The young man eventually won a nomination and was admitted to West Point on July 1, 1929.ĭarby became an enthusiastic member of the Long Gray Line. The Darbys persuaded their local congressman to recommend their son as a second alternate candidate. Young Bill decided on a military career, but it was not easy to secure appointments to the U.S. Friendly and willing, he was a handsome youth with blue eyes, a high forehead, a firm jaw, and a ready smile. In high school, he displayed a flair for leadership and also seemed to be a born salesman. He was a Boy Scout, part-time delivery boy, churchgoer, and avid reader.
William Darby was born on February 11, 1911, in Fort Smith, Ark., where he had a typical small-town childhood. Vaughan and Darby quickly grew to like and respect each other, although some of the Britons harbored doubts about the stamina of the Americans. He was tough but fair, and exacted maximum effort from his trainees.
4 Commando during the Norway raids in March 1941.
#RANGER GORD CRACK#
A former drill sergeant in the crack Coldstream Guards and an officer in World War I, he had served as deputy commander of No.
#RANGER GORD FREE#
At the depot were also Free French and Dutch soldiers, as well as Commando veterans of the ill-fated Norway and Lofoten Islands campaigns, numerous hit-and-run raids on the European coasts, and some who had escaped from Singapore and Somaliland.Ĭolonel Vaughan’s personality dominated the depot. The Rangers began their training without delay, and the Commandos did all they could both to make them feel at home and to find out what sort of men they were. The Americans chafed, but when they complained, Colonel Vaughan would tell Darby, “It’s all part of the training, William, it’s all part of the training.” They had to get used to unappetizing British Army food-bully beef, beans, porridge, fish, and plum pudding-and endless quantities of tea. Once a refuge for Bonnie Prince Charlie, it was now the finest infantry training center in the world, due largely to the untiring efforts of Colonel Vaughan, nicknamed the “Laird of Achnacarry” and “Rommel of the North.” Darby’s Rangers made their quarters in British bell tents and were invited to use a nearby icy stream for bathing. Set in a remote glen between Loch Arkaig and Loch Lochy, the Inverness-shire castle had served for centuries as the seat of Lochiel, chieftain of the Cameron Clan. Charles Vaughan, head of British Commando training, in July 1942. Major William Darby of the Rangers (right) talks with Lt. The Americans rested and then toured their new home where they were to undergo training with the legendary British Commandos. They had made it.Ĭolonel Vaughan praised the GIs on their marching and, with an impish grin, promised them more of the same in the future. At last, after 14 miles, the ancient turrets of Achnacarry Castle came into view, and then its vine-clad walls and emerald lawns. The Camerons’ bagpipers skirled, and the weary Americans struggled on. On the column marched through a picture-book landscape of forested mountains, tangled undergrowth, lakes, and cold streams plunging down steep glens. Darby marched resolutely ahead, setting an example for his men to keep up the pace. They were all volunteers and had made a choice for action with this new, elite unit. Feet began to blister and the Americans groused to themselves, but they dared not fall out. The band played louder, as if to encourage the GIs, and Colonel Vaughan marched steadily ahead. On the Americans marched, mile after mile, as their packs seemed to grow heavier and sweat trickled down their backs. The road grew steeper and feet began to drag after the first mile or two. Heartened by the skirling of the pipes, the Americans strode toward misty blue hills in the distance. Their leader was a lean, young West Pointer from Arkansas named William Orlando Darby. 1st Ranger Battalion, recruited earlier that month in Northern Ireland from among the 34th Infantry Division and the 1st Armored Division. These were “Darby’s Rangers,” members of the U.S. The GIs slung their rifles and packs, formed a column, and followed the band up a hilly road. Radiating enthusiasm and goodwill, he welcomed the Americans to Scotland and told them he would lead the way to Achnacarry Castle, site of the British Commando training depot. Charles Vaughan, a burly, ruddy-cheeked British Army officer. Bagpipes of the Cameron Highlanders’ band sounded the call to battle, and the Americans were greeted by Lt. On a June morning in 1942, a battalion of American soldiers stepped down from a train at Fort William in the northern highlands of Scotland.
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