Alf : What a surprise to know you once lived in Deal, Kent. That's where I was stationed when I joined the Marines as a raw recruit.
RM Depot is where we were sent for our basic training. It lasted for six months and was nothing but drilling on the parade ground. Every squad had to pass out as 'King's Squad', and believe you me, when the drill instrucors had finished with us, the squad moved like a machine, every man moving in exact unison.
After that it was the assault course; then battle training on Dartmoor; then the Commando school at Bickleigh. Then they sent us to Portsmouth to learn how to live aboard ship. Finally, we went off to Plymouth for naval gunnery.
But I certainly enjoyed my time in Deal, Alf. I and my oppos certainly got around that particular part of the South Coast. It was where I learned that the world was a much bigger and attractive place than the one I grew up in - Ashted.
I understand, now, that they have turned Depot RM into a music school where potential members of the RM Band go for tuition. Ah, well. I guess everything has to change eventually...!
Cheers,
Jim