HC Deb 15 March 1889 vol 333 c1914

Notwithstanding the heavy demands made upon Marine Headquarters to meet the additional requirements of the Fleet, the various drills and courses of instruction have been kept up, and the efficiency of the Corps fully maintained.

Increased attention has been paid especially to Naval Gun Drill training, and much improvement effected in the Armaments of the Gun Drill Batteries.

Classes for military training of Officers and men, and Reconnaissance and Field Sketching Classes for Non-commissioned Officers, have been established. Regular classes of Officers for the study and practice of the War Game have also been introduced at each Divisional headquarters with good results.

Discipline has been well maintained. Convictions by Courts Martial have been for many years steadily on the decrease, and in spite of the drain on the Corps by the facilities freely offered to all ranks to take their discharge and to be transferred to the Navy, Army, and Auxiliary Forces, the Marines find no difficulty in enlisting a most desirable class of recruits, which speaks well for the popularity of the Corps.

In view of the growing demands of the Navy and the adaptability of the Non-commissioned Officers and Men of the Marines to fulfil many duties on board ship hitherto performed by non-combatants, it has been considered advisable to increase the strength of the Corps from 12,900 to 14,000—the increase going to the Infantry branch.

During the mobilization of the Fleet, the various detachments were embarked with readiness and despatch.

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