£150k revamp to mark upcoming 70th anniversary of ‘Three Men on the Hill’
AT 17 feet high, the sight of the three bronze commandos in their Second World War uniforms, looking south towards the majesty of Ben Nevis, is an imposing sight.
Now preparations are gearing up to mark the 70th anniversary of the unveiling of The Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge, by Fort William.
To honour the occasion, it has been confirmed that the iconic monument is to receive a £150,000 overhaul.
It will also mark the 80th anniversary of the Royal Marines taking the Commando role.
The history of the memorial can be traced back to 1946, when an appeal was held in Scotland for The Commando Benevolent Fund.
A linked appeal was also held for the creation of a lasting monument to the commandos’ courage and sacrifice.
It was decided to locate the memorial near Spean Bridge, close to the training ground of the Commandos at Achnacarry.
A competition, launched to choose a design, won by Scott Sutherland and his work was unveiled by the Queen Mother on September 27, 1952.
The revamp at the memorial garden site in Lochaber will begin on March 14 with an estimated contract period of six weeks.
During this time there will be no public access to the memorial garden. In addition, repair and conservation works will begin a few weeks later which will see the whole monument scaffolded and sheeted for a number of weeks – a blow for those stopping by keen to capture the memorial on camera, as it is a favourite with visitors to the picturesque spot.
The estimate for completion of works to the whole site is mid-June, officials say.
The Highland Council, Commando Association, RMA (The Royal Marines Charity) and War Memorials Trust, working in partnership, have funded different elements of these major improvements to the memorial garden as well as commissioning repairs and appropriate cleaning of the Grade A-listed sculpture.
Substantial donations by the public at the site have also made the work possible.
Chair of Highland Council’s communities and place committee, Councillor Allan Henderson, said: “The Commando Memorial is recognised throughout the world as the most fitting tribute to the courage of the Commandos since they first formed in 1940.
“The Highland Council is proud to maintain this site which is now visited by over 100,000 people each year.”
Peter Oxley, national secretary of the Commando Association and assistant secretary David Matthews, said it is an exciting development for the memorial.
They said: “The Commando Memorial, known to many as ‘The Three Men on the Hill’, and the Memorial Garden are recognised by the worldwide Commando family as our spiritual home.
“The Commando Association cherishes the relationship it has with the communities of Lochaber which have grown over the years since the memorial was unveiled.
“We are certain that once all renovations and building works are completed, the monument will once again stand proud in the wonderful landscape, and the Commando motto ‘United We Conquer’ will once again be clear for all to see.”
The Commandos were established for special service.
Many of these men went onto action in Norway almost immediately, with little training.
On their return, prime minister Winston Churchill wanted his own corps of “shock troops” to start afresh.
This led to the Commandos being formed, with the aim to become an elite troop equipped to inflict casualties on the Germans and bolster British morale.