Reverend Father Albert Edward Basil was a Roman Catholic priest commissioned Chaplain to the Forces IV Class on 13 January 1941 and assigned to the Special Service Brigade. He was posted to the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry, at the time the 1st US Ranger Battalion arrived for their training. He later deployed with them to North Africa at the personal request of their C.O. William Orlando Darby.

Father Basil was present during the Rangers assault landings in North Africa at Arzew and El Guettar. He was awarded the Silver Star conferred by the President of the United States of America. Ordered to return to the UK he again served at Achnacarry before joining 2 Special Service Brigade in the Meditteranean theatre of war. Discharged from military service 6 December 1946.

During his deployment as Chaplain with the Rangers strong bonds developed which would endure in peacetime. He attended everal of their reunions and in 1996 Father Basil was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, not as an honorary member, but as a Ranger.

Post war Chaplain at Loughborough and later Ratcliffe Colleges (Universities). Member of the Commando Association.