Royal Marines and Dutch counterparts cycle 360 miles for Corps' anniversary

The anniversary of the Royal Marines has been marked by a 360-mile bike ride from the Netherlands to Portsmouth.

Dubbed the RM360 Cycle, the challenge saw a team of one Royal Marine and three Dutch Marines cycle from Den Helder, North Holland to Portsmouth to mark their 360th anniversary.

"What an opportunity to celebrate the 360th birthday of the Royal Marines and our two Corps’ relationship," said Royal Marines rider Captain Sam Edwards.

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Marine 1st Class Halvar de Jager from the Dutch contingent said: "I'm looking forward to the return trip next year for our own 360th birthday."

The team, Captain Edwards, Halvar de Jager, Douwe Teerling and Mike Van Der Camp, arrived at HMS Excellent on Whale Island in Portsmouth on 13 September and were warmly greeted by the Deputy Commandant General Royal Marines, Brigadier Neil Sutherland, members of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy.

The team covered a little over 360 miles in just six days.

Next year, the Dutch Marines will celebrate the 360th anniversary of their own Marine Corps.

The bike ride took the team from Den Helder through The Hague, Breskens, Dunkirk, Pett Level and Littlehampton before arriving in Portsmouth.

The Royal Marines can trace their origins back to King Charles II and were formed as a Corps on 28 October 1664 as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot (or Admiral’s Regiment).

The name Marines first appeared in the records in 1672 and in 1802 they were titled the Royal Marines by King George III.