The Memorial To Marine David Gabriel Moffatt

Marine David Gabriel Moffatt

Born Belfast, 20th November,1920

Lived in Halifax from age two

Educated St. Joseph’s School and a member of St. Bernard’s Parish, Range Lane, Halifax. Where he was a member of St. Bernards Scouts and Senior Scouts (The Rovers)

Worked at John Crossley & Sons, Dean Clough Mills age 16, as a scourer in the dye house and Balme and Pritchard, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax.

Enlisted into The Royal Marines, 16th April 1941, aged 20 and Volunteered for ‘Hazardous Service’ 

Marine Moffatt and his comrades played a pivotal role in one of the most daring and heroic missions of WWII.

David Gabriel Moffatt did not return home. He died in the icy waters of the Bay of Biscay, age 22 early in the morning of 8th December 1942, during the early stages of the attack on German blockade runners in Bordeaux harbour. It was known as: -

Operation Frankton 

December 1942

Operation Frankton was the codename for a raid on Bordeaux in December 1942. Bordeaux was a major seaport under German occupation. Raw materials essential to the Nazi war effort passed through the port. 

Because of its strategic importance, Bordeaux was heavily defended. The estuary and port were protected by coastal defence guns, anti-aircraft batteries and no less than 32 Kriegsmarine vessels patrolling the estuary. It was part of Hitler’s ‘Atlantic Wall’. 

Devised by Major Herbert “Blondie” Hasler, Operation Frankton involved men of the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment being deployed by submarine off the French coast. The Marines would then paddle 60 miles up the Gironde Industry in kayaks (Cockles), attach limpet mines to the cargo ships at the harbour, then escape overland, through France and Spain to Gibraltar. 

Each Cockle carried eight limpet mines and was designed to strike at the heart of the German occupied port of Bordeaux. The Marines, members of the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment, forerunners of The Special Boat Service (SBS) were lightly armed with pistols, hand grenades, and a combat knife. Six ships were damaged, by the raiders, four experienced severe damage. 

Although only two of the ten men survived the perilous mission, the impact of their courageous efforts was undeniable. The MKII Cockle’s role in Operation Frankton helped turn the tide of the war and laid the groundwork for future special forces operations. Hitler was reportedly furious that “this child’s boat” could have evaded German defenses and prompted him to divert crucial resources to defend his Atlantic Wall. Winston Churchill said the raid shortened the war by 6 months. It brought forward preparations for D-Day and gave hope that Fortress Europe was not impregnable. 

"Of the many brave and dashing raids carried out by men of Combined Operations Command, none was more courageous or imaginative than Operation Frankton".

                                                                                     - Admiral Lord Mountbatten 

This operation by David and his colleagues became known as The Cockleshell Heroes and have been the subject of a film and several books.

The Rotary Club of Halifax are honoured to have been asked to help the family with the unveiling of this memorial, which will take place in the grounds of Bankfield Museum, Halifax on Saturday 28th November, in the presence of The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, The Mayor of Calderdale, the MP for Halifax and other invited guests. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to obtain a ticket from the Eventbrite site by following this link. Tickets are free of charge.  Please note that there is limited parking at the museum so visitors are asked to park on Range Street where there is access to the grounds. As this is also a residential street please be considerate when parking.