Looking at a photo of my Granddad who was in the Royal Marines and noticed he had three stripes on his left sleeve, what are these?
Cheers Drew I have looked at his service recored but can not find anything that would relate to this, a little more digging I think.
The wound stripe idea seem right, as defined in this website, page 3: http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/museumresearch/PDFs/Abbreviations%20Found%20In%20RM%20Service%20Records.pdf What I wonder about is the length as defined here: WOUND STRIPES Two inch lengths of gold or red braid worn above left sleeve cuff. Issued for each time wounded. Your photo seems to show these as being larger than two inches. Perhaps on a Dress Uniform, these are denoted differently. cheers, phil
They are Long Service chevrons. In the army that would equate to 12 years service. Not sure if it is the same in RM.
Cheers Guys I have just looked at the photo copies of his service records I got from Kew, I have his originals dating back to when he joined in 1916 to 1942 but they are hard to read. I am now wondering if they are good conduct stripes, as in a little note it say "Towards good conduct badge" and I have just read somewhere that these were issued after so many years service:- one stripe equaled two years, two equaled six years and three equaled twelve years.
Kieron I would go along with the long service chevrons as a wound stripe is of gold aboiut two inches long and an eigth of an inch thick and is worn vertically above the left cuff - at least mine was ! Cheers
Cheers everyone, it never ceases to amaze me on here the help, knowledge and guidence that everyone is prepared to give, they could be a complete newbie or a seasoned Vet and when you see the thread contributers location were global...This is a top forum!!! Come on Guys and Girls group hug :GroupHug::GroupHug::GroupHug:
To see the difference between wound stripes & Good Conduct stripes look at the group photo on this website labelled 'Royal Marine Light Infantry England circa 1918'. I know it's 1918 but it explains the point well. royal marines
Owen - Kieron - on the last picture of a segment showing the privates circa 1918 where they appear to be influenced by the demon drink - the private referred to has the four long service stripes plus two wound stripes - the two next to him and also the last of the back row on the right also appear to have wound stripes to the left cuff area... Cheers