A Brief Chronology of Principal Events

1664: Formation of the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regt of Foot.

1665–72: 2nd & 3rd Dutch Wars. Royal Netherlands Marine Corps formed.

1685:   Renamed   Prince   George   of Denmark’s Regt – disbanded 1689.

1689–97: War with France.

1702–13: War of Spanish Succession. Six Regts of Marines formed.

1704: British and Dutch Marines capture Gibraltar.

1713: Reduced to three Regts which were transferred  to   the  Line.  Only four Companies of Marine Invalids remained.

1739: England declared war on Spain – The War of Jenkins’ Ear. Six Marine Regiments raised.

1740: Further four Regts raised.

1745–1750: Hannah Snell served in the Marines.

1748: The Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. All ten Marine Regts disbanded.

1755:  A permanent  Marine  Corps  of 50 Independent Companies established. Corps Strength 5,000.

1756: The Seven Years War. Corps Strength 19,000.

1759: The Capture of Quebec.

1761: The Capture of Belle Isle.

1770: Marines land with Captain James Cook at Botany Bay, Australia.

1775: American War of Independence. The Battle of Bunker Hill. US Marine Corps formed.

1776: Corps Strength 25,000.

1783: Stonehouse Barracks first occupied.

1788: Marines from the First Fleet land in Australia.

1793–1802: French Revolutionary Wars – Actions in the Mediterranean, South Africa, India, Egypt and the East Indies.

1794: The Battle of the Glorious First of June off Ushant.

1797: The Battles of Camperdown and Cape St Vincent.

1798: The Battle of the Nile.

1802: The Corps honoured with the title ‘Royal’.

1803–15: Napoleonic Wars – Actions in East and West Indies, South America, South Africa and others.

1804: RM Artillery Companies formed.

1805: The Battle of Trafalgar. Woolwich Div formed. Corps Strength 31,000.

1812–15: The War of 1812 in America.

1814: The sacking of Washington.

1815: Napoleon exiled to St Helena.

1816: The bombardment of Algiers.

1820:  King George IV directed  RM would take precedence after 49th Regt.

1827: Colours presented to each of the Divs by HRH The Duke of Clarence. ‘The   Globe’   badge   granted.   Corps Strength 9,000.

1835–40: RM Bn and RMA Bty in Spain during the Carlist War.

1839: RM from HM ships Volage and Cruiser served with combined force that captured Aden.

1839–42:  RM in action in China’s Opium wars.

1848:   Portsmouth Div moved into Forton Barracks, Gosport.

1854–56: The Crimean War.

1854: Battle of Inkerman – first Royal Marine awarded Victoria Cross – Corporal Prettyjohns

1855: Royal Marines designated Light Infantry. Corps Strength 15,500.

1856–60: 2nd China War.

1857–58: Indian Mutiny.

1861: Depot established at Deal.

1861–64:  The Maori Wars in New Zealand.

1861–62: RM Bn in Mexico

1862: RMA & RMLI became separate Corps.

1864: Eastney Barracks first occupied.
1864–65: RM Bn in Japan.

1867–68: Expedition to Abyssinia.

1868: RM Bn in Ireland.

1869: Woolwich Div closed.

1870: RM Bn in Japan.

1873–74: The Ashanti War.

1879: The Zulu War.

1880–83: RM Bn in Ireland.

1882: The Egyptian Campaign.

1884–85: The Sudan Campaign.

1899–1902: RM with the Naval Brigade in South Africa. Corps Strength 19,000.

1900–01: RM in action during the Boxer Rebellion alongside the USMC (for the first time).

1903: Royal Naval School of Music formed at Eastney. RM Memorial in the Mall unveiled.

1914–18: First World War. Marines in HM Ships in all major engagements at sea.

1914: RM Bde at Ostend and Antwerp.

1914: (Aug) Corps Strength – 18,234.

1915:  RM Bde with the RN  Div  in Gallipoli. RMA Howitzer and AA. Bdes & Heavy Siege Train to  France  and Flanders.

1916: RM Bns to France with 63rd (RN) Div. Battle of Jutland.

1918: The Raid on Zeebrugge – 4th RM Bn. Institution of King’s Squad & King’s Badge. Corps Strength 55,000.

1919: 6th Bn in North Russia.

