War Memorial Sandbank and Ardnadam

This memorial commemorates the residents of Sandbank and Ardnadam who were killed or missing in World War I (19 names) and World War II (9 names).

Many of these memorials were erected after the First World War. After the Second World War, the names of those who died in that war were also added to the memorial.

This memorial also has a plaque for the Marines who died in December 1942 during Operation Frankton. These Marines trained for the operation here in Holy Loch.

Operation Frankton
The Cockleshell Heroes carried out Operation Frankton in December 1942, targeting German shipping in Bordeaux. Trained at Lumps Fort in Portsmouth, they paddled 60 miles in collapsible kayaks to lay limpet mines.

Of the ten commandos, two drowned, six were captured and executed, and only Major Hasler and Marine Sparks escaped. Despite heavy losses, the attack sank two ships and damaged four, disrupting enemy supply lines. Winston Churchill later credited it with shortening the Second World War by six months.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: John Ferguson