 45 Cdo. RM (4) : Comacchio Group (0)1989 Comacchio Group (1) : 45 Cdo.RM (1)1990 45 Cdo. RM (4) : RM School of Music (1) RM FOOTBALL - TUNNEY CUP RESULTS 1960-1984:THE TUNNEY CUP:On the 15th December 1928 on the parade ground of Portsmouth Division Royal Marines at Eastney Barracks Portsmouth, Capt J.J. Tunney USMC presented General L. S. T. Halliday V.C., C.B., R.M.,Adjutant General Royal Marines, with the USMC Challenge Trophy more commonly known as "The Tunney Cup". This trophy is competed for by Royal Marine teams only and has run from 1929 to the present day.1212

The 1963 Depot RM Deal Football Team:Back Row (L to R): Curley Barlow, Griffith, Porter, Millar Lt. Chase & QMS Ketcher.Front Row (L to R): Dave Ollivant, John Ellis, Tony Higgins, Bungy Williams, Willie Turnbull, ? THE ROYAL NAVY FOOTBALL TEAM IN 1968:(RN Vs. RAF)Standing L to R: John Ellis, Curly Barlow, David Roberts, Jock Currie, Brian Crawford, Mick Rogers, Geoff Atkey, Derek Godwin (Capt.) & Lt Cdr. John Ennis (RNFA Sec.)Front Row L to R: Josh Holley, Sammy Malcolmson, Terry Lowndes, Lenny Anderson, & Glyn Pughsley. 1313

The 1968 Tunney Cup Winners PTI’s vs. Deal Town FC - Centenary Match in 19711414

Although Tony Higgins was extremely talented in many sports, football was his first love and he was a regular choice for Corps, Navy and Combined Services Teams in the 1960/70’s. He was utterly formidable and the ultimate deterrent to have as your centre-half - he was utterly ruthless as many opponents will testify!TONY (“HIG THE PIG”) HIGGINS:Every RM Unit Football Team’s dream - winning the Tunney Cup!40 Commando Football Team in Singapore (1969)Tony Higgins is third from the right.1515

Back Row L to R: Capt. John Brown, Lt. V. Henry, Capt. Ron Woodruff, Paul Demery, Bill McKenna, Tony Higgins, Clithero, Lenny Anderson, John Ellis (Coach) & Johnny Scott (Trainer).Front Row L to R: John Riley, Davey Hunt, Stuart Lindsay, Roger Towse, Jackie Freeman (Capt.) Richie Wassell, Buck Taylor & Curly Barlow. Back Row L to R: Davey Crockatt, Dave Williams, McNeil, John Kirtley, Willie Turnbull, Josh Holly, Bob Hickie & Johnny Bickford.Front Row L to R: Andy Kerr, Keith Wilson, John Maxwell, Nick Jennings, George Malhan & Alex Scott. The Royal Marines Football Team 1968/1969:The Royal Marines Football Team 1966/1967:1616

PTI’S & ROYAL MARINES RUGBY IN A GOLDEN ERABY ANDY HIGGINSONI was very fortunate to play Rugby for the Corps throughout the golden era of the amateur game with many notable players including members and close affiliates of the RM PT Branch. This was an era when the heart of Royal Marines Rugby Football Club (RMRFC) was born out of the inter-unit competition, the Argyll and Sutherland Bowl, presented to the Corps by the Argylls in 1941.A Corps Rugby team has been in existence ever since WW2 and, traditionally, we played a number of matches each season against Army Corps such as the RA, RE, REME, Royal Signals, the old Naval Commands, including the Fleet Air Arm and Devonport Services and US Portsmouth. At this time, the Corps would inevitably provide up to 6-8 players in the Royal Navy (RN) team, of which a number went on to win Combined Services (CS) recognition each year.The RMRFC has always taken great pride in producing good teams, as there was an honour to be upheld. We were fit and a strong team and even in those days we ran a pre-season Coaching Course at what was then called ITCRM. I seem to remember tours at the end of the season to Jersey, or N.E. England.However, there was little or no time for pre-match preparation. Enormous effort by the alacadoos went into gathering the team from the Op. Banner and Norway deployments or off night exercises and the endurance course at Lympstone. Players often arrived tired and weary from long journeys just before the kick off. Un deterred, it made little or no difference to the final outcome.It was all about digging deep and playing with great pride, representing one’s Corps on the field of play. We won more games than we lost and played with a lot of flair and style. We were very energetic amateur rugby players, recognising that there was always a greater calling elsewhere as a Royal Marine.One of the highlights of my time playing for the Corps was participation in the old end of the season Middlesex 7's competition, which involved all the top national club teams throughout the UK. Our Corps 7's team was also invited to compete by the Rugby Football Union in the qualifying competition. We beat the Saracens, London Welsh and Richmond on the way to the final, which was against a strong Harlequins team full of Internationals and lost by only a single point!It is interesting to note that during this period a large number of PT Officers played for the RMRFC amongst them were: Chris Goode, Roger Brind, Mike Bull, Steve Hughes (England B, CS and RN*), Richard Pearce, Clive Ward, Colin Healy and myself, and more recently I understand Austin Roberts, Martin Sweett, Corrin Palmer (RN*), Graham Arbor and Rick Hall.1717

