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Notes
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The monument stands as a memorial to the British Commandos who trained all around the Lochaber region which the monument overlooks, while they were based at the Achnacarry Commando Training Centre established in 1942. A cast bronze group of three commandos dressed in typical Second World War uniforms and equipment including cap comforters, ammunition pouches and weapons. They stand on a stone plinth looking south towards Ben Nevis. The soldier at the front is thought to depict Commando Jack Lewington who frequently attended remembrance services at the monument during his lifetime. One of the other two soldiers is Frank Nicholls (rank unknown) the other is regimental sergeant major Sidney Hewlett. The stonework of the plinth is inscribed. The front bronze panel is part of the original work while the more detailed rear panel was added on 18th November 1993 to set out the story of the commandos for future generations.
Title
Commando Memorial
Date
1951
Medium
bronze
Measurements
H 300 x W 200 x D 200 cm (E);
Plinth: H 220 x W 200 x D 200 cm (E)
Accession number
PH34_DO_S121
Work type
War memorial
Owner
The Highland Council
Custodian
The Highland Council
Work status
extant
Listing status
A (Scotland)
Unveiling date
12th September 1952
Listing date
15/08/96
Access
at all times
Signature/marks description
SCOTT SUTHERLAND ARSA / SCULPTOR 1951
Inscription description
plinth stonework: UNITED WE CONQUER; bronze panel (front): IN MEMORY OF / THE OFFICERS AND / MEN OF / THE COMMANDOS / WHO DIED IN THE / SECOND WORLD WAR / 1939-1945 / THIS COUNTRY WAS / THEIR TRAINING / GROUND; bronze panel (rear): THE COMMANDOS 1940-45 / In the summer of 1940 when Britain's fortunes in World War II / were at their lowest ebb and an enemy invasion was threatened / Winston Churchill boldly ordered the raising of an elite force to raid / the enemy-held coastline of Europe and regain the initiative. / The new units, which initially consisted of volunteers from the / regiments and corps of the British Army, were called 'Commandos'. / Within weeks they were in action in Europe later in the Middle East / and the Far East. During the next five years they fought in every / theatre of war with such success that the word 'Commando' became / feared by the enemy - yet respected by friendly forces. / In 1942 the Commando Basic Training Centre was established in the / Scottish Highlands at Achnacarry. There potential Commando / soldiers (who by then came from not only the British Army but also / the Royal Marines and the Allied Armies) underwent their tough / and purposeful training. Only those who successfully completed all / the course were accepted and privileged to wear the famous Green / Beret. This distinctive head-dress was acknowledged as the hallmark / of the highest standards of military training, self-discipline, physical / endurance, initiative, bravery and courage, whilst under their simple / motto 'United We Conquer' a comradeship beyond literary / description was born, fostered and flourished. / For their valour in action the Commandos earner thirty-eight battle / honours and many awards, including eight Victoria Crosses, but / many made the supreme sacrifice, no fewer than 1,700 Commando / soldiers lost their lives and others were seriously wounded. It was a / record that prompted Winston Churchill to pay the following tribute / to the Commandos "We may feel sure that nothing of which we / have any knowledge or record has ever been done by mortal men, which surpasses their feats of arms. Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade." / This plaque was unveiled on the occassion of the Freedom of / Lochaber being conferred on The Commando Association on the / 13th November, 1993