I assist the Royal Marines Historical Society as their Armourer when they provide exhibitions around the United Kingdom. The theme in 2024 was Royal Marines on D-Day.
I was honoured to attend their 360th anniversary at the Commando Memorial in the Highlands. The Historical Society under the guidance of John Rawlinson brought the D-Day exhibition to Fort William and I was on duty to assist with all weapon questions, but to be honest I was there to meet the veterans.
One of the highlights was a visit to Achnacarry, which was the home to the Commando Training Centre. It is also the home of Clan Cameron.
Located at the west end of the Great Glen, hidden on the folds of the hills on the left bank, you would not find this estate by accident. Located on the banks of the River Arkaig, it lies just 18 miles north of Ben Nevis. It was the seat and home of Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Chief of Clan Cameron.
There was no central location for commando training early in the war and each unit had to secure its own training facility. In June 1940 No 1 Independent Company was invited to Achnacarry. By December 1941 Achnacarry was selected as The Commando Depot under control of the Special Service Brigade. This was now the central training camp which provided a training course that had to be passed to qualify as a Commando.
Grass lawns were tarmacked to provide drill squares and Nissen huts provided accommodation within the grounds. The name was changed to the Commando Basic Training Centre. It did not just train British and Commonwealth Commandos, but Americans, French, Dutch, Belgians, Polish, Norwegians, and some Free Germans.
From the first course in February 1942 to when it closed in 1946, more than 25,000 men had passed through the gates of Achnacarry.
All the obstacles and training were designed and built at Achnacarry. The basic training course still forms the structure for most Special Forces training today.
There is a small welcoming Clan Cameron Museum. They also have some space devoted to the commandos at Achnacarry. I was also very lucky to have a guided tour with some of the veterans of the Royal Marines.
It is a place that everyone should visit. You can sense what took place here over 80 years ago and how that shaped the fight against Nazi Germany, through to how special forces are trained today, all over the world.
The service at the Commando Memorial took place on a usual Scottish blistering day. Very cold, wet and windy. The Royal Marines Canoe section had carried their boats to the memorial. The Royal Marine Band played, and the service provide much remembrance and thought.
Our exhibition was provided over the weekend with a gala diner on the last night. I was able to interact with many current serving soldiers and officers as well as many Royal Marine veterans. There was great appreciation for our exhibition which is to ensure the history of the Royal Marine is kept alive.
