at Eastney, Southsea The story of the Royal Marines from 1664 to the present day. Uniforms, Militaria and Medals including the complete collection of Royal Marines Victoria Crosses. Relive over 300 years of history through dioramas, audio visual programmes and panel presentations. One of the finest Service Museums in Europe within the setting of the old superb Victorian Officers' Mess, itself rich in Royal Marines history. A "must" for the whole family to visit and enjoy: 10 -4 Mon-Fri, 10- 12 Sat/Sun. Admission and car parking free. Of course, our party from the Wessex Military Society saw this new museum under the most auspicious circumstances as we were guests of Bandmaster David Hough R.M. (of the Royal Yacht) who not only "opened a few doors" for us but also royally entertained us to lunch in the Sergeant's Mess! This is a museum recently laid-out in a superb up-to-date manner, with clarity, dignity and interest predominating. We spent four hours wandering arounc - it could easily have been eight! A further bonus occurred during the afternoon when we met the professional maker of the dioramas which grace its halls -- two in particular the taking of Gibralter 1704 and the attack on the Walcheren Islands 1944 - are particularly good. There is a graphic "working" diorama (with commentary) of the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918 which is impossible to pass. The museum is housed within the famous old-established Royal Marine Barracks at Eastney, Portsmouth. This incomparable example of Victorian military architecture has been taken under the protection of the National Trust - a walk through its grounds, under its arches and past its long military buildings is a fine exercise in nostalgia. The museum itself occupies a wonderful buildinf that was once the Officer's Mess. Readers may be interested to hear that there is a Royal Marine Historical Society with an annul subscription of only £1.00p. Write to the Archivist at Eastney for details. Perhaps the best description can be obtained from the official "hand-out" which is reproduced below. The Museum offers visitors an extensive display of Royal Marines history from their formation in 1664 to the present day It comprises a chronological presentation of Royal Marines history and specialist displays as follows : a. Early History Room. History and relics associated with the early Marine Regiments 1664-1755, the establishment of the three `Grand Divisions', the Seven Years War including the award of the laurel for the Battle of Belle Isle 1761, the American War of Independence and the Colonisation of Australia. b. Main History Room. History and relics associated with : (1) The Heyday of Sail period 1793-1840 including relics from Trafalgar 1805. (2) The Mutinies at Spithead and the Nore 1797. (3) The Victorian Wars 1854-1901. (4) Zeebrugge 1918 including an audio model presentation. (5) The Great War 'Per Mare Per Terram' including an audio visual presentation of the Battle of Jutland 1916. (6) The Second World War `Per Mare Per Terram' including an audit visual presentation of the pre-Commando period 1939-42, operational theatres and `flying' Marines. (7) The Post-War period 1946-1975. c. Medal Room. A comprehensive collection of the orders, decorations and medals of Royal Marines including the complete collection of 10 Royal Marine VCs and many other unique awards. d. Uniform Room. A display of uniforms and prints relating to the dr of the Corps throughout its history e. RM Bands. History and relics associated with the Royal Marines Di sional Bands and the Royal Naval/Marines Schools of Music, including audio visual presentation. f. Picture and silver gallery. A representative collection of portraits a silver items of Corps historical interest. g. Miscellaneous displays including a history of other Marine Corps. Humour, Barrack Histories and Sport. h. Colours Hall. The history of Royal Marines Colours and Stands Colours presented at various periods of history. j. Souvenir Shop. A wide range of souvenirs can be purchased including RM replica drums, the latest RM Band recording, commemorative envelopes, a Royal Marines Historical Brochure, ties, brooches, car badge plaques and very many other souvenirs. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 165 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1975 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com