'Commando Basic Training Centre'
The Commando Depot at Achnacarry, redesignated as the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC), was regarded as one of, if not, the finest of all the Allied special training centres established in the Second World War.
Its reputation was widespread and held in the highest regard by all the Allies, for not only were soldiers and marines of the British forces trained there, but also those from the USA, France, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Norway, and surprisingly, some Germans. These were the ‘Free’ Germans and included Jews who had escaped the tyranny in their own country. Many other Units also used the facilities of Achnacarry. A list of the Courses can be found in our Gallery here [Courses at the CBTC].
Located on the banks of the River Arkaig the castle is flanked by daunting and desolate mountain terrain. Ben Nevis is just 18 miles away and waiting as a final challenge at the end of most courses. In the immediate vicinity of the main building hutted accommodation was erected, amongst which a large multi purpose hut was dominant.
The grounds and castle of Achnacarry was the seat of Sir Donald Walter Cameron of Lochiel, Chief of the Scottish Clan Cameron, who in June 1940 gave hospitality to No.1 Independent Company.
Commando training was not centralised at this time with each individual Commando unit responsible for their own training. In December 1940, Achnacarry, as well as Achdalieu Lodge, were officially brought into use as part of the the new Training and Holding Wing* for the main Special Training Centre (S.T.C.) at Lochailort and remained as such for the next year. A Training Centre was also operating at Inverary.
STC Lochailort was however scheduled to be closed. A need had been seen to centralise all commando training with a Commando Course that everyone would have to pass. Thus in December 1941 Achnacarry was re-designated as The Commando Depot, and passed under the authority of the Special Service Brigade.
Around the drill square hard asphalt now replaced the green lawn of the Castle. This square was surrounded by austere Nissen huts with their corrugated iron sides and roofs. These were the accommodation huts, each housing between 25 and 40 men, and also used as dining 'halls', washing rooms, and the NAAFI canteen. Occasionally these were complimented by Bell tents when additional accommodation was required. Achnacarry was now the Commando Basic Training Centre (C.B.T.C.), however we have found references to the old Depot name still being used long after.
The first of the new centralised training courses took place in Feb/March 1942, and by the time it closed in 1946 more than 25,000 men had passed through the gates of Achnacarry to participate in what was the forerunner of all special forces training throughout the world. Not all the men were Commandos. There were other units that sent contingents to Achnacarry for training. Much of what was taught in these early days is still the basis for Commando training of today.
The photo below taken February 1943 depicts Commandant Lt. Col. Vaughan with his Second in Command Major Cockcraft.
In his book "It had to be Tough" Major James Dunning, who served on the staff at the CBTC for a period, states the following, "Normal intakes of trainees were allocated to one of the three training Commandos: Keyes, Haydon or Sturges, named after pioneers of Combined Operations and the Commandos. Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, our first beloved boss, and his son Geoffrey, who won the first Commando VC; General Haydon, the original commander of the Special Service Brigade and leader of the Lofoten Islands Raid; General Sturges, a Royal Marine, who after the Madagascar operation became the first overall commander of the Commando Group of four Commando Brigades.
Each Training Commando was commanded by a Captain, with a minimal headquarters of a CSM, a clerk and a storeman. The Commando was organized into four training Troops, each under an instructor-officer, assisted by a Troop Sergeant." Major Dunning goes on to say that there was a Demonstration Troop to assist Instructors in their training and this troop had a secondary role as the Pipe Band for the CBTC."
Much of the PT consisted of agility and strengthening exercises, and teaching the drills and skills of tackling obstacles. All the equipment and obstacles were home made at Achnacarry by the staff. The photo depicts trainees using logs, each about 15-20 feet long, as part of that training. The logs were heaved, hurled in the air, and caught in a variety of different improvised strengthening exercises, demanding in addition, plenty of team work and cooperation.
More can be read about other areas of training in the pages to follow.
It would be remiss not to mention more about the man tasked with organising and controlling such demanding training, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Vaughan. Major Jimmy Dunning, No.4 Commando and CBTC, wrote " 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, Lieutenant Colonel Vaughan'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."
Primary Sources: Donald Gilchrist, CBTC Instructor and author of Castle Commando; James Dunning, CBTC Instructor and author of It Had To Be Tough; Hilary St. George Saunders author of The Green Beret (The story of the Commandos 1940-1945.); No 10 Independent Company War Diary National Archives ref. WO.218/17]
© Commando Veterans Archive 2014
* Follow this link to read the No 10 Independent Company history. [relevant to the early timeline.]
Follow this link to view the dates of Course Intakes at Achnacarry.
Read on from below right ......
