No 2 (Parachute) Commando
On 22 June 1940 No 2 Commando commanded by Lt Col CIA Jackson RTR was turned over to parachute duties. Live jumping commenced on 13 July at the Central Landing School set up at Ringway near Manchester. By 21st September 21 officers and 321 other ranks had been accepted for parachute duties.
On 21 November No 2 Commando was re-designated the 11th Special Air Service (SAS) Battalion.
Commanding Officers:
June 1940 Lt Col CIA Jackson
A short account, by Peter Cleasby-Thompson, of how Prince Olaf of Norway's car was commandeered during the first massed parachute demonstration in front of Commander in Chief Home Forces, other senior officers , and various dignitaries in 1940.
about No Car for a Prince
Reproduced from Pegasus Journal Volume 1 Number 4 January 1947
Read an extended history of No 2 (Parachute) Commando compiled from reminiscences of Doug Charlton and other histories of early Airborne forces.
about Extended history of No 2 (Parachute) Commando
Compiled for ParaData by Harvey Grenville
Read this personal account from Maj Tony Hibbert from the escape at Dunkirk, which encouraged him to volunteer with No 2 (Parachute) Commando and 11 SAS Battalion in the early days of Airborne Forces.
about Major Tony Hibbert's Account of early days with No 2 Commando and 11 SAS Battalion
Reproduced for ParaData by kind permission of Max Arthur.
Airborne Assault is grateful for Marks & Spencer's support of ParaData in memory of the late Major John Timothy MC**, a distinguished and brave officer, and long serving M&S employee.
Driver Cicely Paget-Bowman 
Captain Richard Bingley 
Lance Corporal Harry Pexton 
Colonel Peter Cleasby-Thompson , MC, MBE 
Staff Sergeant William G Joyce 
Sergeant-Major Samuel C Steadman