RAISE AWARENESS FOR MOVEMBER AND THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITY

Rob (aka Bob) joined the Royal Marines 14 Nov 1972, bright-eyed, clean-shaven (apparently he wasn't born with it) and bushy-tailed. He served as a Marine in 41 Commando in Malta at 18. Fresh-faced and "a bit of skin" at the time, hardly needing a shave! Having passed the Junior Command Course in September 1975,  he was promoted to Corporal on 7 November 1975. He thought he needed to improve his image and grew a 'tache to "look more mature"! At the time, most 3 Commando badged Bootnecks, JNCOs and quite a few SNCOs sported fine moustaches.

 

In 1977, he met Mandy, his wife to be, brandishing a very fine hairy upper lip, which she seemed to like, and their relationship blossomed. He attended and passed the Mountain Leadership course where the vast majority sported moustaches of all varieties, so he fitted in well. He moved around all the 3 Commando Brigade units during his 25 years in the regular Corps, seeing active service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and Iraq.

 

He retired, having attained the rank of Warrant Officer First Class and was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of 45 Commando RM and Commando Logistics Regiment. His moustache served with him in all units! In the Arctic and when in the Himalayas, it would freeze up with icicles dangling from it. When going to the Falklands on board HMS Hermes, they crossed the equator, and a naval tradition when crossing the line is to celebrate the event doing all sorts of activities. Some brave but rather stupid bootneck decided it would be a good idea to shave off the Troop Sergeant's moustache. It never happened!! Operation Moustache Down number one attempt averted.

 

On leaving the regular Corps in 1997, he joined the Naval Career Service until 2015 when he got out of uniform at the age of 60. His moustache a little more trimmed again served with him throughout, even at his investiture at Buckingham Palace when he received the MBE from Princess Anne. A highlight for him, his wife Mandy, his daughters Becca and Izzy, and of course, the moustache. Having been a civilian for the last 10 years the upper lip has remained undercover. It is well-known in Okehampton Rugby Club where those in the corner have their nicknames or initials embroidered on their supporters' polo shirts, his is simply a moustache. Well known in the club, he is often referred to simply as "Mr Moustachio". Stories abound as to what lays hidden in the moustache!!

 

In his 50th year of having the moustache and no longer being "a bit of skin" needing to act older, he has decided to shave it off for charity. Many many people in and out of the Corps have never seen his upper lip, including his wife Mandy and his daughters Becca and Izzy. So, on the 29th of November at Okehampton Rugby Club Rob will shave off his moustache for charity with the Safety Razor he used in training (which he still has) and is raising funds for two brilliant causes! 

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