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Fears of disbandment


 

Fears were expressed as early as 1868 that the Royal Marines would be leaving Walmer.  The East Kent Mercury of 5 December 1868 reported:

"We are sorry to announce that it is expected that  the Royal Marine light Infantry Depot, which has been stationed at Walmer several years, will leave that station very soon.  This, we believe, is caused by the government having resolved to reduce this force very considerably."

This was corrected on 9 January 1869:

"The Royal Marines. We are enabled to state that there is no intention, and there never was, of disbanding the Marines. The distinguished Corps will continue to exist and be ready when called upon to maintain the high reputation which it has acquired, but in such reduced numbers as the altered state of the day demands."