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The Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade, later amended to the Old Comrades Association of the Army Commandos, was formed on the 20th June 1943 at the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry by the Commandant Lt. Col. Charles Vaughan OBE, who as Founder member was given membership Number One. The name was later shortened to the Commando Association.

On the 18th September 2005 the original Commando Association stood down as an Association some 62 years after it was founded.

However the desire was strong amongst some members to form a new group, the result being the formation of the Commando Veterans Association which redesignated itself as Commando Association in 2019.

*There are other images of veterans in each Unit’s own gallery.

© All photographs and information on this site are subject of copyright. Contact the CVA for further details

nb.You can register on the forum, and post your photo as an attachment to a message, or register on the gallery to post a comment against a photo.

Please note: The Commando Museum at the Spean Bridge Hotel is currently closed and the items removed for safe keeping. All enqs. to the Commando Association (updated 3/8/2020)***]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:54:40 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/2562-53/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Rallye_des_Commandos_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Rallye_des_Commandos_copy.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of James Albert Norton, 1 Special Service Brigade Signals courtesy of his son Barry Norton].

The photo is signed on the reverse by the owner Madame Doulin after Barry's mother and father visited on a trip to Paris in 1956. Many other veterans also visited when in Paris.

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 27 (1958)
"Returning via Paris, we were again indebted to our French comrades for transportation, and to dear Madame Doulin at the Rallye des Commandos for her kind hospitality and assistance which is beyond all praise".

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 47 (1968)
"COMMANDO RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS CLOSES
We feel sure all members will be sorry to receive the news, that due to poor health in recent years, Monsieur and Madame Doulin decided a few months ago, to sell their cafe in Paris, "The Rallye des Commandos". It is quite impossible to find words which adequately express our debt of gratitude to these two dear friends of the Commandos. Their kindness and hospitality to Commando visitors during the past twenty years was something all those who were privileged to experience this can never forget, and their support to our Association was indeed considerable. To them both we extend our very sincere best wishes for their future good health and a long and happy retirement, and venture to hope that we may enjoy the pleasure of having them with us at a Commando function in London in the not too distant future".
In album Association 1943 - 2005]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:33:37 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Andrew_Prentice_and_others_Spean_Bridge.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Andrew_Prentice_and_others_Spean_Bridge.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of David Scott, son of Andrew Prentice Scott].

[*] Lieutenant Andrew Prentice Scott (front row light coloured coat, hands clasped together) served in Nos.1 , 5, and 6 Commandos.
[*] Major Donald Gilchrist (2nd row extreme right) served in No.4 Commando and on the staff at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
[*] Lieutenant Niall Thomson (smiling and next to Donald Gilchrist) served in No. 3 Commando and on the staff of the Commando Basic Training Centre.
In album Association 1943 - 2005]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:47:34 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Assoc_reunion_dinner12Dec46.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Assoc_reunion_dinner12Dec46.jpg.html
[Collection of Sgt Charles Steadman (12 and 9 Cdo) courtesy of his son Ian].

Names apart from a couple
Sam Brodison, Henry Brown, William Henry Davis, William Eager, Joe Edmans, John Maginnis, John James McCormack, Robert Mewett, Joe Molloy, Osborne, Ron Roberts, Charlie Steadman, George Templeman
In album Association 1943 - 2005]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:52:29 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/A_H_Warner_collection.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/A_H_Warner_collection.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of Jean Warner].

Arthur served in Nos.12 and 1 Commandos and is 1st left.
In album Association 1943 - 2005]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:46:59 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Edinburgh+Branch/CA+Edinburgh+branch_2.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Edinburgh+Branch/CA+Edinburgh+branch_2.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of LSgt. Joe Rogers MM courtesy of his son Tony.

For ease of id only the names and positions of the men are shown:

Front row l to r: Hugh Hunter (6 Cdo); Henry Brown OBE (CA National Sec) (1 Cdo); Stan Smith (4 Cdo); nk.

Group behind (men) l-r: 1. nk; 2. nk; 3. Walter Ainslie (2 Cdo); 4 (behind Henry Brown) Magnus Flucker RN; 5. John Power (4 Cdo Sigs); 6 (behind John and next to the standard). John "Jack" Wells (4 Cdo); 7. nk; 8. nk; 9. nk; 10. Joe Rogers MM (2 Cdo).

Group behind (ladies):
In album Commando Association - Edinburgh Branch photos]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Fri, 14 Jun 2024 23:07:07 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+captions+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+captions+copy.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of Bill Lawson No 2 Cdo provided by his family to Thierry Guiheneuf.
In album St Nazaire Society group of veterans on HM Yacht Britannia 23 April 1982]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:58:30 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+Navy+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+Navy+copy.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of Bill Lawson No 2 Cdo provided by his family to Thierry Guiheneuf.

View the names [Here....]
In album St Nazaire Society group of veterans on HM Yacht Britannia 23 April 1982]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 16 Feb 2022 22:06:19 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+Commandos_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/St+Nazaire/HM_Yacht_Brittania/Britannia+Commandos_copy.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of Bill Lawson No 2 Cdo provided by his family to Thierry Guiheneuf.

View the names [Here....]
In album St Nazaire Society group of veterans on HM Yacht Britannia 23 April 1982]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 16 Feb 2022 22:05:57 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Sgt+Jack+Terry_+DCM_+No_11_1992.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Sgt+Jack+Terry_+DCM_+No_11_1992.jpg.html
[ Photo courtesy of Cris Cisse].

Jack Terry was by Lt Col Geoffrey Keyes' side on the ill-fated Rommel Raid [Op Flipper] when the Lt Col got shot. Sgt Terry dragged his CO out of the bunker but then realised Keyes was dead.
Terry gathered the raiding team together and retreated with 17 men to rejoin Colonel Bob 'Lucky' Laycock at the beach.
Sgt Terry teamed up with Colonel Laycock, acting as his bodyguard, and they evaded capture for more than a month, finally reaching British lines in time for Christmas...
In album Association 1943 - 2005]]> Nick Collins photo Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:13:31 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Return+to+Burma/44RM+Cdo+Veterans+return+to+Burma+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Return+to+Burma/44RM+Cdo+Veterans+return+to+Burma+copy.jpg.html
March 2005
In album Veterans return to Burma 10 -20th March 2005]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 04 Sep 2019 23:18:49 +0100