Brigadier J.C. Haydon

Born: April 18, 1899. Commissioned into the Irish Guards on December 21, 1917
Served on the Western Front during WWI. Post-war, he functioned as Military Assistant to the Secretary of State for War (1938–39) owing to his distinguished record

Elevated to Brigadier, Haydon was appointed first commander of the Special Service Brigade (Commandos) from 1940 to 1942. In November 1940, he oversaw the organization of four initial Commando battalions—later expanded to 12—restructured into numbered Commando units
He personally established the Commando Depot at Achnacarry in December 1941, choosing the site for its remoteness and terrain challenges. In February 1942, this depot became the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) under Lt‑Col Vaughan
As Vice Chief of Combined Operations (1942–43), Haydon oversaw coordination of sea, air, and land forces, including setting training doctrine for amphibious raids

Led ground forces during Operation Archery (Vaagso raid, 1941), capturing German targets and boosting morale. The raid’s success catalyzed the establishment of Achnacarry’s specialized school
After relinquishing CBTC duties, he commanded the 1st Guards Brigade in Italy in February 1944, engaging on the Gustav Line and earning respect as a mountain warfare leader

Haydon’s vision and operational experience were vital to Achnacarry’s brutal six-week course: death‑slide zip‑lines, live‑fire raids, river crossings, cliff assaults, and survival drills.
His insistence on remote location and real‑world amphibious tactics became the template for modern special-forces training

Recognitions: CB, DSO & Bar, OBE, and multiple mentions in dispatches
Held top posts post-war: Army Director of Plans in Washington D.C., staff roles with the Joint Chiefs in Australia, and Chief of Intelligence Division in post-war Germany.
Retired at the rank of Major-General in 1951.