Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Vaughan OBE

In his book 'It had to be Tough', Jimmy Dunning says of him: " A Veteran of the First World War and the Retreat from Mons in 1914. In the inter war years he graduated from Drill Sergeant to RSM, but he was much more than just a bawling barrack square man, although he could do that if needed. His obvious military potential as an officer was recognised and he was duly commissioned. A Londoner by birth and proud of it, Charlie's standards for soldiers and soldiering were set by his long service in war and peace. He accepted nothing but the best, whether it be in fitness, training, weaponry and musketry, fieldcraft and tactics, drill and turnout, or even in the more apparently mundane matters of administration which included feeding and hygiene. Together all these factors made the 'whole' - and the self disciplined and reliant Commando soldier 'fit to fight' and 'fighting fit' with high morale, willing and capable of tackling any military task, under any circumstances, and against any odds" Charles Edward Vaughan was born in 1893 and was a well-known RSM in the 2nd Buffs, holding that rank from 1926 to 1935. 'He was promoted to lieutenant on 22nd July 1940 and became Lieutenant-Colonel, commandant of the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry. He died in April 1968. In his history of The Buffs Gregory Blaxland said of him (c1935): 'The name of the 2nd Buffs, meanwhile, was being mentioned with some awe around the messes of Aldershot, thanks in no small degree to the magnificent RSM Vaughan, who was to end his career as lieutenant-colonel commanding the Commando Depot.''