Royal Marines veterans pay tribute to Captain General Prince Philip at Deal Memorial Bandstand
16:52, 19 April 2021
updated: 13:47, 22 April 2021
Dozens of Royal Marines veterans joined together to mark the death of their Captain-General, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
They formed together around Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green on Saturday April 17, a week and a day after the senior royal passed away.
Precisely as the minute's silence began in Windsor Castle and across the nation, the standard was lowered and the Royal Marines were ordered to attention.
Dozens of spectators and visitors who had braved the keen wind to visit Walmer Green stood and joined in.
A union flag next to the beach behind the memorial bandstand fluttered at half mast.
Standard bearer John Farlie lowered the standard of the Deal Branch RMA.
The parade was led by Lt Col [ret] David Storrie OBE RM, who explained: "The Duke was more than just a figurehead - he was a part of us for 64 years and every Royal Marines who met him liked, respected and admired him.
"This tribute to his memory was something that none of the former Royal Marines who belong to the Royal Marines Association club on the seafront wanted to miss."
After the minutes silence Col Storrie proposed a toast to the Duke and all those present drank to his memory with the traditional Navy favourite - a tot of rum.
The event was filmed by Stephen Hutchings for the Royal Marines Heritage Trail's social media pages and may be used on the trust's website in conjunction with a story about the Prince's private visit to Deal just before the barracks closed in 1996.
They were joined by four ex-Wrens, wearing Wrens' Tartan scarves. These ladies had all served at Deal in the past.
Anita Lignum, chair of Deal RMA said: "Prince Philip was the Captain General of the Royal Marines for many years.
He visited Deal on a few occasions to see the Marines and there were retired bands men who would have played at his birthday celebrations in June. There was always a good rapport between Prince Philip and the Marines in general across the country so it was suggested by our members that we do this and it meant a lot."
