22.10.1943 War Establishment for a Holding Operational Commando approved. 

21.12.1943 Holding Operational Commando (HOC) formed at Wrexham (Hermitage Camp).

31.12.1945 proposal for the HOC to vacate Wrexham by 28 February 1946 and re-locate to Burma Camp at Towyn. To assume the name Commando Holding Unit, Royal Marines, on arrival of advance parties 25 January 1946.

31.03.1946 Holding Operational Commando disbanded at Burma Camp, Towyn.

 

a) Recruit training prior to the Achnacarry Commando Course;

b) Advanced and Collective training after passing through Achnacarry;

c) Acting as a reinforcement depot and providing drafts;

d) Acting as a holding unit for for battle casualties and for men posted to 'X' and 'Y' lists if within three months of being graded as 'A1.

Holding Operational Commando also had a major role during demobilisation of Commando Group personnel.

 

With manpower ceilings in place the proposed Establishment was 26 Officers and 399 OR's offset by the disbandment of No.12 Commando (23 Officers and 402 OR's).

Additional provision was made for a HOC Royal Marine Wing. The founding principle was that the Army and RM Wings of the HOC should each be equivalent to a Commando, with 13% reinforcements held at HOC, and 7% reinforcements held by units while in the UK.

 

The training included the 'Tarzan course and 'Death Slide', rope obstacles, scramble nets, log hurdles, tunnels, ditches, speed marches of 5, 7, 10, 14 miles and longer, and work in the gym. Just before 'D' Day six Troops a month were being trained. Each Troop consisted of between 36 and 40 men who did 3 to 4 weeks assessment before going to Achnacarry if selected. Successful recruits would return to the HOC for posting to various Commando units. As many as 12 to 14 Troops would be in camp at the same time.

After 'D' Day the PTI Staff did a Physiotherapy course to help rehabilitate the wounded. The main focus was providing reinforcements firstly for Europe and then the Far East.