1^st Commando was one of many British Army Commando units raised during the war. The shoulder flash depicts a Salamander, a mythical lizard-like creature able to endure fire, the implication being that the troops who wore this flash had the same quality. The 1^st Commando was raised in June 1940 to operate as a unit of storm troops. One of the key reasons why the Commandos were successful was that they were small, tightly organised units with a great deal of operational flexibility and imagination. Initially each Commando consisted of 10 troops of 50 men but this was reduced to 6 troops of 65 men. 

Battle Honours

Vaagso, December 1941

St Nazaire, March 1942

Dieppe, August 1942

Kangaw, February 1945