Oh yes way before mixed crews, we had WRNS in our shore establishments and on certain operations such as Northern Ireland. They were always a welcome distraction and they very much enjoyed being attached to the Marines as they were made to feel special, have to say they worked hard and did a grand job. The other welcome ladies were the Queen Alexandra Nurses who were with us during the Falklands War, they did a sterling job in difficult conditions. When I had to go into Stonehouse Royal Naval Hospital for a spot of repair the Naval Nurses always had us Royal Marines iron their Headdress which had seven pleats (representing the seven seas) in it, those days are gone now. We were great at ironing because our uniform shirts had pleats which had to be perfect so our reputation went before us. SWMBO still has me iron anything with pleats or creases in!!!!
My grandfather was a Captain in the RM but strangely I have no recollection of him talking about service at sea. Apparently my grandmother had a weakness for the uniform too
He did serve in Ireland after the war and carried a lifelong limp and had a small pension as a result. He was injured whilst rescuing a family from a burning building. He was recalled in the Second World War and served at Scarpa Flow where he was responsible for security during the visit of King George.
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