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Location
Eastern Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight See map on www.streetmap.co.uk National Inventory of War Memorials Record Link : NIWM Reference 40856 English Heritage Listing Status This area is not Listed. Description A metal plaque commemorating 41 Royal Marine Commando whose officers and men who based in the area in World War II. |
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Memorial
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Inscription
Affixed to commemorate 41 (ROYAL MARINES) COMMANDO 1942 - 1946 AND ALL THOSE ISLANDERS WHO WELCOMED THEM IN THEIR HOMES During the winter of 1942-43 this small unit of less than 450 men carried out much of its early commando training on the Isle of Wight, when the men lived in the homes of Islanders at Bembridge, Nettlestone, Ryde, St Helens and Seaview. Figuring prominently in that training was Ryde Pier where, in the dark of night, the commandos boarded small craft to carry out early morning practice assaults on various parts of the Island's coastline. The Commando participated in four major seaborne landings : Sicily - 10 July 1943 Salerno, Italy - 9 September 1943 D-Day, Normandy - 6 June 1944 Walcheren, Holland (to open the Port of Antwerp) - 1 November 1944 and served in North-West Europe continuously from D-Day onwards, their final actions being on the Maas River Front from January to March 1945, followed by occupation duties in Germany until November 1945. 139 of its number died in active service. Unveiled by the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor John Bowker, on 24 April 1998 Further Information
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Memorials & Monuments
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