A COCKLESHELL Hero from Friern Barnet was one of ten Royal Marines to be commemorated for his participation in a raid during the Second World War today.

A memorial plaque was unveiled in Bordeaux, France, to honour the men who took part in Operation Frankton in December 1942.

Albert Laver and the team became known as the Cockleshell Heroes because they used collapsible canoes which were codenamed "Cockle Mark II" to paddle 75 miles behind enemy lines and blow up German ships.

After disembarking HMS Tuna they travelled along the River Gironde and succeeded in planting mines which damaged several supply ships.

Winston Churchill praised their efforts saying it helped to shorten the war by six months.

Mr Laver was born on September 29, 1920, in Liverpool and moved to the borough with his family when he was 14 years old.

He was one of five children and prior to joining the marines he won many boxing trophies and had a part-time job as a butcher’s assistant.

Author Quentin Rees has written a book on the Cockleshell Heroes based on the men and their families and the mission they undertook.

The book refers to a number of letters between Mr Laver and his relatives written during the time leading up to Operation Frankton.

In a letter to his brother’s fiancée, Phyllis Janet Page, Mr Laver wrote: “When we are able to get ashore I usually go with a couple of chaps and we have a very quiet ‘run’ ashore, probably have a few drinks (of lemonade) go to the pictures and then ‘turn in’ like good little lads.”

On April 19, 1942, he wrote a letter from the Royal Marines Military School in Devon, to Miss Page at Carnarvon Road in High Barnet.

The letter, addressed to “Phyl and All” read: “Perhaps I’ll get married myself soon (after the war, about five year’s time, if I last that long).

“Now all I’m waiting for is to see that brother of mine get married, so I can have a lovely sister-in-law and have children call me “Uncle Bert”, won’t I be proud!!!”

However, Mr Laver was unable to take leave for the wedding because he was undertaking additional training in Scotland before the operation in France.

In a letter written in November 1942 he broke the news to his brother Jack.

He wrote: “I don’t doubt for a minute that you’ll manage OK without me but ever since you’ve been engaged to Phyl I’ve been looking forward to being at the wedding very nearly as much as you have, but there it is.

“Well here’s wishing you and Phyl ‘All the Best’ and may your married life be as successful as Mum’s and Dad’s, perhaps I’d better shut up before I get sentimental, but you know what I mean don’t you Jack, so cheerio for now, hope to see you soon, give my love to Phyl, Yours Bert.”

Mr Laver embarked on the mission alongside his fellow Cockleshell Heroes but only two men survived.

A letter was sent to one of Mr Laver’s relatives in January 1943 stating he was reported missing in action, aged 22.

• Quentin Rees' book Cockleshell Heroes - The Final Witness is published by Amberley Publications, ISBN 9781848688612