COMMANDOS gathered at an iconic Highland memorial to pay tribute to fallen comrades.

Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, gathered at the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge alongside veterans and their families from across the country to support the annual Royal Marines Association (RMA) parade.

The memorial service, taken by the Reverend Mark Dalton RN, included prayers and readings. A roll of honour was read in memory of fallen comrades.

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Commanding Officer of 43 Commando, Colonel Ben Foster, who attended this year’s event, described it as "fantastic". He said: "It was great for 43 Commando Royal Marines Fleet Protection Group to be amongst the RMA at Spean Bridge; a very special location on a very special day. It’s great for serving members of the Royal Marines past and present to be able to come together in such a significant location”.

Alongside the Royal Marines from 43 Commando were members of the RMA, a local pipe band and local Royal Marine Cadet units.

The Royal Marines Charity celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2021, marking the foundation of one of its predecessor organisations, the Royal Marines Association (RMA), in 1946.

To commemorate 75 years of the association and to raise funds, personnel took part in the Commando Paddle 75 challenge. Following in the footsteps of the ‘Cockleshell Heroes’. Serving Royal Marines and veterans paddled 120 nautical miles over five days, from 43 Commando based at HMNB Clyde to Fort William. The area is affectionately known as ‘Commando country’ as this was the Commando training ground during World War 2.

The area surrounding the memorial has special significance to all Commandos. Tests developed in the Spean Bridge training areas are still used today to see if new recruits have what it takes to wear the coveted green beret.

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