https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/
When the unit was redesignated as 30 Assault Unit the troop numbers were changed to A, B, and X troops, with an additional HQ troop. They were then billeted at Littlehampton.

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All photos subject of copyright © 2010 CVA. Contact the CVA for further details]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:16:43 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/2766-14/30AU.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/30AU_reunion_Littlehampton+.jpeg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/30AU_reunion_Littlehampton+.jpeg.html
[Photo courtesy of Clifford Farrington whose father Marine Fred Farrington served in X Troop 30 AU].
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:35:40 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Joseph_Spurrell_30AU.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Joseph_Spurrell_30AU.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son in law Bob Lloyd].

Joseph Spurrell enlisted in 1940 with the Royal Marines, Plymouth Divison. He served at Scapa Flow and on the Orkney Islands before being posted overseas to Suez, Egypt, for 18 months. He was then posted to India serving at Bombay, and Colombo in Ceylon. On return to Portsmouth he joined 'B' Troop of 30 Commando Assault Unit at Littlehampton. He deployed overseas with 30AU serving in Belgium, Holland, Brest France, Emden Germany, and Minden Germany.

Joseph Spurrell
b. 29.09.1919 Bath, Somerset
d. 23.11.2005 Bath, Somerset.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:48:08 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_Eckenforde_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_Eckenforde_copy.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Cpl Fred Fred Farrington, 'X' Troop, 30 Commando Assault Unit courtesy of his son Clifford Farrington].

Location: Eckenforde, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:54:52 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_Buxtehude_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_Buxtehude_copy.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Cpl Fred Fred Farrington, 'X' Troop, 30 Commando Assault Unit courtesy of his son Clifford Farrington].

Some of 'X' Troop 30AU liberating the bar of the German Marine barracks at Buxtehude, 22 April 1945. Buxtehude is in the district of Stade, Lower Saxony, Germany
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:53:42 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/30_AU_Reunion_Farrington_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/30_AU_Reunion_Farrington_copy.jpg.html
[Photo from the collection of Cpl Fred Fred Farrington, 'X' Troop, 30 Commando Assault Unit courtesy of his son Clifford Farrington].

Fred is 3rd row, fifth from the left.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:52:19 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_France.jpeg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_France.jpeg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Clifford Farrington].

See image alongside of annotations on rear.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:51:02 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_France_reverse_jpeg.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Farrington_30AU_France_reverse_jpeg.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Clifford Farrington].
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:51:23 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Fred_Farrington_30AU.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Fred_Farrington_30AU.png.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Cliff Farrington].

Served in 30 Commando Assault Unit 'X' Troop (CH/X103708). Previously served on HMS Warspite. Post war served in the Royal Fleet Reserve from October 1948 to November 1960. Member of the Commando Association from Wellingborough.
His son Cliff adds, "Fred served on HMS Warspite, joining the ship at Bremerton Navy Yard a few days after Pearl Harbour, before volunteering for 30 AU. In later life, he discovered the Commando Association and would always attend monthly meetings in Northants and the yearly get togethers. He was also a member of the Warspite Association."

Fred Farrington
b. 27.03.1923
d. 14.09.2007.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:56:36 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Frederick_Skillin_30AU_copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Frederick_Skillin_30AU_copy.jpg.html
Image credit: His grandson Daniel Magner.
Service
22.10.1942 enlisted Royal Marines, Lympstone; CH/X111830; civil occupation Porter/Handyman.
29.01.1943 joined 30 Commando Assault Unit as a Ward Room Attendant and served with them during operations in Sicily and Italy.
12.09.1943 admitted to hospital following the allied landings at Salerno. Spent time in hospitals in North Africa.
21.12.1943 after discharge from hospital embarked at Algiers for the UK.
05.02.1944 posted RM Training Group.
28.05.1944 posted Combined Operations. Trained and served as a Landing Craft deck hand at shorebases HMS Helder and HMS Westcliffe. Also served in Landing Craft Flotillas..
16.02.1945 posted RM Training Group. Trained as a Driver.
02.08.1945 posted HMS Sparrowhawk (the RNAS at Halesowen),
17.11.1945 posted RM Training Group.
14.02.1946 posted Chatham Division.
13.04.1946 released from service.

Frederick Anthony Skillin
b. 4 July 1914 Cork, Republic of Ireland
d. December 1987 London.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 15:50:29 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Frederick_Skillin_30AU_and_daughters.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/30AU/Frederick_Skillin_30AU_and_daughters.png.html
[Photo courtesy of his grandson Daniel Magner].

Service
22.10.1942 enlisted Royal Marines, Lympstone; CH/X111830; civil occupation Porter/Handyman.
29.01.1943 joined 30 Commando Assault Unit as a Ward Room Attendant and served with them during operations in Sicily and Italy.
12.09.1943 admitted to hospital following the allied landings at Salerno. Spent time in hospitals in North Africa.
21.12.1943 after discharge from hospital embarked at Algiers for the UK.
05.02.1944 posted RM Training Group.
28.05.1944 posted Combined Operations. Trained and served as a Landing Craft deck hand at shorebases HMS Helder and HMS Westcliffe. Also served in Landing Craft Flotillas.
16.02.1945 posted RM Training Group. Trained as a Driver.
02.08.1945 posted HMS Sparrowhawk (the RNAS at Halesowen),
17.11.1945 posted RM Training Group.
14.02.1946 posted Chatham Division.
13.04.1946 released from service.

Frederick Anthony Skillin
b. 4 July 1914 Cork, Republic of Ireland
d. December 1987 London.
In album 30 Commando AU]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 20 Apr 2025 16:01:56 +0100