All about the Branch
The objectives of the branch are:-
To maintain and promote Espirit de Corps and comradeship amongst all former and serving Royal Marines, to keep them in touch with the activities of the Exeter Branch, the association and the serving Corps. To maintain the welfare of the membership, to raise funds and to make donations to those charities which benefit Royal Marines.
The Branch meet on the 2nd. Thursday of the month, at 2000hrs at the Exeter White Ensign Club, South Street, Exeter. Membership is open to all who have served with or in the Royal Marines. New members are always welcome.
The Royal Marines Association (RMA) was formed at the end of the Second World War, to assist the then 77,000 men of the Royal Marines, many who were called up as 'Hostilities Only' to resettle back into civilian life. The principle purpose of the RMA was to keep former Royal Marines in touch with one another and to preserve and maintain their 'esprit de corps'. It also assisted in finding employment and helped those who experienced financial and other difficulties.
These objectives are still valid today where we raise money to support those charities which assist Royal Marines. The RMA currently has 10,000 members and 84 Branches throughout the UK. There are also Branches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Malta.
The proud tradition and motto of the RMA 'Once a Marine always a Marine' is as true today as it has ever been and it is this close bond that unites each and every Member as part of our Corps. The Association looks forward to building on the success of yesteryear and to the challenge of providing an equally vibrant organisation for the Royal Marines of today.
The Exeter Branch was formed in 1947 and early records show that General Sir Thomas L. Hutton was the President, Mr E Lemon, Chairman and Mr N Price, Secretary. Norman Price later became the Chairman and Arthur Webber, Secretary. Many years in the doldrums, the Branch was restructured and reformed in 1988 and with the kind permission of the Exeter White Ensign Club, commenced holding its Branch monthly meetings at the Club. The newly elected Officers of the Branch were Gerry Riglar (Chairman), Ken Russell (Secretary) and Jumper Collings (Treasurer). Lt. General Sir Michael Wilkins KCB OBE became the Branch President a couple of years later.
The current Branch President is Colonel Peter Babbington. CBE MC. Vice-President is Lady Wilkins. The Chairman - Jumper Collings (P022336A); Secretary - Ray Turley (RM15155); and Treasurer - Colin Thomas (P017048W), A busy working team together with their committee members give a great deal of their time to the Exeter Branch.
The Exeter Branch of the Royal Marines Association continues to meet on the second Thursday of every month at the Exeter White Ensign Club, Trinity House, South Street, Exeter commencing at 2000hrs. Membership is open to all who are serving or have served with the Royal Marines. George Teal (RM19416), Membership Secretary works hard maintaining and increasing the Branch membership, which last year stood at 94 full members and 3 local members.
Mike Phillips is the Branch Social Secretary and his committee, organise the Branch social and charity fund raising events each year. These include:- coffee mornings, car boot sales, car parking schemes, outings, an annual barbecue, the annual dinner & dance, including various raffles and many other activities.
The Branch also maintains a close link with other Branches including visits to Plymouth, Bridgwater, Mid Devon, North Devon, and Poole Branches. Organised visits have been made to the serving Corps, especially CTCRM, the Royal Marines Museum at Portsmouth as well as HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, and the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.
Organised trips have also been arranged to Edinburgh Tattoo, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and to the Eden Project. The Branch has also organised holidays to Guernsey and Canada. The last time being in June 2000, when twenty members and their ladies flew to Canada, to visit the sights on the east coast and then to the west coast. Visiting Montreal, Quebec, Niagara Falls, Calgary, Banff, Jasper and Vancouver, not forgetting a pleasant evening with the Ontario Branch in Toronto.
The Branch supports our other local ex-service organisations. The Branch standard bearer John Kilby (CH/X 4861), who's motto is 'have standard will travel', represents the Exeter Branch at various parades and services. The local RM/Sea cadets receive our support as does the 'Open Day/Families Day' held at CTCRM, when a major drive is made to raise funds and recruit and advertise the Association.
The Exeter Branch is closely affiliated to the Exeter White Ensign Club in South Street, who kindly allow us the use of their facilities once a month, with many of our members, also members of the Club. We also maintain a close link with the City of Exeter and with its adopted ship HMS Exeter and the annual day at sea or ship's visits are prized invitations by those so lucky. In 1999, six members of the Branch attended the re-commissioning ceremony at Portsmouth and we continue to follow her on-going duties over seas with pride and envy, before de-commissioning in 2007.
Ron Crabb (RM10337) provides the Branch welfare support to the members. He is in close contact with the Corps welfare team, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, the Royal British Legion and other local organisations and Government Departments who can provide advice as well as financial support to aid any former Royal Marine or his dependent that may need such assistance. Ron maintains contact with those within the areas who are unwell or need assistance, by regular visits or telephone calls.
The Remembrance week-end is always a busy period with various parades and services. In 1999 we inaugurated a service of Reconciliation on Armistice Day at the Commonwealth War Graves at Higher Cemetery, when the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, the Lord Mayor of Exeter, representatives from both the German and Polish Nations, together with local ex-service organisations and the people of Exeter attended. Poppy wreaths are laid by the VIP's at the Cross of Sacrifice and poppies laid by school children from Ladysmith Middle School, at each of the 100+ graves. Poppy wreaths are also laid at the Commando Memorial at CTCRM and at the City of Exeter War Memorial at Northernhay Gardens on Remembrance Sunday.
Meanwhile we must not forget the Branch QM, Pete Thompson (RM10241), who spends most of his time trying to get us to part with our cash and purchase his wide selection of Corps memorabilia. George Martin (RM23475) for his regular report in the Globe & Laurel and to Syd Foulston (P021417F) for compiling the quarterly Branch newsletter and his monthly brain teasing quiz.
Our ladies take an active and supporting role in the Branch activities and are welcome to attend the Branch Meetings, when they gather in an adjoining room, during the meeting, before joining us for the subsequent social event, quiz etc.
Finally the last Branch Meeting of the year in December is traditionally the Christmas Dance & Draw, when we sing and dance the night away. Our ladies provide an excellent buffet and the men the draw prizes. An evening always welcomed and enjoyed by all.
If you are in the Exeter area, do call in at the White Ensign Club, you will be made very welcome. It is open every lunchtime and evening. Better still, pop in on our Branch night and meet up with a few of your old buddies, swing the lamp and enjoy a pint, or two.

Per Mare Per Terram