Commandos - United We Conquer

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Welcome to the Commando Veterans Archive

Commando qualification badgeThe Commando Veterans Archive has been developed in order to appeal to all those who have an interest in the Commandos from the time of their formation In 1940 to the present day. It is dedicated to all who have earned the right to wear the coveted Green Beret and be called a Commando.

The first Commando units raised in 1940 were the Army Commandos. In 1942 these were then followed by the first Royal Marine Commando units. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force also provided Commando personnel in WW2.

If you are a Commando, a member of the Commando family, a friend of the Commandos, or simply have an interest in the Commandos,  you are welcome to add to and enjoy the site. Please feel free to pay tribute, research or simply satisfy the curiosity that you may have about the proud history of the Commandos.  

Image shows Commandos of 1 Special Service Bde HQ at rest at St Maclou, France.  View the image in the Commando Veterans Archive  Gallery [ Go to Gallery ]. Photo from the collection of L/Cpl. John Emmerson who served in Nos. 12 & 2 Commandos, and later 1 SS Brigade HQ.

Looking for Information?

We do NOT hold Service Records. If you wish to ask specific questions regarding the Commandos , whether on individuals, units, campaigns, equipment, insignia etc, please visit our website forums. Once your registration is approved,  you will be able to create a post in the relevant forum and add the many questions that you may have. 

Register to add your messages or photos on the Forum [go to forum registration].

This Archive contains 10,000 + images in our Photo Gallery [View] ; 3,250 + biography pages on individuals within our Content Glossary [View] ;   and a vast amount of information elsewhere such as on our Forum, or held on our rolls of honour,  nominal rolls, operations reports, etc. Touch/click on highlighted words, and on many photos, for additional content.
 

Research advice

Read our guide on research, service records, and how to explore our Archive [View]. 

Rolls of Honour 

Our WW2 ROH is complete [view] . We are now looking for more information about those who died in Service, or during their Commando training, from 1946 to the present day. 
To date we have added over 600 names. If you have information about any Commando, please post a message on our Forum with the details, or use the Contact Form. [view].  
 
There are two ways to view our Roll of Honour covering 1946 to 2017. It can be viewed in decade order [View],  or searched by name or date died [View].

Commando History and Training

                      
Commando trainingWhether you are considering a future military career in the Commandos, or simply curious,  you should make yourself aware of the origins of their training. 

This resume dispels some common myths,  and explains how it developed into todays Royal Marines Course and Commando tests, and the All Arms Commando Course. Included is a film about todays  'Pre Royal Marines Course', as well as another about WW2 Commando Training called "The Green Beret".  
 
World War 2 training history [view]
1946  to present day  training history [view]
World War 2 Training  image gallery [View]. 

Join the Commando Veterans Association

Download application forms here
Join the CVA
You can join the Commando veterans Association as either a Full Member (Commandos) or Associate Member (families and friends). 
Simply download the relevant application form, complete it in full and pop it in the post as directed on the form.
 

You will receive your membership pack including membership card and a copy of their most recent newsletter 'Dispatches' .

Commando Obituaries

                    View Here
Commando Remembrance Westminster abbey
Do you have a name to add?   Register on our Forum and post the details with the date deceased, and include a photo if you have one. Alternatively simply let us know by completing the Contact Form selecting the category for Obituaries.. [Go to form].
 

Lord Lovat Interview

Lord LovatAn interview with Lord Lovat recorded in 1978 in Inverness. The first speaker is Henry Brown OBE who compiled this interview onto a tribute tape for the Army Commandos. Lord Lovat tells of some of his memories of D-Day as the Commander of 1 Commando Brigade who spearheaded the D-Day assault. The tape was kindly donated by Ray Brooks son of Ernie Brooks No 4 Commando, implemented by John Mewett, and converted to MP3 by Mike Thomas at Yellow Wall studios Lockington Liecs.

Listen to it HERE.

If your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio, right-click here and "save as" to download the file and play.

Latest updates (see Recent Content for full list)

National Archives, files of interest
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Exploring this Archive
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No 12 Commando Nominal A-C
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Service Records and Medals
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Research Tips
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Commandos - United We Conquer
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Add your information

Register on the Forum to add information, or photos, or to ask questions [register now]. 
Your message will then be seen by our Research Group and the many knowledgeable members of our Forum. Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive. 

Association Membership

Registering on the Commando Veterans Archive, or on the Commando Veterans Association Facebook page, does not make you a member of the Association. The Commando Veterans Assciation needs your support and membership. Find out more here.