Linked Content:
Archive pages:
VAUGHAN, Charles Edward (Lt Col)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit / Base:
Training Centres WW2
7 Commando
4 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
The Buffs, East Kent
Service:
Army
Number:
2646398 & 142142
Honours & Awards:
Charles Edward Vaughan, born 1893, was originally attached to No.7 Commando. The then Major Vaughan took over as Acting Second in Command of No.4 Commando on 30 June 1941 replacing Major M.G. Kerr before taking up his role as the Commandant of the newly formed Commando Depot (CBTC) at Achnacarry.
RSM of The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment from 1926 - 1935.
Awarded MBE (Military Division) 1934 [Source: London Gazette 34056; page 3563]
Promoted Lieutenant 22nd July 1940 [Source: London Gazette 34926; page 5081]
Awarded OBE (Military Divsion)1946 [Source: London Gazette 37598; page 2771]
Promoted Lt Col. to take up post of Commandant at the Commando Depot 1942.
In his book 'It had to be Tough', the author Major James 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."
Charles Vaughan was associated throughout the remainder of his life with The Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade, later amended to the Old Comrades Association of the Army Commandos (The Commando Association). It was formed on the 20th June 1943 at the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry by Lt Col Vaughan, who as Founder Member was given membership Number One. Lt Col. Vaughan was President of the Commando Association during the years 1947/48, 1953/54/55, and 1963/64/65. 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.
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.
Donald Gilchrist author of 'Castle Commando' wrote :
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.
Donald Gilchrist author of 'Castle Commando' wrote :
" 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."
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Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Archive pages :
COCKCRAFT, William Gordon La Trobe
Rank:
Major
Unit / Base:
'Commando Basic Training Centre'
Regiment/Corps:
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
53758
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Tuesday, September 17, 1912
Birthplace:
Somerset
Died:
1988
Major William Cockcraft was second in command of the Commando Depot at Achnacarry, later renamed the Commando Basic Training Centre [1].
Member of the Commando Association from Hartley Wintney, Hants" [2].
- The IWM have an Oral Interview (catalogue number 3935) recorded with Major William Gordon La Trobe Cockcraft covering the period he served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment and the training of the 4th Bn King's African Rifles in Uganda, Kenya and East Africa, 1938-1942. (He received a Mention in Despatches for distinguished service during this period*). At the very end of the last reel (reel 2) Major Cockcraft states he left them to volunteer for the Commandos [3] .
- 13 August 1949 Major Cockcraft retired from service [4].
Sources
[1] CVA Gallery images in training gallery..
[2] Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 88 (1989).
[3] IWM Oral Interview catalogue 3935.
[*MiD] London Gazette 35396, page 7348.
[4] London Gazette 38691, page 3965.
Image: III-SC 180099, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Notes
Surname erroneously spelt elsewhere as Cockraft and first name shown as Peter.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Archive pages :
'Lt. Col. Vaughan confers with his 2 i/c, Major Cockcraft', image
[Image] III-SC 180099, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
[Caption] "Lt. Col. C.E. Vaughan, Commandant of a Commando Depot confers with this Second in Command, Major Peter Cockraft* on the day's schedule for a Ranger Unit. Speanbridge, Scotland."
[Caption] "Lt. Col. C.E. Vaughan, Commandant of a Commando Depot confers with this Second in Command, Major Peter Cockraft* on the day's schedule for a Ranger Unit. Speanbridge, Scotland."
*surname should read as Cockcraft.
Archive pages :
CBTC Demonstration Troop
The Demonstration Troop at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre) at Achnacarry, assisted Instructors in their training and had a secondary role as the Training Centre Pipes and Drums Band.
Gallery Images [view....].
CBTC Pipe Band and Demonstration Troop
The Pipes and Drums band was based at the Commando Depot at Achnacarry, later known as the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC). It was also the Demonstration Troop.
Major James Dunning, No.4 Commando and later on the staff at the CBTC wrote in his book 'It Had To Be Tough', "A lot of our Instruction hinged on demonstrations by both my two NCO's and the Achnacarry Demonstration Troop. The latter had a busy time for it not only gave demonstrations, but doubled as the Pipe Band".
Pipe Major T.A. MacLauchlan was in charge and in this photo is seated front row 3rd from the left next to Colonel Charles Vaughan, the Commandant of the CBTC. Cyril Corbett, is seated on the front row 1st position on the left as you view the image. He his holding his drum sticks across his knees. The commando standing to his right shoulder, drum sticks across the drum skin, may possibly be his friend, Vic Hanson. [Image credit: Denis Muir, Curator, Clan Cameron Museum].
- More photos in our Gallery [view.....].
Pipe Major Maclauchlan at Achnacarry
Pipe Major Thomas Alexander Maclauchlan, Commando Depot Pipes and Drums, 1943.
Training at Achnacarry image
