David Stirling
This is one of those memorials I had caught a glimpse of as I was driving by and had always made a mental note to stop off and view it properly. I finally did just that, taking time out to park up and take the short walk up to the memorial to inspect the statue at close range, and also marvel at the fantastic view of the fields stretching over to the hills of the southern highlands. For miles around it is more or less flat country and once again I was lucky with the weather.
David Stirling founded the Special Air Service Regiment in July 1941. He had the idea of parachute trained soldiers operating behind enemy lines gathering intelligence, destroying aircraft and attacking supply chains. Also known as the SAS Memorial, it was erected in 2002 on the Hill of Row, near his ancestral home. He was a Scottish landowner, born on 15 November 1915 at the family home of Keir House three miles south-east of the village of Doune and died 4 November 1990.
The centrepiece of the memorial is a statue of Colonel Sir David Stirling standing on rocks. A plaque on the memorial reads: “In remembrance of all those members of the Special Air Service Regiment who have died in the service of their country and have given their lives to uphold the principles of freedom and justice”.
Other plaques around the memorial have the names of members of the SAS Regiment who gave up their lives while serving their country.
It is a spot for reflection. The juxtaposition of the tragedy of war, the loss of life and the astonishing view of the Scottish countryside is humbling. My father was called up and joined the navy during the second world war. He came back, which is why I’m here, writing this now.
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