Author: S. M. Holloway

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13:

Some 55,000 Royal Marines served in the Great War, of whom over a fifth were killed or wounded. The Corps served with distinction, as their motto says Per Mare Per Terram - by sea and by land - in all theatres, including the Western Front, Gallipoli, and in various naval actions including the Fleet action at Jutland. S. M. Holloway here weaves together first hand accounts from the letters and diaries of Royal Marines as Britain fought what was judged 'the war to end all wars'. The accounts of action mix the stoicism of the time with an immediacy that brings the events of ninety years ago into as sharp a focus as if they happened today. In addition to the horrors of combat, Holloway shows how men coped with life far from home in difficult circumstances; from treasure hunts and impromtu 'dinner parties' from whatever came to hand, to sports as varied as cricket and 'bomb throwing'. When I climed over the railing at the top I nearly fell back, as my rifle was slipping off my shoulder. The gangways were heaving up and down now, and the hail of shell was awful. Then for the first time it occurred to me that I might get hurt if I hung around much longer, so I was getting careful at last. I made a jump at the gangway, and got over, and threw my rifle in. I scrambled down as best I could, picked up my rifle, and went over to the starboard side. It was terrible here, and I was mad with myself. I was getting nervous and funky from looking at the dead and listening to the dying. I threw off my equipment and gas mask, and sat down next to poor Tubby Smith; he had one leg clean knocked off, and was talking bravely. There were some deeds done that night that make words seem light and not able to touch on the thought you wish to express. Private James Feaney, RMLI, 4th Bn Royal Marines, on the withdrawal from the Mole at Zeebrugge, 23 April 1918. S. M. Holloway, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all Royal Marines, read history at St Hugh's College, Oxford and took Military History and Theory of War as a special subject. Previous publications include Three Portsmouth VCs.