1st Australian Commando Training Battalion

Australian commandos in New Guinea during World War II. Frame enlargement taken from AWM film number F01866

Brief History

This unit had a variety of names. As the No 7 Infantry Training Centre it formed at Tidal River on Wilson's Prometry in Victoria during February 1941. Its role was to train members of the Independent Companies that were to be used for 'Commando type' raids on enemy territory. Eight Australian, and several New Zealand Independent Companies were formed before the unit moved to Canungra in Queensland where more approprite vegetation and terrain was available. On arrival in Queensland the unit was renamed 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion. In September 1943 it was downgraded in size and was known as 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron, changing in February 1944 to 1st Australian Cavalty (Commando) Training Squadron. The unit continued to provide reinforcements to the Command Squadrons until the end of the war.

Trainees

• Mervyn Roy Drummond 10 Jul - 23 Nov 1942
• Mervyn Roy Drummond 6 - 14 May 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 2 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 2.508 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018