Memorials Dedicated to Combined Operations (2)

Combined Operations Command, "United We Conquer"  

At the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, U.K.

Near Alrewas, Staffordshire, England, in a very lovely, peaceful setting. GH

Introduction:

During the last few days of May and first ten days of June, 2026, I travelled to Great Britain for a historical (landmark, amazing) journey with my two adult sons, David and Paul. We planned a full itinerary that included several stops related to my father's WWII experiences - from June 1941 to September 1945 - not only as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve but also a volunteer for the Combined Operations organization. We visited War museums and military archives in London, former Combined Ops training grounds on Hayling Island, pubs mentioned in dad's memoirs and much more.

One distinct highlight was a lengthy, rewarding visit to the Combined Operations WWII remembrance memorial found at the National Memorial Arboretum a few miles south of Burton on Trent (and very close to Alrewas, Staffordshire).

Park the car, ask staff to point you in the right direction, and go for a hike.

There is so much to see and appreciate along the way

Wait! Don't go any farther. You're there!

My two sons and I followed the map (top of page) to the Combined Ops

memorial. Photo Credit - 'National Memorial Arboretum', Google Maps 

For newcomers, the message/information board (above) is filled with significant details provided by the creator of the 'Combined Operations Command' website - Geoff Slee, Edinburgh - the driving force behind the creation of the memorial to the thousands who (for the most part) volunteered for Combined Ops, including 950-1,000 Canadians (including my father) who joined sometime between 1941 - 45.

Canadians in Combined Ops took part in the invasions of North Africa

(Operation Torch), Sicily (Operation Husky), Italy (Operations Baytown

and Avalanche), and France (Operation Neptune). Canadians also took

part in raids at St. Nazaire and Dieppe, France.

My father prepared for the Dieppe Raid but did not take part in it's second running, i.e., Operation Jubilee*, August 19, 1942. He did participate in 'Torch' beginning November 8, 1942, followed by 'Husky' and 'Baytown' in Sicily and Italy (on the toe of the boot) during the following year (beginning July 10 in Sicily and September 3 in Italy).

To view a short video that features a few more photographs related to the much-appreciated and admired Combined Ops memorial, please click here - Gord's YouTube channel. 

1941: Two of the first Canadian sailors to volunteer for Combined Operations

Gordon "Doug" Harrison (left) and Buryl McIntyre from Norwich, ONT

In front of Wellington (aka Nelson) Barracks, HMCS Stadacona, Halifax

*the first running of the Dieppe Raid is known as Operation Rutter and was cancelled in its very early stages (July 7, 1942). This second link connects to more in depth information at Wikipedia.

When time allows, please link to Geoff Slee's Facebook page for current updates. And please visit Mr. Slee's informative website as listed below @ www.combinedops.com 

Geoff Slee (left) and Gord Harrison meet in Geoff's home near Edinburgh.

Photo by Margaret Slee. 2012

More photographs and details related to the National Memorial Arboretum and memorials dedicated to Allied Forces will soon follow.

Astute readers may have noted that I concluded the short video with  a very familiar line, i.e., "we will remember them," the last line of 'The Ode of Remembrance.'

The following is related to that well-known poem:

The Ode of Remembrance is perhaps the most famous of the remembrance day poems.

The ode is a section of a longer poem, ‘For the fallen’ by Laurence Binyon. It was first published in The Times in 1914 shortly after the outbreak of World War One, when the first signs of the devastation of modern warfare were becoming apparent.

The Ode of Remembrance is the third and fourth stanza of ‘For the fallen’. While the opening stanza of the poem specifies England’s dead, the later stanzas have been adopted across the world as a general poem of remembrance.

The Ode of Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.”

The famous lines are spoken at Remembrance Sunday services, at funerals for the armed forces and other memorial services, including often as part of the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. (As found at "Famous Remembrance Day Poems for Reflection" @ Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Questions or comments can be addressed to Editor of Gord H.  - gordh7700@gmail.com

Please click here to view Memorials Dedicated to Combined Operations (1) - found in Canada.

Unattributed Photos GH