Slide1: Stanley Royle Royal Marine Artillery 1918 Some of the Family Photographs of Betty & Walter Occleston. This a way of filling in the time of a grumpy old man who is out of step with today's modern world. I have a family web site to do my moaning on and I have now discovered that I can put Power Point presentations on the web as well . so WHY NOT ! You don’t have to watch. This One is about my Father-Law Next One Will be about Iron & Steelmaking in IRLAM & CADISHEAD Lancashire I hope http://occleston.com/


Slide2: A collection of slides compiled by W. Occleston. Relating to service between 1917 and 1922 of STANLEY ROYLE 15435. Royal Marine Artillery. Most of the slides are taken from post cards sent home by Stan with a few photographs that may have been taken by Stan. Any of ones that may be the copyright of family members may be used with permission, for none commercial purposes. Any others are from the internet and should be checked for copyright by the users. w.wo@btinternet.com


Slide3: Helmet Plate. Cap Badge. 12th Feb 1917 - 26 Oct 1921 STANLEY ROYLE Royal Marine Artillery


Slide4: As usual when trying to compile a history of a family member it is only then that you find out how little you know and with the passing of years it becomes even harder as memories fade. This compilation is from various sources but chiefly from Stan’s photographs and study of ships’ histories. The years stated are usually accurate. From 1755, the Marines were grouped into fifty Companies, each consisting of about 100 men. Each Company was assigned to one of three Grand Divisions, at Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth. Woolwich was the seat of a further Division between 1805 and 1869. In 1855 the whole Royal Marine Corps took the name Royal Marine Light Infantry (Red Marines). In 1859 a separate Division was formed. Royal Marine Artillery (Blue Marines). This would be the Division Stan joined probably at Wickham. In 1923 the two merged as a single corps known as the Royal Marines.


Slide5: We don’t know anything about Stan’s basic training but his first ship was the Dreadnought class HMS COLOSSUS which he probably joined in 1917. This picture is dated 1918 so he was most likely one of the crew at this time.


Slide6: HMS Colossus was built by Scotts of Greenock and launched on the 9th of April 1910 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on the 8th August 1911. Displacement 20,350 tons - Speed 21.5 knots - Complement 750 and up to 800 during wartime - Armament. Ten 12-inch guns in pairs, sixteen 4 -inch guns and two 3 inch Anti Aircraft Guns. HMS Colossus joined the 2nd Division of the Home Fleet and the 2nd Battle Squadron between May and December 1912 and in August 1914 she became Flagship to the 1st battle squadron. At the Battle of Jutland under the command of Admiral Jellico was the only ship of his command to be damaged by two hits, with five crew casualties. Among Stan’s pictures was the one of battle damage to the Colossus at Jutland, I would guess that he joined the ship after its refit sometime in 1917. The second picture I believe to be HMS Colossus firing a broadside, source unknown.


Slide7: WHALERS & CUTTERS CREWS COLLOSSUS - 1918


Slide8: THE COLOSSUS SHIP’S THEATRICAL PARTY I don’t think Stan was a member but he enjoyed the shows.


Slide9: ROYAL MARINE’S FOOTBALL TEAM I don’t think Stan was a player.


Slide10: The SHIP’S “BELLES” and no he wasn’t a player.


Slide11: COLOSSUS RUGBY TEAM - Cup Winners 1917/18 season. I don’t think Stan was a player.


Slide12: Foreground HMS REVENGE - Background HMS QUEEN ELIZEBETH. I think this was taken from HMS RESOLUTION maybe by Stan all anchored at ROSYTHE.


Slide13: Stan at EASTNEY BARRACKS 1919. I think about this time he would have been transferring from HMS COLOSSUS to HMS RESOLUTION although I can’t be definite about this. The picture below is A postcard of a parade at the Eastney Barracks Southsea but it is dated 1916 before his time in the R.M.A.


Slide14: H.M.S. Resolution Length: 620 Feet 6 inches - Beam : 102 Feet) Draught:30 Feet Displacement: 31,160 Propulsion: Parsons reaction-type turbines Speed: 23 Knots Armour: Main 13” - Decks 1” / 4”- Turrets: 11” / 13” Bulkheads 6” Conning Tower 3”/11” Armament: Eight: 15” Fourteen: 6” - Two: 3in AA - Four 3 pounders - Five: machine guns - Ten: Lewis guns - Four: 21” T Tubes - Crew Complement Max 1,146 HMS RESOLUTION was built at the Palmers dockyard in Jarrow-on-Tyne in 1916, one of five "R" class battleships, other's being Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Ramillies & Revenge. She and her sister ships made up the Grand Fleet's first battle squadron and were used for blockade duties in the later part of WWI . Dec 1916 Allocated to 1st Battle Squadron - 1920 Transferred to Mediterranean fleet. ( I think this was when Stan became part of the ship’s crew) Resolution became a stokers training ship in 1944.Sold 1948 for scrapping.


Slide15: Ship in dry dock - Possibly 1920 or 1921


Slide16: Football Team1920 - Don’t know what the cup is.


Slide17: Fleet exercises - I assume in1920 before sailing for Malta. - 15” Shells & Gun Cartridges


Slide18: Fleet exercises - I assume to be in 1920 before sailing for Malta


Slide19: Fleet exercises - I assume to be in 1920 - before sailing for Malta H.M.S. QUEEN ELIZEBETH ahead of H.M.S. RESOLUTION


Slide20: Fleet exercises - I assume to be in 1920 - before sailing for Malta


Slide21: Dinner time on board in Malta 1920. Stan is marked with arrow near centre of picture.


