View source for 40 Commando

{{Short description|Battalion sized formation of the Royal Marines}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = 40 Commando<br>Royal Marines
| image                         = 40 Commando.jpg
| image_size                    = 140px
| caption                       = Unit badge
| dates                         = 1942–present
| country                       = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch                        = {{Tree list}}
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Marines.svg}} [[Royal Marines]]
**{{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg}} [[His Majesty's Naval Service|Naval Service]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| command_structure             = [[UK Commando Force]]
| type                          = [[Commando]]
| size                          = One battalion
| current_commander             = Lt Col Oliver Denning RM
| commander2                    = [[King Charles III]]
| commander2_label              = Captain-General, Royal Marines
| commander3                    = WO1 L Drinkwater RM
| commander3_label              = Regimental Sergeant Major
| garrison                      = [[Norton Manor Camp]], [[Taunton]], [[Somerset]]
| colonel_of_the_regiment       =
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label =
| nickname                      =
| motto                         = ''Per Mare Per Terram''<br>''By Sea By Land'' ([[Latin]])
| colors                        =
| identification_symbol         =
| identification_symbol_label   =
| march                         = Quick: "[[A Life on the Ocean Wave]]"<br>Slow: "''Preobrajensky''{{-"}}
| mascot                        =
| battles                       =
| notable_commanders            =
| anniversaries                 =
}}
'''40 Commando RM''' is a [[battalion]]-sized formation of the British [[Royal Marines]] and subordinate unit within [[United Kingdom Commando Force|UK Commando Force]], the principal Commando formation, under the operational command of the [[Fleet Commander]]. Their barracks are at [[Norton Manor Camp]], [[Norton Fitzwarren]] near [[Taunton]] in [[Somerset]].

Tasked as a Commando [[light infantry]] unit, 40 Commando (pronounced "Forty Commando") is capable of a wide range of operational tasks. Personnel regularly deploy outside the United Kingdom on operations or training. Whilst 3 Commando Brigade RM are the principal cold weather warfare formation, personnel are capable of operating in a variety of theatres including tropical jungle, desert or mountainous terrain. The Commando is a regular participant in the annual Brigade cold weather warfare exercise in [[Norway]]. The unit's first "winter" was 1991, until which the unit was nicknamed the "Sunshine Commando".

All personnel will have completed the Commando course at the [[Commando Training Centre Royal Marines|Commando Training Centre]] (CTCRM) at [[Lympstone]] in [[Devon]], entitling them to wear the [[green beret]], with attached personnel having completed the [[All Arms Commando Course]].

==History==
===Formation===
Early Commando units were volunteer mainly from the British Army but in In late 1941 it was decided that the Royal Marines should raise there own units, a signal was sent to all Royal Marines units and throughout the Fleet, "For the attention of all Royal Marine trained personnel – volunteers required for special duties of a hazardous nature".<ref>Beadle (1992), p. 2</ref> Over 6,000 men volunteered.<ref>Haskew (2007), pp.48–49</ref> All volunteers faced a tough selection process to ensure the best candidates started the Commando course. After a robust selection process the initial volunteers assembled at North Infantry Barracks at the [[Royal Marine Depot, Deal]] in [[Kent]] from across the Corps on 14 February 1942. Forming the first all-volunteer Royal Marines Commando unit. Designated 'The Royal Marine Commando.’ to differentiate it from Army Commandos. Col J Picton Phillips was the Commanding Officer.<ref>Neillands (2006), p. 238</ref>

===Dieppe Raid===
The RM Commando's first assignment was [[Operation Jubilee]] at [[Dieppe Raid|Dieppe]] on 19 August 1942.  In support of the main Canadian assault force, [[British Commandos|Nos. 3 and 4 (Army) Commandos]] were to destroy the enemy coastal batteries covering the main landing beaches, whilst the RM Commando's role was to take the Port Area to capture German navel craft and intelligence while destroying port installations. There were also to act as a reverse as required. In the pre-dawn run-in the [[landing craft]] of No. 3 were fired upon and scattered with the result that only two small parties managed to land, one was overwhelmed, but the other successfully engaged the Berneval [[Artillery battery|battery]] for some hours before withdrawing.<ref>Neillands (2006), p. 245</ref> On the other flank at Varengeville No. 4, under the command of [[Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat|Lord Lovat]], carried out what was officially hailed as a 'classic operation of war' and completely destroyed the Hess Battery, successfully withdrawing and re-embarking with prisoners.<ref>Neillands (2006), p. 248</ref> 

