Commando Association
Their first newsletter in February 1946 announced a change of title to 'Old Comrades Association of the Army Commandos."
[view images].
Association History 1943 - 2005
Formed in 1943. Formal stand down in 2005. This document, written by Henry Brown, the Association's General Secretary and Treasurer, covers the period 1943 to 1993. From the collection of Lance Sergeant Joseph Rogers MM [more ...].
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BROWN, Henry
Post War
1946-1987 General Secretary of the original Commando Association.
1987 appointed MBE (Civil Division) for service to the Commando Association.
1998 elected President of the Commando Association.
31 December 2001 appointed OBE (Civil Division) for services to the Commando Association.
BROWN, Henry (No.1 Cdo) - newspaper report
Henry Brown was a Quartermaster RSM in No.1 Commando.
1946-1987 General Secretary of the original Commando Association.
1987 appointed MBE (Civil Division) for service to the Commando Association.
1998 elected President of the Commando Association.
31 December 2001 appointed OBE (Civil Division) for services to the Commando Association.
St Ives Commando Award Laid to Rest
A proposal that The St lves Commando Award Management Comittee be disbanded and that the Trophy be placed in the custody of the St Ives Town Museum ended 30 years of a unique association between the town of St Ives and those Commandos who settled in the town when they left the services.
The purpose of the Award was to "perpetuate the memory of all those Army and Royal Marine Commandos, who trained in St lves. and who died in the War of 1939/45. and in the many actions since". The Award was to be given to a boy or girl from the greater St lves area who had carried out an act of "Courage. initiative and fortitude" during the preceeding 12 months.
The first presentation in 1965 which was made by John Earle, then with BBC TV, to James Ryall, for fortitude (overcoming a serious disability) and the last in 1989, by a Royal Marines Colonel, to Ricky Chilton, again for fortitude. But, perhaps the most deserving recipient of the Award, in 1975, was the late Chris Walsh who fought for recovery after a brain operation.
The Committee had set a high standard for the Award and there were a number of years when no suitable nomination had been received, as in the past 5 years. In 30 years the Award had only been presented 14 times. There were times when a suitable nomination had been received but when the parents had been approached they did not want the nomination to go forward, usually for personal reasons, or they did not want their son, or daughter, exposed to the publicity.
The Management Committee reluctantly decided that the scheme "had run its course" and the trophy will be placed in the Town Museum along with the Rose Bowl presented by the Royal Marines at the reunion in 1993.
It is intended that a Commemorative Plaque, thanking the people of St lves, should be placed in the vicinity of New Pier. After this final act 'Slim' Sutherland intends to retire as Commando Secretary at St lves, after 4l years, and his appointment as Area Representative of the Commando Association.
A list of names for an event in 1986
Association booklet 1943 - 2005
A beautifully produced Commemorative Souvenir booklet to celebrate the Commando Association, from its formation in 1943 to standown in 2005.
The booklet contains superb photos along with a great deal of information about the history of the Commandos. It is a valuable addition to the information we already have in our Gallery about the original Association.
Click on the word 'Download' above to view this document, and then why not browse our Gallery entries here Commando Association .
Erratum:
Page 15 of this booklet for "Lieut. G.K. Knowland of No 1 Commando." substitute "Lieut. G.A. Knowland of No 1 Commando."
Association History 2003 - present
On the 1st June 2019 the Commando Veterans Association was redesignated as the Commando Association. This document was first published in Dispatches issue 29 of January 2014 before the name change. It was written by John Mewett, son of Private Robert Mewett [more...].
The Commando Veterans Association was formed in 2003 after the decision made by the Committee of the original Commando Association to stand down. The Stand Down formally took place at a ceremony on the 18th September 2005.
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Association Mission Statement
The Commando Association was formed to ensure that the unique spirit, tradition and camaraderie of the Commandos do not fade but are kept alive, for present and future generations. The title "Commando Association" does not refer to war veterans, but to all Commandos, serving and retired, veterans of the Green beret.
Like all Forces personnel, former and serving Commandos rely on their family and friends for support. This is especially true for those returning having seen active service. Therefore the Commando Association encourages family and friends of Commandos to apply for Associate membership and continue this support through the work of the Association.
CONSTITUTION of the COMMANDO ASSOCIATION
1. The title of the Association shall be the’ Commando Association’, short name ‘ CA’.
2. Address CA HQ, 2 Westbrook Green, West Side, North Littleton, Evesham, WR11 8QP England.
3. Definition
3.1 The CA shall mean the Commando Association.
3.2 The President shall mean the President of the CA.
3.3 The Chairman shall mean the Chairman of the CA.
3.4 The Officers shall mean the Officers of the CA.
3.5 The Committee shall mean the Committee of the CA.
3.6 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall mean the AGM of the CA.
4. Aims and Objectives of the CA
4.1 Maintain comradeship and esprit de corps between members of the CA and to promote fellowship between serving Commandos, Veterans, their families, and friends of the Commandos.
4.2 To carry forward the history of the Army Commandos, alongside that of the Royal Marines Commandos and other Commando Associations.
