Gunner 87 Posted 13 November , 2020 Share Posted 13 November , 2020 Hi guys. I thought to share this image of what I believe is three members from the Royal Marine Brigade manning a Maxim. With the nearest and furthest being in white tunics I assume this is a Mediterranean or Far East theatre as opposed to the Western Front. In addition, the top of the cap being worn by the RM behind the machine gun is white. The source of the picture had served in Malta though not with the RMB. Comments and opinions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 13 November , 2020 Share Posted 13 November , 2020 4 hours ago, Gunner 87 said: The source of the picture had served in Malta though not with the RMB. The "RM Brigade" did not serve in Malta. It was, as 3rd (RM) Brigade until mid-August 1915, one of the three brigades of the Royal Naval Division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 13 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2020 thank you horatio2, that is interesting as to where the pic was taken and where my Great Grandfather obtained it. Would they have worn this uniform on the Western Front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 14 November , 2020 Share Posted 14 November , 2020 9 hours ago, Gunner 87 said: Would they have worn this uniform on the Western Front? No. This has the feel of a posed photograph, possibly an RMLI machine gun crew disembarked from a ship for training ashore. Pure speculation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 14 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 14 November , 2020 I agree, it looks posed. You must excuse my lack of knowledge, but the fact they are not in Khaki adds to that assumption. Thanks for your opinion, it's appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 14 November , 2020 Share Posted 14 November , 2020 (edited) The possible date ranges could place the image outside WW1. The Broderick cap shown was introdued to RMLI and RMA in 1903 and was still in use in 1923 when RMLI and RMA were amalgamated into RM. I have no weapon expertise but I understand that the .303 Maxim MG was the standard issue to RN ships from 1890 to 1930. Can you tell us your GGF's service? Was he RMLI? The image suggests the Maxim is being used against aircraft which narrows the date-window. Edited 14 November , 2020 by horatio2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 27 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 November , 2020 On 14/11/2020 at 14:47, horatio2 said: The possible date ranges could place the image outside WW1. The Broderick cap shown was introdued to RMLI and RMA in 1903 and was still in use in 1923 when RMLI and RMA were amalgamated into RM. I have no weapon expertise but I understand that the .303 Maxim MG was the standard issue to RN ships from 1890 to 1930. Can you tell us your GGF's service? Was he RMLI? The image suggests the Maxim is being used against aircraft which narrows the date-window. horatio, apologies, I missed your reply. My Great Grandfather served with the Royal Garrison Artillery in Malta but, as you have previously pointed out, there was no RM deployment to the island. Since posting this we have found a relative that served with the RMLI Chatham Division, Albert Augustus Eburn 15586, and am considering the likelihood that he was the source of the photograph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 28 November , 2020 Share Posted 28 November , 2020 Pte EBURN served in the cruiser HMS BLONDE in the Mediterranean from May 1912 to May 1913 and was discharged invalided in June 1913. That would put some bounds on the possible dates. He did not serve in WW1. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7806581 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 28 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 28 November , 2020 4 hours ago, horatio2 said: Pte EBURN served in the cruiser HMS BLONDE in the Mediterranean from May 1912 to May 1913 and was discharged invalided in June 1913. That would put some bounds on the possible dates. He did not serve in WW1. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7806581 thank you horatio2, your help is appreciated as always. I think the passage of time and the number of my relations that served in WW1 will make finding the source of this photograph almost impossible. I do side with your initial 'speculation' that they are ashore on a training exercise but would be nice to know where. The picture certainly has the Mediterranean feel about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 28 November , 2020 Share Posted 28 November , 2020 On 13/11/2020 at 17:39, Gunner 87 said: Hi guys. I thought to share this image of what I believe is three members from the Royal Marine Brigade manning a Maxim. With the nearest and furthest being in white tunics I assume this is a Mediterranean or Far East theatre as opposed to the Western Front. In addition, the top of the cap being worn by the RM behind the machine gun is white. The source of the picture had served in Malta though not with the RMB. Comments and opinions welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 28 November , 2020 Share Posted 28 November , 2020 Very faint writing on back of photo: Sgt Wells, Sgt Powell RM 2.1 Depot Hope that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 28 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 28 November , 2020 15 minutes ago, oscarquebec said: Very faint writing on back of photo: Sgt Wells, Sgt Powell RM 2.1 Depot Hope that helps that's great, thank you. 8 hours ago, horatio2 said: Pte EBURN served in the cruiser HMS BLONDE in the Mediterranean from May 1912 to May 1913 and was discharged invalided in June 1913. That would put some bounds on the possible dates. He did not serve in WW1. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7806581 Hi horatio2, does the above information from oscarquebec, regarding the RM unit, assist in any possible deployment to the Mediterranean or other theatre? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 28 November , 2020 Share Posted 28 November , 2020 2 hours ago, Gunner 87 said: RM 2.1 Depot This makes no sense. Could it be "RMLI Depot"? This could refer to the Depot at Deal. The names are too common to be helpful. Thousands of men passed through the Depot or were on the permanent staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 29 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 29 November , 2020 16 hours ago, horatio2 said: This makes no sense. Could it be "RMLI Depot"? This could refer to the Depot at Deal. The names are too common to be helpful. Thousands of men passed through the Depot or were on the permanent staff. It's RMLI but not Depot.... any idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 29 November , 2020 Share Posted 29 November , 2020 Not a clue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 29 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 29 November , 2020 4 minutes ago, horatio2 said: Not a clue! Think this one will have to go into the unsolved file.....I appreciate your help anyway. Thanks Gunner 87. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 29 November , 2020 Share Posted 29 November , 2020 On 28/11/2020 at 09:50, horatio2 said: Pte EBURN served in the cruiser HMS BLONDE in the Mediterranean from May 1912 to May 1913 and was discharged invalided in June 1913. That would put some bounds on the possible dates. He did not serve in WW1. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7806581 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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