From a distant memory, there were also a number of top class rugby players who were also members of the PT branch who played for the RMRFC at the highest level including: Dennis Brown (Devonport Services and Devon and the CS and RN. Dennis also played Rugby League for Widnes and was capped for Wales Rugby League in 1969), Tony Toms (on top of his Soccer achievements, Tony also played for Richmond RFC and the RN), Roger Tinson MBE (Devonport Services and Pocklington, CS* and RN* and played for England at Youth Level) and Mick Reece (CS* and RN* and Taunton RFC).I also remember fondly a number of PTIs who played for the Corps and particularly recall: Sandy McVicar, Shaun Parkin, Dia Phillips, Bungy Williams, Tony Hands, Bernie Finan, Jan Chorley, Andy Mitchell, Ginge Gibson, Taff Titcombe, Tug Wilson, Al Muckle, Ceri Williams, Steve Wright, and Al Stacey. I am sure there are plenty more, so please forgive me if I have failed to mention you!We always held a couple of excellent rugby players on the account as “PT Wing Storeman”, such as John (Taff) Davies, Paul Livingstone and Mark Griffiths.I would also like to mention some of the close PT Branch affiliates who played and supported Corps rugby and held official appointments within the RN and RMRFC during this period: Pat Mann, David Storrie, Tim Donkin, Adey Wray, Roger Williams, Terry Doyle, Hydan Reece, John Holdaway, John Spencer, Bob Fletcher, Alan Berry, Mike Buffini, Rayson Pritchard, Clive Wilson, Phil Wilson, Brian Hibbert, Keith Stanton, Mark Twiggs and Mick Chapman. These are the folk who made it happen often against extreme odds always with a total commitment and love for the sport.* I am going to single out members of the Branch from my time in the Corps who wenton to Captain not only the RN but also the Combined Services teams – Tinson, Reece,Hughes and Palmer. I am sure I can speak for my fellow captains and say what a fantastichonour this was for such a small but elite group of Royal Marines from the PT Branch.I can assure the reader that captaincy had its challenges as we attempted to knock the other members of the three Service teams into shape! In those days the CS played against the major touring sides including the All Blacks, Wallabies and the Springboks- not a task to be taken lightly!The PT Branch has in the past, and I am sure will continue to in the future, provided a major contribution to Corps rugby - and long may it continue!Andy Higginson OBE was a former IPTRM. He captained the Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Combined Services rugby teams between 1967 - 1978. He played for Ulster, London Irish and Edinburgh Wanderers and was also an Irish Trialist.1818

The RM Rugby Football Team circa 1969 that included PTI’s: Dennis Brown, Taff Toms, Ginger Gibson and John Davies (PT Storeman at Eastney) and Andy Higginson. The RM Rugby Team, circa 1972, that includes PTI’s: Dennis Brown as Captain, Mike Gibson, Mike (Bungy) Williams and Andy Higginson.1919

Above: QMS SPTI Sandy MacVicar with Major Jeff Beadle (circa 1960’s). (Above): Cliff Watts (PTI & later SD Capt.) and (Below: PTI Ian Ross PTI Bernie Finan (front centre) with a (RM Deal?) rugby seven team.Ken Cooper (also a Judo Black belt) is back left. 2020

41 CDO RM 1959JSAWC 1960ITCRM 196141 CDR RM 1962ITCRM 1963ITCRM 1964ITCRM 1965EASTNEY 1966ITCRM 196741 CDO RM 1968ATURM 1969ITCRM 1947CHATHAM 1948CHATHAM 1949EASTNEY 1950DEPOT RM 1951DEPOT RM 1952ITCRM 1953DEPOT RM 1954ITCRM 1955ITCRM 195641 CDR RM 1957ITCRM 1958This trophy was presented to the Royal Marines by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in commemoration of the association of the regiment with the Royal Marines during the Second World War (1939-1945). It was allocated as a Corps Rugby Trophy to be competed for annually.THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS BOWLBelow: The Corps Rugby Seven’s side with Dennis Brown, The PT Wing Storeman John Davies and Andy Higginson. 2121

