New Combined Operations Memorial at Inveraray
The closure of the little Combined Operations Museum at the turn of the century, formerly located in Cherry Park within the grounds of Inveraray Castle, was a sad occurrence, and meant that the area had little to alert the visitor to the part played by the thousand of members of the services who had spent time at the Combined Operations Training Camp of HMS Quebec. Army, Navy, and RAF personnel trained together at the World War II base, which is now an Argyll holiday park.
Ex-servicemen, serving soldiers and marines and a senior Royal Navy representative from HMS Neptune, Faslane, made the journey to the former camp site, which is now the Argyll Caravan Park, and joined His Grace the Duke of Argyll, the Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, and other dignitaries as the new permanent memorial was unveiled, remembering those who passed through the training camp between 1940, and final clearing of the site in 1946. (Although cleared, the site still contains some surviving period buildings and structures.)
The Duke of Argyll spoke of the ‘invaluable and immeasurable’ role the area played during those ‘dark days.’ As he unveiled the memorial The Duke of Argyll said “I am delighted to officially open this memorial, and it is a great honour to those we are here to remember that so many people have turned out today. The role that Inveraray played in the last war was immeasurable. For many years we had the Combined Operations museum at Cherry Park, but this has now gone. That is why I think it is really appropriate that we have such a marvellous permanent memorial.”
Lance Bombadier Clem Leedham of 148 Battery, 29 Commando Royal Artillery had the honour of formally raising a Combined Operations flag which had been donated for the new memorial by 29 Commando, in an initiative led by Regimental Sergeant Major David Thatcher.
Reverend Dr Rod MacLeod dedicated the memorial and piper Graham Renton played a lament before a minute’s silence took place.
The inspiration for a permanent memorial came from Jim Jepson, general secretary of the Combined Operations Association, and who ran the Argyll Estate Combined Operations Museum in Inveraray for some 20 years until its closure. Mr Jepson reserved special mention for representatives of the sole surviving Army (as opposed to Marine) Commando unit - 29 Commando Royal Artillery - which still carries the Combined Operations Insignia, and was present at the camp during the war.
The event was concluded by a special flypast carried out by a Tornado fighter-bomber, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Peter Ward of 56 Squadron, RAF Leuchars.
