Royal Marines

Coloured lithograph by M and N Hanhart after William Sharpe. Printed by Gambart and Company, 1854.

Royal Marines were used to keep order on ships, guard dock installations, prevent mutiny and ensure that sailors remained at their posts during naval actions. The four Divisional Headquarters of the Royal Marines were at Woolwich, Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth. Royal Marines were nicknamed 'lobsters' by sailors on account of their red tunics.