1922: 8th Bn in Ireland.

1923: 11th Bn in Turkey. Amalgamation of RMA and RMLI. Forton Barracks, Gosport closed..

1927: 12th Bn in Shanghai.

1930: RN School of Music moved to Deal.

1935: RM carryout London Duties London for the first time. RM in Alexandria with Base Defences, Mediterranean. Corps Strength 9,800.

1939–45: Second World War. Marines in HM Ships in all major engagements at sea.

1940: RM ashore in Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Holland and France.

1941: MNBDO1 in the evacuation of Crete. HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse sunk.

1942: ‘Plymouth Argylls’ in Singapore. Force VIPER in Burma. First RM Commando formed. 40 RM Cdo at Dieppe. 11th RM Bn at Tobruk. Op Frankton – Cockleshell Heroes raid on Bordeaux shipping.

1943: 40 & 41 Cdos land in Sicily. 41 Cdo landed at Salerno. RM Bns formed into Cdos. 40 & 43 Cdos in action in Italy, Albania and Yugoslavia.

1944: 43 Cdo landed at Anzio. 48 Cdo formed. 17,500 Marines in The Landings in Normandy, serving in Cdos, HM Ships and Landing Craft. 41, 47 & 48 Cdos in the Assault on Walcheren, supported by Marines in HM Ships and landing craft.

1945: 42 & 44 Cdos in the Battle of Kangaw, Burma. 40 & 43 Cdos in the Battle of Lake Comacchio, Italy. RM Cdos in the river crossings in NW Europe. Corps Strength 78,500.

1946:  Marines from HM Ships occupy Penang. 42 & 44 Cdos occupy Hong Kong.

1947: Reorganisation of the Corps – RM Divs become functional Gps.

1948: RM Cdos cover the withdrawal from Palestine and deployed in  the Suez Canal Zone. RM Forces Volunteer Reserve formed.

1949: 45 Cdo in Egyt and Aqaba. 3 Cdo Bde moves to Hong Kong. Closure of Chatham Gp.

1950: 3 Cdo Bde moved to Malaya. 41 Independent Cdo formed for operations in Korea.  Chatham Barracks closed. RM Div Bands integrated with the RN School of Music to form the Royal Marines School of Music.

1952: 3 Cdo Bde moved to Malta. Presentation of first Colours to the RM Cdos. 41 Independent Cdo disbanded at Bickleigh.

1953: 3 Cdo Bde moved to the Suez Canal Zone. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh appointed Captain General Royal Marines.

1954: 40 & 45 Cdos returned to Malta. 42   Cdo moves to UK Amphibious School RM moved to Poole.

1955–59: 40 & 45 Cdos alternated on operations in Cyprus.

1956: 3 Cdo Bde spearheaded landings at Port Said. First RM detachments for frigates formed. Corps Strength 10,000.

1957: Elements of 42 Cdo in Northern Ireland. Small Arms School RM at Browndown closed.

1958: RM Gunnery School at Eastney closed.

1960: HMS Bulwark commissioned as first Cdo Ship. 45 Cdo moved to Aden. 42 Cdo moved to Singapore. 41 Cdo re-formed. Melville Barracks Chatham closed. Green Berets to be worn by all trained ranks.

1961: 42 & 45 Cdos landed in Kuwait. HQ 3 Cdo Bde established in Singapore. 43 Cdo re-formed in Plymouth.

1962: 40 & 42 Cdos in Brunei. Limbang Operation.

1963–66: 3 Cdo Bde (less 45 Cdo) in anti-terrorist Confrontation operations in Borneo and Malaysia.

1964: 41 & 45 Cdos in East Africa. Corps Tercentenary celebrations. Lovat Dress introduced.

1964–1967: 45 Cdo on operations in the Radfan.

1965: Earl Mountbatten of Burma appointed a Colonel Commandant RM.

1966: The RMFVR retitled Royal Marines Reserve. End of Indonesian Confrontation.

1967: 42 Cdo covered the final withdrawal from Aden (The Corps was also present at the capture of the port in 1839). 45 Cdo returned to UK. 40 Cdo on IS duties in Hong Kong.

1968: 43 Cdo disbanded.

1969: 41 Cdo was the first RM Cdo on operations in Northern Ireland.

