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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.

Read about Special Service training written by Lt. Col. Augustus Charles Newman (later VC) OC No.2 Commando [Service in a Commando].

Learn more about Commando History and Training [View Here].

There are additional pictures of Commando Training in the No.2 and No.4 Commando galleries, and also in the No 10(IA) Commando 2 troop gallery

© All photographs and information on this site are subject of copyright. Contact the CVA for further details.]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:45:39 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/3756-42/Commando+Training.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo_2.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo_2.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Ian Hall].

James Holland was a Barnsley Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos enlisting 15 October 1942 joining the 3rd Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry, which commenced that day. Initially chosen for No.3 Commando, after completing his course he was selected to join the instructional staff of the Commando Basic Training Centre. Transferred to Reserve List 6 September 1945.
In 1939 he was a Police Constable, single, and residing at 1 Darley Terrace, Barnsley. His name is on a roll commemorating the 25 Barnsley Police Officers who served in HM Forces in WW2 which is located at the Police Station, Churchfield, Barnsley. Member of the Commando Association.

Known as: Jack
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Unit / Base:
3 Commando
Prior Police Service: Barnsley Borough Police Force
Regiment/Corps: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 14317614.

James 'Jack' Holland.
b. 14.05.1916.
d. 2000 Yorkshire.
In album LSgt. James Holland, Commando Basic Training Centre Instructor]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:49:19 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Ian Hall].

James Holland was a Barnsley Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos enlisting 15 October 1942 joining the 3rd Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry, which commenced that day. Initially chosen for No.3 Commando, after completing his course he was selected to join the instructional staff of the Commando Basic Training Centre. Transferred to Reserve List 6 September 1945.
In 1939 he was a Police Constable, single, and residing at 1 Darley Terrace, Barnsley. His name is on a roll commemorating the 25 Barnsley Police Officers who served in HM Forces in WW2 which is located at the Police Station, Churchfield, Barnsley. Member of the Commando Association.

Known as: Jack
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Unit / Base:
3 Commando
Prior Police Service: Barnsley Borough Police Force
Regiment/Corps: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 14317614.

James 'Jack' Holland.
b. 14.05.1916.
d. 2000 Yorkshire.
In album LSgt. James Holland, Commando Basic Training Centre Instructor]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:49:40 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo_letter_and_knife.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/James_Holland/James_Holland_3_cdo_letter_and_knife.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Ian Hall].

James Holland was a Barnsley Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos enlisting 15 October 1942 joining the 3rd Police Intake to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry, which commenced that day. Initially chosen for No.3 Commando, after completing his course he was selected to join the instructional staff of the Commando Basic Training Centre. Transferred to Reserve List 6 September 1945.
In 1939 he was a Police Constable, single, and residing at 1 Darley Terrace, Barnsley. His name is on a roll commemorating the 25 Barnsley Police Officers who served in HM Forces in WW2 which is located at the Police Station, Churchfield, Barnsley. Member of the Commando Association.

Known as: Jack
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Unit / Base:
3 Commando
Prior Police Service: Barnsley Borough Police Force
Regiment/Corps: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service Number: 14317614.

James 'Jack' Holland.
b. 14.05.1916.
d. 2000 Yorkshire.
In album LSgt. James Holland, Commando Basic Training Centre Instructor]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:50:57 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Mines_Course_1945_RMSAS.jpeg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Mines_Course_1945_RMSAS.jpeg.html
[Photo from the collection of Cpl Fred Farrington 30AU courtesy of his son Cliff].

Royal Marine Small Arms School, Browndown, Gosport.

Surnames
Sparey, Burns, Welford, Claydon
Toase, Farrington, Turner, Poyser, Rose
Calverley, Keen, Hawkins, Hughes, Cave.
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:06:29 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/John_Harrow_48RM_Snipers_Course.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/John_Harrow_48RM_Snipers_Course.png.html
[Photo from the collection of Mne John Harrow who served in 48RM Commando].

