Brief History
Army Commando
In The second World War a Gunner Capt John Durnford-Slater RA was credited with establishing the first Army Commando unit.
In mid June 1940, following the lightning advance of the Germans through France and the subsequent Dunkirk evacuation, the British War Office put out a call for volunteers to carry out raids along the coasts of the occupied territories.
Capt Durnford-Slater was able to convince His commanding officer to recommend him for the special force that was being raised to do this.
His appointment came through on the 28th June and Lt Col John Durnford-Slater RA who was based in Plymouth immediately began the process of recruiting Officers and Men for this new unit.
By the 5th July 1940, No. 3 Commando was officially in existence.
The Commandos struck rapidly and direct to the German forces at a time when Britain was otherwise powerless.
Successful Raids were made on the coasts of Norway, France, Italy and in the Mediterranean.
By the time of the Normandy landings (D Day) 6th June 1944, the Commando Forces were of a considerable size and had played a major role in Operations in all theatres of War.
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At the end of the Second World War, All of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and some Royal Marine Commandos were disbanded.
The Commando role was then passed entirely to the Royal Marines, the Royal Navy’s amphibious infantry.
“A word in the house, a stroke of a pen The country disbanded a fine body of men”
Army Commando units then ceased to exist. However By the late 1950's, Britain’s defence policy began to stress the importance of a worldwide maritime strategy (The Cold War). The Royal Navy commissioned Commando Carriers such as HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion. The Royal Marines, who no longer had their own Artillery decided that they required support from an Army Artillery Regiment.
The rest as they say is History…..
29 Commando History compilation
What we did
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
1962
29 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA,
and 145 (Maiwand) Cdo Bty RA, 20 Cdo Bty RA.
1964
29 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA, and 145 (Maiwand) Cdo Bty RA, 20 Cdo Bty RA.
95 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty RA, 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty RA.
1971
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, HQ (Cdo) Bty RA, 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty RA, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA, 145 (Maiwand) Cdo Bty RA.
95 Commando FOU.
1976
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, HQ (Cdo) Bty RA, 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty RA, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA, 145 (Maiwand) Cdo Bty RA, 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty RA.
1977
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, HQ (Cdo) Bty RA, 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty RA, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA, 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty RA, 289 (V) Cdo Bty RA.
145 (Maiwand) Cdo Bty RA were put in Suspended Animation on 01/04/1977
79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA were put in Suspended Animation from 01/11/1977 until 01/10/1978
1978 - Present
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, HQ (Cdo) Bty RA, 7 (Sphinx) Cdo Bty RA, 8 (Alma) Cdo Bty RA, 79 (Kirkee) Cdo Bty RA, 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty RA.
HQ (Cdo) Bty RA renamed 23 (Gibraltar 1779-1783) Cdo Bty RA on 01/03/1993
289 (V) Cdo Bty RA reformed into 266 (GVA) Bty RA 1999
289 Cdo Troop (266 (GVA) Battery, 104 Regiment Royal Artillery)
Timeline of 29 and 95 Commando
29/95 Commando
The Regiment was established in 1947 by the re designation of the 25th Field Regiment.
In 1951, it was renamed as the 29th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery and was based at Brancepeth Camp in Durham.
In 1957, The Regiment was deployed in Cyprus.
During 1962, 29th Field Regiment RA was deployed with 25 Pounder guns in Aden and Kuwait, deterring Iraq from invading the oil fields.
In 1962, 29 re-roled and became 29 Commando Light Regiment, Royal Artillery.
In 1952, 95 reformed from 95th Regiment RA to 95th Amphibious Observation Regiment RA from personnel of 267 AO Bty, 7 Bty also reformed (ex 15 Regt).
In 1962, 95 converted to 95 Commando Amphibious Observation Regiment RA.
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In 1962, 29 re-roled and 29th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery became 29 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery.
This consisted of three gun batteries numbered 8 (Alma), 79 (Kirkee), and 145 (Maiwand).
At that time, each battery consisted of 4 x 105mm pack howitzers (Italian Mountain Gun) and manned with approximately 65 men.
The men of the newly formed 29 Commando ‘Light’ Regiment RA trained for and passed the Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone.