4.3 Assist in forming new Branches and to promote and maintain contact between existing branches
4.4 Arrange a Reunion, an AGM and other meetings as required.
4.5 Promote opportunities for members to contribute to the development of the CA.
4.6 Contact those members in need and help wherever possible.
4.7 The CA shall be and remain Non-Political.
5.1 Membership titles of the CA are as follows: Founder Member, Full Member, Associate Member and Honorary Member.
6.1 The supreme governing body of the CA shall be the AGM.
6.2 There shall be a Committee which shall conduct the financial and general affairs of the CA subject to any direction from the AGM. The committee must follow the aims and objectives laid down and it must democratically represent the membership group for which it is established, acting in the best interest and for the good and benefit of the CA members.
. Chairman
. Secretary and Assistant Secretary
. Treasurer/Membership Secretary
. Up to 5 x Members
. Merchandise Member, Historical Archives Member. Museum Member. Associate Members Representative, CA photographer, Welfare Representative, National Standard Bearer. Arboretum Representative, Area representatives for: Scotland, South West, South, Midlands and North.
6.4 Elected members will normally serve for a minimum period of one year.
6.5 Elected Associate members who have been elected to the standing committee will have full voting rights during their one year’s tenure.
6.6 The Committee shall meet at least once a year for an AGM, where all CA members are invited to attend.
6.7 The powers of the Committee shall be to determine the policy whereby the aims and objectives of the CA may be achieved, subject to direction by an AGM.
6.8 Any member of the CA may be co-opted to service on sub-committees or to deal with items of business.
7. Officers
The Officers of the CA are the President, Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer/Membership secretary and its Committee Members.
7.1 President is an honorary title conferred by invite. The President of the CA should hold office for one year. They are to be active and advise the Committee when needed. At the expiration of office, the President is eligible for re-invitation.
7.3 The Chairman shall be elected from among the members of the CA and should hold office for one year. At the expiration of office, the Chairman is eligible for immediate re-election.
7.4 The Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer/Membership Secretary and Committee members shall be elected from among the members of the CA and should hold office for one year.
7.5 Treasurer/Membership Secretary can be the same elected member.
7.6 Committee Officers, who are full members, shall deputise for the Chairman if required.
7.7 Members can be asked to assist the Committee as volunteers if required.
8. General Meetings
8.1 The supreme governing body of the CA shall be the AGM subject to statutory duties placed on Officers and the Committee.
8.2 An AGM shall be summoned at least once in every year and at such other times as the CA shall determine, these will be termed as extra-ordinary meeting ( EGM).
8.3 An EGM may be called by the Chairman and can also be called on written request to the Secretary of at least TEN members of the CA.
8.4 The quorum for the AGM or any meeting shall be FIFTEEN members (including Standing Committee). In the event of the quorum not being achieved, the meeting may discuss the agenda and advise the Standing Committee. Power to determine any matter on the agenda shall be the responsibility of the Standing Committee.
9. Financial Control
9.1 The Chairman shall be responsible for ensuring that proper accounts and records of all CA income and expenditure are maintained by the Treasurer.
9.2 A Balance of the CA account shall be produced for the AGM agenda and be available at the AGM for the members. The CA account is to be audited at least once in the financial year.
9.2 The Treasurer is authorised for expenditure of up to £250, for any expenditure above this limit authority must be sought from the Chairman and Secretary.
9.3 A financial limit of £50 will be applied to all proposals from the floor made by members at the AGM. Any proposals above this £50 limit must be included in the agenda prior to the AGM.
10. Events. All events will be directed by the Chairman and co-ordinated through the Standing Committee and delegated sub-committees as required. Events include: The Annual Commando Gathering at Fort William (including annual draw/auction), and Spean Bridge Parade. The Cenotaph parade and the Service at Westminster Abbey. The St George’s Day celebrations at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Commando Summer Service at the National Memorial Arboretum including the Annual Dinner night. Elmwood School presentation.
11.1 The General Data Protection Regulations prevents the CA from providing lists of members to any outside agencies. Members’ details will only be used by the CA Committee for administration purposes, and only given to other existing CA members where permission has been granted by that member to the CA Secretary.
11.2 CA details, updates and a calendar of events will be published in the CA Dispatches Newsletter the Commando Association Facebook page, and the CVA Website.
11.3 Any additional support or information can be obtained from the CA Secretary:
Date of Constitution, 25 February 2021.
Association Merchandise
Association Membership Form - WW2
Commando Association membership form for all Commandos who served in WW2. Membership is free for WW2 veterans.
If you have any difficulty downloading the application form send a request to Ernie Brown, the Membership Secretary, specifying your full name and which form you want by clicking on this email link [email protected]
Association Membership Form - Serving or Veteran
Commando Association membership form for all who have served and earned the right to wear the Green Beret since the end of WW2, or are presently serving.
Full details at the top of the application form.
If you have any difficulty downloading the application form send a request to Ernie Brown, the Membership Secretary, specifying your full name and which form you want by clicking on this email link [email protected]
Association Membership Form - Associate
Commando Association membership form for associate membership.
Membership includes 3 Newsletters per year.
Access to the members only facebook page.
Low cost: One off joining fee of £5 plus annual subscription of £15.00.
Full details at the top of the application form.
If you have any difficulty downloading the application form send a request to Ernie Brown, the Membership Secretary, specifying your full name and which form you want by clicking on this email link [email protected]
Contact the Commando Association
Captain Tom Watson.
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Contact the National Secretary or Assistant Secretary as above.