SEA SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 24

SEA SOLDIERS

RECORD OF MARINES STIRRING WAR EXPLOITS It is appropriate that at a time when Royal Marines are on service in China, that the complete record of their stirring war exploits should be made public in “Britain's Sea Soldiers,” by General Sir H. E. Blumberg, K.C.B. The author had plenty of material to draw on, for “His Majesty’s Jollies” were in the thick of the fray. They performed gallant feats at the Dardanelles — where they achieved the distinction of being the first to land on the treacherous beach, and the last to leave — in the battles of Jutland, Coronel, and Falkland Islands; and shared the honour of storming the Zeebrugge Mole on St. George’s Day. Five members won the Victoria Cross. All sorts of conditions came alike to the Marines, whether it was chasing submarines in the mystery “Q” ships; carrying out skilful river operations in Russia; assisting the Army on all fronts; or acting as convoys to transports. The author recalls an incident, interesting to the Navy, which occurred during “The Day,” when the German Fleet surrendered. When one of the ships of the Ist Battle Squadron was coming into harbour, the captain and every one on the bridge were puzzled to hear a drum being beaten somewhere in the vessel. “As all were at Action Stations, messengers were sent to locate the offender who could thus amuse himself on such a solemn occasion. No trace of the drummer could be found, yet the spasmodic beating of the drum could be heard, and continued all the way into harbour, when it ceased. The tradition of the Navy prefers to think that it was no loose funnel guy, but “Drake’s Drum” from Buckland Abbey. Devon. which, on this historic day, found the Immortal Admiral, “Ware and Waking as they found him long ago.’ ”•