Unfortunately, following confused reports from the main beaches the Force Commander, [[Major General]] [[John Hamilton Roberts]] ordered the reserve units in. The [[Fusiliers Mont-Royal]] and the RM Commando reinforced the Canadian assault force, who were pinned down on the main beach. With the RM Commando now committed to support the main landings, the Commanding Officer realised his men were about to join the failing assault. He stood on the rear deck of his landing craft and signalled the withdrawal. He was killed during his actions.<ref>Beadle (1992), p. 24</ref> The few men and craft that had already arrived at the beach were stranded when their assault craft were damaged. They continued to fight for three hours until they were killed, wounded or captured. This included the unit second-in-command [[Robert Houghton]].<ref>{{cite news |date=19 January 2011 |title=Major-General 'Titch' Houghton |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/8270064/Major-General-Titch-Houghton.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=London |access-date=2 February 2016 }}</ref>

===Italy and the Aegean===
On return RM 'A' Commando was again re-designated; this time as 40 (RM) Commando. Further training and replenishment was carried out. Once back to full strength it was sent to [[Sicily]] in July 1943 and a little later in September saw action at Pizzio. Later that year the Commando was in action in [[Termoli]] in October, and in 1944 was embroiled at [[Anzio]]. Later service in [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] followed by policing duties on [[Corfu]] wound up 40's wartime activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commandoveterans.org/2CdoSarande|title=Operation Mercerised|publisher=Commando Veterans Archive|access-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426025118/http://www.commandoveterans.org/2CdoSarande|archive-date=26 April 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Post-Second World War===
Following the [[World War II|Second World War]], [[2nd Special Service Brigade|2 Commando Brigade]] (Nos. 2, 9, 40(RM) and 43(RM)) disbanded leaving [[3 Commando Brigade]] (42(RM), 44(RM) and 45(RM)). To recognise 2 Commando Brigade one of the Commandos was renamed, [[No. 44 (Royal Marine) Commando|No44(RM)]] becoming No40(RM).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/laterday/RM+Commandos/|title=Royal Marines Commando and Special Boat Service|publisher=Commando Veterans Association|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

The Commando was involved in [[1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine|1947–1948 Civil War in Palestine]] acting as the rearguard in the Protectorate, leaving in 1948. It also fought in the [[Malayan Emergency]] against the [[Communism|communist]] [[Malayan National Liberation Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/laterday/RM+Commandos/40+Cdo/|title=Photos of 40 Commando RM|website=gallery.commandoveterans.org|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>

===Malayan Emergency - headhunting photographs===
[[File:28th_April_This_is_the_War_in_Malaya.jpg|thumb|Soldiers in a 40 Commando base pose with the severed head of an MNLA guerrilla, 1951.]]{{Main|British Malayan headhunting scandal}}
Marines of the 40 Commandos caused a media scandal when photographs were leaked to the public showing their marines posing with the severed heads of pro-independence guerrillas during the [[Malayan Emergency]]. This was a common practice employed by the British during the war and was often conducted by [[Iban people|Iban]] headhunters from Borneo hired by the British military.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Hack |first=Karl |title=The Malayan Emergency: Revolution and Counterinsurgency at the End of Empire |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2022 |location=Cambridge |pages=315–316}}</ref>

In April 1952, British left-wing newspaper [[Morning Star (British newspaper)|''The Daily Worker'']] (today known as the [[Morning Star (British newspaper)|''Morning Star'')]] published a photograph depicting soldiers inside a 40 Commando base near [[Kuala Kangsar (town)|Kuala Kangsar]] holding the severed head of a suspected pro-independence fighter belonging to the [[Malayan National Liberation Army]] (MNLA).<ref>{{Cite news|title=This is the War in Malaya|date=28 April 1952|work=The Daily Worker}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hack |first=Karl |title=The Malayan Emergency: Revolution and Counterinsurgency at the End of Empire |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2022 |location=Cambridge |pages=315}}</ref> An [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] spokesman subsequently claimed that the photographs were a forgery and a "communist trick", though Colonial Secretary [[Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos|Oliver Lyttelton]] later confirmed to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] that they were genuine.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Alias Chin Peng: My Side of History|last1=Peng|first1=Chin|last2=Ward|first2=Ian|last3=Miraflor|first3=Norma|publisher=Media Masters|year=2003|isbn=981-04-8693-6|location=Singapore|pages=302}}</ref> Lyttelton came to the defence of the Commando, noting that the decapitations had been conducted by an [[Iban people|Iban]] headhunter from Borneo hired by the British army, and not the Marines themselves.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Arc of Containment: Britain, the United States, and Anticommunism in Southeast Asia|last=Ngoei|first=Wen-Qing|publisher=Cornell University Press|year=2019|isbn=978-1501716409|location=New York|pages=89}}</ref>

