John Henry Marriner

John Henry Marriner 1889-1963

John Henry Marriner enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry in 1907 at the age of 17. His regular service continued until the end of 1919, whereupon he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve. Following his basic training at the RMLI Depot, Deal, he served much of the next ten years at sea on a wide variety of RN warships, ranging from battleships to gunboats. Brief details of these vessels are given below, together with a summary of John Marriner's service on them.

RMLI capbadge, circa 1910

On the 30th of January 1855, Queen Victoria approved the formation of the Corps of Royal Marines Light Infantry from the infantry elements of the existing Royal Marines. This new and elite corps was to serve with great distinction around the globe until its amalgamation with the Royal Marines Artillery in 1923 to form the Royal Marines as we know them today.

(left)

A private in the Royal Marines Light Infantry, circa 1910, shown in full 1903-pattern Field Service Marching Order.

(above) RMLI barrack room at North Barracks, Deal, circa 1910.

(above) RMLI recruits at Deal, 1915.

The Maritime service of 15861 Pte. John Henry Marriner, RMLI

	HMS IRRESISTIBLE. 15th December 1908 - 9th May 1910 Formidable-class Battleship. Part of Channel Fleet in 1908. Nore Division 1909-1910.
	HMS VENGEANCE. 24th June 1910 - 2nd August 1910 Canopus-class Battleship. Nore Division of Home Fleet Feb 1909 - Nov 1910.
	HMS FORESIGHT. 2nd May 1911 - 31st January 1912 Forward-class Light Cruiser. 3rd Destroyer Flotilla of Nore Divison from May 1911.
	HMS TRIUMPH. 2nd July 1912 - 6th August 1912 Swiftsure-class Battleship. 32nd Fleet of Nore Division from May 1912 - April 1913.
	HMS BERWICK. 8th October 1912 - 18th March 1913 Monmouth-class Cruiser. West Indies Training Squadron 1912 - August 1914.
	HMS ABOUKIR. 15th July 1913 - 12th August 1913 Cressy-class Cruiser. 6th Cruiser Squadron 1913. Torpedoed and sunk by U.9 22nd September 1914.
	HMS COMMONWEALTH. 30th August 1913 - 16th November 1916 King Edward VII -class Battleship. Mediterranean Station during 1913. 3rd Battle Squadron of Grand Fleet from August 1914. Refitted December 1914 - February 1915.
	HMS DWARF. 11th October 1917 - 15th April 1919 Bramble - class Gunboat.