A FIFTY year reunion for former Royal Marines is being held in Exmouth later this month and the organiser is trying to locate a Launceston man who was a member of the 718 Squad.

Former Royal Marines are invited to the fifty year reunion in Exmouth from March 27 to 29. The Marines, who were all members of the 718 Squad, are thought to be living throughout the UK and also in Spain and Australia. Fred Weaving, has been organising the reunion in association with Forces Reunited, the leading armed forces community on the web, and is looking forward to seeing old friends.

He said: "I'm looking for members of the 718 Squad who would have joined in either March or April 1959. Many of us served for over nine years and we developed close friendships over that time."

In particular, Fred is trying to locate RM18424 Reilly, from Launceston who was a member of 718 Squad.

The former Marines will visit the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone on Friday, March 27 before enjoying a celebratory dinner and a stay in the Ashton Court Hotel, Exmouth, for the weekend.

Fred commented: "This is the 50th year reunion and it would be wonderful if we could have as many members as possible attending. While some of us are walking better than others, we are all getting on in years but when we all get together it seems like only yesterday that we joined up!"

If you or someone you know is interested in attending the reunion, please visit the reunions section on http://www.forcesre­united.org.uk">www.forcesre­united.org.uk to contact Fred Weaving.