===1960s===
The Commando subsequently undertook security duties in [[Cyprus]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Egypt]] before moving to [[Singapore]] in 1961. It was involved in operations during the confrontation with [[Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation|Indonesia]] (Borneo) throughout the following decade.<ref name=40association>{{cite web|url=http://www.40commandoassociation.com/history.htm|title=40 Commando Royal Marines History|publisher=40 Commando Association|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

===Return to UK===
In 1971 the [[Commando]] left [[Singapore]] and re-established itself in Seaton Barracks, [[Crownhill]], [[Plymouth]]. Over the next decade the Commando found itself deployed to [[Operation Banner|Northern Ireland]] four times and also undertook an unexpected two-month tour in [[Cyprus]] after the 1974 [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|invasion by the Turkish Army]].<ref name=40association/>

===Falklands Conflict===
In 1982, following the [[Argentine]] invasion of the [[Falkland Islands]], the Commando deployed on [[Falklands War|Operation Corporate]]. On 21 May the [[Commando]] were among the first troops ashore and secured the beachhead at [[San Carlos, Falkland Islands|San Carlos]]. The Unit was subsequently split having two [[Company (military unit)|companies]] attached to the [[Welsh Guards]], preparing to attack [[Port Stanley]], when the Argentine surrender came.<ref name=40association/>

===1980s===
On their return from the Falklands, the Commando spent the rest of the decade involved in a variety of tasks including two [[Operation Banner|Northern Ireland]] tours to [[County Armagh|South Armagh]], a six-month Peace-Keeping tour in [[UNFICYP|Cyprus]] and a six-month operational tour in [[Belize]]. During the tour in Cyprus, the Commando was awarded the [[Wilkinson Sword]] of Peace for the third time. Also during this period, in 1983, the Commando relocated to Norton Manor Camp near [[Taunton]].<ref name=40association/>

===1990s===
In 1991 the Unit undertook its first [[Norway]] deployment but found itself undergoing a dramatic climatic change when, due to the [[Gulf War]], it deployed to [[Kurdistan|Northern Iraq]] to ensure the security of Kurdish refugees. Northern Ireland tours, Norway winter deployments and a major Asia-Pacific Exercise kept the Commando busy through the following years. In November 1993 the unit deployed to West [[Belfast]] in support of the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC), returning in May 1994. In 1998 a substantial part of the Commando deployed to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] to ensure the safe [[non-combatant evacuation operation|evacuation]] of UK nationals from [[Kinshasa]] City.<ref name=40association/>

===Recent history===
[[File:40 Commando irrigation ditch.jpg|thumbnail|alt=Colour photograph of two marines climbing over a tree-lined, water-filled ditch.|Royal Marines from 40 Commando cross an irrigation ditch in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.]]
[[File:40 Cdo Royal Marines Exercise Olympus Warrior.jpg|thumb|40 Commando Royal Marines on exercise with a heavy lift [[UAV]] in 2020.]]

