The everyday Stockport milkman honoured in his hometown after becoming a national hero in Nazi mission

There are many significant figures to have come out of Greater Manchester over the years. Musicians, footballers and many people who have contributed greatly to society have called the region home. 

When walking around the streets of one town in Greater Manchester, you may come across a statue of one such person that you may not know too much about. Located up the road from Stockport town hall is a permanent tribute to James Conway - one of the town’s most famous sons. 

Before the Second World War, Conway was a milkman, but it was during war time that things would change. He became a Royal Marine and would go on to volunteer to take part in one of the most daring missions against Nazi Germany. 

In December 1942 Germany still had a tight grip on Europe. In an effort to make inroads into occupied nations such as France and Belgium, Allied forces carried out daring raids behind enemy lines. On one such mission, James Conway was one of 12 men to head deep into occupied France - via canoes that were codenamed cockles. 

Codenamed Operation Frankton, Conway and his colleagues were tasked with rowing over 80 miles up the Gironde river to attack German ships located in Bordeaux. The aim was for the men to plant mines on the vessels, but only two of the marines would survive the mission. 

Conway was unfortunately not one of them, he and  comrade Lt John Mackinnon had no choice but to abandon their canoe (called Cuttlefish) days into the mission after it was damaged. Deep in occupied France, the two men made their way through the country and eventually reached  La Réole - a town around 35 miles southeast of Bordeaux. 

They would never see England again, and whilst in the town Lt McKinnon needed treatment for a knee injury. It was during this that locals betrayed the pair to the Gestapo, the German state police. 

Conway and McKinnon were arrested, but gave nothing away to the Nazis that would have betrayed the mission or their comrades. The pair were executed under something known as the ‘Commando Order’ that was issued by Adolf Hitler. The date and location of this remain unknown.  

Only two of the six cockles made it to the port in Bordeaux, but their mines inflicted heavy damage on German ships. So much so that future First Sea Lord Lord Mountbatten subsequently called the mission a “brilliant little operation carried through with great determinism and courage.” 

Conway was a key part of this mission, and his permanent memorial in hometown of Stockport was erected in 2017 - the 75h anniversary of the mission. The brilliant work was created by artist Luke Perry and shows Conway with his canoeing oar. 

The location of the statue overlooks the town Conway grew up and lived before giving his life in the Second World War. It makes for a nice place to stop if you happen to pass by this corner of Stockport, and it is a fitting memorial to one of the town’s bravest sons.