Will O'Brien Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 I've just had a curious email from my brother-in-law who has asked me a Great War related question.................much to my chagrin, I don't know the answer...........however I'm sure there's a GWF Pal out there who does....................The question is what is a Maroon?...............Perhaps I should put it into context............My brother in law has just been watching part 1 of Churchill's bodyguard. Walter H. Thompson (he was the bodyguard) describing the armistice is heard to say 'as I went into Whitehall a great crowd had gathered as the maroons banged at 11am to signal the end to the hostilities they began to sing'......Anybody have any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 Will, In the Navy a Maroon was a signal flare. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 Will, In the Navy a Maroon was a signal flare. Regards Charles It's an explosive device that takes on different forms depending on where and when it's used. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 Maroon Rocket * Audible and visual alarm or warning signal * For day and night use * Loud report and bright flash We used them for man overboard. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoldier Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 I agree Joseph. I always understood that a 'Maroon' was a type of Naval/Miltary Flare/Signal Rocket. Terry. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 7 November , 2006 Share Posted 7 November , 2006 In the days before mobile phones and pagers it is what some RNLI stations used to summon the crews to a call out. One signal for the Coast Guard and two for the lifeboat IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J T Gray Posted 7 November , 2006 Share Posted 7 November , 2006 In the days before mobile phones and pagers it is what some RNLI stations used to summon the crews to a call out. One signal for the Coast Guard and two for the lifeboat IIRC. Still being used at Swanage in the late 1990s - a most impressive bang, you always knew when the lifeboat was going out because there'd be a big WALLOP! sort of noise, and the windows would rattle - and this was several hundred yards from the lifeboat station! Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 7 November , 2006 Share Posted 7 November , 2006 I was told some years ago in Cornwall that they stopped putting up maroons when the local lifeboat crew was first issued with pagers, but started again after people on shore asked for a maroon to be fired when the lifeboat launched — so that they knew when to offer up a prayer for its safe return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scragend Posted 7 November , 2006 Share Posted 7 November , 2006 They fired one at Lochnagar on 1st July. It was b****y loud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 7 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2006 Thanks everyone I'll pass the explanation on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now