King Charles recalls grim Royal Marines 'sheep dip' endurance test

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King with troops at naval base (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
King with troops at naval base (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

The King has taken a trip down memory drain...

On the state visit to Kenya, he recalled taking on the infamous Royal Marines “sheep dip” test. It is a water-filled tunnel that recruits have to get through as part of an endurance course. The King cast his mind back yesterday as he and the Queen watched Kenyan marines doing a training exercise at Mtongwe Naval Base near Mombasa.

He was reminded of 1974 when he did part of the Royal Marines all arms course in Lympstone, Devon, while qualifying as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot. The Kenyan troops are being trained by the Royal Marines. The King asked a Kenyan marine: “Have the Royal Marines put you through quite a lot?

King Charles recalls grim Royal Marines 'sheep dip' endurance test eiqrxiqkxiquqinvKenyan marine on exercise (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

“Have they put you through an assault course? They are quite testing.” Charles, who is Captain General of the Royal Marines, asked another if they had intercepted any drug smugglers, adding: “You know exactly what to do with them.” Captain Sam Powell, of 40 Commando Royal Marines, who also spoke to the King, said: “We talked about Lympstone and the all arms course... He was reminiscing about the sheep dip.”

Charles also met eco-conscious Girl Guides at nearby Nyali Beach where one of them – Joanne Mirraho, 17 – prompted cheers by telling the King: “I love you.” Charles also visited the Kuruwitu Conservation Area. The four-day state visit ends on Friday.

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