King revisits Devon commando base where he trained

King Charles III returned to the Royal Marines base in Devon where he completed his helicopter training 50 years ago.

The King went to the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, near Exmouth, on Friday to meet recruits.

In 1974, the then Prince of Wales completed three days commando training and during Friday's visit, the King - who is Captain General of the Royal Marines - was presented with a picture of himself tackling the high ropes.

He watched some of the current recruits go on the high ropes and presented special honours and a green beret to two trainees.

He presented the King's Badge, given to the recruit deemed most impressive of those passing through training, to Marine Osian Stephens from Colwyn, North Wales.

He received the award after completing his training despite having a serious leg injury which required 10 months recuperation.

He said being injured was the "hardest part" of his training, but completing it and receiving the award from the King made it worthwhile.

"This moment will stay with me forever," the 20-year-old said.

It marked the first time a king had presented the badge since his grandfather George VI in 1939.

The King also presented a Commando Medal, given to a recruit who epitomises the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine, and a green beret to Joseph Ryan from Merseyside.

He said: "Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing, honestly the biggest honour I could ever have."

The 20-year-old had a lengthy shoulder injury which required five months of rehabilitation before he completed the training.

During the visit, the King met 100-year-old D-Day veteran Norman Ashford, who was a coxswain on a landing craft at Gold Beach.

Mr Ashford said he spoke to the King about what he did during D-Day and how he hopes to visit Normandy next year to mark the commemoration of the landings.

He added: "It was a great honour to meet the King, I haven’t met royalty before and I just turned 100 on the 10th."

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