27th September 1952

The Queen Mother unveils the Commando Monument

The Commando Monument outside Spean Bridge commemorates the elite force established during the Second World War. Depicting three soldiers looking out across what had been the troops’ training ground, from their base at Achnacarry, the memorial was designed by Scott Sutherland and constructed using bronze. The land on which it was erected was donated by a farmer.

Commandos in attendance

A hundred former Commandos travelled from Glasgow to attend the unveiling. Among them was Dundee man W Carruthers. The Dundee Courier of 26 September 1952 revealed that he had landed in North Africa as part of No 6 Commando. “Further down the coast they occupied forward German airstrips. On many occasions they had to filter back to their own positions through enemy lines. One party existed for seven days on a box of biscuits and a tin of meat.”

Beneath the motto “United We Conquer”, which is carved below the men’s feet, the memorial bears a plaque, which reads “In memory of the officers and men of the Commandos who died in the Second World War, 1939 – 1945. This was their training ground.”