Royal Marines Commando 80 – Key Dates

This year sees us commemorating a major event in the life of the Corps, the 80th anniversary of Royal Marines taking the Commando role.

  • In 1940, after Dunkirk, Churchill gave the order to ‘Set Europe Ablaze’. The Corps was over-committed, supporting the Fleet at sea and the MNDBOs ashore, whilst the RM Division was the only formed unit capable of defending against the threatened German invasion, so the task of forming Commando units fell to the Army, although some 40 Royal Marines did find their way into the Army Commandos.
  • 14th Feb 1942. The first Royal Marines volunteers assembled at North Barracks Deal, known as The Royal Marine Commando.
  • 5th April 1942. The RM Commando travelled to Scotland for training at Shiel Bridge Lodge, near to the Achnacarry Castle. Elements from each company undertook an ‘acquaint period’ at Achnacarry.
  • 14th April 1942. T-Company was formed from the RM Commando for a special task. These 36 ranks and two officers were the first formed group of Marines to complete the commando course. 
  • 18th May 1942. Now fully trained the RM Commando left Scotland on HMS Landing Ship Infantry Princess Beatrix, the first move of a RM Commando by sea.
  • 25th June 1942. The RM Commando began rehearsing landings and assaults from HMS Locust in Portsmouth Harbour. No 10 Platoon, X Company are allocated a snatch mission from a safe in Dieppe harbour. Many of the Platoon were to go on to form the nucleus of 30AU.
  • 19th August 1942. The Dieppe Raid, first significant operation of Royal Marines Commandos.
  • 2nd October. The Commando move to Weymouth for night training leading up to the exercise, Operation Blackmore.
  • 7th October 1942. A second RM Commando is raised. The original commando was renamed ‘A’ RM Commando and the new unit christened ‘B’ RM Commando.
  • 26th October 1942. The RM Commandos were issued with Green Berets.
  • 29th October 1942. Both Commandos reorganise from Company to Troop formation and are renamed 40 and 41 Commando respectively.
  • 30th December 1942. At 1630 hrs U-435 launches three torpedoes, HMS Fidelity is lost with all hands, including every rank of T-Company, 40 RM Commando.