Incredible old film of Greenock's Free French Memorial

The Free French Memorial, Lyle Hill, Greenock commemorates the Free French naval forces that sailed from the River Clyde during the second World War.  It consists of an anchor and the Cross of Lorraine which was the symbol of the Free French.  

The Memorial was unveiled on18 January 1946 by A V Alexander (1885-1965), First Lord of the Admiralty.  Among others present were Rene Massigli (1888-1988), French Ambassador in London (click on this link to read more about this very interesting man) and Admiral Ortoli (1900-1979) who represented General de Gaulle.

Four French naval vessels (destroyer Forbin, corvettes Renoncule and Roselys and the yacht Girundia) had arrived in the Clyde for the unveiling.  Members of their crews attended the event.  The Corporation of Greenock treated the guests to a special luncheon and in the evening they attended a dinner in the Central Hotel, Glasgow given by Lord Inverclyde. 

This plaque on the Memorial reads – "This monument is dedicated to the memory of the sailors of the Free French Naval Forces who sailed from Greenock in the years 1940-1945 and gave their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic for the liberation of France and the success of the allied cause."

There is an incredible piece of film from Pathe News showing the unveiling of the Free French Memorial in Greenock -