Themes
Eastney Barracks Report 1970
The following report from 1970 gives a good representation of the organisation of Eastney Barracks and the units housed within it at this time:-
ROYAL MARINES BARRACKS EASTNEY (1970)
GENERAL
The Barracks is basically a training establishment with minor operational tasks and some recruiting and depot functions and is also the Corps centre for many activities both social and sporting.
CURRENT ORGANISATION AND ROLE
1) Royal Marines Barracks, Eastney comprises:-
a. A Headquarters Company
b. A Band and Drums Company
c. A General Training Company
d. An Independent Commando Company
e. Signal Training Wing, Royal Marines (including Clerks Training)
f. Technical Training Wing, Royal. Marines
g. A WRNS detachment
h. The equivalent of a company of civilians
2) It provides services for:—
a. Headquarters, Portsmouth Group, Royal Marines
b. Drafting, Pay and Records Office, Royal Marines (DPRORM)
c. Falkland Islands Detachment
d. Most ranks on detached duties in the UK
3) Also located in the Barracks are:-
a. The Corps Inspectorate of Physical Training
b. The Corps Museum and Archives
c. The Offices of the Globe and Laurel Magazine
d. The. Central Office of the Royal Marines Association
e. The Portsmouth Detachment of Royal Marines Reserve, City of London
4) The Barracks can accommodate to synopsis scale 16 Officers, 98 SNCOs and 720 rank and file. The strength borne on the books (excluding Hutment Camp) varies between 900 and 1150, of which 650 to 800 are physically present at any one time.
BAND AND DRUMS COMPANY
5) Eastney is the hone of the Portsmouth Group, Royal Marines Band which provides the band for the Royal Yacht.
GENERAL TRAINING COMPANY
6) This Company is responsible for:-
a. Unit Physical, Recreational, Weapon and parade training.
b. Pre-embarkation training of Royal Marines detachments, Commando Refresher Courses for ranks under orders.
c. Royal Marines Reserve Recruit and initial training,
d. Cadet and School training and visits.
e. All ranks temporarily additional whilst unfit and compassionate cases from overseas Commandos and Ships.
7) The Staff consists of 5 officers, 11 SNCOs and 13 rank and file. The training capacity of the company is about 80 students at any one time. In 1967 it ran courses for 45 officers and 811 other ranks and laid on detailed programmes for visitors (120 officers 1500 other ranks, cadets etc).
R INDEPENDENT COMMANDO COMPANY
8) Comprising 5 Officers 11 SNCOs and 95 rank and file is borne for Recruiting and London duties and is complemented to provides- •
a. Two Youth Visiting Teams from September to April,
b. One Youth Activities Team from April to August.
c. Personnel for recruiting ventures such as, exhibitions, small displays and films.
d. Personnel for London ceremonial.
9) The Officer Commanding this Company is empowered to deal with DCGRM direct on all routine matters of recruiting and recruiting publicity, keeping Headquarters Portsmouth Group and Royal Marines Barracks Eastney informed as necessary, otherwise he is fully under command.
SIGNAL TRAINING WING
10) Comprising 7 officers, 22 SNCOs and 24 rank and file, Signal Training Wing (STW) trains and/or co-ordinates training of all Royal Marines Signallers, Radio Technicians and Clerks. The Chief Signal Officer advises the Commandant General on Signals Policy and Equipment requirements. The maximum capacity of the Wing is 115 students at any one time? 200 students passed through the Wing in 1966 and in 1968 - 418 are planned to pass through it.
TECHNICAL TRAINING WING
11) Comprising 8 officers, 38 SNCOs and 40 rank and file, Technical Training Wing (TTW) trains Royal Marines Drivers and Tradesmen. Its maximum capacity is 123 students at any one time 434 students passed through the Wing in 1966.
12) In addition to training responsibilities the Wing is also the production centre for much of the Corps recruiting and publicity material, is the training centre for the Motor Cycle Display Team, the home of the EM Inspectorate of MT and houses the Portsmouth Group Workshops. The Officer Commanding advises the Major General, Royal Marines Portsmouth on technical matters.
WRENS DETACHMENT
13) The WRNS Detachment consists of 3 officers, 11 Senior Ratings and
115 Junior Ratings. The detachment provides clerical staff for the offices
and departments of the Barracks, Headquarters, Portsmouth Group and DPRORM.
CIVILIANS
14) 109 civilians are employed in the barracks in lieu of marines on such duties as Mess Servants, Dining Hall Attendants, Storemen, Clerical Staff and Groundsmen. They are commanded by a Civilian Executive Officer and constitute the equivalent of another company. The degree of civilianization allowed is strictly controlled by MOD and depends in the main on the Home to Foreign ratio of serving marines.
FUTURE PLANS
Current plans envisage a continuing role for Eastney Barracks despite the planned move of DPRORM to Rowner in 1972.
