Moussey |

Links to PHANTOM & OP LOYTON 1944

Broom “Goldfinch” – Cytisus praecox is planted in front of the Cross

Introducing

https://operationloyton1944.org

The Moussey Memorial is linked to the PHANTOM GARDEN at the NMA. It is also now linked to the Moussey Memorial Maquette that is in the Eglise Saint Valentin, Moussey, Vosges, France.

The Moussey Memorial Maquette is sited next to the Last Phantom memorial engraving that was presented many years ago in honour of Sgt. Len Owens MM and the citizens of Moussey that helped the SAS during WW2. The engraving was by Victor Smith, Ex SAS soldier.

This lava stone panel sits below the Cross and was presented to the citizens of Moussey in September 2025.

The Moussey Memorial honours the Citizens of Moussey in the Vosges for their covert help and assistance to the members of the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment who served during WW2 on “Operation Loyton” in August & September 1944.

This Memorial will be dedicated on the 1st May 2026 commencing at 12 Noon.

The Moussey Memorial 2025

The Cross of Lorraine was the symbol of Resistance in France during the Second World War. This Cross was created by Bromley O’Hare – Blacksmith/Artisan and is made of mild steel, galvanized and powder coated with industrial paint called “Traffic Light Red”. The stainless fittings have all been pickled and polished prior to fitting.

This Cross stands proud within a group of Pine trees that came from a Forest Guards cottage near Moussey in the Vosges mountains of eastern France.

The three bars of this design represent “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) which is the National Motto of France. The Cross faces Moussey some 600 miles away!

Ten Broom (Cytisus) plants have been added so far. More to follow.

The Moussey Memorial Educational Panels

Two Educational Panels will be added close to the Cross in due course. These were collected in May 2025 from the Studio of Sonia Rinaldi in France. These panels are made from Lava Stone with the images and text laid on as a permanent glaze.

Panel One