Royal Marine Small Arms School, Browndown, Gosport.

[left to right]
Rear rank (9 men): 1-9. nk.

Middle rank (10 men): 1-9. nk; 10. Mne. John Harrow (48RM Cdo).

Front rank: 1. Sgt. Hinchcliff; 2. Sgt. Martin; 3. Sgt. Dimmock; 4. Lt.Col. Armstrong OBE; 5. Lt.Col. G.R. Hawkins; 6. Capt. Willson MC, RF; 7. Sgt. Hickman; 8. nk.
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:05:51 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Colin_Jackson_wedding_photo.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Colin_Jackson_wedding_photo.png.html
[Photo credit: Fleetwood Chronicle 12 September 1941].

Colin Jackson was a Preston Borough Police Officer who volunteered for the Commandos and served at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
20 September 1938 joined the Police Service.
1939 single and a Police Constable residing at 191 Shelley Road, Preston.
September 1941 Constable Jackson married Miss Helen Ferguson Higham at Fleetwood Parish Church.
1942 commencement of the Police Intakes at the Commando Basic Training Centre.
1946 rejoined the Police Service.
Post war member of the Commando Association.
April 1968 retired from the Police on ill health, rank Police Constable. Passed away very shortly after this.

Colin Jackson
b.Tuesday, August 27, 1918
d.1968 aged 49, Preston, Lancashire
[Archive page] https://www.commandoveterans.org/ColinJackson_CBTC
[Image] Fleetwood Chronicle 12 September 1941.
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:38:39 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Fleming+Baird+RM+instructor+at+St+Ives.jpeg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Fleming+Baird+RM+instructor+at+St+Ives.jpeg.html
On the staff of the CMWTC at St. Ives in 1945. Known as Fleming Baird. He died on 11 May 2006 aged 81.

Obituary*
Educated at Morgan Academy and Dundee High School he spent a brief time in the Fleet Air Arm before joining the RM Commandos. In 1945 he was on the staff of the CMWTC at St. Ives. On being demobbed he took up a post on a Tea and Rubber Plantation in Indonesia. He later returned to Dundee and settled in Broughty Ferry where he ran a second hand shop. He was married to Esme who died about 6 years before him.His sister Mrs Elizabeth de Armond who resided in Canada said of her brother " He touched a lot of people and was a very kind man."

Sources
Photos in CVA Gallery
History of the CMWTC
Registers of Deaths in Dundee
*Report in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser 17 May 2006.
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:19:22 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Achnacarry_+Scotland+1943+-+Ken+Training+as+a+Commando.tif.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Achnacarry_+Scotland+1943+-+Ken+Training+as+a+Commando.tif.html
[Photo from the collection of Cpl. Kenneth 'Ken' Osborn REES, No. 5 Commando, courtesy of his friend Angela Dodd-Crompton].

Ken is in the middle row, 3rd from right
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:36:17 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/General_Truscott_inspection.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/General_Truscott_inspection.html
[Commando Depot aka Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry. Photo courtesy of Chris Lee].

This photo was taken during the stay of the First U.S. Rangers(Darby's Rangers) at the CBTC ((30.06.42-01.08.42)
From right to left can be seen : Capt. J.JOY (Adjutant),Lt.Col. C.E. VAUGHAN, and U.S. Brig. General L.TRUSCOTT.

TSM Bill Lee, No.12 & No.3 Cdo and an instructor at CBTC is seen second from left.

Notes
In 1942, then-Colonel Truscott was instrumental in developing an American commando unit patterned after the British Commando units.
The American unit was activated by newly promoted Brigadier General Truscott on 19 June 1942 as the 1st Ranger Battalion, and placed under the command of William Orlando Darby. [Source: 1st Ranger Bn War Diary]
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Nick Collins photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:23:11 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Panorama.JPG.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/Panorama.JPG.html
[Photo from The Oban Times 24 September 1998].
In album Commando Training in WW2]]> Nick Collins photo Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:44:40 +0000