A 'Liver Bird' in Morbihan

A Liver Bird in Morbihan

Of the 169 fatal Commando and Navy casualties resulting from the raid on Saint-Nazaire, it is often forgotten that a mere 67 have known graves which can be visited. The remaining 102 are remembered at memorials stretching as far as Devonport in Auckland, and Halifax Nova Scotia. Of the 67 mentioned above, a total of 56 are laid to rest in the bijou War Cemetery at Escoublac-la Baule, with the remaining 11 having been interred in local cemeteries close to where they were recovered.

Standing as an example of the strength of family bonds, one of the 11, the Liverpool lad Private Tommy Diamond, of the King's Regiment (Liverpool) and 4/2 Commando, has just been visited by his great niece Glenda Macnaughton and her daughter Erin Tan, the pair having travelled all the way from Perth, in Western Australia, to pay their respects at Tommy's grave in Sarzeau Communal Cemetery - some way north of Saint-Nazaire, and about 14k south of the town of Vannes. Glenda and Erin are shown here, along with the Liver Bird they brought to recognise the place of Tommy's Birth. My good friend Jean Cevaer, who knows Australia well, acted as a very knowledgeable local guide.

Tommy was part of RSM Alan Moss's ill-fated HQ party travelling on board Motor Launch 267, which ML found it impossible to land in the Old Entrance and was fatally hit and abandoned whilst attempting to land its Commando party elsewhere. Of her crew of 16, 11 were lost, as were 8 of her 11-man Commando party. By this time the tide was ebbing fast, and the wounded particularly were finding it almost impossible to make headway towards the safety of the shore.

Rest in Peace, Tommy. And Glenda, what a wonderful gesture....

For my complete Saint-Nazaire Roll of Honour, see - http://operation-chariot.org/roll.html