Special Operations Executive (SOE) Memorial

[Gage]

Echo that, thanks Harry.

[Stormbird]

I'm currently visiting the UK and have London on my list. Could somebody please provide the exact address of the mentioned memorial, which I have a strong urge to pay an inspection.

[ranville]

Originally Posted by Drew5233

A mate of mine in London has emailed me today with some pictures of the new memorial opened today on the embankment in London.

Whilst I applaud this memorial it does make one wonder what people have been thinking for the last 65 odd years when I'm sure so many who served in SOE during WW2 have now passed away and will never get to see the role recognised.

Thanks for the photo and like you ABOUT TIME TOO!--The SOE agents were extremely brave people[especially the women] knowing their likely fate if captured. I would highly the book by Sarah Helm-'My life in Secrets'-- The story of Vera atkins and search for 'her girls' missing in Europe.

[spidge]

What a great monument - Pity about the years of delay. The agents who were killed, paid the ultimate price for their bravery. Those who survived must have had one of the hardest "occupations" of the war. They would be dealing with treachery at every turn.

We should also remember the French citizens who supported them and those of them who supported the agents and also paid the ultimate price.

Not forgetting also the lads of the RAF involving many nationalities who got these agents to their destinations and subsequently supplied them with their material needs (drops) many of whom did not return.

I have photos of the graves of one such crew (6 Aussies, an Englishman and a Scot) who crashed doing a drop for the Marquis. at Doubs (Arc-et-Senans)

The townspeople have not forgotten them as they have had a remembrance at the graves of these lads on the first Sunday in September every year since 1944.

I have a photo of the aircraft's crash area. The young boy in the crash scene photo was at the 60th anniversary remembrance (2004) when the son of the Scotsman in the crew, (Navigator) Sgt J.C. Alexander of 138sq attended and laid his mothers ashes with his father.

It is very moving to think that they do not forget.

Original Crash Photo.jpg

Doub Arc-et-Senans Group Remembrance.jpg

Mayors Speech.jpg

Stirling LJ503 Information

Type Stirling Serial Number LJ503 Squadron 138 X1D NF-P Operation SOE Date 1 31st August 1944 Date 2 1st September 1944
Further Information

"Serial Range LJ501 - LJ544. 44 Stirling Mk.111. Part of a batch of 175 Short S.29 Stirling Mk.111/1V. LJ440-LJ483; LJ501-LJ544; LJ557-LJ596; LJ611-LJ653; LJ667-LJ670 mixed Mk.111/1V. LJ512 was the Mk.1V prototype; LJ530 the Mk.V prototype. Delivered by Short Brothers Ltd between Nov43 and Apr44. Contract No.A/C2008. LJ461/475/502/503/532. Conv.to Mk.1V. Converted to Mk.1V (see above) at 23MU 30Nov43, Controller Research and Developement at Shorts 16Feb44, to Tempsford 2Apr44, back to Shorts 21Apr44, returned to Tempsford 22May44, to No.138 Sqdn 20Jun44, loaned to No 296 Sqdn and battle damaged 10Aug44, returned to No.138 Sqdn (no date) LJ503 was one of two 138 Sqdn Stirlings lost on this night. See: LK131. These were the first Stirling Mk.1Vs reported MIA from 138 Sqdn. Airborne 2200 31Aug44 from Tempsford on Operation Bob 325. encountered a violent storm during which the Stirling clipped the tops of trees and crashed at Lombard (Doubs), a village apx. 8 km NE of Arc-et-Senans where all were taken for burial in the local communal cemetery. Sgt Alexander was flying as second Navigator. F/O R.B.Hardie RAAF KIA Sgt G.McP Jack KIA F/S M.Stanley RAAF KIA Sgt J.C.Alexander KIA F/S G.W.McLeod RAAF KIA F/S N.E.Barnes RAAF KIA F/S S.J.Hayes RAAF KIA F/S R.A.Ashton RAAF KIA Crash site is also reported as Byaans sur Doubs, France. "

[Stormbird]

Do I understand correctly that the Embankment is a defined address that I am supposed to find with ease using my London A-Z combined with some navigation skills ?

[Paul Reed]

If you go to this photo on Flickr there is a link to a map showing where it is.

SOE Memorial, Albert Embankment on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Stormbird]

Thank you very much !
Seemingly within walking distance of the IWM - could hardly have been more convenient.
Monument will be duly inspected, admired and honoured.

[KevinC]

It's a strange coincidence that I finished reading "The women who lived for danger" by Marcus Binney. It details the exploits of the women agents of SOE.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by KevinC

It's a strange coincidence that I finished reading "The women who lived for danger" by Marcus Binney. It details the exploits of the women agents of SOE.

Good book.

[Pegasus]

Originally Posted by KevinC

It's a strange coincidence that I finished reading "The women who lived for danger" by Marcus Binney. It details the exploits of the women agents of SOE.

Hi Kevin, I read it a few years ago great book, from memory some of the agents where held at avenue Fosh paris ( but I could be wrong it was a fewe years ago that I read it) i took some pictures