James Conway - Stockport, UK - Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

He took part in commando raids using canoes. The memorial stands next to the coroner's court and is in the form of sculpture of a commando in the act of paddling. It does not show the canoe itself, but just a torso using canoe paddles. The paddle is rising vertically from the ground, whilst the torso is holding on to the panels and suspended in mid air. The torso is wearing the clothes of a Royal Marine, with woollen hat, jacket and bouyancy aid.

There is a round metal plate on the ground giving details of the memorial.

James Conway

Stockport's Cockleshell Hero
28th August 1932 - 23rd March 1943.
Royal Marine James Conway was a milkman
from Edgeley in Stockport. He volunteered for
Commando Raid Operation Frankton in December 1942
James set out with Lt. John Mackinnon in 'Cockle' canoe
'Cuttlefish' from HM Submarine Tuna with 8 other Royal
Marines to paddle 100 miles to Bordeaux in German occupied
France. Their mission was to place limpet mines on blockade
running cargo ships. Five ships were sunk without loss of
life to French civilians.

The commando raids greatly boosted Allied morale in
a dark and difficult time of the Second World War.
These Royal Marines became known as The
Cockleshell Heroes and the raid was described by
Lord Louis Mountbatten as 'The most courageous
Commando Raid of the war'.

The Royal Marines were aware that there was little chance of their
safe return. Eight of the ten men died on the mission. Captured,
interrogated and executed aged just twenty, James remains a
vital part of the legend that became The Cockleshell Heroes.
As he wrote in his last letter home James chose to
risk his life in an effort to
'make a decent and better world'.

Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link] List if there are any visiting hours: The statue is in a public place and so available to visit at any time Entrance fees (if it applies): None Type of memorial: Statue

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