The new millennium saw the Commando deploy to Northern Ireland and on their return they were the first Commando to reorganise under a new structural concept called [[Commando 21]].<ref name=40association/>

The Unit deployed in its entirety in January 2003, initially part of the Naval Task Group (NTG) 03 in [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']], [[HMS Ark Royal (R07)|HMS ''Ark Royal'']] and [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] ships [[RFA Sir Galahad (1987)|''RFA Sir Galahad'']] and [[RFA Sir Tristram (L3505)|''RFA Sir Tristram'']]. The group sailed through the [[Mediterranean Sea]], after a brief stop at [[Cyprus]], continuing through the [[Suez Canal]] bound for the [[Persian Gulf]]. The [[United Nations]] were engaged in diplomatic efforts to avoid the need for military intervention in [[Iraq]], as the Unit was busy rehearsing in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Kuwait]] for possible operations against Iraq.<ref name=40association/>

In March 2003 a coalition force, under the overall command of the [[United States]], entered [[Iraq]]. During [[Operation TELIC]] 1, the liberation of [[Iraq]], on the night of 20&nbsp;March 2003, 40&nbsp;Commando RM, under the command of Lt&nbsp;Col [[Gordon Messenger|G&nbsp;K Messenger]] [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]] [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]], mounted an amphibious helicopter assault to seize key Iraqi oil infrastructure on the [[Al-Faw Peninsula]].<ref name=40association/> As the first conventional troops on the ground, the strategic significance of the operation was immense and, as the [[Division (military)|Divisional]] Main Effort, the assault was supported by a vast array of coalition firepower. The Commando Group's role in the success of the coalition operation in [[Iraq]] was pivotal and profound. In a two-week period of intense operations, it secured key oil infrastructure, cleared a large expanse of enemy held terrain, and defeated a major enemy stronghold on the periphery of [[Basra]], killing over 150&nbsp;[[Iraqi Army|Iraqi soldiers]] and taking 440&nbsp;[[POW|prisoners]].<ref name=40association/>

In 2004 the Unit returned to Iraq as part of a multi-national division peace-support operation.<ref name=40association/> The commandos returned in April 2008 from a tour in the [[Helmand Province]] of [[Afghanistan]] as part of [[Operation Herrick]]. During the tour L-Cpl [[Matthew Croucher]] was awarded the [[George Cross]] for his action of jumping on a live grenade during a patrol.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58774 |supp=y|pages=11163–11164|date=24 July 2008}}</ref>

40 Cdo returned to Afghanistan in 2010 for Op Herrick 12. They were the last British troops to leave [[Sangin]], described as the "deadliest place in Afghanistan", after command was handed over to the [[United States Armed Forces|US Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Royal Marines speak of 'horrible' reality of life on patrol in Afghanistan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/17/royal-marines-horrible-reality-afghanistan|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=17 November 2010}}</ref>

A Company deployed with the UK [[Response Force Task Group]] in April 2011. Additional follow up forces were on board [[RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009)|RFA ''Cardigan Bay'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalrfa.org/rfa-cardigan-bay-ship-information|title=RFA Cardigan Bay|publisher=Royal Fleet Auxiliary Historical Association|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> They then completed Exercise Red Alligator in October 2013: this trained their skills for the role of the Lead Commando Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/October/15/131015-Exercise-Black-Alligator|title=Royal Marines deploy on Black Alligator|date=15 October 2013|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>

In the autumn of 2017, the Unit spearheaded the UK Military's crisis response (Operation RUMAN) in the Caribbean following the catastrophic damage caused to UK Overseas Territories by record-breaking Atlantic Hurricanes. 40 Commando deployed hundreds of troops to the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Anguilla. Their efforts helped to reassure the affected communities, restore security, fix critical infrastructure and distribute humanitarian aid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warfare.today/tag/operation-ruman/|title=Operation Ruman|publisher=Warfare Today|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

40 Commando are [[CBRN defense]] experts, expecting to be the lead unit in the event of a CBRN incident. In 2018 they participated in the annual chemical warfare exercise, Exercise TOXIC DAGGER, on [[Salisbury Plain]] involving over 300 military personnel, along with the [[RAF Regiment]], the [[Royal Marines Band Service]] for casualty treatment and utilising [[Defence CBRN Centre]] expertise.<ref name=royalnavy-20180306>{{cite news |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/march/06/180306-toxic-storm-for-royal-marines-in-major-chemical-exercise |title=Toxic storm for Royal Marines in major chemical exercise |website=Royal Navy |date=6 March 2018 |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=army-technology-20180503>{{cite news |url=https://www.army-technology.com/features/exercise-toxic-dagger-training-uk-military-mitigate-cbrn-threats/ |title=Exercise Toxic Dagger: training the UK military to mitigate CBRN threats |website=Army Technology |publisher=Verdict Media |date=3 May 2018 |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=gov-20180220>{{cite news |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/exercise-toxic-dagger-the-sharp-end-of-chemical-warfare |title=Exercise TOXIC DAGGER - the sharp end of chemical warfare |work=Defence Science and Technology Laboratory |publisher=gov.uk |date=20 February 2018 |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

