On behalf of Lieutenant Col Thomas Quinn and RSM Matt Lowe of 42 Commando Royal Marines, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the China Fleet Club, and to the funders and supporters who make it possible.
Life as a Royal Marine can be as demanding for families as it is for the Marines themselves. Deployments can last months, and training is constant and demanding. For those at home, there is the pressure of carrying family life alone; for those returning, there is the challenge of re-settling and regaining balance. The China Fleet Club is not simply a leisure facility — it is a vital sanctuary for physical recovery, mental health, resilience, and family cohesion.
It offers somewhere safe and positive for Marines and their loved ones to come together, reconnect after separation, and maintain the health and wellbeing needed to face the next challenge.
What it means in real life
- A young Marine recovering from injury:
“When I was downgraded after an injury, I felt low and disconnected. The gym and the pool at China Fleet gave me a place to rebuild my fitness at my own pace, while the spa helped me manage aches and keep moving. Just as important, it gave me a mental lift — I could see progress and felt like I still belonged to the Commando family, not left behind.” - A wife of a deployed Marine:
“During the summer when my husband was away, the Club became a lifeline. I could bring the children every Sunday — they loved the pool and the slides, and I could relax knowing they were safe. It gave me a break and a sense of normality. Meeting other wives in the Brasserie over afternoon tea gave me the emotional support I needed to stay resilient. It reminded me that I wasn’t on my own.” - A teenager:
“While Dad was deployed, I started golf lessons at the driving range. It gave me something positive to focus on and a reason to keep busy. I’ve stuck with it, and it’s become a great way to manage stress and spend time with friends.” - A child (aged 8):
“I love the crazy golf and the swimming pool! Mum says it makes her happy when we go, and I like it when we can all go together.” - A family visiting from the North:
“When our relatives came down, we stayed at the Club’s apartments. It meant we could all be together, without the stress of hotels. Being able to spend that quality time together after a long deployment helped everyone’s wellbeing — not just our Marine son, but all of us.”
Why it matters
Every one of these experiences demonstrates how the Club supports both operational readiness and emotional resilience.
- The gym, spin suite, boxing facilities, and pool are essential not just for fitness but for recovery, rehabilitation, and stress management.
- The spa, golf course, and family-friendly dining provide space to decompress, recover mental balance, and strengthen family bonds.
- Safe spaces for children and affordable dining with Navy discounts make it possible for families to create happy memories even during difficult periods of separation.
- For families living away from Devon, the Club’s hotel and apartments give them a comfortable base to reunite with their loved ones in uniform.
In short, the China Fleet Club sustains the mind, body, and spirit of 42 Commando.
The impact of your support
Every pound invested by funders and supporters translates directly into the resilience of the Commando family:
- It keeps Marines physically and mentally strong, battle-ready, and able to recover after injury.
- It gives spouses and children a safe community where they can connect, cope, and remain resilient during deployments.
- It offers families a space to reconnect and recover together after long separations.
The China Fleet Club is more than a facility. It is a cornerstone of support for those who serve and their loved ones. By investing in it, you are directly investing in the wellbeing, morale, and resilience of Royal Marines and their families.
On behalf of all ranks at 42 Commando Royal Marines: thank you for making this possible.
