The Cross of Lorraine

Today I travelled west, to Gourock and my family. This is where I'm from, and forever where I'll call 'home'.

Overlooking this small Clydeside town is the Lyle Hill, and the Cross of Lorraine - a magnificent and imposing memorial to the sailors of the Free French Navy based in Greenock in WW2. After France was invaded by the Nazis in 1939 a significant number of men escaped to the UK; and after some, ahem, difficulties, with the source navy loyalty, the ships of the French navy joined the allied cause against the might of the German military. The western approaches of the Clyde were of the upmost importance to the UK war effort, being the most secure anchorage and reception port for the convoys and troop ships arriving in Britain after the dangerous Atlantic crossing.

On 3oth April 1940 the Maille Breze, a destroyer from the FFN, suffered an accidental torpedo explosion whilst lying off the 'Tail of the Bank' on the Clyde. Many men were trapped below decks as a fire engulfed the ship. Firefighters from Greenock fought the fire with bravery and determination, but the ship was doomed. First hand reports talk of the men trapped below decks hanging out of the porttholes and screaming for a quick and merciful death. A local doctor was dispatched on a launch with large quantities of morphine - you can guess the rest...

25 sailors perished and a further 48 men were seriously injured. The burning hulk was towed out of the navigation channel and scuttled. She was salvaged for scrap in the early 1950s.

Every year the French Navy send a party of Matelots and Officers to this part of the world for a Memorial service. They never forget, and neither should we.