It became clear in 2018 that 40 Commando would, as would [[45 Commando]], form the infantry component of a [[Littoral Response Group]], as part of restructuring in the [[Future Commando Force]] programme.<ref>{{cite web |title='No Comms, No Bombs': Optimising the Signals Branch for the Future |url=https://www.puzzle-palace.com/community-articles/no-comms-no-bombs-optimising-the-signals-branch |website=Puzzle Palace |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223141300/https://www.puzzle-palace.com/community-articles/no-comms-no-bombs-optimising-the-signals-branch |archive-date=23 February 2022 |date=25 July 2019}}</ref>

==Unit memorable dates==
*The Landing at [[Termoli]] — 3 October 1943
*The Landing at [[San Carlos, Falkland Islands|San Carlos]] — 21 May 1982
*The Clearance of the [[Al-Faw Peninsula]] — 20 March 2003

[[File:RAF Chinook Flys Low Over Royal Marines from 40 Cdo in Afghanistan MOD 45154735.jpg|thumb|alt=colour photograph of two marines in a field ducking as a low-flying helicopter fluies overhead.|A Chinook flies in low over the heads of Royal Marines from Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines during Op DAAS 7B, Nahr-e-Saraj district, Afghanistan.]]

==Battle honours==
The following [[Battle honour]]s were awarded to the British Commandos during the Second World War.<ref>Moreman (2006), p.94</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Dodecanese Campaign|Adriatic]]
*[[Burma Campaign|Alethangyaw]]
*[[Operation Plunder|Aller]]
*[[Operation Shingle|Anzio]]
*[[Battle of the Argenta Gap|Argenta Gap]]
*[[Burma Campaign|Burma 1943–45]]
*[[Battle of Crete|Crete]]
*[[Dieppe Raid|Dieppe]]
*[[Operation Overlord|Dives Crossing]]
*[[Tunisian Campaign|Djebel Choucha]]
*[[Battle of the Scheldt|Flushing]]
*[[Dodecanese Campaign|Greece 1944–45]]
*[[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy 1943–45]]
*[[Battle of Hill 170|Kangaw]]
*[[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Landing at Porto San Venere]]
*[[Allied invasion of Sicily|Landing in Sicily]]
*[[Operation Plunder|Leese]]
*[[Operation Litani|Litani]]
*[[Battle of Madagascar|Madagascar]]
*[[Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres of World War II|Middle East 1941, 1942, 1944]]
*[[Operation Shingle|Monte Ornito]]
*[[Burma Campaign|Myebon]]
*[[Normandy Landing]]
*[[North African Campaign|North Africa 1941–43]]
*[[North-West Europe 1944-45|North-West Europe 1942, 1944–1945]]
*[[Operation Claymore|Norway 1941]]
*[[Allied invasion of Sicily|Pursuit to Messina]]
*[[Operation Varsity|Rhine]]
*[[Operation Chariot|St. Nazaire]]
*[[Allied invasion of Italy|Salerno]]
*[[Tunisia Campaign|Sedjenane 1]]
*[[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily 1943]]
*[[Tunisian Campaign|Steamroller Farm]]
*[[Syria-Lebanon Campaign|Syria 1941]]
*[[Battle of Termoli|Termoli]]
*[[Operation Archery|Vaagso]]
*[[Operation Roast|Valli di Comacchio]]
*[[Battle of the Scheldt|Westkapelle]]
{{div col end}}

