2 light switches into 1 ?

You may wish to repost your question on the UK site of https://www.diynot.com/diy/forums/electrics-abroad/

AllanJ said:

. A two way switch (called 3 way or single pole single throw in the U.S.) can be wired up as one way (called on-off or single pole single throw in the U.S.)..

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A two way switch (called 3 way in the U.S). is a single pole double throw switch.

Most switches sold in the UK are actually Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switches, although many are just used as a One-Way switch, so one terminal remains unused.

The two switches in your second picture appear to be SPDT switches.