On Lyle Hill, high above Greenock, you can find the Free French Memorial. Dedicated to the Free French Navy who were based in Greenock during the war. The memorial is a combination of an anchor and the Cross of Lorraine (the symbol of the Free French) and overlooks the Clyde estuary.
A plaque says:
'THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE SAILORS OF THE FREE FRENCH NAVAL FORCES
WHO SAILED FROM GREENOCK IN THE YEARS 1940-1945
AND GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC
FOR THE LIBERATION OF FRANCE
AND THE SUCCESS OF THE ALLIED CAUSE
Photos by J.Wilson (2020)
The memorial also remembers the sailors of the destroyer MAILLÉ BRÉZÉ, which blew up off Greenock, with heavy loss of life, as a result of an accident with its own torpedoes: http://westcaledoniansoc.co.uk/qa.html and also a Captain of a Frigate Rirot.
70th Anniversary in November 2016:
Map Reference: West of Scotland Area
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