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Early Commando Training
Initially all Commando volunteers received their specialists training at their respective Commando units, but this took up time and was shown to be unsatisfactory. By 1942 it was appreciated that a training centre able to ensure a steady flow of ready trained men was needed.
Accordingly the commando training Depot (later titled the Commando Basic Training Centre) was established at Achnacarry House (Castle) in Scotland.
However it must be stressed that the ‘Castle’ had been used for training of ‘Special Service ‘ since mid 1940 where operative of the SOE Special Operations Executive passed through its gates. A similar situation existed at Lochailort nearby and many early commandos received their training there in the early days of the Commando concept.
 Situated on the banks of the River Arkaig in the heart of the Lochaber region,Achnacarry was the historic seat of the chief of the Clan Cameron, and provided the ideal location for rugged and realistic training in the Highlands. Fortunately already serving with the Commandos was the right man to command the new training centre , Lt.Col. Charles Vaughan OBE. With a formidable team of instructors officers and NCOs’ to carry out the task of special instruction ‘Achnacarry’ became the byword for the most strenuous training centre of the Allied forces. It became the model for elsewhere while ‘Commando Training’ became a new military term with a clearly understood meaning.
Following the establishment of Achnacarry, no volunteer soldier could join a Commando unit or wear the coveted ‘Green Beret’ with out passing the six week training course.
During its three year existence thousands of troops from all Regiments of the British Army and the Royal Marines, and also Allied forces including U.S.Rangers completed the course.
None forgot the experience or questioned the pragmatic necessity of such exacting and often novel forms of training.
Such had become the Commandos reputation many officers and NCO’s relinquished their rank to join.
Failure to complete the course or not to come up to standard in any way resulted in the prospective Commando soldiers nightmare R.T U. ( Return To Unit) To be RTU’d was viewed as a personal failure and this unique form of discipline worked to keep a self governing order in an environment that by its very nature was pugilistic and demanding.
 Two legendry Commando leaders on the left
the 'Laird' of Achnacarry Lt. Col Charles Vaughan
and Lt. Col the Lord Lovat No 4 Cdo CO
This was all to instil in the men a supreme confidence in their own abilities so when the time of battle arose they would face it with tenacity and determination. The methods at Achnacarry became legendary and were soon to be incorporated into other special units training schedules.
The location of Achnacarry provided the centre with the best facilities for mountain climbing, the crossing of fast flowing rivers, the use of all types of landing crafts and boats. Living off the land was also not a problem. Landings were carried out under live ammunition to add realism to this true baptism of fire.
A unique feature of Achnacarry training was the development of the’ Me and my pal’ principle whereby each individual teamed up with another. Together they faced the course. , through bog. snow, heather, rocks and water together with many other hazards as a team of two. Training schedules were laid down in a strict pattern and they had to be followed to the letter regardless of weather conditions and other untoward happenings. The men were taught you could use foul weather and other conditions to wrong foot the enemy. This was often a key to military success.
 High priority was placed on the handling of all weapons, British, Allied and captured enemy weapons alike. Marksmanship with all weapons was also expected.
In Commando actions it was envisaged that there would be a need for combat at close quarters so unarmed combat and Jiu Jitsu were taught. For this two expert Captains William Fairburn and Eric A Sykes were enlisted from the Shanghai police force where their experience at close quarter fighting would prove invaluable.
While at Achnacarry the need was also recognised for a very special type of weapon and Fairburn and Sykes were to develope the now legendary FS Fighting Knife. This weapon which as been altered very little is still in use today by Special Forces.
The six week training course drew to a close with a ‘fun’ day of inter troop rivalry.Five events made up the programme, a five mile speed march, shooting, a folding boat race, a tug of war, and finally a ‘Milling Competition’ This latter an Achnacarry invention was a fast and furious one minute all out boxing contest with no weight categories.
After the six most gruelling and memorable weeks of the trainees lives the newly fledged Commando soldiers proudly wearing their newly earned Green Berets marched away from Ahcnacarry to Spean Bridge railway station to be transferred to there respective Commando units. Some never returned but all are remembered just a short distance away at the now world famous Commando memorial.
The dignified and simple words just read 'This was their training ground'
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