Bootnecks
Christmas Menu Depot Royal Marines Deal 1961
We had four meals a day using a cafeteria type system in a large dining hall with all other men in the Depot below the rank of Sergeant. Each squad had its allocated table. An Orderly Officer carried out meal rounds where you could complain about the food if you dared. Sometimes without warning the officer or an NCO would inspect your face and hands to ensure you were clean and tidy at meal times before entering the mess. You were not allowed to take food or drink from the dining room back to your barrack room. Several recruits, junior marines and musicians tried to take a mug of tea back to their room only to hear an NCO shout at them “to come here” and receive a reprimand or told to “ditch it” by the provost staff on traffic duties shouting from the main gate.
Christmas Menu Depot Royal Marines Deal 1961
We had four meals a day using a cafeteria type system in a large dining hall with all other men in the Depot below the rank of Sergeant. Each squad had its allocated table. An Orderly Officer carried out meal rounds where you could complain about the food if you dared. Sometimes without warning the officer or an NCO would inspect your face and hands to ensure you were clean and tidy at meal times before entering the mess. You were not allowed to take food or drink from the dining room back to your barrack room. Several recruits, junior marines and musicians tried to take a mug of tea back to their room only to hear an NCO shout at them “to come here” and receive a reprimand or told to “ditch it” by the provost staff on traffic duties shouting from the main gate.