Hi John Excuse me for asking but what has the DCLI got to do with SAS selection, I also believe that the SAS did not exist in 1941 it was the LRDG, until 1942. If this is a specfic request for a person then his details would help. Or is it a general request? I would assume in the very early stages being in the right place at the right time with the necessary skill set would have been enough to get you posted to the new unit TD
I don't know what the DCLI was (oh - Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry?), but the SAS was initially formed in mid-41, and the LDRG was and continued to be a separate group. They did do transport for some SAS missions, but eventually the SAS learned from the LDRG how to navigate the desert, got their own transport, and (I think) they then operated separately. I'm not sure how men were initially selected at the beginning of the SAS. There might be something in Farran's Winged Dagger, but I'm not sure.
John, Get yourself a copy of Ben McIntyre's 2017 SAS book that was covered on BBC2 last winter. I'm sure your local library will have a copy. It covers the birth of SAS. Steve Y SAS: Rogue Heroes - the Authorized Wartime History: Amazon.co.uk: Ben MacIntyre: 9780241186626: Books
By way of example, the 1/4th Bn The Essex Regiment were visited by Capt. Ramsay, Scots Guards and Lt. Fraser, Seaforth Highlanders on 24/5/42 while in Palestine. Multiple men volunteered for special duties, of which five men were subsequently accepted. One man, a Serjeant, joined 'L' Detachment S.A.S. eleven days later, as I presume did his four comrades.
BTW Roy Farran's book may not be very helpful about 1941 birth of SAS as he only joined 2 SAS in spring 1943 and first saw action with SAS during Operation Husky - invasion of Sicily. Steve Y
The soldier-in question was my dad,5437468,6th Batt D.C.L.I. From the history of DUKE OF CORNWALL LIGHT INFANTRY, It states that in Oct 1941, one platoon of men selected for their physical fitness and resolute nature was detached to a newly formed Brigade Special Service Company, At the end of Oct he was posted to Special Air Service and trained with L.Detachment and in June 42 ,posted to 3rd Para Air School, The founding date of the secretive unit (S.A.S.) was 28th Aug -41 ,their first mission was on the night of 16-17 Nov
