The commandos were formed in 1940, by the order of Winston Churchill the British Prime Minister at that time.

He called for specially trained troops that would "develop a reign of terror down the enemy coast".

[3] The man initially selected as the overall commander of the force was Admiral Sir Roger Keyes—a veteran of the landings at Galipoli and the Zeebrugge raid in the First World War.

The course in the Scottish Highlands concentrated on fitness, speed marches, weapons training, map reading, climbing, small boat operations and demolitions both day and night.

[10] The Commando fought against the Italians in the East African Campaign in Abyssinia and Eritrea.

1 and 2 Troops were made up of L Detachment based at Geneifa under the command of David Stirling,[13][14] while 60 men from the disbanded No.

[12] The following Battle honours were awarded to the British Commandos during the Second World War.