About the Author

Robert Carr was born in 1945 in Berkshire. He served in the
Royal Marines Commandos at home, abroad and at sea. He has
worked in a variety of manual occupations, surviving a number of
bizzare and difficult situations. His interests have included reading
history, cultural customs of other countries, arts and crafts, making
classical and flamenco guitars and in folk music worldwide. He is a
retired multi skills college technician

When they are not on active service overseas, 41 Commando, Royal Marines were based at Bickleigh Barracks. Having served their darker and dangerous duties they see this posting as a respite from all that was risky, and relaxation and possibly welcome the more risqué at any opportunity.

Under a regime of traditional military and naval discipline, they were expected to conform and adapt to demanded standards. Situations they found themselves in were often bizarre, resulting in certain consequences for those who over-stepped the mark, whatever their rank.  No-one escaped these consequences as the Marines exercised their guile and wit, often enriched by their canine and other comrades, like Oscar, Klitt and the legendary Bismarck.  Even the guardroom cat, lazily monitoring each day of intrigue and madness took part with feline fascination.

Per Mare, Per Terram was their motto, and life on the ocean wave, aboard the old Rusty B was often their home on the rolling deep, and demanded each Marine rolled with each rate of knots and wave after wave of boredom, and deep, concentrated subterfuge in order to survive the constant balance of behaviour to respect Jack and outwit officers at each and every tack and turn.  One just had to look on the bright side, or else there was precious little else to look at.

"This book is hilarious, disgracefully irreverent  and will raise morale for decades, among those who have experienced such things.   A  military humour classic, unsurpassed, brilliantly written and perceptive" 

Buy it now......."Click Here" Vol 1

One just had to look on the Bright Side, or there was precious little else to look at.......

Robert Carr leads us through another lively journey, this time with 40 Commando, Royal Marines.  In this tale we learn of ‘Charlie’ Company’s exploits in Singapore and the Far East in all it’s wondrous glory and the emotional journey some Marines faced.

Carr’s own experiences are reflected in this story with detail and feeling; the readers will be able to feel themselves within the company and comradeship, revealing hidden humanity, compassion, and empathy and understanding for others.  The Bright Side tells the ‘hidden side’ of life in the Marines, without the boastful braggardio so often expressed in accounts by men who feel constant need to self-promote the macho men in the military.  These men rise above that sort of adolescence.

This golden opportunity to experience a wider scene of life in the Far East, Carr manages to tease tears and laughter, along with an understanding of life as a Marine. He reminds us of ‘them tinkly temple bells’ of Kipling’s time, the ancient respect for the elders and the religious festivals which all intertwined with Taoism, Buddhism and the Hindu gods of awesome imagination and the complications of establishing relationship among the classis Straits Chinese spirits and gods.

In modern times, these locations and activities are all but gone, and Carr manages to relay his own memories and make a lasting tribute and a salute to the comrades he once knew, and all those to come.

'This book is also an enjoyable education and describes life and times as it was during the 6o's, but which may well have been missed by many in other branches of Armed Forces.

Read this book and you will never be the same again!

Buy it now......."Click Here" Vol 2

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the
world, but the Marines don't have that problem"