Royal Marines converged on Falmouth from land and from sea as part of a gruelling Europe-wide fundraiser, |and took time to remember the St Nazaire raid.

To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the founding of the corps in 1664, marines are undertaking challenges involving skiing, cycling, sailing and canoeing, and running, with each leg consisting of 1,664 miles, and raising money for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.

As part of the Plymouth to Falmouth section of the challenge, the corps team of captain Sam Morton, colour sergeant Richard Hayden, corporal Anthony Fairclough, corporal Tom Rounding, lance corporal Matt Robb and marine Tom Barker ran from Truro to Falmouth, while members of 42 commando were due to run to St Mawes before kayaking across the river. However due to logistical issues, they eventually arrived in landing craft.

The men assembled by the St Nazaire Monument on Prince of Wales Pier, where there was a short ceremony attended by the town mayor John Body, which included an address by Major Baz Lewis, officer commanding K Company of 42 Commando, followed by the last post and reveille.

Major Lewis said: “The 1664 Challenge is an extraordinary event, attempting to raise a huge amount of money for a very deserving cause.

“The Royal Marines Commandos, as the UK’s maritime soldiers, have a natural link to Falmouth, through events such as the St Nazaire Raid.”

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet: