Royal Marines were off to Shanghai

One of the photographs of Royal Marines at Eastney, Portsmouth, published on February 14 was seen by Kamila Michalska.

We were not sure of the occasion or the year and she may have solved the mystery. She says: ‘From my understanding the Royal Marines 12th Battalion left for Shanghai in 1927,’ and she provides a YouTube link of the event.

The mystery picture from Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth, now believed to show Royal Marines preparing to leave for China in 1927. Picture: Geoffrey Elliott collection | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — The mystery picture from Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth, now believed to show Royal Marines preparing to leave for China in 1927. Picture: Geoffrey Elliott collection | Other 3rd Party

Kamila adds: ‘In my opinion the photo at Eastney Barracks is what I believe to be the formation before they marched off to the ship on which they sailed to China.

‘The only reason I say that is because, looking chronologically, there was no other event of its kind until 1930 when the Royal Navy School of Music moved to Deal.’

She adds: ‘When looking at the photo and watching the video, the men are dressed in the exact same manner and I believe their families were inside the barrack gates saying their goodbyes while the public lined the streets.’

See the British Pathé film on YouTube by searching 'Royal Marines Embark for China 1927'.