It was a proud and historic moment when the first Army Commandos since the end of the War were reformed (15th May 1962).
The early Commando training was initiated in the Royal Citadel at Plymouth with a four week 'beat up' to select those who would then go on to CTCRM Lympstone and complete the five week Commando course (X Troop) with the Royal Marine trainees where all qualified for the right to wear the coveted Green Beret.
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In 1964, 95 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery formed with 8 (Alma) Bty moving from 29 Commando and 7 (Sphinx) Bty which came out of mothballs.
From 1965 until 1970 the two Regiments were based alternately in Singapore or The Royal Citadel in Plymouth.
The Naval Gunfire support Batteries were 20 Cdo Battery with 29 Commando Regiment
and 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Battery with 95 Commando Regiment.
During this period the regiments saw action in Aden and Borneo as well as spending time on HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark, HMS Intrepid, and HMS Fearless travelling to trouble spots worldwide.
In 1971 95 Commando joined with 29 Commando. and formed 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery equipped with four Gun Batteries. (7 (Sphinx), 8 (Alma), 79 (Kirkee) and 145 (Maiwand) Bty’s).
The Naval Gunfire Support batteries became 95 Commando Forward Observation Unit.
The Gun Batteries were then attached to a Royal Marine Commando as part of a Commando Group.
For example: 45 Commando Group consisted of 45 Commando Royal Marines, 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery Royal Artillery, 45 Commando Air Squadron, Condor Troop Royal Engineers and an Ordnance section.
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Since 1962, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery has deployed all over the Globe as part of 3 Commando Brigade. Operating in every major conflict that the Brigade has so far been involved in. Not forgetting also the wider Commitments of the British Army in General.
This has included Brunei (1962), Borneo (1963-66), Aden (1966-67), Cyprus (1974), The Falklands (1982) with numerous tours of Northern Ireland (over the Years). More recently the Regiment has deployed to Iraq (1991 and 2003), Bosnia (1994 and 1997), Kosovo (1999), Sierra Leone (2000), and Afghanistan (2001, 2006, 2008 and 2011).
The composition of the Regiment since it’s formation in 1962 has changed constantly to accommodate the various demands made on the UK Armed Forces.
During the 1982 Falklands War, 29 Commando Regiment accompanied the Royal Marines, providing much needed close support with their L118 Light Guns.
In 1996, the honorary Freedom of the City of Plymouth was conferred on the regiment (with the unanimous support of Plymouth City Council).
The Regiment has recently conducted numerous operational tours in Afghanistan to provide Artillery support during operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.
The 50th Anniversary of the Formation of the Regiment in 2012, was attended by lots of Veterans who marched behind the serving members through the City of Plymouth then back to the Royal Citadel (Our Regimental Home). The 50th Anniversary Reunion was Remembered and Celebrated in style.
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1960's
The first Army Commandos since the end of the WW2 received their Green Berets on 15th May 1962, 29 Commando Regiment RA. And on the 18th March 1964, 95 Commando Light Regiment RA formed.
(Borneo, Malaya, Aden,)
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1970's
29 & 95 joined together in 1971 forming what has since been 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, 70’s also saw Norway and Jungle Deployments.
(Malta,Cyprus (1974) (Northern Ireland))
1980's
Late 70s early 80s saw the use of the 105mm Light Gun which saw action in the Falklands War. 80’s also saw Norway and Jungle Deployments.
(The Falklands (1982 ) (Northern Ireland))
1990's
90’s saw Norway, Jungle Deployments and the First Iraq War, With the Regiment involved in Op Safe Haven.
(Iraq (1991), Bosnia, UN Tour Cyprus (1996), Kosovo (1999) (Northern Ireland))
2000's
Sierra Leone, Iraq, Afghanistan, also Norway, Jungle Deployments and ongoing Operations throughout this period.
(Sierra Leone (2000), (Northern Ireland), Iraq (2003), Afghanistan (2001, 2006, 2008 and 2011))
Veterans
50th Anniversary March Through the City of Plymouth by The Regiment and Veterans wearing their Green Berets with pride. (21 Jul 2012) Video clip Here
60th Anniversary coming 13th - 15th May 2022
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