Special Operations Headquarters World War Two: an interview with Lieutenant-Colonel G.B. Courtney, MBE, MC. (In retrospect)

This interview with Lieut-Colonel Godfrey Basil (Gruff) Courtney, MBE, MC examines the establishment and conduct of a special operations HQ. Born and educated in England Lieut-Colonel Courtney was commissioned into the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1935. In 1942, he joined the Special Boat Section of the Army Commandos. Over the next two years, he worked as an operator taking part in pre-invasion, amphibious operations in the Western Mediterranean. In early 1944 he was posted to Force 135 in Ceylon. Later in the same year, he was transferred to the Australian SRD HQ located in Melbourne. The then Major Coutney, performed duties as the G2 (plans) on SRD HQ. In November 1944, he became Officer Commanding (OC) Group A of SRD. After the war he returned to the United Kingdom where he was seconded to the Foreign Service. In 1955, he retired from the Army and emigrated with his family to Australia. From 1957 to 1980, Lieut.-Colonel Courtney conducted business as an export consultant, promoting Australian products, mainly with the Middle East. In 1980 he returned to Melbourne and took up research into special operations in World War II. Lieut.-Colonel Coutney's research has resulted in the publication of two books; SBS in World War Two" and "Z Special operations from Australia 1942-1945". Lieutenant Colonel Courtney has also maintained a close affiliation with the Commando Regiment and is often called upon to lecture on his special operations experiences.