FREEDOM OF GIBRALTAR
"On Saturday 28 February the RMA played a prominent part in exercising the Freedom of Gibraltar coupled with the unveiling and dedication of the new Royal Marines Monument in Gibraltar.
The RMA was lead by our President Brigadier Simon Hill, the National Standard Bearer, Marty Power, and a contingent from one of our newest Branches, Costa Blanca. The Branch Chairman, Royston Kear, headed 30 members and we are very grateful to him and all of the Branch for the high attendance. They were joined by other members living in Southern Spain and a hardy contingent from the UK.
The weather on the day of the Parade and dedication was awful and only the march through Gibraltar and the reception was attempted. A hastily re-arranged Dedication ceremony on the Sunday saw the RMA leading the Parade as the Chief Minister, the Honourable PR Caruana QC, and the Governor; our very own Lt Gen Sir Rob Fulton KBE officially unveiled the Monument.
The Inscription reads:
On 21 July 1704, the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt led some 1,900 British and Dutch Marines ashore near here to sever the isthmus and lay siege to the garrison of Gibraltar. Following a naval assault on the new mole, the garrison surrendered on 26 July. Following the capture, Marines formed the largest contingent on the rock and bore the brunt of the fighting with Spanish and French troops during the subsequent 8 months siege between October 1704 and April 1705. It was said that “the garrison did more than could humanly be expected and gained an immortal glory”. Because British Marines (awarded the title Royal in 1802) subsequently fought in so many actions around the globe, in 1827 King George IV decided that their Colours would in future bear the symbol of “the great Globe itself” and that henceforth the only battle honour on Royal Marines’ Colours would be that of ‘Gibraltar’. Since this date Royal Marines have regularly operated from and passed through Gibraltar. In 1996 the Royal Marines were granted the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar.
On the Sunday evening the Scotland Band, conducted by Lt Col Chris Davis, gave a superb concert in St Michael's Cave. This was a sell out and everyone hugely enjoyed Chris Davis' final performance as PDM.
These photographs give you a flavour of the weekend and weather and our grateful thanks go to the RMA who attended for making this weekend so successful.
