The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Keptie

The Combined Operations Association newsletter for Summer 2013 has a story taken from the DUNOON OBSERVER Friday 16 November 2012:

Cockleshell heroes memorial revealed at ARDNADAM :

This newspaper shows a photo of Patrick Stewart . Lord Lieutenant unviels the Plaque

(Newspaper report by Stewart Peterson )

Around 100 people turned out on a cold but dry Sunday afternoon to witness the Dedication of SANDBANK and ARDNADAM'S new Plaque . commemorating the COCKLESHELL HEROES , installed at LAZARETTO POINT.

The New Plaque , made from granite , has been carefully added to the village's war memorial last Wednesday and was viewed by many before the actual dedication .

The British Legion led parade was marshalled by Capt Kenneth McMillan with piper Euan McNab leading with the anthem A Scottish Soldier on the short march to Lazaretto Point , where they assembled with the flag party consisting of British Legion members and US Navy Holy Loch Veterans , members of the Army Cadet Force, MP Alan Reid , Civic dignitaries , community council representatives and ex forces representatives .

Lord Lieutenant of Argyll, Mr Patrick Stewart , was introduced by Rev Sarah Nicol and Mr Stewart proceeded to dedicate the plaque by recalling the bravery of the men who made up the COCKERSHELL HEROES - the 13 who were picked to take part , the 10 who eventually were chosen to make the hazardous journey to disrupt the Nazi enemy in Bordeaux , the eight who died and the 2 brave men, MAJOR HASLER and MARINE SPARKES , who successfully carried out their mission and made it safely on to Spain.

He brought with him a message from Major Hasler's widow , who expressed her pleasure that the plaque had been sited on the shores of the HOLY LOCH and who hoped that in the future many people would come to see the plaque at Lazaretto Point and wonder at the bravery and the heroism of these men and would remember them always .

Following the Plaque dedication , a short service of Remembrance was delivered by Rev Nicol after which Poppy Wreaths were laid , first by the Lord Lieutenant , then Alan Reid MP, organisations including the British Legion . US Holy LOch Veterans , community council and finally, two small crosses by girls of the Army Cadet Force .

The parade was reassembled and marched past the memorial for the final salute taken by the Lord Lieutenant .

Cockleshell Heroes :

Canoe - Catfish:

Major Herbert G ( Blondie ) HASLER , DSO , OBE

born Dublin 27 Feb 1914 , Probationary 2nd Lieut Royal Marines 1 Sept 1932 - achieved Lt Col RM

DIED in Argyll 5th May 1987

Marine William (Bill) Edward SPARKS, DSM.
born London 5th Sept 1922 , Volunteered Royal Marines 1939 discharged from RM 1946 , joined Malaysian Police as Lieut in 1952 London Transport Inspector

DIED 30th Nov 2002

CANOE : Cuttlefish

2nd Lieut John Withers MACKINNON

born OBAN 15th July 1921 ,

enlisted 7th April 1941 as Marine

CAPTURED / EXECUTED on Op Frankton

Marine James CONWAY

born Stockport 28th Aug 1922

milk roundsman (horse ) with Coop

CAPTURED /EXECUTED on Op Frankton

CANOE : CATFISH

Sgt Samuel WALLACE

born Dublin 24th Sept 1913

enlisted in RM 1931

CAPTURED /EXECUTED on Op Frankton

Marine Robert EWART

BORN GLASGOW 4th Dec 1921

at outbreak of the war was offered munitions work but joined Royal Marines

CAPTURED / EXECUTED on Op Frankton

CANOE : Congor :

Cpl George Jellicoe SHEARD

born Devonport 2nd May 1915

his wife was expecting -was killed in an air raid in 1943

Probably succumbed to hypothermia in Op Frankton

Marine David Gabriel MOFFATT,

born Belfast 20th Nov 1920
Family moved to Halifax Yorkshire

Probably succumed to hypothermia on Op Frankton

CANOE : Crayfish

Cpl Albert Frederick LAVER

born Birkenhead 29th Sept 1920

Joined RM as regular pre war

CAPTURED /EXECUTED on Op Farnkton

Marine William (Bill) Henry MILLS

born Kettering 12th Dec 1921 , worked Kettering sports & rubber stores and was in Civil Defence before enlisting

CAPTURED /EXECUTED on Op Frankton

CANOE : Catchalot

Did not go on raid as canoe was damaged :

Marine William A ELLERY

born London 1915

Marine FISHER

Reserve

Marine A COLLEY

born Leeds : injured playing Rugby so Marine Conway replaced him

discharged from RM in 1946

(patrick W Anderson )