British and American Officers at the Commando Basic Training Centre

Taken outside Achnacarry House, home of the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC), during the period when the US Rangers received their commando training. Photo courtesy of Christina Bird, daughter of one of the instructors, Lieut. Alick Cowieson.

It is thought the Americans are from the 29th Provisional Ranger Bn. In 1943 there were two Course intakes for Ranger Bn's at Achnacarry.

4 rows left to right.

1st/Top row (9 standing): 1- 2. n/k; 3. n/k but is also in this image No 6 Commando Officers training for DDay; 4-9. n/k.

2nd row (14 standing):1. Capt. Douglas Cotton-Minchin; 2 (arm in sling). Capt Vicomte Arthur de Jonghe; 3 - 9, nk; 10. Lt. Derek Burr; 11. Capt. Dennis Sydney 'Bill' Kerr; 12 - 13. nk; 14. Major Robert Dawson.

3rd row (8 sitting):

4th/bottom row (11 sitting): 1. Lt. Swisher (US from Evanston Illinois);2. Maj. M. Dunning-White; 3. Maj. William Gordon La Trobe 'Peter' Cockraft (2i/c CBTC); 4. Lt. Col. Derek Mills-Roberts; 5. Capt. Lloyd M. Marr (29th Prov. US Ranger Bn. Executive officer and 2i/c - from La Mesa Texas) ; 6. Lord Lovat ; 7. Lt Col Charles Vaughan (OC CBTC); 8. Captain Ernst (US from York Village Maine); 9. A/Captain Alick Cowieson; 10. Captain G.B. Hoare; 11. Lieut. McNabb (US from Bertram Texas).

nb. some uncertainty of the ranks at the very time this photo was taken.