Celebrations to mark the 353th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Marines Corps took place at HMS Raleigh.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth hosted the celebration attended by serving and former Royal Marines as well as retired members of the Band Service and other guests from within HMS Raleigh.

The youngest member of the Band, 21-year-old Musician Andrew Steele was invited to cut the gate alongside 97-year-old Eric Greenleaf. 

Eric who still lives on the Barbican, where he was worn born and bred, served throughout the Second World War as a member of the Royal Marines Band Service and is a veteran of the Arctic convoys.  Also pictured is Major Huw Williams, the Director of Music of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth.

The Royal Marines Corps traces its roots back to the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot, which was formed on October 28 1664.