1970: Title of Infantry Training Centre RM changed to Commando Training Centre RM. 45 Cdo assigned to NATO for the Northern Flank.

1971: 3 Cdo Bde returned to UK from the Far East. 41 Cdo moved to Malta. 45 Cdo moved to Arbroath.

1972: Cdo Logistic Regiment formed. Warrant rank reintroduced.

1973:  PRORM integrated with HMS Centurion.

1974: 40 & 41 Cdos with UN Forces in Cyprus. Corps Strength 7,000.

1976: RM detachments in frigates during the Cod War off Iceland.

1977: Silver Jubilee Inspection by HM The Queen on Plymouth Hoe. 41 Cdo (less Salerno Company) left Malta.

1978: First 10-man Frigate detachment formed. 41 Cdo carried out London Duties.

1979:  Salerno Company left Malta.. 42 Cdo deployed to Hong Kong for IS duties. Earl Mountbatten assassinated by the IRA.

1980: Comacchio Company formed (later Fleet Protection Gp RM). Elements of 42 Cdo deployed to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu).  3rd Raiding Sqn deployed to Hong Kong for duties against illegal immigrants.

1981: HRH Crown Prince Harald (now HM The King of Norway) appointed Hon Colonel Royal Marines. 41 Cdo disbanded at Deal. The Commandant General, Lieutenant General Sir Steuart Pringle blown up outside his house by a terrorist car bomb.

1982: 3 Cdo Bde spearheaded the recapture of the Falkland Islands. RM Detachment for NP 1002 first deployed to Diego Garcia. 3 Cdo Bde Air Sqn moved to RNAS Yeovilton. Corps Strength 7,900 (10.8% of RN).

1983: 40 Cdo deployed to Cyprus for UN tour of duty. RM Band of Flag Officer Naval Air Command disbanded. 40 Cdo moved to Taunton.

1984: Detachments of 3 Cdo Bde Air Defence Troop embarked in ships of the Armilla Patrol. HM The Queen visited RM Poole. 539 Assault Sqn formed. All 10-man Frigate detachments withdrawn.

1985–93: RM Cdos deployed on operational tours in Belize.

1986:   42   Cdo   carried   out   London Duties. RM Cdo memorial unveiled at Lympstone.

1987: RM Band of Flag Officer 3rd Flotilla (FOF3) disbanded. SBS titled Special Boat Service and came under command of Director Special Forces.

1988: 3 RSRM disbanded in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Sqn Dets formed.

1989: IRA bomb exploded at RMSM Deal killing 11 band ranks.

1990: RM embarked in HM Ships during the Gulf War.

1991: HQ Cdo Forces and 3 Cdo Bde (less 42 Cdo) deployed to South East Turkey for Operation HAVEN. Eastney Barracks closed. Corps strength 7400, (11.9% of RN).

1992:   Alliance   with   the   Barbados Defence Force.

1994: 45 Cdo deployed to Kuwait.

1995: Headquarters Royal Marines established on Whale Island, Portsmouth. 3 Cdo Bde Air Sqn incorporated into Naval Air Command as 847 Naval Air Sqn.   RM   provided the   Commander and the Operations Staff of the Rapid Reaction Force HQ in Bosnia. Cdo Log Regt moved to Chivenor. 42 Cdo and elements of the Cdo Logistic Regt on humanitarian and disaster relief in the West Indies. DRORM closed.

1996: Royal Marines School of Music moved to Portsmouth.

1996–97: 42 Cdo and a detachment from 539 ASRM in the Congo prepared to evacuate civilians from Kinshasa.

1998:    45    Cdo    on    humanitarian and disaster relief in Honduras and Nicaragua. 40 Cdo and a detachment from 539 ASRM in the Congo prepared to evacuate British Nationals.

1999: Ranks of RM Officers aligned to those of the Army.

2000: 42 Cdo deployed to Sierra Leone. HQ 3 Cdo Brigade, 45 Cdo, the Cdo Log Regt and the RM Band Plymouth deployed to Kosovo. RM National Memorial in London rededicated. Comacchio Gp renamed Fleet Protection Gp RM.

