2619910 George Taylor, Grenadiers and Commando course

Trying to find out more about George Taylor, he joined the Grenadiers 4/7/40 and completed Commando training at Achnacarry in September 42 - I'm guessing as part of the intake from 24th Guards Brigade - was this a course to become a Commando or to train non Commandos with some of the techniques? I was assuming to become a Commando but just checking as at some point fairly soon after the course he returned to the 5th Grenadier Guards being wounded with them in Tunisia 5/5/43 and again in Italy 4/2/44. Any thoughts or observations most welcome, thanks in advance. Alistair

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/03/2023 11:04:04

Hi Alistair

Not all the courses that took place there were Commando courses. We have a list of Courses at Achnacarry which shows there were numerous non commando units attending Courses. Additionally the Courses all have very different time lengths. The Home Guard had two Courses at Achnacarry. Elements of the 24th Guards Brigade attended four different Courses between May and October 1942 each course varying between 9 days and 15 days in length. This was likely in preparation for operations in North Africa.

https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/courses/CBTC+1942+1944+spean+copy.jpg.html

Pete

Hi,
Thanks for the reply so probably a battle indoctrination course run by Commando staff to help other units gain experience and pass on techniques - from a collector point of view I'd rather Gdsm Taylor was a Commando (even if just for a short time) but as a twice wounded Guardsman he has his own interesting story (even if it only nudges the world of Combined Ops in passing) which hopefully I'll be able to flesh out in time.

Thanks again

Alistair