His Majesty had inspected the "ALGONQUIN" and "SIOUX" nine days before and had expressed interest in the acquisition of "V" Class destroyers by Canada.

During the week following His Majesty's visit, Force Commanders made final inspections and offered words of encouragement to their forces. It was obvious to all that the hour to strike was at hand.

Through December and January to the middle of February 1944, the R.C.N. Beach Commando trained at H.M.S. "ARMADILLO" Ardentiny, Argyllshire, where they learned the elements of their job of organizing assault beaches, making the discharge of troops, stores and vehicles over the beach head as safe and orderly as possible. On 17th February, the Commando arrived at H.M.S. "MASTODON" and were quartered near Beaulieu in the New Forest south of Southampton. There further refinements of training exercises added to the long list of the jobs the Commando knew how to do, from rendering safe beach obstacles, mines and booby traps to policing the beaching and discharge of landing ships and craft of all types. Facilities for training were limited at Beaulieu and after taking part with Force "J" in exercise "Gold Braid" at the end of March the Commando moved to H.M.S. "LIZARD", Hove, Sussex, on the 3rd April. From there courses with Canadian Army Battle Schools were arranged but no complete training or assault work was possible since full beach equipment had not arrived and a beach signals section had yet to be allocated to the Commando. This was because the Commando was not slated for the assault but was a spare for Force "J". There were, in fact, more trained Beach Commandos ready for the invasion than there were assault beaches. From the 28th May, the Commando was assembled at Pines Camp, near Cowes, Isle of Wight, ready to relieve an assault commando as soon as required. The beach equipment had arrived before the Commando left Hove, and a Beach Signals Section had been attached on 13th June.

The Commando was not used until July 7th in spite of insistent requests to find an active place for it,