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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Czechoslovak Parachutists - WW2

    Free Czech Army war memorial

    Source: Helen Steed

    1/18

    Current Location

    In lower gardens, adjacent to the Jephson Temple, Jephson Gardens, Newbold Terrace / The Parade, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV32 4EG, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SP 32055 65660

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-19509

    To share information or photographs, contact us.

    Type of Memorial
    Composite
    WMR Reference Number
    19509
    Description
    Large bronze plaque on a block of rough granite. Adjacent to this is a fountain, the top part of which is shaped as a parachute. The stream of water from the top falls down grooves, then into the open air to represent its cords. On the parachute are inscribed the names of members of the mission. A carved Lion Rampant, the symbol of Czechoslovakia is on the stem of fountain. The whole memorial stands within a small garden adjacent to the Jephson Temple. The garden has been planted with red roses donated from Lidice, one of the Czechoslovak villages raised to the ground as a reprisal by Nazi Germany, and a small plaque is attached to the railings at the front of the garden. An information board stands in the gardens behind the fountain.
    Inscription
    Bronze plaque: IN TRIBUTE/ TO ALL/ CZECHOSLOVAK SOLDIERS, AIRMEN AND PATRIOTS/ WHO FELL IN WORLD WAR II./ FROM ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA, IN 1941,/ VOLUNTEERS FROM FREE CZECHOSLOVAK FORCES/ STATIONED IN THE TOWN, WERE PARACHUTED INTO/ THEIR HOMELAND TO RID IT OF THE TYRANT/ "PROTECTOR" S.S. GENERAL HEYDRICH. TWO OF/ THEM - JAN KUBIS AND JOSEF GABCIK -/ ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MISSION IN MAY 1942./ THEY AND THEIR COMPANIONS LAID DOWN THEIR/ LIVES/ FOR FREEDOM. Plaque on garden railings: "LIDICE SHALL LIVE"/ GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE/ 25TH ANNIVERSARY/ 1967
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    7
    Died
    7
    Information shown
    surname,year died,place of death,forename
    Maker(s)
    • John French, Designer

    • Hornton Stone Quarries, Makers

    • Robbins, Ron, Stone Carver

    Sponsor Type
    private
    Sponsored By
    Commissioned by the Association of Czechoslovak Legionnaires

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    26 October 1968

    General Liska

    Components

    Plaque

    Height: c 900 mm

    Width: c 750 mm


    Made from: Bronze


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    List Entry: 1458016

    Fountain

    Made from: Bronze, Stone - Hornton


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    Stone of remembrance

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II

    Garden

    Made from: Plant Material


    Condition: Good


    Report a Concern

    War Memorials Trust Reference Number
    205254

    To report a concern about the condition of this memorial, visit War Memorial Trust.

    Help update these details if the condition is wrongWar Memorials Register Logo
    • Griffin Alan. “The Free Czechoslovak Army - Leamington History Group.” Leamington History Group, 2026, leamingtonhistory.co.uk/the-free-czech-army/. Accessed 23 June 2026.
    • "Free Czechoslovak Army Memorial Fountain." Historic England, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1458016?section=official-list-entry. Accessed 23 June 2026.
    • “80 Years of Operation Anthropoid - Commemoration Czechoslovak Paratroopers in Leamington Spa.” Mzv.gov.cz, 2022, mzv.gov.cz/london/en/what_s_new/x80_years_of_operation_anthropoid_2.html. Accessed 23 June 2026.
    • Cameron, Rob. “Czech Pride in Jan Kubis, Killer of Reinhard Heydrich.” BBC News, 23 May 2012, www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18183099.