Newbury man passes out as Royal Marine

Matthew Hall completed 32 weeks of the toughest military training in the world at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, based at Lympstone in Devon.
The former Park House School pupil turned 19 during the training, and said it was a tough experience being away from home.
He said: “The first three weeks are known as Foundation and include the realisation that there are two five o’clocks per day.
"For many, the realisation that the life of a Marine is predominantly spent outdoors began to strike home. This was when quite a few lads started having second thoughts.
“Week three sees you morph into a half-man, half ironing board mutant – but a smart one at that.”
His troop was filmed during sections of their training for the Channel 4 documentary Royal Marines Commando School, which aired over the summer.
Mr Hall said the documentary gave his family and friends a better idea of what he was going through, although he said the course was harder than portrayed on the show.
Indeed, Mr Hall had to complete the four Commando tests, including an endurance course – two miles of cross country, followed by a four-mile run back to camp dressed in 21lbs of combat equipment, with a weapon; followed by a shooting test in which six out of 10 shots have to hit the target – all in less than 72 minutes.
Mr Hall completed the draining exercise in 61:45 – the fastest in his troop.
He also completed a nine-mile speed march in less than 90 minutes; the Tarzan Assault Course in 9:09; and a 30 mile ‘yomp’ across Dartmoor in less than eight hours.
Mr Hall said: “As we finished, the road was lined with people clapping and cheering.
“It felt amazing to have finally achieved what we set out to achieve all those weeks ago. We were officially presented with our Green Berets for the first time, and this was the proudest moment of my life so far.”
Mr Hall was among 24 recruits from his troop that finished the intense training from the 57 who started with him.
He also received the PT Medallist Award for being the fittest Marine in his troop.
During the 32 weeks, he witnessed 91 members leave through injury or failing parts of the course.
The commandos ‘passed out’ at a parade in Lympstone watched by family.
Mr Hall’s parents, Simon and Jayne – who both served in the Royal Navy – said they were very proud of their son’s achievement.
Mr Hall said: “He went through some really tough exercises, no sleep, lots of exercise and lots of yomping preparing for the final tests, and we wouldn’t hear from him for a week or so.
“I think in some places he found it very tough and emotional but he dug deep and got through it.”
Mr Hall said his son would now move on to driver training before hopefully being posted with 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group.