Operation Frankton December 1942 |

The design and placement of the Operation Frankton memorial at the Pointe de Grave in France. Images courtesy of BACA Architects Ltd.

Please note that this short study came about due to spotting the signatures of Alex Worth Sculptor and John Lawrence on the “Cockleshell Heroes” memorial in the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove. – Slideshow >>>>>

The first image is of the Oil painting by Artist John Lawrence that was used to raise funds for the Pointe de Grave memorial in France by selling 250 prints.

The Bronze Castings were by Leander UK which included the Cast Diorama of the Cockleshell Heroes leaving HMS Tuna off the French Coast.

The stonework was by Albion Stone and the Engineering by Paul Carpenter Associates.

The Design Brief

The Memorial is to commemorate Operation Frankton, more popularly known as ‘The Cockleshell Heroes’ epic raid in December 1942 on enemy shipping in Bordeaux.
A team of ten Royal Marines after being launched by submarine paddled by night for 60 miles up the River Gironde to Bordeaux where, in their attack with Limpet Mines placed below the waterline, six enemy ships were sunk or seriously damaged.
Only two men survived: two were drowned, and six were captured and executed without trial, by firing squad.
The Memorial remembers the 10 courageous Royal Marines, the bravery of the Captain and crew of the submarine HMS Tuna who delivered them so close to the mouth of the River, and the courageous French citizens who at very high risk of arrest, deportation and execution assisted the Royal Marines.
If viewed from the side, one may envisage a symbolic representation of four shapes emerging from the sea-very often the method of entry of Royal Marines Special Forces commencing a clandestine operation in a war situation.

The Design Elements – 1 – The Painting by Artist John Lawrence

The Design Elements – 2 – The Plasticine Mould by Alex Worth.

The Design Elements – 3 – One of two of the Aluminium Practice Castings. “Cockleshell Heroes” memorial in the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove.

The Design Elements – 4 – The Bronze Casting at Pointe de Grave, France.

The Design Elements – 5 – The Symbols and Badges.

The Combined Operations Badge; the Royal Marine Badge: the Coastal Forces Emblem and the French Cross of Lorraine symbolising Resistance during WW2 as displayed at the Pointe de Grave – Slideshow >>>>>