Formed in the reign of King Charles II on October 28, 1664 as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot (or Admiral’s Regiment), the name Marines first appeared in the records in 1672 and in 1802 they were titled the Royal Marines by King George III.
The Convening Order
At The Court Of Whitehall The 28th October 1664
Present
The Kings Most Excellent Majestie
His Royal Highness Ye Duke of York, Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer,Duke of Albermarle, Duke of Ormond, Lord Chamberlain, Earle of Angelesey, Earle of Lauderdaill, Earle of Middleton, Lord Bishopp of London, Lord Ashley, Mr Vice Chamberlain, Mr Secretary Morice, Mr Secretary Bennet, Mr Chancellor of Ye Dutchy, Sir Edward Nicholas
Upon a report from the Lords Committee of the Affayres of His Majesites Navy Royall and Admiralty of this Kingdome this read at the board
His Majestie was pleased to order and direct that twelve hundred land soldiers be forthwith raysed, to be in readinesse, to be distributed into Majesties Fleets prepared for sea service which said twelve hundred men are to be out into one regiment under one Colonell, one Lieutenant Colnell and one Sergeant Major.
And be divided into six companies, each company to consist of two hundred souldjers; and to have one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Ensigne, one Drume, fowre Sergeants, and fowre Corporalls, and all the souldjers aforesaid to be armed with good firelocks; all which armies, drumes and colours are forthwith to be prepared and furnished out his majesities stoares; the care of all which is recommended to the Duke of Albermarle his grace, lord General of his Majesties Forces.
Since its formation Marines have taken part in more battles on land and sea around the world than any other branch of the British Armed Forces; so numerous are the Corps’ battle honours they are simply represented by the famous Globe and the single honour ‘Gibraltar’.
Since 1664 the Royal Marines have been in action at the most extreme of Cardinal Points;
62°57‘N (Arctic Convoys 1941 - 45)
176°09‘E (Battle of Gate Pā Pukehinahina 1863)
62°57‘S (Raid on Deception Island 1953)
155°56W (Marines Killed alongside Cook 1779)
Today, the Royal Marines are the UK’s Commando Forces and the Royal Navy’s amphibious troops. An elite force held at very high readiness, they are trained for worldwide rapid response, able to deal with a wide spectrum of threats and security challenges.
The main deployable force is 3 Commando Brigade RM with a Lead Commando Group ready and held at five days' notice to deploy globally, in support of the UK’s national interests
'I never knew an appeal made to them for honor, courage, or loyalty that they did not more than realize my highest expectations. If ever the hour of real danger should come to England they will be found the Country's Sheet Anchor.'
-Lord St. Vincent
Of the Royal Marines, 1802
In 2022 on the occasion of the Royal Marines 358th Birthday King Charles III became the Captain General Royal Marines.
King Charles III the Captain General Royal Marines.
Why not come and explore this remarkable history for your self using the map here: Royal Marines a Geo History with over 700 pins to explore you can search by Unit/ Conflict or Period.
(Please note that due to an error on the part of the author many hundreds of images collected over a 6 year period are missing, these will be replaced over the coming year)
Related Royal Marines 'Dits'
The Admirals Regiment - The Marines First Action - attack on the Dutch Smyrna fleet
The Battle of Soul Bay - First use of the word 'Marine'
"Soldier 'an Sailor too"
Rudyard Kipling
To take your chance in the thick
of a rush, with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you've cover
to `and, an' leave an' likin' to shout;
But to stand an' be still to the
Birken ead dri114 is a damn' tough bul
let to chew,
An' they done it, in the Dollies-'Er
Majesty's Dollies-soldier and sailor
too!
Their work was done when it
`and't begun; they was younger nor
me an' you'
Their choice it was plain between
drownin' in `eaps an' bein' mopped
by the screw.
So they stood an' was still to the
Biirken 'ead drill, soldier and sailor too!
We're most of us liars, we're `arf
of us thieves, an' the rest are as rank
as can be,
But once in a while we can finish
in style (which I `ope won't `appen to
me).
But it makes you think better o'
you an' your friend, an' the work yo
may `ave to do,
When you think o' the sinkin'
Victorier's Jollies-soldiers and sailor too!
Now there ins't no room for to
say ye don't know-they `ave proved
it plain and true
That, whether it's Widow, or
whether it's ship, Victorier's work is
to do,
An' they done it, the Jollies-'Er
Majesty's Dollies-soldiers and
sailors too!
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