Artwork is to honour Cockleshell war hero

NEW artwork to commemorate one of Calderdale’s war heroes was installed and unveiled in Halifax on Remembrance weekend.

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

Marine David Moffatt was one of the “Cockleshell Heroes” involved in Operation Frankton in 1942, during World War II - a mission which is said to have shortened the Second World War by six months.

David was aged 22 and one of eight servicemen who tragically died taking part in a commando raid using kayaks on ships in German-occupied France.

A fictionalised version of their story was made into the 1955 film Cockleshell Heroes, which is still often shown on television.

To mark Marine Moffatt’s bravery and sacrifice, and Halifax's local heritage and pride, Calderdale Council commissioned award-winning poet and writer Ian Humphreys for an installation at Halifax Central Library.