Royal Marine Association

ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE

The RMA was formed on the 1st May 1946

The previous page was: "Associations"

Membership of the RM Association is increasing and it is set up with Branches all over the country and other Branches overseas.

The strength of the RMA is around 12,000 including the serving Corps, all of whom are members. There are 80 branches in the UK and 13 overseas divided between Australia, Canada, The Falklands Islands, New Zealand and Malta these being the most popular.

At the end of World War II there were about 77,000 Royal Marines dispersed around the Globe most of whom were on active service for, 'Hostilities Only'.

It was perceived that there was a great need for an organisation, within the aegis of the Corps. To help these, 'Hostilities Only Royals' to resettle and find jobs, and to enable them to maintain contact with the Corps.

The First President of the RMA was Lieutenant General Sir Robert Sturges KBE CB DSO, he was extensively involved with Commando Operations in World War II.

He was supported by Major General R H Campbell CB MC, as the Executive Committee Chairman. And Major General A N Williams CBE, as the General Secretary.

Central Office was at this time in Room 814, Queen Ann's Mansion's, London, SW1. The Annual Subscription was 4/- and Life Membership was £10, payable by annual instalments of £1.

The associations help to keep former members in touch with their friends, their old units and the regiments they served in when they were younger. They can also join in with the Annual National Remembrance Parade in Whitehall and the many other activities that go on throughout the year.

Associations

'ESPRIT DE CORPS'

The RMA Motto is: "Once a Marine Always a Marine". The aim of the Royal Marines Association is to maintain and promote 'esprit de corps' (the Royal Marines inherited motto) and comradeship amongst all Royal Marines.

And to be involved with the activities of the serving Corps; also to advise members on any related Royal Marines or Association matters.

Royal Marines Association membership is currently £10 per year. You get a photo membership card in the corps colours. There are five categories of membership they are: Full Membership, Associate Membership, Honorary Membership, Affiliated Membership and Local Membership.

Life Membership was discontinued on the 1st January 2003, however all existing Life members will continue to have their membership honoured, along with their voting rights.

Local Membership to Branches is available for those not eligible to join as a full Full or Associate members. The full details of Membership and Voting Rights can be found in the Rules, Section IV.

Local Members who have an interest in the Royal Marines can join the RMA. Members can assist by letting the RMA know of former Royal Marines or their dependants who may need help. But by just being a member the subscription fees helps to help those in need.

You can purchase advanced tickets for the Mountbatten Festival of Music. You are entitled to meet with other members at the Annual Reunion at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone.

They have a Royal Marines Band Concert and they have live shooting of all sorts. You receive 2 newsletters a year full of comment and items of interest.

Central Office of the Royal Marines Association

To-day a Chief Executive and a PA administer the policies directed by the Board of Trustees, and they deal with the day to day running of the Association. They are responsible for administering the Central database.

Each Branch has its own elected committee; most committee members are up for re-election on an annual basis.

They meet at least once each month usually on the same day.

The committee take it in turn to read out their reports on their branch activity since the previous meeting.

Sometimes they have activities where they raise money for charity.

Each Branch is run differently. Some might hold a raffle to raise money or an auction of Royal Marines artefacts, some Branches might do both.

Enquiries into former Service

Former Royal Mraines, or their next of kin, may request details of their former service from the Royal Marines Historical Records Office. Enquiries should be made IN WRITING and should give as much information as is possible. e.g. Date of Birth, Full Name and Initials, Service Military Number, and the approximate date of joining the Royal Marines or the Royal Marines Band.

The address of the Royal Marines Historical Records Office is: The Royal Marines Historical Records Office, Centurion Building, Grange Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9XA

Information cannot be divulged to anyone other than to a former Royal Marine, or his bona-fide next of kin. The Royal Marines Historical records Office holds the Records of all Royal Marine Officers and other ranks for the past 75 years, after which they are passed to the Public Records Office at Kew.

Service Pensions

Queries relating to payment details or method of payment, of a Service Pension, should be addressed to:

NPP Acs, Centurion Building, Grange Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9XA OR: The Paymaster, Sutherland House, Russell Way, Crawley, West Sussex

WAR PENSIONS

Members who have any queries over War pensions are advised to contact the Veterans agency: Help HOTLINE 0800 169 2277

e-mail: help@veteransagency.mod.uk

Or you can write to: Customer Services Manager, Veterans Agency, Norcross, Blackpool, FY5 3WP

Loyal Toast

The privilage of remaining seated during the Loyal Toast was conferred to the Officers of the Royal Marine Corps by Her Majesty the Queen, at the Corps Tercentenary Dinner in Greenwich, on 23rd July 1964.

The Queen, at the Admiralty Board's request, subsequently extended the privilage to the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers of the Royal Marine Corps in 1966.

The privilage has NOT been conferred to members of the Royal Marines Association and so it is appropriate that barnches should STAND for the Loyal Toast

Welfare

The welfare of all Royal Marines past and present and their dependants is vested by Royal Charter to The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT). All cases of hardship or distress should be notified in writing to the Chief Executive RMA, who has the responsibility to deal directly with the RNBT.

The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund (RMBF) an amalgamation of all Royal Marines Welfare Funds, forms an intrinsic part of the grant making process that is performed by the RNBT.

Requests should be made giving as much information as possible, ALL corespondence is treat in the STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.

Branches and members are asked to be constantly vigilant in identifying former Royal Marines, or their dependants, who might require assistance. A simple telephone call can set the wheels in motion.

Modern-day Pages Fast Boats Pages Joe Wezley Pages

e-mail: royalmarines.charities@charity.vfree.com

The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund resorces have been busier than usual since the troubles in Afghanistan and there does not appear to be any chance of a let-up in the near future.

The RMBF is one of few charities where all of the proceeds are distributed to those who require assistance.

The executive would like to thank donors for their generosity. Contact for Donations may be by e-mail or sent to the address below:

RM Corps Secretary, HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth, PO2 8ER

The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund (RMBF) exists to assist and provide grants to all serving Royal Marines, their wives, families and dependants who are in some form of distress, whether it be attributed to death, injury, illness or any other unforeseen circumstances.

The fund generates income solely through the generosity of donors.

The RMBF is a Registered Charity; No. 1069059

Make a donation now and tell them where you heard of their good work.

The next Link below will be: "Royal Marines Cadets"

Royal Marines Association Royal Marines Cadets

"Pirates Trilogy" $20