Royal Marine Commando

The first RM Commando units were not formed until approximately 18 months after the formation of the Army Commandos. The Army Commandos were first formed in July 1940.

Unlike today, in WW2 not all Royal Marines were Commando trained.

It was not until early in 1942 that volunteers were called for from the Royal Marines for the first RM Commando. It was known as 'A'Commando, which in October 1942 changed it's name to 40RM Commando. It was to be the only RM Commando unit consisting purely of 'volunteers' as in the Army Commandos. In the same month (Oct'42) the 8th RM Battalion was disbanded and those who were selected and passed the training formed a new 41RM Commando.

In August 1943 further RM Battalions were disbanded in order to raise new RM Commando units. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th and 10th RM Battalions became 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 RM Commandos respectively.

In March 1944 the 7th RM Battalion and some men from MNBDO11 formed the new 48RM Commando.

It should be noted that RM Commando Units underwent Commando training at Achnacarry. Those that were not suitable, who did not wish to transfer to the RM Commandos, or who failed the Course at Achnacarry, were allocated to other sections of the Royal Marines, many being assigned to Landing Craft duties.

Photos must be of an individual whose service in the RM Commandos has been established, or in the case of troop or group photos, where the image is clearly of Commandos and therefore taken after the formation of the RM Commandos, not before. Exceptions to this are at the discretion of the gallery archivist.

nb** We also have a gallery for RM Commandos after the end of the war and to the present day. They can be viewed by clicking on this link: Post WW2 Gallery


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