==Commanding officers==
[[File:Royal Marine in Afghanistan MOD 45154661.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of a marine|Portrait of a Royal Marine of Bravo Company 40 Commando Royal Marines.]]
Commanders have included:
*1942–1942 Lt Col J Picton Phillips RM ([[Killed in action|KIA]] [[Dieppe Raid|Dieppe]])
*1942–1944 Lt Col J C "Pops" Manners RM ([[Killed in action|KIA]] [[Brač]], [[Yugoslavia]])
*1944–1944 Major N S E Maude RM
*1944–1945 Lt Col R W Sankey DSO DSC RM
*1945–1945 Maj I D De'Ath DSO MBE RM
*1945–1945 Lt Col C L Price RM
*1947–1949 Lt Col R D Houghton OBE MC RM
*1949–1951 Lt Col B J D Lumsden RM
*1951–1953 Lt Col M Price DSO OBE RM
*1953–1954 Lt Col H E Johns MBE RM
*1954–1956 Lt Col T M Gray DSO MC RM
*1956–1958 Lt Col D G Tweed DSO MBE RM
*1958–1959 Lt Col [[Peter Hellings]] DSO MC RM
*1959–1961 Lt Col I S Harrison RM
*1961–1963 Lt Col [[David Peter Lafayette Hunter|David Hunter]] MC RM
*1963–1964 Lt Col J F Parsons MC RM
*1964–1966 Lt Col J A Taplin MBE RM
*1966–1967 Lt Col E D Pounds RM
*1967–1969 Lt Col Robert Loudoun RM
*1969–1970 Lt Col [[David Alexander (Royal Marines officer)|David Alexander]] RM
*1970-1972 Lt Col D L Bailey OBE RM
*1972–1974 Lt Col John Mottram RM
*1975–1978 Lt Col [[Julian Thompson (Royal Marines officer)|Julian Thompson]] RM
*1978–1979 Lt Col [[Martin Garrod]] RM
*1979–1981 Lt Col [[Robin Ross]] RM
*1981–1983 Lt Col Malcolm Hunt RM
*1983–1985 Lt Col Tim Donkin RM
*1985-1987  Lt Col Alan Hooper RM
*1987–1989 Lt Col John Chester RM
*1989–1991 Lt Col A D Wray RM
*1991–1992 Lt Col Graham Dunlop RM
*1992–1994 Lt Col [[Tony Milton|Anthony Milton]] RM
*1994–1996 Lt Col Ian Gardiner RM
*1996–1998 Lt Col [[James Dutton (Royal Marines officer)|Jim Dutton]] RM
*1998–2000 Lt Col John Rose OBE RM
*2000–2002 Lt Col [[David Capewell]] RM
*2002–2003 Lt Col [[Gordon Messenger]] [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]] OBE ADC
*2003–2004 Lt Col Richard Watts OBE RM
*2004–2006 Lt Col D C M King RM
*2006–2008 Lt Col S M Birrell [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]] RM
*2008–2010 Lt Col Paul James DSO RM
*2011–2013 Lt Col Matt Jackson DSO RM
*2013–2015 Lt Col Alex Janzen OBE RM
*2015–2017 Lt Col Andy Watkins RM
*2017–2019 Lt Col [[Paul Maynard (Royal Marines officer)|Paul Maynard]] OBE RM
*2019–2021 Lt Col Simon Rogers RM
*2021–2023 Lt Col Andy Dow RM
*2023–Present Lt Col Oliver Denning RM

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{reflist|35em}}
'''Bibliography'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Beadle|first=Maj. Jeffery|title=The Light Blue Lanyard: 50 years with 40 Commando Royal Marines|publisher=Square One Publications|year=1992|isbn=1872017525}}
*{{cite book|author=The Royal Marines Historical Society|title=A Short History of the Royal Marines: 1664 - 2019|isbn=9781908123183}}
*{{cite book|last=Haskew|first=Michael E|title=Encyclopaedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84415-577-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Moreman|first=Timothy|title=British Commandos 1940–46|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2006|isbn=1-84176-986-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Neillands|first=Robin Neillands|title=The Dieppe Raid: The Story of the Disastrous 1942 Expedition|publisher=Indiana University Press|year=2006|isbn=978-0253347817|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/diepperaidstoryo00robi}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/The-Royal-Marines/3-Commando-Brigade/40-Commando 40 Commando] - [[Royal Navy]] official website
* [http://www.40commandoassociation.com/ 40 Commando Association]
{{coord|51|2.338|N|3|9.248|W |region:GB_type:landmark |display=title |name=Norton Manor Camp}}
{{RM Commandos}}
{{British Commando Forces}}
{{British Commando units of the Second World War|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}


[[Category:Royal Marine formations and units]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the Falklands War]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Commando units and formations of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Somerset]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in the United Kingdom]]