46RM Commando

46RM Commando 'A' troop May 1944
  • On 1 August 1943 the 9th RM Battalion was redesignated 46 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, at 'A' Camp, Piddlehinton, Dorset. Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Richard Hardy, OC 9th RM Battalion, remained as OC of the Commando. 
  • Within a week the unit had moved to Poundbury West Camp in Dorchester, changing to its new smaller Commando establishment. Those not required for any reason for Commando training were gradually moved to Training centres for landing craft and/or other vessel duties.  
  • September 1943 advance parties led by Major Lee and Lt. Nunn (both later killed in action) sent to Troon
  • 15 September 1943 remainder of the Commando arrives Troon. The Commando had already been issued with their Green berets at this stage, parading in Dorchester wearing them on the 11th September before their departure.  
  • 23 October 1943 the Commando moved to the Commando Depot, Achnacarry.
  • 9 November 1943 with the commando course completed, the Unit moved back to Troon.
  • December 1943 the Commando was sent to CTC Dorlin for further training, and were re-assigned briefly to the 1st Special Service Bde under Lord Lovat. On completion of this additional training the Unit moved to Worthing to link up with the rest of the Brigade. 
  • 19 December 1943 arrival at Worthing.
  • ​End of December 1943 the Commando was ordered to move to Folkestone.
  • 3 January 1944 the Commando rejoined 4th Special Service Brigade. Two troops were then sent to the CMWTC at St Ives for a 3 week course in cliff climbing and rock assault. All this training was focussed on one thing - the allied invasion of North West Europe. 
  • ​7 June 1944 at 0900hrs 46RM Commando disembarked on Nan White Beach at Bernieres.
  • Over the next few days fighting was fierce at Petit Enfer, Douvres, La Deliverande and Rots and Le Hamel.
  • 17 June 1944 the Commando was reassigned to 4th Special Service Brigade whilst dug in at the area of Sallenelles - Hauger. Operations in the area continued. 
  • August 1944 the Commando moved forward to Dozule and Breville sur Mer.
  • End of September after suffering heavy casualties No.46 Royal Marine Commando and the rest of the Brigade was withdrawn to the UK and stationed on the Isle of Wight.
  • January 1945 46RM Commando returned to North West Europe seeing action in Belgium, and in assault river crossings during the advance into Germany under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas Malcolm Gray MC
  • May 1945 when the the war ended the Commando was resting in Neustadt, a small town on Kiel Bay, about 12 miles North of Lubeck. They remained in Germany until 8 June 1945.  This period was spent in occupational duties firstly on the Isle of Fehmarn, south east of Kiel,  and latterly at Bad Schwarteau on the outskirts of Lubeck*.
  • 1st Commando Brigade returned to England  to reorganise for further service in the Far East. This became unnecessary after the surrender of Japan. 46RM Commando moved to Tunbridge Wells and at the beginning of August a new CO, Lieutenant Colonel E.C.E. Palmer, DSO, RM, took command*.
  • Towards the end of October it was decided to disband the Army Commandos, and with them, the 1st Commando Brigade.
  • 28 December 1945 at Haywards Heath the Commando returned from a period of leave and preparations were made during the rest of the month for sending off the overseas drafts and for eventual breaking up of the Unit. The draft was split into two large groups - one to go to 45 Commando RM on 2 January 1946; the second to H.O.C. Wrexham for drafting to 42 and 44 Commandos already in Hong Kong. This second draft being due to leave on 4 January 1946. Those in certain Age and Service Groups, certain key personnel, and those unfit for overseas service were prepared for drafting to 41 Commando RM except for a small rear party which was left behind to wind up the Unit.
  • 31 January 1946 - 46 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, disbanded. 
Sources
46RM Commando War Diary.
The Story of 46 Commando by Captain P.K.W. Johnson RM published in 1946.

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