80th anniversary of the formation of the Commandos

This month marks the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Army Commandos in 1940. They were the pioneers and all volunteers for special service.

The Parachute Regiment origins began with Army Commandos from the original No.2 Commando formed on the 22nd June 1940 for a parachuting role at Cambrai Barracks, Perham Down, near Tidworth, Hants. No.2 was later designated 11 Special Air Service Bn. (no relation to the SAS) before being re-designated 1st Parachute Bn. in September 1941.

A new No.2 Commando was formed under Lt. Col. Augustus Charles Newman who in March 1942 would be the military force commander of the commandos during what has often be called 'The greatest raid of all' at St. Nazaire, France, code-named Operation Chariot. He was one of the five recipients of the Victoria Cross awarded after that raid.

Within 2 years the Army Commandos had been joined by Commando Units formed from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the RAF Servicing Commandos, and new special forces units such as the SAS and SBS had been raised. No.10 Commando had become Inter Allied, with selected men that had escaped from European countries now under occupation being trained as commandos in the UK. By June 1944 Commandos were taking part in operations across the world including France, Italy, and Burma.

This is just a small tribute to those first volunteers for the Army Commandos, and to all who followed in their footsteps.