Slide22: In Malta 1920. I assume this photograph is taken from the RESOLUTION. Ship in front possibly HMS QUEEN ELIZEBETH. I think it must be wash day judging by the rails round the bows.?


Slide23: I think that in Feb 1920 the fleet sailed from Malta to the Dardenelles and Constantinople. My interpretation is that a small British Force had been stationed there since the wars end and the Fleet went out to show the flag as trouble was developing between Greeks and Turks. This was to lead ultimately to the so called Chanak Incident that lead to Churchill's downfall.This may or may not be correct, further research is needed but the following photographs suggest that it was a “Show Of Strength”. RESOLUTION was back at Portsmouth in 1921. Taken from onboard RESOLUTION


Slide24: British Naval Demonstration - Constantinople - 1920. Real Admiral Victor Stanley sat offside rear of car.


Slide25: Photographs from Stan’s time aboard HMS RESOLUTION


Slide26: Constantinople - Feb 25th 1920 - Marching over Istanbul bridge. Stan is lead man of second block indicated by arrow on road.


Slide27: Photographs from Stan’s time aboard HMS RESOLUTION


Slide28: Some of the crew of HMS RESOLUTION - 1920


Slide29: A group of Marines from HMS RESOLUTION - 1920


Slide30: Leaving up the Bosphorous on route Ismid - 3rd Mar 1920 Note: From 1918 until 1923 Britain, France, and Italy occupied Constantinople. The name was officially changed to Istanbul in 1930.


Slide31: RESOLUTION must have called at Spain 1921 Stan notes that the pier is where they landed - Presumably for shore leave ?


Slide32: Photographs from Stan’s time aboard HMS RESOLUTION Service held on Resolution Apr 1921 for those lost on K5 sunk with all hands while exercising with Atlantic Fleet 20th Jan 1921


Slide33: The RESO - Back at Plymouth - 1921


Slide34: Photographs from Stan’s time aboard HMS RESOLUTION I think back at Plymouth - 1921


Slide35: Marines on HMS RESOLUTION at Rosythe – 1921 Stan might have taken this picture, his mate Syd Storr is second from left


Slide36: That’s last of Stan’s photographs but just for interest HMS RESOLUTION saw service throughout the second world war with various alterations and modifications. Below HMS RESOLUTION in1938 and below that the sad of her at the breakers yard.


Slide37: Photographs from Stan’s time aboard HMS RESOLUTIONSHIPS CHRISTMAS CARD 1920


Slide38: Potted history of HMS RESOLUTION after 1921 1923 Refit in UK. - Jan 1924 On way back to the Mediterranean fleet collided with and sank the British Submarine L24 off Portland Bill - 1936 Transferred to Home Fleet and Joined with Revenge guarding the English Channel. - May 1940 Sent to Norway where she was hit by an 250lb armour piercing bomb between X and Y turrets, killing two and injuring twenty seven. After repairs in the UK she joined Force H at Gibraltar along with H.M.S. Hood, and Ark Royal. to provide cover for the delivery of hurricane fighters to Malta, and helped in attacking Cagliari. Sept 1940 Took part in operation "Menace", with Ark Royal & Barham off of Dakar. Resolution, and H.M.S. Barham were deployed to attack the French ships but they failed to hit the shore batteries, Resolution took four hits and had to retire. On the 25th she returned but was hit by a torpedo fired by the French submarine Beveziers and received extensive damage taking a 12 degree list to port. Her speed kept dropping so finally she had to be towed by H.M.S. Barham to Freetown to have temporary repairs. From Mar to Oct 1941 Resolution was in the USA, for major repairs. When Warspite arrived for repairs many of her crew transferred to Resolution, They Sailed to Plymouth where She continued her refit in dry dock at Devonport , this included extra deck armour and new radar system. April 1942 Joined the 3rd Battle squadron in Columbo as flagship, along with sister ships, Ramillies, Royal Sovereign and Revenge. ( also Warspite, and the four carriers Illustrious, Formidable, Indomitable, and Hermes, and the cruisers Cornwall & Dorsetshire.) In 1943 Resolution took part in operation "Ironclad" (North Madagascar) to occupy the Vichy French Base. After "Ironclad" She stayed in the Indian ocean on Convoy duties. Feb to Oct 1943 On return to Britain. H.M.S. Resolution was reduced to reserve status, at Southampton and used as a training ship .Transferred to Devonport in June 1944 as training ship for stokers, her main armament was removed to provide spares for H.M.S. Ramillies & Warspite). Paid up and put on to the disposal list in Feb 1948, NOTE: The 15" guns outside the Imperial war museum are from Resolution & Ramillies, the left one is from H.M.S.RESOLUTION. (Gun body No 102) it was the original gun fitted in 1915 and replaced in 1938, it was stored at the Vickers factory until 1944 when it was placed on the monitor ship H.M.S. ROBERTS and bombarded German Batteries on Sword Beach on D-Day. Stored again until 1968 when it was finally placed in front of the Museum.


Slide39: Changing the gun barrels of the 15" turrets in the mid 1930's One of these barrel's might be the one outside the War Museum in London ?


Slide40: The Guns outside the Imperial War Museum London


Slide42: The end of Stan’s Navy Photographs. During WW2 he served as a Special Constable in Irlam & Cadishead. Until retirement he was a Lock Keeper on the Manchester Ship Canal. Stanley Died on the 7th Jan 1989 at aged 89 In an effort to make this account more detailed any further information or photographs relating to Stan’s Navy Service or his ships or shipmates that anyone can supply will be much appreciated.