Edwin aka Dick Lankshear in the Royal Marines 1917-1929
Dad was known as Eddie in his
family and to my mother and friends as Dick and Lightning in his Corps boxing career
He was in Chatham Division.
Dad on the WW1 Medal Rolls
Zeebrugge - 23 April 1918, British naval forces attempted to sink block-ships in the German U-boat bases at the Battle of Zeebrugge. Dad was in HMS Vindictive that came alongside the mole. He carried a Lewis gun ashore. Thought that a bit silly as it was really meant to be on a gun mount not carried.
From Corps History - RM Memorable Dates The Raid on Zeebrugge - 23 April 1918 The 4th Battalion RM under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B N Elliot DSO took a leading part in the gallant enterprise against the German naval base at Zeebrugge, on St George's Day, 1918. The RMLI companies landed on the Mole in the face of determined opposition and held their positions while the entrance to the canal was successfully blocked and the Mole destroyed. Lieutenant Colonel Elliot, the last of a family who had served in the Corps from father to son since 1755, Major Cordner, his second-in-command, 9 other officers and 109 NCOs and men lost their lives in this gallant affair, while 233 all ranks were wounded and 13 taken prisoner. Two Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Royal Marines for their conduct during the operation
Western Front - acted as decoy on night patrols for Gurkha Regiment - he sat in no man's land and enemy would crawl to get him and he could hear the Gurkha's knives at work.
1918/1919 Vladivostok Murmansk & Archangel - you probably did not know that the Allies invaded Russia to support the White Army in the Revolution - Dad marched along the railway line in defence of train. The march and the cold put an enormous toll on his feet and he wore corn plasters and dressed his feet every night for the rest of his life.
1920 Irish Troubles - transferred to Cork on attachment to the
Royal Marine Guard. Must have worked with the Black and Tan's - an Auxiliary
Police Force - because they wore dark (green and blue) jackets and
khaki trousers (Royal Irish Constabulary). the hence the name for the beer drink
1920 My Father and Royal Marine Guard in Ireland - Photographs
Other links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_&_tan
and http://www.answers.com/topic/black-and-tans
He escorted Lord Mayor of Cork to prison in England - the poor man died on hunger strike. Dad said he was ambushed when ferry
got back to Dublin - he had to run across wharf with bullets all
around. Whole thing he said was like the Wild West - he
wore two revolvers and you had to be ready at all times. I pray that
the whole of Ireland will have peace ....... the peace events of 2005 sure
look good and 2018 seem to be okay except for some Brexit concerns
1923 - the World Cruise in HMS Danae.
Empire
Cruise - the story
Cruise of the Special Service Squadron - WikiVisually
In Melbourne Dad was almost killed when a horse lashed out with his back legs - knocked the button off his tunic.
He was Fleet boxing champion and was called "Ligthning"
His team won fleet cutter trophy - Dad is behind the bear trophy on right
More Royal Marine photos Page 2 also
