top of page

Major Roger 'Jumbo' Courtney MC

  • Born 1902 (died 15 Feb 1946), Courtney started as a bank clerk in Leeds, later becoming a professional big-game hunter and gold prospector in East Africa 

  • Served as a sergeant in the Palestinian Police Force, gaining valuable experience in irregular warfare and tracking, which informed his later commando work 

iwmcopp_half.jpg

Entry into Commando & Kayak Concept

  • Joined the British Army at the outbreak of WWII, enlisting as a Rifleman in the King's Royal Rifle Corps; commissioned in November 1939 

  • Volunteered for Commando service in 1940 and proposed the creation of a canoe-based tactical raiding unit—a concept initially dismissed by senior naval officers

“Proof of Concept” Stunt

  • To validate his concept, he paddled his folboat (folding canoe) onto HMS Glengyle (LSI) on the River Clyde, stole a deck‑gun cover, and delivered it to admirals—an act that risked court-martial but secured approval and a promotion to Captain

Founding the Special Boat Section (SBS)

  • In July 1940, Courtney formed the first Special Boat Section—12 men and folding canoes—initially attached to No. 8 Commando

  • Deployed to Scotland for training, then to the Middle East (Great Bitter Lake) in February 1941

Horn of Africa & Mediterranean Operations

  • Conducted covert beach reconnaissance and raiding missions in the Mediterranean—Rhodes, Crete, Scilly Isles—using stealth folboats for sabotage

  • Earned the Military Cross (London Gazette, 21 Oct 1941) following a clandestine commando feat in Rhodes .

Leadership & Second SBS Section

  • Recalled to the UK in December 1941, he formed No. 2 SBS, drawing from 6 Commando and COPP-trained personnel

  • Commanded No. 2 SBS into early 1944, helping with beach reconnaissance for Torch, Sicily, and Anzio, and operating out of Ceylon and Burma

Why He Matters

Courtney’s daring and innovative spirit directly shaped maritime commando operations, creating the blueprint for covert sea insertion tactics. His commitment to proving the effectiveness of folboats—first through audacious personal demonstration—laid the groundwork for the SBS and modern special forces doctrine.

Would you like to see details such as the operation on HMS Glengyle, the Rhodes mission action report, or photos and memoirs from Courtney and his followers?

bottom of page