Dieppe 1942

The Dieppe Raid Memorial.

The “Operation Jubilee” memorial was originally established in 2007 and now in 2023 has undergone an upgrade with new educational plaques. We have now concentrated on the bravery and successful parts of the Raid. Three of these memorials list the medals that the Allied Military Forces were awarded, except however Jack Nissenthall was not awarded any decoration for his brave actions.

The design of the memorial consists of 4 plaques honouring 6 Allied Servicemen. To either side we have 2 Canadian Maples. One Holm Oak was added later. The rocks are from a quarry within the grounds of Consall Hall near Leek. They represent the formidable defences of Dieppe. The dark green pine tree in the centre honours the Commando’s. Some of the original heather still exists as symbolic of the Canadian Scottish units that took part. Many other plants fill the space with colour.

The Dieppe Raid VC’s

This is the very first educational plaque that shares the bravery of these three soldiers and all who fought at Dieppe. – Captain John Foote VC – Lt. Col. Charles Merritt VC – Captain Patrick Porteous
  • Memorial Text
  • The Dieppe Raid VC’s
  • The Victoria Cross was instituted by Royal Warrant on the 29th January 1856 to acknowledge the bravery displayed by many soldiers and sailors during the Crimean War (1854-56).
  • This new award was open to all ranks and would be presented for acts of supreme gallantry in the face of the enemy.
  • Victoria Cross Award Citation Extracts
  • Captain Foote – Canadian Chaplain Services
  • Personally saved many lives by his efforts and his example inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer, as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire swept beach will never be forgotten.
  • Lt. Col. Merritt – South Saskatchewan Regiment
  • From the point of landing his units advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was being swept with machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire……..waving his helmet he rushed forward shouting “Come on over! There’s nothing to worry about here.”
  • Captain Porteous – Royal Regiment of Artillery
  • Without hesitation and in the face of withering fire, dashed across the open ground to take command to this detachment. Rallying them he then led the in a charge which carried the German position at the point of the bayonet and was severely wounded for the second time.
  • Further Information
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Weir_Foote
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Merritt
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Anthony_Porteous

Shimi, the Lord Lovat

  • Memorial Text
  • Shimi, the Lord Lovat
  • Lt. Col. Simon Fraser DSO MC – Commanding Officer No. 4 Commando. The Dieppe Raid 18/19th August 1942.
  • At the outset of World War 2 Lord Lovat was enlisted as a Captain with the Lovat Scouts. The following year he volunteered to join one of the new commando units being formed by the British Army and was eventually attached to No.4 Commando.
  • In March 1941, No.3 and 4 Commando launched a raid on the German occupied Lofoten Islands in Norway. This successful raid successfully destroyed fish oil factories, petrol dumps, and 11 ships as well as seizing encryption equipment and code books. More than 200 German Troops were captured and over 300 Norwegians chose to escape to Britain.
  • In April 1942 he was in command 100 men of No.4 Commando in a raid on the French coastal village of Hardelot. For this action he was awarded the Military Cross (MC).
  • As commanding officer of No.4 Commando during the Dieppe Raid he led the successful attack against the German “Hess” Battery and put the coastal guns out of action before withdrawing with most of his force. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
  • Whilst the Dieppe Raid was an overall failure, the lessons learnt led to the successful D-Day landings in Normandy two years later where the commander of the 1st. Special Service Brigade landed on Sword Beach and advanced to the now famous Pegasus Bridge to reinforce the soldiers of the 2nd. Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who successfully stormed the bridge after landing by Horsa Glider at just after midnight on the 6th. June 1944.
  • Further Information
  • Simon Fraser Audio
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Fraser,_15th_Lord_Lovat
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovat_Scouts
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Claymore
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Abercrombie
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Special_Service_Brigade

The Romuald Rescue

Jack’s Radar War

  • Memorial Text
  • Flight Sergeant Jack Nissenthall – RAF Radar Expert
  • Jack Nissenthall was a Royal Air Force electronics and radar expert who played a role in the Dieppe Raid during “Operation Jubilee”, which took place on the 18th & 19th August 1942.
  • Whilst the raid failed, Jack along with his bodyguard of Canadian soldiers from the South Saskatchewan Regiment managed to fight their way to the German Radar station under heavy fire where he cut the connecting inter-radar communication cables and this forced the Germans to use radio.
  • This was intercepted by UK listening stations revealing the radio’s secret capabilities. This enabled UK scientists to develop top secret radar jamming devices, which saved thousands of lives during the rest of the war, and especially on D-Day the 6th June 1944.

Box Hedging completes the memorial garden.

Further Information

Gallery August 2025

PAGE UPDATED 17TH OCTOBER 2025