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West of Scotland Area

Point C - Free French Memorial, Lyle Hill, Greenock

On Lyle Hill, high above Greenock, you can find the Free French Memorial. Dedicated to the Free French Navy who were based in Greenock during the war.  The memorial is a combination of an anchor and the Cross of Lorraine (the symbol of the Free French) and overlooks the Clyde estuary.

A plaque says: 
‘THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF

THE SAILORS OF THE FREE FRENCH NAVAL FORCES

WHO SAILED FROM GREENOCK IN THE YEARS 1940-1945

AND GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

FOR THE LIBERATION OF FRANCE

AND THE SUCCESS OF THE ALLIED CAUSE

Photos by J. Wilson 2020

The memorial also remembers the sailors of the destroyer Maillé Brézé, which blew up off Greenock, with heavy loss of life, as a result of an accident with its own torpedoes and also a Captain of a Frigate Rirot. More information about the Maillé Brézé  : https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/maille-breze/

70th Anniversary in November 2016:

70th Anniversary Of Free French Memorial, Greenock – YouTube