John Durnford-Slater

John Durnford-Slater
Born	1909
Died	5 February 1972 (aged 62−63)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1927–1946
Rank	Brigadier
Service number	41090
Unit	Royal Artillery
Commands held	No. 3 Commando
Battles/wars	Second World War Operation Ambassador Operation Claymore Operation Archery Operation Jubilee Operation Overlord Operation Devon Operation Plunder
Awards	Distinguished Service Order and Bar

Brigadier John Frederick Durnford-Slater, DSO and bar (1909 – 5 February 1972) was a British Army officer who was credited with establishing the first Army commando unit during the Second World War.

An officer in the Royal Artillery who eventually rose to the rank of brigadier, he was responsible for developing many of aspects of the commando concept. Commanding No. 3 Commando he participated in raids on Guernsey, the Lofoten Islands, Vaagso, Dieppe and Sicily. In Italy he commanded the 2nd Commando Brigade that undertook the capture of Termoli, before serving as deputy commander of the Special Service Group, a divisional level headquarters unit that planned and administered all commando operations during Operation Overlord and the advance into Germany.