Lieutenant Colonel Charles Vaughan “Rommel of Achnacarry”

Went by the nickname “Rommel of Achnacarry,” highlighting his stern reputation

Born 1893, Vaughan served in WWI with the Coldstream Guards, participating in the Retreat from Mons in 1914.
He rose through the ranks to become Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) between 1926–1935

In mid-1941, as a Major, he became Second‑in‑Command of No. 4 Commando and was later appointed Commandant of the newly formed Commando Depot (CBTC) at Achnacarry in early 1942
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he set and implemented the rigorous standards that forged the Commando ethos: elite fitness, combat readiness, fieldcraft, and live‑fire training

Volunteered for the Commandos in 1942 as part of a Police intake, and was posted to the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) at Achnacarry .
After completing Commando training, Lt‑Col Vaughan recognized his potential and immediately commissioned him onto the instructor staff, working alongside CSMI Alex Frickleton and Roy Bellringer as part of the elite PT team
His responsibilities included physical endurance, close-quarter combat, unarmed fighting techniques, and integrating rigorous fitness regimes throughout the training course