Pass Out Parade

On 7th March 1918 HM King George V, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Marines, visited Deal to see the 4th Battalion, which was training for the raid on Zeebrugge and to witness recruit training at the Depot. To commemorate his visit, His Majesty directed that the senior squad of recruits under training should be titled 'The King's Squad'. He subsequently approved that the most outstanding recruit should be awarded 'The King's Badge'. This badge, the cypher GvR within a laurel wreath, is worn throughout his service by a King's Badgeman, no matter what rank he may later reach and in all Orders of Dress. A record of all King's Badgemen is kept on the wall of the drill shed at the Commando Training Centre RM, Lympstone. The King's Squad, who have the distinction in blue uniform of wearing a black chin strap down below their chin and a white lanyard, were well known for their outstanding drill displays at the Royal Tournament from I9I9.

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