Lieut. Col. Charles Edward Vaughan OBE

Commando Association photo. Lieut. Colonel Charles Vaughan OBE. Commanding Officer of the Commando Depot later renamed the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.

Charles Edward Vaughan was born in 1893 and died in 1968.

In his book It had to be Tough, Jimmy Dunning says of him
" A Veteran of the First World War and the Retreat from Mons in 1914. In the inter war years he graduated from Drill Sergeant to RSM, but he was much more than just a bawling barrack square man, although he could do that if needed. His obvious military potential as an officer was recognised and he was duly commissioned. A Londoner by birth and proud of it, Charlie's standards for soldiers and soldiering were set by his long service in war and peace. He accepted nothing but the best, whether it be in fitness, training, weaponry and musketry, fieldcraft and tactics, drill and turnout, or even in the more apparently mundane matters of administration which included feeding and hygiene. Together all these factors made the 'whole' - and the self disciplined and reliant Commando soldier 'fit to fight' and 'fighting fit' with high morale, willing and capable of tackling any military task, under any circumstances, and against any odds"


RSM C E Vaughan, 2nd Bn The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), RSM from 1926-1935

To be A Member of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order

Warrant Officer, Class I., Regimental Sergeant-Major Charles Edward Vaughan, 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

THE LONDON GAZETTE, JUNE 1, 1934
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34056/pages/3563
and
THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE, JUNE 8, 1934.
http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/15076/pages/487/page.pdf

The Buffs. Charles Edward VAUGHAN, M.B.E. (142142), to be Lieutenant 22nd July 1940

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 AUGUST, 1940
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34926/supplements/5081

Charles Vaughan was originally attached to No.7 and No.4 Commando before taking up his role as the Commandant of the newly formed Commando depot at Achnacarry. Post war he was associated throughout the remainder of his life with the original Commando Association. Here is a quote from Henry Brown " 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". He was also involved in the formation of the Commando Benevolent Fund to assist or benefit persons who have served at any time in the Army Commandos or being dependents, wives, widows or issue of such person, being in need of assistance"

To be Additional Officers of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order (OBE)

Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Charles Edward VAUGHAN, M.B.E. (142142), The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment).

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 13 JUNE, 1946
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37598/supplements/2771

The Association was later renamed The Army Commandos Association and finally ended being known by everyone simply as The Commando Association. The early administration was done by available staff at the CBTC. In 1946 it was more formally structured and the 1st President of the Association was Brigadier Durnford Slater DSO from 1946/47.

Lieut. Colonel C.E. Vaughan OBE was President of the Association on the following years 1947/48, 1953/54/55, and 1963/64/65.

On June 6th 1964 during the ceremonies in Ouistreham commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the D Day Landings, the Commando Memorial window at the church of St Sampson was unveiled by Lieut. Colonel Vaughan. The window had been donated by the Association to the people of Ouistreham as a token of appreciation for their continued hospitality and kindness to Commando Veterans attending D Day Anniversaries.

In January 1965 Lieut. Colonel Charles Vaughan OBE represented the Association at the funeral service in St Paul's Cathedral for Sir Winston Churchill.

He died in April 1968

I repeat the quote from Donald Gilchrist in his book Castle Commando where he writes a forward note to the 'Colonel'. He ends by saying:

" But it is to you, Charles, that we who counted it an honour to serve you, wish to show our appreciation. You made us fit to fight. You taught us the art of living in a world at war, and to laugh in the most perilous circumstances. What we were - if we were anything - we owe in great measure to you."