No. 7 Army Commando

The first troops of this Commando formed up in several locations
‘A’Troop for example formed in Gamblingay under Capt. Wylie R.E. while the H.Q. Staff came together in Billericay Essex. A small party of ‘B’ Troop formed in St. Albans and the remainder in Newmarket under Capt G March Pillips who was later to command No.62 Commando.

After this scattered beginning all the various sections came together finally in Felixstowe at the end of July 1940. H.Q. being in a school in Station Rd Felixstowe.
Slowly reaching full strength the Commando eventually moved to Girvan in Scotland and in December 1940 embarked on the ships ‘Glenroy’ and ‘Glengyle’ for passage to Inverary where they underwent boat training.

After being redesignated into 3 Special Service Battalion on 24th October1941 the Commando embarked for the Middle East.
Arriving at Alexandria the Commando was known as ‘A’ Battalion of ‘Layforce’ commanded by Lt Col. Colvin.
Layforce was a specially formed Brigade intended to carry out Commando operations in the Middle East commencing with the invasion of Rhodes. This raid was later cancelled.

The next invasion plan was Bardia 19th April 1941 but little was achieved due to faulty navigation. Several men were captured.
Crete was the next and last action carried out by No.7.
Ordered to assist in the evacuation of British Troops from the island against overwhelming odds most of the Commando were taken P.O.W by the German invasion force.

After this the Commando was disbanded.