MAJOR TOMMY LENHAM MBE RM: Tommy Lenham, arrived at Deal in 1935 as a young recruit and already showed great promise as a boxer. By 1936 Tommy was in the Imperial Services Boxing Association Team, and in 1937 he boxed for England. Tommy who also won an England Rugby Cap. Whilst serving on an HM Ship that docked in Las Vegas, Tommy “Jumped Ship” to both box in and win the coveted Golden Gloves Boxing Championships match in Las Vegas. Tommy was a leading boxer and boxing official throughout his 23 years of service in the Corps winning numerous awards. Consequently, he was responsible for raising Corps boxing to a very high level through coaching and organising courses for boxing coaches and officials. Naturally, he also encouraged many young PTI’s to take up boxing. Having retired, Tommy then ran the pub in Deal (The Drum Major|) opposite the Jubilee Gates in South Barracks. Tommy became seriously ill and his Deal PT Branch colleagues arranged an ambulance to travel from Deal to CTCRM, so that Tommy could attend his final PT Reunion in 1984. Sadly, Tommy passed away a couple of weeks prior to that. Some of Tommy’s many trophies are displayed in a cabinet in the gymnasium at CTCRM and in Tommy’s memory, The Tommy Lenham Trophy is awarded annually to an outstanding PTI of the current serving PT Branch at CTCRM. Tommy was one of the many outstanding PTI Corps Sportsmen who achieved the highest level in their sporting career and was a fine inspiration for those that follow in his footsteps. EARLY CORPS BOXING LEGENDS – TOMMY LENHAM:2222

One of Tommy's students was RM Captain John England, probably the finest boxing referee that the corps ever produced. He refereed at National level and he was voted as the best referee at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. C/Sgt. Ben Ford BEM qualified as a boxing coach after completing his PT course at Deal in 1946. Later he became the Corps Boxing Coach.After retiring from the Corps in the 1960’s, Ben sadly had a stroke (as did Trog Royle) and both are seen at a Kent PTI’s Reunion in the photo (R). 2323

JOHN REA:PTI John Rea was already a polished boxer when he joined the corps.As a Flyweight, in the 1950’s, Johnny’s straight right and his superb fitness, won him many Corps and Navy titles.JOHNNY RICE:In 1947 Marine John Rice was the most skilful boxer that the Corps had, having won the Light-Heavyweight title and narrowly lost the top honours at Middleweight, having taken on all-comers. Whilst serving in Australia John boxed Dave Sands, a world-rated boxer, over twelve rounds.Even years later, John was still boxing for the Plymouth Command in the Heavyweight division and still sending his opponents the wrong way with his clever footwork. Always very humorous, during roadwork, a rather struggling large John had the habit of saying “Hang on, my lace has come undone again!”.CHARLES FORREST:With such large numbers of servicemen just after the war it was tough to get on the winners' podium. On winning the Inter-Services Boxing Championships in Portsmouth he won a very large trophy.As they went back to barracks Charles asked his mate: “Who was that old chap who presented the trophy to me?” His mate answered “Oh, it was only Lord Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein.”John Rice (back row, third from right)as a PT2 Qualifier in June 1950. On John’s right is Leslie-John Maker and on the far right is another boxing legend, Jeff Lake.The Staff Instructor (front left) is C/Sgt Jock Chisholm, who was a great inspiration for another Corps BoxingHeavyweight Champion, Charles Forrest.Charles attended many PT Reunions before he passed away at age 96.2424

RM BARRACKS EASTNEY – THE HOME OF CORPS BOXERS:RMB Eastney was home of the Corps boxers in the 1960/70’s and they were coached and trained by C/Sgt. Derek Evans BEM, the Corps Coach. Derek’s own boxing career started when he was the Corps Boxing Champion in 1949-1953.The 1960/70’s were a good time for corps boxing and many service and national boxing awards were won. Owing to space restrictions we are only able to provide a just a short snapshot of some of them.C/Sgt. Derek Evans BEMThe Corps Coach, Derek Evans, with his Corps Boxers (circa 1960’s).Johnny LaingGeorge SturdyTommy GunningNobby HallMike HarleJohn Thatcher with Jacque Hart in the Far East.Jacque Hart receiving a winner's trophy. Sadly, Jacques passed on in 2019 Richard (Nobby) hall in his prime boxing days. He later qualified as a PTI as you can see in the photo above.2525

(Above) Jacques Hart with Richard Hall at a PTI’s Reunion.OTHER BOXING PHOTOS:C/Sgt Jim (Mick) Rutherford (R)C/Sgt. Leslie-John Maker(L) C/Sgt Ben Ford BEM withCorps Boxers at Deal.Capt. Jim Tappin & Corps boxers in the late 1970’s. (R) Jeff Trail & Richard Hall.(L) Derek Evans & (R) Johnny Raewith boxers & trophies.2626

