The Free French Navy in Inverclyde

The Free French Navy was stationed on the River Clyde during the Second World War. On 30th April 1940, two live torpedoes were accidentally discharged on board the French destroyer, Maille Breze, causing an explosion and the death of many crewmen.

On the summit of Greenock’s Lyle Hill, overlooking the Clyde, stands the Cross of Lorraine; a memorial to the Free French forces who sailed from Greenock in the years 1940 – 1945. The memorial reads:

“To the memory of the Free French Naval Forces who never ceased the struggle and fell gloriously for the liberation of the honour of France and for history.”

Cross of Lorraine then and now

Pupils from Overton Primary School visited Greenock Central Library to research photographs relating to the Free French Navy. Using the Scran website (www.scran.ac.uk) they found a number of photographs of the Cross of Lorraine memorial on Lyle Hill. Pupils then went on a photography trip to visit the memorial and record their own images for this project.

Then:

Cross of Lorraine service at Free French memorial 1960 © Newsquest (Herald & Times) / Licensed via www.scran.ac.uk

French crew men acting as guard of honour on Lyle Hill, 1988 © Newsquest (Herald & Times) / Licensed via www.scran.ac.uk

Now:

Cross of Lorraine memorial, 2005

Inscription on Cross of Lorraine, Lyle Hill, Greenock