Commando Training

This album is for all aspects of Commando Training and not just that undertaken at Achnacarry.

Prior to Achnacarry becoming the Commando Basic Training Centre each individual Commando Unit arranged its own training. The first fixed base for specialist training was at Lochailort and was known as STC Lochailort. STC being the Special Training Centre. Nissan huts were on the grounds by the banks of Loch Ailort. The HQ was in Inverailort Castle. Both the Loch and the Castle take their name from the River Ailort. There were later many other STC's for different purposes. Achnacarry was used initially as a sort of Holding Unit for those awaiting training at the STC Lochailort. Messrs. Fairbairn and Sykes began instructing at Lochailort in 1940 along with many other distinguished names such as Lord Lovat, Brig. Mike Calvert, Colonel Spencer Chapman, Major Peter Kemp, the Stirling brothers, and so many more. From July 1940 officers and NCO’s from the newly formed Commandos, and others, attended the STC to be instructed in the new specialist techniques and skills. They then returned to their respective Commandos to blend the skills they had learned and combine those with the individual training each Commando Unit did at that time. Lt Col Charles Newman of No.2 Commando wrote a factsheet of the skills required titled 'Service of a Commando' which is documented below (to view click on the 1st photo). Other specialist groups being formed also attended the STC. Early 1942, STC Lochailort ceased to be used for this purpose (being taken over by the Royal Navy) and Achnacarry was taken into full use as the Main training centre being initially known as the Commando Depot, later changing its name to the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC). The first courses began in March 1942. From then on all Commando training was fully centralised with the initial course being at the CBTC.

In the book "It had to be tough" by James Dunning he states the following about Commando Training at Achnacarry :"Normal intakes of trainees were allocated to one of the three training Commandos: Keyes, Haydon or Sturges, named after pioneers of Combined Operations and the Commandos. Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, our first beloved boss, and his son Geoffrey, who won the first Commando VC; General Haydon, the original commander of the Special Service Brigade and leader of the Lofoten Islands Raid; General Sturges, a Royal Marine, who after the Madagascar operation became the first overall commander of the Commando Group of four Commando Brigades. Each Training Commando was commanded by a Captain, with a minimal headquarters of a CSM, a clerk and a storeman. The Commando was organized into four training Troops, each under an instructor-officer, assisted by a Troop Sergeant."
James Dunning was in Haydon Training Commando in 1943.

There are additional pictures of Commando Training in both the No.2 and No.4 Commando galleries

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