CORPS FENCING:(Thank you to former PTI and current Fencing Master, C/Sgt Jan Lacey for providing much of the following information.)Prior to the WW2 the main focus of the British Armed Forces was the “sport” of Bayonet-fighting, something that the Royal Marines were particularly good at, winning many of the annual Royal Tournament Competitions held during this period. However, after the war the focus on bayonet-fighting waned and was replaced somewhat by the sport of fencing. Once again, the Royal Marines teams, consisting mainly of PTI’s, became the winners of many prestigious events, including the fiercely fought annual Royal Tournament competion.Fencing featured strongly in the Armed Forces prior to WW2 and when the first Royal Navy PT School opened in Pitt Street in Portsmouth, in 1910, fencing was taught in the curriculum, mainly by Royal Marine PT Instructors. Many Royal Marines and Navy fencers were prominent at both International and Olympic level after the war. One of the most outstanding Royal Marine fencers both before and after the war Sgt. PTI Joe Field (later Lieutenant RM) until he left after the war, to coach fencing at the Bath Sword Club. Fencing is one of five sports which have been permanent fixtures at the Olympic Games since the first modern Games were held in 1896. Sgt Joe Field RM coached the British Olympic team for the 1936 games in Berlin.Following the war, Joe Field (now promoted to Lieutenant) returned to competition to win the foil and the epee at the 1947 Combined Services Championships and he represented Great Britain in an international competition in Paris in 1946.In the 1980’s Joe and his wife Vera, also attended many of the PT Branch Reunions at CTCRM and loved sharing some brief snapshots of his long and illustrious service career. At the 1988 PT Reunion Joe and vera visited the pub for lunch in Woodbury Village, only to find and meet his old PTI friend, Norman “Sticks” Joy, who lived nearby. Joe was elected President until he sadly died, aged 91 and is remembered as being very modest and a true gentleman.Fencing at the 1936 Summer Olympics on a German stampSome of Joe Field’s medals.2727

The Royal Marines Fencing Team in 1944, having beaten the Czech Army. The photo (Left) shows Lt. Joe Field (centre back) Other fencers (L to R) are N. Crow, F. Tallent, R. Brooksand .A Raven.Sgt. Joe Field (front 2nd left) with a PT Qualifying Course. Some of Joe’s fencing medalsSgt Joe Field coached the British Olympic Team for the 1936 games in Berlin.JOE FIELD:2828

Photo above: The Royal Tournament 1954, The Royal Marines Bayonet Champions. include some young PTI’s. (Back row L to R): Sgt. Pat Maxwell, Cpl. Bill Manning & L/Cpl Martin Joyce, (Front row): (L) C/Sgt Bob Anderson and (R) Jeff Lake.1954 BAYONET INTER-SERVICES CHAMPIONS:1946 FENCING COURSE:2929

Capt. Bob Thompson won many fencing trophies and represented Northern Ireland in the 1958 British Empire Games in Cardiff. CAPT. BOB THOMPSON RMTHE 1951 ROYAL TOURNAMENT:Fencing was a prominent sport for RM PT Instructors in the 1950’s and this group of PTI’s won most of the major prizes in the 1951 Royal Tournament. (L to R): C/Sgts. Holland, Hurst, and Anderson, QMS Thompson& Capt. Neaves. Fencing was one of the original nine sports that took centre stage in the first Modern Olympiad in the 1896 games in Greece. Now that swords are no longer used in war and duelling is no longer common, fencing is now used purely for sport. The rules for fencing are different for each weapon and there are three weapons:(1) The Foil, worn by gentleman as a badge of station and for self defence.(2) The Epee, a duelling weapon, with all parts of the body as a target.(3) The Sabre, a previous battlefield weapon, with the arms head andtorso as the main targets.3030

THE ROYAL MARINES DISMOUNTED CHAMPIONS AT ARMS:1954 Sgt R.A.C. Thompson 1968 Cpl. A.C.N. Pettitt1955 Sgt R.A.C. Thompson 1969 Cpl. M.J. Webster1956 Cpl M.F. Joyce 1970 Cpl. J.R. McDonough1957 Sgt R.A.C. Thompson 1971 Lt. C.I.J. Baxter RM/Cpl. E.A. Lacey1958 C/Sgt L.J. Maker 1972 Mne S.Thomas1959 C/Sgt. D.F.C. Mackenzie1973 Lt. C.D. Watts RM1960 Sgt R.A.C. Thompson 1974 Sgt. E.A. Lacey1961 Sgt M.F. Joyce 1975 Sgt. E.A. Lacey1962 2 Lt. R.A.C. Thompson 1976 Sgt. E.A. Lacey1963 C/Sgt. L.J. Maker 1977 L/Cpl T. Pearce1964 Sgt. T.J. Miller 1978 Sgt. E.A. Lacey1965 Sgt. M.F. Joyce 1979 C/Sgt. E.A. Lacey1966 Capt. J.P. McNulty 1980 (Not held)1967 Sgt. T.J. Harrison 1981 C/Sgt. E.A. LaceyFENCING - THE DISMOUNTED CHAMPION-AT-ARMS TROPHY:The Dismounted Champion at Arms Trophy was first presented at the Royal Marines Fencing Championships in 1954. This required the winner to come into the first three places, with at least two, or three, of the weapons. The Championships was a three - day event. A day for each weapon Foil, Epee and Sabre, finishing with a Team Event. Left: our Veteran SPTI & Dismounted Champion – at-Arms Martin Joyce BEM. L to R: (1) Leslie-John Maker, (2) Mac McDonough & Terry Moran (3) Terry Harrison. 3131

