No. 5 Army Commando

Formed in Bridlington on the 23rd June 1940 and was commanded by LtCol.P.A.Wood.
Shortly after its formation the Commando moved to Dover and then on to Helensburgh. It was reorganised into The 5th Special Service Battalion and was redesignated No.5 Commando on 26th Febuary 1941.

The first recorded raid by the men of No.5 took place 30/31st August 1941 when two parties each of one officer and fourteen OR’s targeted beaches at Hardelot and Merlimot west of Boulogne. Neither raiding party made contact with enemy but lessons were learnt on raiding tactics.

The Commando next provided expertise for the St.Nazaire raid.
Most of No.5 Commando then sailed on the 23rd March 1942 to participate in the‘Ironclad’ landings on Madagascar.
No. 5 Commando on the return from these activities formed part of 3 Commando Brigade and was involved throughout the actions in the Arakan in Burma with landings at Akyab and Myebon.
Closely following these engagements actions were fought at Kangaw (Hill 170) and Daingbon.

After Burma the Commando was withdrawn to India to prepare for Operation ‘Zipper’ the invasion of Malaya. Zipper being abandoned after the cessation of hostilities No. 5 Commando found itself in Hong Kong on policing duties. Because of the loss of men through demob No. 5 and No.1 were amalgamated to form 1/5Commando until on 23rd March 1946 it was disbanded.