'Exceeded expectations': Former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers and veterans praise new museum by showing 'our world'
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Anticipation is building at the former Action Stations site as it’s due to open this weekend
Proud former Royal Marines hailed a new museum dedicated to telling their story ahead of its opening.
Veterans couldn’t stop smiling as they toured the Royal Marines Experience at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard today (October 22). Due to open this Saturday (October 24), the attraction promises to showcase the 360 years of the Corps through interactive experiences and poignant displays.
It has been a long anticipated return since the original site in Eastney shut down in 2017. Presenter JJ Chalmers, who served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Marines during a 10-year career before working in media, said he couldn’t be happier for the long-awaited opening.
He told The News: “It has completely exceeded my expectations. When it closed ten years ago, there was a fear that it might never come back. They said this is what they were dreaming of, but I wasn’t sure if I believed it.
“To see the work done to get this place up and running is incredible, particularly the interactive elements. It’s great to see these things and experience this.”
“Experience the life I once had”
The new Royal Marines Museum is based at the Action Stations inside the historic 1840’s Grade II* listed Boathouse 6. The £15m project has been fully funded, backed by a £4.4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Monetary donations were also made by the Garfield Weston Foundation, Royal Navy Museums reserves and private donors.
Visitors are encouraged to take on various interactive activities, from push up and pull up challenges to putting on a VR headset for close-quarter battle training. Guests can get to ride a rigid inflatable boat (rib), traverse a climbing wall, map reading, weapon handling and trying their hand at playing the drums like a member of the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS). Advice from personnel was sought for all the exhibits.
This is complimented by traditional museum galleries which showcase an extensive collection of hundreds of objects spanning the entire history of the Corps. All 10 of the Victoria Crosses awarded to personnel, from the Crimean War to the Second World War, are on display alongside their medal groups. Other exciting additions include the return of Commando themed Laser Quest, a large exhibition space overlooking Mast Pond and a new mezzanine floor boasting a 275-seater auditorium.
“My first reaction was that I can’t wait to bring my kids here,” Mr Chalmers said. “That will be the clearest way that they’ll experience a life I once had that I can ever give to them.
“I give them my wisdom and share my war stories, but to actually come here and see these images and artefacts, stick on a headset and step into our world, I can’t imagine anything better.”
He added: “Our history continues to grow everyday. It’s a living and breathing exhibition. I’m a kid at heart. I want to come and press buttons and experience an exhibition, but none of that means anything without the context of what sits behind the glass.
“This is trying to give people an understanding of what it’s like to be the people in these pictures, who wore those boots and green berets. It’s a beautiful balance that they’ve struck here.”
“Eye-opening for people to see”
Petty Officer James Clarke, former Royal Marines who transferred to the Royal Navy, was part of 40 Commando and undertook various deployments including Operation Ruman. Personnel supported the humanitarian relief effort in the Caribbean in 2017 after several nations were hit by Hurricane Irma.
He said it was a great experience to see a rib from that mission on display alongside other historical artefacts. “It brought back memories from what I went through at the Commando training centre,” PO Clarke, of Chichester, added.
“It was great to see the interactive activities showing all the different operations and environments the Royal Marines work in. The VR will capture the imaginations of the younger audiences, but the site also drops the tone and shows those more sombre moments towards the end.
“Operation Ruman was one of the most rewarding things I did during services as I got to help people in need. Footage, photos and things involved in that operation have been immortalised. It shows the history really well and it’ll be eye-opening for people to see.”
Bugler (retd) Charlie Mallett, of Gosport, has her full RMBS uniform sitting proudly in the museum. She was inspired to have a military career since her father served as a Commando.
“As soon as I walked in I teared up,” she added. “I hadn’t seen my uniform for 20 years in the complete set. It’s a very proud day for me. They found my uniform in storage and asked if it could be on display.
“It was a privilege to play at major events and I have some very good memories of serving during that time. The display is really good and shows the bands full history.”
“It’s wonderful”
Veterans were toured around the museum and got their hands on the exhibits. This culminated in a gathering in the Remembrance Room, where the pictures of personnel who lost their lives are on display.
The Last Post was played at 11am and a minute’s silence followed. Sergeant (retd) Peter Othen, 90, had images of his grandfather and best friend. He raised money more than £4,000 for the museum after abseiling down The Spinnaker Tower. The veteran sadly had to tell his wife, who had dementia, that the museum would be reopening soon shortly before she passed away. This happened in 2018.
“People thought I was mad, but I was doing it for my wife and the museum. The museum is wonderful. I feel honoured to help and that it has opened. I used to get to the old one with my grandchildren. It’s a beautiful museum.”
Lily Shelley was delighted to see the exhibits alongside her father, former Royal Marine Ryan Shelley. The biggest thing that jumps out at me is the passion the curators have put into it,” Ryan said.
“It comes out of every exhibit. Without the right team, it wouldn’t be what it is now. The involvement of the personnel is evident because of the attention to detail. The little idiosyncrasies of the corps are on display, which you wouldn’t know unless you’ve served. It’s just right.”
Lily added: “Having all the veterans here is amazing to great as it celebrates what the Corps is about. It’s really special. I’m so excited to have this open. I’ve been counting down the days. It’s an inspiring place for the cadets and it’ll spark a lot of passion and drive in them.”