C/Sgt. PTI, Bob Anderson, was a most prominent and excellent fencer of the early 1950’s, winning many medals and trophies at both National and International level. He won the foil and sabre competitions in the Combined Services Championships every year, Between 1951 and 1954, except two, and he had 103 foil bouts at the Royal Tournament without losing even a single bout!Bob won two gold and three silver medals in the British Empire (now Commonwealth) Games in Auckland N.Z. in 1950 and he competed in the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952 (although injury kept him out of the final) and he coached the British Fencing Team for six Olympics from 1956 to 1976. He also became the President of the British Academy of Fencing.Following the 1953 World Championships, Bob turned professional and won the British professional foil, sabre and epee from 1962 – 1965. He then went on to coach the British team for six Olympics and became the Senior National Fencing Coach of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He updated the National Fencing Training Syllabus and held courses all over the country, including for many RM PT Instructors, including Martin Joyce, Terry Harrison and Edward (Jan) Lacey. Bob also became a top Hollywood swordfight choreographer for TV and film work, starting with coaching Errol Flynn for the film: The Master of Ballantrae, during which he inadvertently stabbed him in the leg - but this was hushed up! He was subsequently involved in a multitude of sword fighting film scenes, including the original Star Wars films, in which he played the fencing part of Darth Vader in the film Return of the Jedi.Former C/Sgt PTI Bob Anderson, the Royal Marines most successful fencer, sadly passed away in a hospital in West Sussex, early on New Year’s Day in 2012, aged 89.Professor Bob Anderson (1922-2012)Bob In the film: Return of the Jedi.C/Sgt. BOB ANDERSON - FENCER EXTRAORDINAIRE3232

MY JUDO & GENERAL CAREER IN THE CORPS (1985-1986):WO2 Fred Cummings (Judo 3rdDan)I signed up to join The Royal Marines as a 17 year-old, at 5ft 5 inches tall and was given my train ticket all the way from Co Durham to Deal – a really long way for such a small chap and the longest journeyin my whole life – and full of trepidation!At that time I was an active sporty type, whose main interest was Judo. I was indeed a green belt KYU Grade with the British Judo Association. On my arrival and for quite some time afterwardsthe change in my way of life was very different - and I was not alone.Having enjoyed and completed training successfully, we were all given the details of our posting, I was told that I would be going to serve on the H.M.S Albion - a Centaur Class Aircraft Carrier, but we were allowed to go on leave first. When I was on leave, my older brother, who had joined R.N a few weeks before me, informed me that he was also being posted to H.M.S Albion - a big surprise as he was part of the Fleet Air Arm!The Detachments were posted to Eastney Barracks, for a six-week pre-embarkation training programme prior to going on board. We also had to be kitted up with tropical clothing and the new SLR rifles, do training on Bofors, firefighting, first aid, naval gunnery, seamanship etc.When we embarked, the ships company were working flat out to prepare the ship for the 1959-1960 Far East Commission. Needless to say, this was a lifetime experience for me! We visited so many ports, from Gibraltar through to the Mediterranean, Aden, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and many other countries. On my return from sea service duties, I was posted to ITRCM and after a short spell, was then drafted to my first commando unit - 41 Commando RM.As a qualified PTI my main sport was, of course, Judo and I won all the major judo competitions in both the Corps and the Navy. Having trained extremely hard and attending many Judo courses, I gradually climbed the ladder from being a humble green belt to finally become a Black Belt, 3rd Dan, representing Great Britain in two internationals. The first one was in Italy, in the 1970’s, and the second was Holland and Scotland, where I gained my GB colours. These were presented to me by the Commanding Officer at CTCRM.During my 27 years career, I served in all of the Commando Units in the Corps. 45 Cdo.RM in Aden, HQ 3 Cdo Bde. As a Cpl PT2 in Singapore (a fantastic posting!) and then to 40 Cdo RM (Troop Sgt/Unit PTI), 43 Cdo RM, and then to 42 Cdo RM, first as Support Company CSM and then I took on the role of Juliet Company CSM for the duration of the Falklands War.Juliet Company was to become the spearhead of 42 Commando RM, who led the night attack and then captured Mount Harriet. Finally, having won the Falklands War, we marched into Port Stanley as the victorious Royal Marines!It is impossible to cover all my main achievements and experiences in such a short article, but suffice to say it has been a very full and varied career of which I am very proud, and of course, I would do it all over again! (Fred Cummings) 3333

A young Cpl PTI Fred Cummings with the PT Staff in the gym in CTCRM in the 1960’s. WO2 Fred Cummings with the PT Staff at RM PooleWO2 FRED CUMMINGS – 3rd Dan Judo & GB International Player:3434

CORPS JUDO – MY FOND MEMORIES:By Peter Brown THE BIRTH OF JUDO:‘The Father of Judo’, Professor Jigoro Kano (Twelfth Dan) started out as a weak and sickly child and at the age of 18 and he learned Ju-Jitsu (consisting of various throws, grappling and striking techniques) to improve his health and to protect himself against bullies. In 1882, following the decline of the strong samurai (warrior) class and interest In the martial arts, he dedicated himself to creating a new discipline, with social benefits, from the existing Ju-Jitsu techniques. Kano undertook extensive study of the existing Ju-Jitsu techniques and integrated them into his discipline of Ju-Do (“The Gentle Way”).Kano’s first dojo (training hall) was housed in a small Buddhist temple in Tokyo, with only 12 mats (12 x 18 ft.) and nine students. His aim was to produce Judoka (Judo players) that would be of high value to society. Such was Kano’s success that interest grew quickly and ever persistent, in 1950 Kano was able to get Judo reinstated in schools right across Japan, which was a huge boost for his vision. As a result he then moved to a much larger training hall – the Kodokan. Kodokan judo teaching emphasized the moral and spiritual aspect of judo training and at any grade, great respect for each other. With Kano’s encouragement Britain, France and Germany became the early pioneers of Kodokan Judo in Europe This new sport also aroused much interest across the world and by the year 2000, interest in Judo had increased enormously and was being practised in over 180 countries. The world centre for judo was of course the Kodokan and such was the interest in this new discipline that it was every judoka’s (Judo Player) aim to visit and somehow get trained in the Kodokan (See Graham Edward’s article on his Judo team’s visit to the Kodokan). Kano, finally succeeded in getting judo accepted in the 1940 Tokyo Olympics, but war broke out and ended this dream. However, after the war ended the Kodokan opened its doors to the Allied Forces, and many trained there. Sadly, in 1938, returning from an IOC meeting in Cairo, Jigoro Kano’s lifetime commitment to judo ended when he sadly died of pneumonia, aged 78. The Kodokan in 1882 The Kodokan todayThe Kodokan emblem3535

Kano’s dream eventually came true in 1964, when the Olympic games were finally held in Tokyo, putting Japan on the world stage. Although Japan naturally dominated world judo, they were greatly shocked when a Dutchman, Anton Geesink, won the 1964 Judo Olympic Open Champion title. However, this encouraged other countries to challenge Japan’s superiority and judo quickly become an international sport and from 1972 was included in all subsequent Olympic Games. JUDO IN THE UK:In 1899 a team of Japanese Judo masters visited London to introduce Kodokan Judo, but did not initially succeed. Gunji Koizumi founded the Budokwai ("the study of systems developed by the samurai") in 1918 and when Kano visited in 1920 he encouraged a very strong link between the Budokwai and the Kodokan. Koizumi’s aim was to promote Japanese culture, teach the martial arts and introduce the Kodokan Judo. Initially, most of the 30 members were Japanese and two brave Englishmen! Gunji Koizumi was still practicing and teaching judo at the Budokwai the day before he died in 1965, age 80. In 1920, Yukio Tani (a sixth Dan) was invited to became the Budokwai’s chief instructor. The link between the Kodokan and the Budokwai remained very strong and Budokwai members held an annual exhibition to promote the martial arts. In 1926 the club took part in it’s first international judo match against Germany thus creating interest in Europe, especially Germany and France. In 1937 the Budokwai also featured on TV, less than a year after the BBC started its world service. The Budokwai has a large history of many of its senior dedicated judo players, such as Trevor Leggett, also leaving to live and study judo in Japan. Having now been in existence for over 100 years, the Budokwai has now trained several generations of outstanding national and international players, including Brian Jacks (who was sent to train at the Kodokan at an early age by his father, a London taxi driver) Angelo Parisi, Neil Adams and Ray Stephens - all Olympic medal winners. Following the Budokwai’s example, many other judo clubs then appeared all around the country. The large growth of judo across the country led to the formation of the British Judo Association (BJA) and the European Judo Union (EJU) in 1948, and later the International Judo Federation (IJF). (L) The Budokwai in 1933 with Mr Koizumi (middle row centre) & (R) The Budokwai today.L to R: Olympic medalistsBrian Jacks, Dave Starbrook & Angelo Parisi Black belt3636

