Initial Training for new RM recruits

Hi

I have been asked to post another question on behalf of Dave Kentner form the US concerning the RM:

"I know that the Royal Marines started sending men to Achnacarry in 1942 for Commando training. What is not clear to me is whether a new man in the service went directly to Achnacarry or spent some time in basic training of some sort before he went to Achnacarry for Commando Training?"

Cheers Andy

My friend, the late Bob Bishop wrote this in reply to another post

Bob Bishop wrote:Holding Operational Commando existed at Wrexham

Opened '43, closed '45.

Fed volunteers, both army and marine up to Charlie Vaughan at Achnacarry. Sometimes referred to as 'Achnacarry Prep.' Much physical training applied to volunteers as they waited to be shipped up to Achnacarry.

Also was depot for funneling replacements to 3, 4 and 6 Cdos who operated at that time in N.W. Europe nearby.

Many officers and N.C.O.s who had been wounded elsewhere were shipped there to act in the role of instructors if they were deemed unfit to return to full duty in their former Commandos

It would seem therefore that the 'Royals' would have done basic training at a RM Depot then get sent to HOC Wrexham and then on to Achnacarry.

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 22/02/2010 10:50:44

Andy

May I recommend the book "A Commando Subaltern at War" by W.G. Jenkins DSO formerly 43 RM Commando. In his book he mentions his initial RM Officer Cadet Training in February 1944, then his training pre Achnacary after being accepted for the Commando Course , then Achnacarry itself. His initial RM Training being at Deal, then after acceptance for Commando training he was sent to Dalditch, a nissen hut camp on top of Woodbury Common. He mentions assault courses, death slides, river crossings, speed marches, unarmed combat and group PT as being order of the day there. From there he went for a weeks training in street fighting in Battersea , and then moving from Dalditch to Gibralter Camp at Llanegryn near Tywyn for rock climbing training. On being sent to Achnacarry he says the training there was all much tougher. The obstacle walls were higher, the speed marches longer, and then there was Ben Nevis...So obviously by 1944 the training programme prior to Achnacrry was well in place.

Regards

Certainly the "Hostilities Only" RM recruits did their 'basic' training at Exton [now known as CTCRM (Commando Training Centre Royal Marines)
at Lympstone, Devon.]

Nick

this is a little more detailed...

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/royalmarines/units-and-deployments/commando-training-centre/history/

Nick

There is a black and white film called The Story of The Green Beret, which was made in 1945. The film follows two men going to Achnacarry. One is an Army man, the other a Marine. They both went to Wrexham prior to going to Achnacarry. I have been told that both were "filmstars" but that the men around them were "real" so to speak. In the beginning of the film one of them witnesses Marines doing drill on the parade ground. Which conferms that Marines also went to Wrexham.

The best part of the film is of course about the training at Achanacarry, at the end of which you can see Lcol Vaughn handing out the green berets, as well as taking the salute at the farewell parade.

Jack Bakker wrote:There is a black and white film called The Story of The Green Beret, which was made in 1945.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Commando-Story-Green-Beret-WWII/dp/B00004CUBY

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 13/04/2010 16:10:08

Here are some detailed links regarding the training camps at Exton and Dalditch

Exton:

http://www.exeterflotilla.org/history_misc/east_devon_rm/part1.html

Dalditch:

http://www.exeterflotilla.org/history_misc/east_devon_rm/part2.html

Having done basic training at Exton and Dalditch in 1943 and finished the last few months as an H O at Tywyn in 1946 I know that unless a body had been trained as a 'soldier' the chances of lasting a month with speed marches, map marches on the Cader Idris would be pretty remote.

For completeness, link to pictures from what remains of Dalditch.
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/4033.page#14853