Scottish Memorial Best

In the coach house garden in the centre of Best stands a monument in memory of the 120 Scots who died during the 7-day liberation of Best. The liberation of Best was a tough battle with heavy losses among the Allies, Germans and civilians alike.

Every year on 24 October, the day of the liberation, a commemoration is held at this monument. The monument was placed in 1994 in the presence of many veterans, 50 years after the liberation of Best.

In 2024, 5 bronze plaques bearing the names of the 171 British servicemen killed in action were placed at the monument and the text on the middle bronze plaque reads:
In honour to the
15th Scottish Division
who liberated Best
24-10-1944 24-10-1994

A plaque was also placed with the following text:

"This monument is a tribute to the 15th Scottish Infantry Division and the 51st Highland Division who liberated Best from the German yoke on 24 October 1944. They fought under difficult conditions from 17 September to 24 October. That battle cost the lives of at least 171 young British soldiers, in addition to many wounded both physically and mentally. Most of the deaths occurred during the capture of the brickworks “The Lark” and the storming of the station area. But hard guerrilla warfare also had to be fought in De Vleut and De Scheeken. Best was too important for the German occupiers to give up easily.

The monument was designed by Antoinette Briët. Using steel and marble, she constructed a Scottish diamond through which 3 Scots jump to freedom unarmed, hoping for peace. The plaques were designed by Antoinette Briët in close collaboration with Toine van Baalen.

‘If you don't name the people, they are no longer there’

Foundation for the History of Best Municipality of Best

The QR codes on the centre plaque allow you to access more information about the design and underpinning of the monument.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar.nl
• Photos: Marijke Koetstuin (1, 2), Stichting Schots Monument Best (3)
• - https://www.schotsmonumentbest.nl/het-monument