THE BIRTH OF CORPS JUDO & COMMANDOKWAI: It is difficult to identify exactly when the emerging sport of judo was introduced into the corps, as few records exist. However, The Royal Marines (and in particular PT Branch) have always excelled in any fighting arts that have evolved through the ages, especially in boxing, bayonet-fighting and fencing. With the introduction of a wide range of self-defence techniques being taught in Commando-training at Achnacarry and elsewhere, it would be natural for the new martial art of judo to emerge in the Corps after the war. With judo becoming very popular, prominent PT Branch judo players of this period included Ted Paddon (black belt), Ken Wilson, Bill Sykes, Ray Cooper, John Stark, Buck Stewart, John Rowlands, Sandy MacVicar, Ted Kelland and Tony Higgins. In the 1950-60’s several teaching courses were held at the PT School at Deal as the following photo shows. The photo below shows early judo players with Mr Koizumi (8th dan) as their instructor. Major Downton organised many RM judo courses and unarmed combat displays In 1977. One such display included myself and Bernie Finan and without rehearsal we travelled from Deal to the Royal Albert Hall to provide a short finale for an unarmed combat team display, organised by Capt. Downton. The display was part of the 50th Burma Star Reunion in the Royal Albert Hall, in front of Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. I did 40 different judo throws in two minutes and Bernie strangled me at the end. I remember it well, as we were made so welcome and after a several beers I then drove back to Deal, fell asleep at 3am and ended up in a ploughed field a couple of miles outside Deal! The peak time for Royal Marines Judo was in the 1970’s – 1980’s, when we were prominent in all Corps, Navy and National competitions, winning many medals. The most prominent judo player of this period was of course Fed Cummings, as not only was “Little Fred” the Corps Champion but he was also in the GB Judo Squad and represented Great Britain. Other outstanding PT Branch judo players included Dave McDowell, Graham Edwards, Keith Murray, Paddy Crompton, Greg Forrest, Ken Cooper, Jacques Hart, Archie McMorran, Fred Riley, and even “Big Gordon” Russell. All of these achieved the highest judo grades and were mostly black belts. These players were inevitably in the Corps Judo Team at this time.(L) An earlyRM Judocourse with Mr Koizumi (centre) & (R) judo practice Major Alan Downton MBE (3rd Dan) was believed to have played a large part in the formation of the British Judo Association in 1948. It was probably around this time that Royal Marines Judo Club (Commandokwai) was born, along with its distinctive badge. 3737

A lot of encouragement was given to corps judo at that time and we were able to arrange Judo training courses with several national judo coaches, including Ivan Silver, Tony MacConnell, Geoff Gleeson (GB National Coach) and Colin McIvor, who later became the GB Judo Team Manager. Thus, the corps judo players of that era were trained by the very best!In the 1960’s - 1970’s the Corps Judo Team also made up most of the Royal Navy Judo Team. As such we would bravely enter the Individual and National Team Championships, held every year at Crystal Palace to select the BG Judo Squad players. However, as we all had to also serve on ships, in commando service etc. We were inevitably beaten by almost full time, professional, Judo players who wanted desperately to be selected for the GB Olympic Team. Nevertheless we held our own against all the top UK judo teams and had everything to be proud of.MY OWN JUDO MEMORIES: As a PTI in the 1960’s and a relative late-comer, I thought that I would have a go at judo. I wasn’t really very good at it but I was very fit and had a lot of determination. The idea of achieving the coloured belts appealed to me and I was delighted when I got my first grade – a yellow belt! Having then aspired to the next grade, orange belt, I started to get the judo bug and thought that a green belt would look nice. But with limited training at Deal, I had to get some proper training. So, on Saturdays I travelled from Deal to London (a long and tedious journey in those days!) and for some stupid reason chose to train at the brutal Renshuden Judo Club in North London, instead of the more established and refined Budokwai in South Kensington.As a mere Orange belt, I would find myself facing a line-up of 10-12 hardened, psychopathic, Black belts and had to ‘practice’ (survive) with each one of them in turn – very tough to say the least! (I took John Stark to the judo training at the Renshuden once and after just 10 minutes on the mat, he went off and was violently sick!) Having practiced the ‘gentle art’ in The Renshuden, I would return to Deal on the train, beaten up and worn out, apologise to my wife for my absence, and then nurse my injuries until the next Saturday ordeal! Photo Left: An Advanced Judo Course for RM & RN Black belts held at CTCRM under Colin McIver in 1969. Front row L to R: Peter Brown, Fred Cummings, Colin McIver, Paddy Crompton & Greg Forrest, with Big Dave Julian back row, centre. Photo Centre: Fred Cummings Photo Right: RM Deal Judo Team winning the 1975 RN Team Championships.Corps Open Champion3838

