The First Fleet Landing

Marines finally get the recognition they deserve

  

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16th Feb 1998 The unveiling of the memorial plaque to the Marines of the First Fleet in the Old Garrison Church, Sydney, by a direct descendant of a FF Marine (Walter Tunks). Photo shows L-R  member of NSW RMA, Rev Brian Seers,  FF Marine's descendant, C0-Organiser, Dennis Emerton (NSW RMA), Organiser, Tony Cude President RMA Qld.
Members of the RMA Qld at the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Anzac Day Parade in Brisbane.  President Tony Cude led the British Ex-Service Contingents wearing the uniform of a Marine Sergeant of the First Fleet, while three other members or the RMA also wore period uniforms. George Steel -No 2 Blues, Cleve Whitworth -WW2 Battledress & Harry Young - Lovats.
RMA Qld receiving the Liberation of the Netherlands Commemorative Plate at the Dutch Consulate in 1995. L-R  The late Ted Bates (RMAQ Secretary), Roy Leaney, Dougie Alexander (both who fought in the Netherlands), Captain K. Kyper, Netherlands Consul Qld, Tony Cude, RMA Qld President.

The Plates signed by the Queen of the Netherlands were presented to every British unit that took part in the liberation of the Netherlands, RMA Qld was the only unit in Australia so honoured.

 

 

History lesson on the First Fleet

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....??. .Buster. .Tom Baker..Peter Nichol.

On 13th February 2010, Peter Nichols a direct descendent of Cpl John Gowen who was one of the First Fleet Royal Marines paid a visit to our monthly meeting. After the official issues had been dealt with Peter then gave us all a history lesson on his family and of life at that time. He also brought along some interesting details of the ships, and of the people who disembarked here in Australia. He even had a complete inventory list of everything the 11 ships brought with them. That included the number of shoes, how many pieces of leather and even how many nails was amongst the cargo. It all made for a very interest history lesson and I for one will be following up on the period at a later date.

From all of us at the RMAQ may I say thanks for taking the time to pay us a visit, and to passing  on your family knowledge?

Many Thanks Peter
Terry Aspinall