COLONEL SIR DAVID STIRLING DSO, OBE
FOUNDER of the SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMENT, 1941

The SAS began life in July 1941 front an unorthodox idea and plan by Scots Guards Lieutenant David Stirling, who was serving with No 8 (Guards) Commando. Its small teams of parachute trained soldiers to operate behind enemy lines to gain intelligence, destroy enemy aircraft and attack their supply and reinforcement routes. Following an impromptu meeting to air his views with Major General Ritchie, the Deputy Chief of Staff he was able to meet the new C-in-C Middle East, General Auchinleck, who liked his plan and it was endorsed by the Army High Command. At that time there was a deception organisation already in the Middle Fast area, which wished to create a phantom Airborne Brigade to act as a threat to enemy planning of operations. This deception unit was known as "K Detachment Special Air Service Brigade" and Stirling's unit was to he the offensive arm and known as "L Detachment, SAS Brigade".

Following extensive training at Kabrit camp, by the Nile in Egypt, "L Detachment" undertook its first parachute operation on enemy airfields at Gazala and Tmimi on 16/17th November 1941. Although this operation conducted in very heavy winds was not a success, David Stirling's enthusiasm and endeavour paid off and the Detachment was allowed to expand, recruiting from the Lay-force Commando, which was in the process of disbandment.

Using the transport of the Long Range Desert Group and later its own jeeps, the Detachment achieved great success attacking event airfields and convoys. Following its successes it was again expanded in September 1942 and officially designated 1st SAS Regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling DSO in command. The Regiment comprised three Squadrons, plus a Free French Detachment under George Berge and another unit, the Greek Sacred Squadron, under Christodoulas Tsigantes as part of the command. Overall the SAS destroyed and put out of action over 400 enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, David Stirling was captured in January 1943 during SAS operations in southern Tunisia and as the North African campaign drew to a close, his depleted 1st SAS Regiment was formed into the "Special Raiding Squadron" under Major R U (Paddy) Mayne and the "Special Boat Squadron" under Major the Earl Jellicoe. David Stirling ultimately ended up as a prisoner in Colditz Castle. For his distinguished actions whilst a prisoner he was made an OBE.

In May 1943 the founder's brother Lieutenant Colonel William Stirling raised a 2nd SAS Regiment in Philippeville, Algeria. At the end of the North African campaign in 1943, both the Special Raiding Squadron and the 2nd SAS Regiment served in Sicily and Italy. The Special Boat Squadron operated with great success in the Aegean and the Balkans in the remainder of the war. As the Special Boat Service, comprising 3 squadrons, it was finally disbanded in 1945.

In early 1944 the 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments returned to the UK and joined a newly formed SAS Brigade of the Army Air Corps. The other units in the Brigade comprised of two French SAS Regiments (3rd and 4th) and one Belgium Independent Parachute Company (5th). The Brigade was at the forefront of the action in the Normandy landings in June 1944 serving behind the enemy lines in jeeps assisting the French Resistance, as well as in support of Allied Armed Forces. It continued to serve with great distinction through Belgium, Holland and Germany until the end of the European War in May 1945.

Colonel David Stirling DSO, OBE returned from Colditz Castle and assumed attics as Deputy Commander of the SAS Brigade in July and mooted the idea of the British SAS Regiments to be sent out to the Far East theatre of war. The 1st and 2nd SAS Regiment had returned from Norway in August 1945 and following the conclusion of hostilities in September, both Regiments were disbanded during October.

In October 1945 the Special Air Service Regimental Association was founded with Colonel David Stirling DSO, OBE as its first President. David Stirling received his knighthood in the 1990 New Years Honours list.

This memorial honours a great British hero and the Founder of the Special Air Services Regiment, whose ethos of the unrelenting pursuit of excellence, self-discipline, classlessness, humility and humour remains and is the hallmark of the present SAS Regiment. It also stands as a tribute to all those who have given their lives while serving with the SAS Regiment.

The memorial, by Angela Comer, is on land that once formed part of the Keir Estate: it is a short distance from Keir, the family house where David Sterling spent his early life. David Stirling died on 4th November 1990 and his actual resting place is on the shores of Loch Morar.