2001: Fleet Protection Gp moved from Arbroath   to   Faslane.   New   Colours presented to 40, 42 and 45 Cdos at Plymouth. Elements of 40 Cdo deployed in HMS Ocean for operations in Afghanistan. 3 Cdo Bde Sigs Sqn RM renamed United Kingdom  Landing Force Command Support Gp. RM Poole renamed 1 Assault Gp.

2002: 45 Cdo Gp deployed on operations in Afghanistan. Headquarters United Kingdom Amphibious Force established with the Commandant General as COMUKAMPHIBFOR. Firefighters’ Industrial action, over 600 RM (incl 150 Band) ranks involved. 42 Cdo N Ireland tour. (Apr) Corps Strength 7,010 (16.8% of RN).

2003: The Iraq War. Op TELIC – 3 Cdo Bde operations on the Al Faw peninsula. Viking armoured vehicle introduced, Armoured Sp Coy established.

2004: 40 Cdo Operational tour in Iraq. 45 Cdo completed final operational deployment to Northern Ireland. Bowman Communications System introduced. Viking entered service with 3 Cdo Bde.

2005: COMUKAMPHIBFOR deployed to Iraq with his HQ to command Multi- National Division, Southeast. ‘Trafalgar 200’ ceremonies.

2006: 3 Cdo Bde in Norway for Winter Deployment, then to Helmand, Afghanistan (less 40 Cdo). Op HERRICK 5.  Staff of COMUKAMPHIBFOR provide augmentees to ISAF and Bde HQ. CGRM Dep Comd Stability in ISAF and Senior Brit Milrep to Dec 07.

2007: 3 Cdo Bde return to UK. Armoured Sp Coy RM (Afghanistan) remained in theatre to support Army units. Armed Sp Gp RM formed at Bovington. 40 Cdo to Afghanistan Op HERRICK 7. SBS assumes ownership of Royal Marines Poole.

2008: 1 Rifles join 3 Cdo Bde. 24 Cdo Engr Regt formed. 3 Cdo Bde (-40 Cdo) to Afghanistan Op HERRICK 9. HQ & Sp Sqn of 1 Asslt Gp move from Poole to Devonport, 10 LC Trg Sqn remains at Poole.

2009: Hasler Coy opened in HMS Drake. RM Memorial Wall unveiled at CTCRM.

2010: 40 Cdo Op HERRICK 12. Op ATALANTA COMUKAMPHIBFOR command EU mission to combat piracy off coast of Somalia. UKLF CSG renamed as 3 Cdo IX Gp RM.

2011:   3 Cdo Bde (less 40   Cdo) Op HERRICK 14.

2012: FPGRM renamed as 43 Cdo FP Gp RM and becomes part of 3 Cdo Bde RM. RMR Tyne subordinated under RMR Scotland. Corps Strength 7890 (22.2% of RN – Apr 2012).

2013: 1Rifles leaves 3 Cdo Bde. HQ 1 AGRM. RM Tamar opened. Operation PATWIN – J Coy 42 Cdo RM Humanitarian Assistance operations in the Philippines. 30 Cdo IX Gp RM freedom of Littlehampton

2014: RM 350. Foundation parade of HM RM Cadets. Operation PITCHPOLE 40 Cdo RM. 42 Cdo RM London Duties. Operation GRITROCK – 42 Cdo and 1 AGRM humanitarian Assistance to Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. Corps Strength 6680, 28% of RN

2015: Operation WEALD – Elements 45 Cdo RM embarked on HMS BULWARK rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean. 45 Cdo RM Freedom of East Lincolnshire.

2016: Operations SILVAN and LITTEN– RM detachments on Border Force ships in response to refugee crisis in Mediterranean. Announcement by Prime Minister lifting restrictions on women serving in the GCC role to be lifted from 1 Jan 2019.

2017: HRH The Prince Harry of Wales announced as Captain General in succession to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. RM Museum Eastney closes public galleries. RMR City of London Freedom of Wandsworth. Operation Ruman, 40 Cdo Gp disaster relief in West Indies. Corps Strength 6570, 27.6% of RN

2018: Project Sykes, reorganization of 3 Cdo Bde RM and 42 Cdo RM becomes the Maritime Operations Commando. Royal Marines Freedom of the City of Birmingham. HMS Queen Elizabeth enters service. First deployments of Special Purpose Task Groups.

2019: 40 Cdo RM awarded a fourth Sword of Peace.