However, with the lure of higher-coloured belts, I trained hard, with Keith Murray (black belt). Every day we pushed ourselves to the limits - power-weight circuits, grid sprints with a harness, plus lots of randori. Eventually I rose through the judo grades to become a brown belt. However, not quite good enough, as every Judoka’s dream is to achieve the coveted Black belt! (Left: Keith Murray, who became a 2nd Dan, showing me how it’s done!).After much training and a strong “will to win” attitude, one glorious Sunday I travelled to the famous Budokwai in London, to try and achieve my black belt - along with 30 or so other wannabe’s. It was like being in a temple and complete silence was the order of the day. By some miracle I somehow managed to beat all of my opponents and was one of only two to be awarded the coveted black belt that day - I travelled back to Deal with a big smile on my face! Of course, I needed a dojo (training hall) that was permanent and almost sacred, like the Budokwai, and somehow managed to get an old store, just behind the Canada Gate in South Barracks, and converted it into The Judo Annexe. The photo (Left) shows recruits being taught the basics in the dojo. My judo dream was boosted when, on a nice summer’s evening in 1971, I somehow managed to get Brian Jacks (then the best judo player in the UK) and a bus-load of assorted Judo, Aikido and Kendo experts down from the Budokwai to do a wonderful display in our PT School gymnasium. This was an incredible display of all of the martial arts - including Brian Jacks taking on 12 Black belts and then quickly demolishing them one at a time! The Display was a great success and afterwards the Budokwai players all had a big curry, went to the Thursday night Disco in the Churchill Club and then travelled back to London - all very happy! Later on, having won both the Corps and Navy Judo Open Championships and lots of other medals, as both Corps and Navy Judo Coach, I did my best to raise the level of interest and standard of judo within the corps. Despite the inevitable drafts to commando units, I also somehow passed all the BJA Coaching exams to become a BJA National Coach. Having organised numerous judo courses, RM and RN Championships, gradings, Qualified BJA Coach and Refereeing courses etc. I had the huge satisfaction of seeing other many corps judo players also achieve their black belt and various other judo qualifications.My later Judo training courses included inviting the top International Judo stars, such as Brian Jacks and Dave Starbrook MBE (both Olympic medallists) for week-long courses, either at Deal, or Lympstone. At these courses both aspiring Corps and Navy judo players could learn a great deal from the Judo Masters and inevitably nearly everyone got graded to a higher judo grade at the end of the course. Having been thrown around for a whole week I very much needed and greatly appreciated, a hot bath with plenty of Radox in it!(L) A Brian Jacks Judo Course in the Gymnasium at Deal in the 1970’s.(R): After the judo course Brian Jacks Olympic Medallist & GB Superstar, having his PT Branch crossed clubs painted on his chest by Alan Cain. 3939

At the peak of my judo career, not only had I arranged GB National Judo Squad training prior to European, Olympic and World Judo championships (where brave corps players could also train with them) but was also quite proud to become the BG Squad Trainer for both the Scottish and GB National Judo Squads. This may sound glamorous but was quite gruelling in practice. It involved lots of weekend trips, travelling between Exmouth & Crystal Place (out Friday night, back Sunday night) in my battered and unreliable old car, and some inevitable marital disharmony! Such is the life of a dedicated Judo player.I was also privileged to be the GB Assistant Team Manager for two European Championships, one in Holland and then in Rostock, East Germany (via Checkpoint Charlie at the Berlin Wall!). Later on, having served in Quantico, USA, with the USMC for two years I returned to CTCRM as AIPTRM. Rather precariously, at the age of 40 and without any training, I donned my judogi one last time and fought my last Judo contest at CTCRM, which fortunately I won! Reflecting back on the evolution of judo in my time, I must admit to being rather sad to see the original Kodokan approach of Jigoro Kano (“The gentle way and respect for others”) to become superseded by a new form of static and crude defensive judo, practiced mostly by muscled warriors who only want to win by any means possible – far from the original judo principles. However, having started with little talent but a lot of dedication, I felt that I had now achieved quite a lot in my little Judo world. Judo is meant to be a lifelong sport but after 15 dedicated years I became upset by the awful Judo politics at that time, resigned as a BGA National Coach, took off my judo suit and never put it on again. The judo suit now has mildew, but I still have a lot of fond memories of Corps judo in my time, having hopefully done my bit for Corps Judo. Thank you to everyone who inspired me. Peter Brown MBE (BJA 4th Dan, National Coach and former BG National Judo Squad Trainer.)Above (L): The GB Judo Squad at CTCRM in 1983 & (R) Neil Adams (1981 World Champion) also showing me how it’s done! Corps players could train with the BG Squad. (L):The GB Judo Squad trained at CTCRM in 1983. (Centre) The GB Judo Team in Rostock (R) With Neil Adams.CTCRM4040

As the above photo (kindly supplied by Bill Howie) shows the CTCRM PTI’s liked to enjoy a game of mud football in the river Exe each term! Although it is hard to recognise everyone the photo, we think that the photo includes: (L to R - Rear Row) Mike Gibson, Joe Harman, Ray Griffiths, Jim Johnson (USMC exchange) Phil Jones, Jim Douglas, John Hardstaff, Jeff Pope, Alastair Mackenzie, Tommy Gunning, Chris Elmes (?), Andy Cameron, Vince Greenhough and Dave Jarman.(Middle row) Dougie Oseland, Terry Moran (?) (?) Bungy Williams, Cliff McGaughey,Alec Lynn, Bill Howie, Mal Walker, Nobby Clark and Derek Mann.(Front row) Gordon Offer-Hoare, Billy Neilson and John Lewis. - Happy days!UNOFFICIAL SPORT- MUD FOOTBALL AT CTCRMWere you there?THE SPORTSMAN:Copies of these 1970’s Corps Sports PT Newsletters have been scanned and if you would like a copy please contact me, Peter Brown, at: pb@peterbrownemail.co.uk 4141