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Royal Marines<br />

Story Book Commando<br />

by Kerry Joseph and Sarah Evans (Story Book Commando Editors)<br />

Story Book Commando is based at 40 Commando Royal Marines. This project began in 2003 at Her Majesty’s Prison<br />

Dartmoor (Story Book Dads) and proved such a success that not only is it run in over 90 prisons, it is now being<br />

adopted by serving units within the Armed Forces. It helps maintain family ties by allowing sailors and Royal Marines to<br />

record bedtime stories for their children whilst deployed.<br />

Recorded stories are then sent back to the<br />

UK and edited by specially trained editors.<br />

The editing process consists of removing any<br />

unwanted background noise and errors such<br />

as unclear sentences. Once the sounds have<br />

been removed, new sounds such as sound<br />

effects and music is then added to make the<br />

story come to life. With the possibility of<br />

errors being digitally removed, any nervous<br />

readers can rest assure that the final product<br />

will be of a good quality. Once the editing is<br />

complete, the story is transferred on to CD<br />

and is then sent to the Serviceman’s child.<br />

Personal messages at the beginning and end<br />

of the story are encouraged. This creates a<br />

unique and personal keepsake for the children.<br />

Hearing their parent’s voice brings comfort<br />

and reassurance, particularly when the child is<br />

young. This is a very worthwhile project and<br />

is already proving very popular amongst Royal<br />

Marine families.<br />

Kerry Joseph (L) and Sarah Evans (R), in the editing room<br />

Story Book Commando is operated by donations<br />

and voluntary workers. Central to the success<br />

of this project was the efforts and time given by<br />

volunteers and the Royal Marines Welfare team.<br />

Credit is also due to a number of charities and<br />

organisations for funding the project. Without the<br />

financial assistance from the Royal Marines (1942-<br />

46) Association and Go Commando, this project<br />

would still be in its infancy stages. Also to offer<br />

their support for the Royal Marines community<br />

donations were received from Tesco Ltd and<br />

Waterstones, Piccadilly.<br />

The Future for Story Book Commando is looking<br />

very promising. Already there is much interest<br />

and because of this there are now plans to create<br />

a ‘deployable pack’. This will house recording<br />

equipment small enough to take into theatre so<br />

the continuity of bedtime stories can be recorded<br />

throughout an operational deployment. Credit<br />

and thanks to ‘Help4Forty’ (fundraising for 40<br />

Commando) for financing the ‘deployable pack’.<br />

From the editors and volunteers who have helped<br />

get this project up and running, they would like<br />

to encourage all fathers at 40 CDO (and other<br />

units close by) to come and record their bedtime<br />

stories for their children. Because<br />

of the mass interest it is<br />

stressed that Servicemen<br />

should record at least<br />

one story prior to<br />

deploying. It may be<br />

a little daunting but it<br />

is great fun and most<br />

importantly the children<br />

love it.<br />

To arrange<br />

a recording or for<br />

information on Story Book<br />

Commando, please contact<br />

the Royal Marines Welfare<br />

Office, 40 CDO on:<br />

01823 362 265.<br />

Royal Marines Chefs Feed the Front Line<br />

Working 14-hour days in kitchens where temperatures reach 60 degrees Celsius, chefs from 42 Commando<br />

Royal Marines are producing up to 900 meals a day for troops at a patrol base in central Helmand.<br />

Despite the austere working conditions at Patrol Base Shahzad, in Nad ‘Ali (North), and limited ingredients,<br />

the chefs go to great lengths to produce a varied and healthy menu of three square meals a day, while<br />

maintaining the strictest of hygiene standards.<br />

In order to feed almost 250 people for six months, the chefs will cook with:<br />

• 12,150 slices of bacon<br />

• 3,024 tins of beans<br />

• 8,400 baguettes<br />

• 5,880 slices of pizza<br />

• 1,200 whole chickens<br />

• 1,150 sacks of potatoes<br />

• 3,840 steaks.<br />

Royal Marines serve themselves some well-deserved food<br />

LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011<br />

HOMEPORT AUTUMN 2011 19

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