WHEN Bovey Tracey’s well-known former Mayor and Veteran Royal Marines Commando, Martyn ‘Taff’ Evans attended a two-day course organised by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity for its Support Volunteers (RMASV), something unexpected happened.

Because also on the course were two of the 100-plus RM Recruits he took through training during his time at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone – 39 years ago.

Martyn, together with John Stokes from Plymouth and Totnes resident, Neil Flower, were last together when Kings Squad 285 Troop passed out for duty in 1983.

All went on to have successful careers in the Royal Marines, with Martyn going on to become a Troop Sergeant with 42 Cdo, followed by time spent at the Britannia Royal Naval College and Commando Logistics before leaving the Service in 1999.

‘It’s really great to be back in contact,’ he said, quipping: ‘Although I didn’t at first recognise them, they both remembered me – not surprising as recruits never seem to forget the person who put them through training!’

RMA – The Royal Marines Charity director of Health and Wellbeing, Danny Egan said that the surprise reunion was an added bonus to the day.

‘Some 20 of our many wonderful Royal Marines Association Support Volunteers (RMASV) had travelled from far and wide to attend.

‘About a quarter are long-standing SSAFA members who, like Martyn, John and Neil, have strong links with the RM family and who are willing to do even more voluntary work exclusively for the RMA-TRMC.

‘We are humbled by those former RM’s wanting to give back, many with over 35 years of service under their belt and we feel privileged to have them as part of our team.

‘RMASV’s play a hugely valuable role out and about across the UK, being the eyes and ears of the Health & Wellbeing team and supporting and signposting the most vulnerable members of our RM family.’