In the summer of 1940 when enemy invasion was threatened, Winston Churchill ordered the forming of an elite force to raid the enemy-held coastline of Europe in an attempt to regain the initiative. Known as the Commandos, this initially consisted of volunteers from the regiments and corps of the British Army.
The Commando Memorial commemorates the British Commandos who trained all around the harsh mountainous terrain of Lochaber region in preparation for assaults on Hitler’s ‘Fortress Europe’.
Inverailort House was used to house the Commandos before Achnacarry Castle became the main training centre from 1942-5
The Commando Basic Training Centre opened in Achnacarry Castle in 1942. Prospective Commandos would arrive at Spean Bridge Railway Station after a fourteen hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed-march the seven miles Achnacarry Castle to the training centre in full kit weighing 36lb and carrying their weapons. Anyone not completing it within 60 minutes was immediately RTU'd (returned to unit.)
It is estimated 25,000 Commandos completed their training here, including a final opposed landing exercise by Loch Lochy that used live ammunition. Training was highly intensive and anyone failing any part of the course caught the next train south, back to his unit.
During the war 1,700 Commando soldiers lost their lives and many others were seriously wounded.
In 1947 it was felt a memorial was needed and a competition opened to Scottish sculptors to design a fitting memorial. Visible from the A82, with commanding views across the countryside, this was opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952.
The Memorial is impressive featuring three commandos as they would normally have been dressed, including cap comforter, webbing and rifle. Below are the words ‘UNITED WE CONQUER’.
Nearby is the Garden of Remembrance, surrounded by a low stone wall used for private memorials for Commandos serving in World War Two but also of those killed in the Falklands War, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Commando Monument is a popular stop on the tourist itinerary and its car park is always busy with cars and coaches. On a clear day it is a wonderful view point with views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor as well as along the Great Glen and down towards Gairlochy.
The Commando Memorial commemorates the British Commandos who trained all around the harsh mountainous terrain of Lochaber region in preparation for assaults on Hitler’s ‘Fortress Europe’.
Inverailort House was used to house the Commandos before Achnacarry Castle became the main training centre from 1942-5
The Commando Basic Training Centre opened in Achnacarry Castle in 1942. Prospective Commandos would arrive at Spean Bridge Railway Station after a fourteen hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed-march the seven miles Achnacarry Castle to the training centre in full kit weighing 36lb and carrying their weapons. Anyone not completing it within 60 minutes was immediately RTU'd (returned to unit.)
It is estimated 25,000 Commandos completed their training here, including a final opposed landing exercise by Loch Lochy that used live ammunition. Training was highly intensive and anyone failing any part of the course caught the next train south, back to his unit.
During the war 1,700 Commando soldiers lost their lives and many others were seriously wounded.
In 1947 it was felt a memorial was needed and a competition opened to Scottish sculptors to design a fitting memorial. Visible from the A82, with commanding views across the countryside, this was opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952.
The Memorial is impressive featuring three commandos as they would normally have been dressed, including cap comforter, webbing and rifle. Below are the words ‘UNITED WE CONQUER’.
Nearby is the Garden of Remembrance, surrounded by a low stone wall used for private memorials for Commandos serving in World War Two but also of those killed in the Falklands War, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Commando Monument is a popular stop on the tourist itinerary and its car park is always busy with cars and coaches. On a clear day it is a wonderful view point with views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor as well as along the Great Glen and down towards Gairlochy.