The idea to form a society was conceived by the survivors on the first anniversary of the Raid whilst still in PoW camp in Germany. The first meeting of the St Nazaire Society itself was held at Chez Auguste, London on 28th March 1946. Originally only the veterans could be members, but now it is the descendants and anyone with an interest in Operation Chariot. It is still an active Society today with circa 250 members.
Victoria Cross
In June 2022 the Society decided to explore the possibility of a new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire the Nations year-round place to remember. Whilst there were memorials in both St Nazaire and Falmouth, neither are easy to get to. Having completed a preliminary evaluation, the Society established the St Nazaire Raid Memorial Trust in May 2024 to deliver the Operation Chariot Memorial Project.
Captured Army Commandos immediately after the Raid
The St Nazaire Raid Memorial Trust
The St Nazaire Raid Memorial Trust is a Registered Charity Number: 1208309.
The St Nazaire Raid Memorial Trust is a separate organisation to the St Nazaire Society.
What the Trust's logo represents
– The 'C' is the crimson of the Victoria Cross ribbon
– The 'O' is Royal Navy grey, khaki for the Army Commandos uniform and Air Force blue
– The phrase 'Operation Chariot Memorial Project' is in stencil font to replicate how some kit was labelled.