It's a testimony to the enduring nature of the Combined Operations concept that the Combined Operations Badge, designed by Lt D A Grant, RNVR, in 1942  is still in use to this day in a number of countries worldwide.

2011 - 71st Anniversary Year

On June 4th 1940 Churchill sent a memorandum to his Chief Military Assistant and Staff Officer, General Ismay. Ismay was Churchill's main communications link with the joint Chiefs of Staff. The memorandum warned against the dangers of concentrating on the defence the United Kingdom against enemy attack or invasion. "It is of the highest consequence to keep the largest numbers of German forces all along the coasts of the countries they have conquered, and we should immediately set to work to organise raiding forces on these coasts where the populations are friendly." Two days later he continued on the same theme, "I look to the joint Chiefs of Staff to propose me measures for a vigorous, enterprising and ceaseless offensive against the whole German-occupied coastline."

On the 14th of June the Chief's of staff appointed Lieutenant-General Alan Bourne to the aptly and amply described post of "Commander of Raiding Operations on coasts in enemy occupation, and Adviser to the Chiefs of Staff on Combined Operations." Bourne was 58 and had been in charge of the Royal Marines for about a year. His wide experience on land and sea and attendance at the Imperial Defence and Army Staff Colleges were no doubt factors in his selection for this new and challenging post.

Churchill was not consulted about the appointment during these frenzied and anxious times. Whilst he held Bourne in high regard he felt he was too close to the Admiralty to be able to operate without undue influence from them and he lacked the seniority and authority to deal with the three Ministries. In July 1940 Churchill appointed Roger Keyes to the newly named post of Director of Combined Operations.