The memorial stone was the brainchild of the British historian and one of the greatest specialists on Operation Anthropoid, Mr. John Martin. He managed to organise a beautiful and dignified event, which began with a memorial service in St John the Baptist Church, attended by many important guests and a large number of the general public. The Czech Republic was represented by the Defence Attaché from the Czech Embassy in London, Col. Jiří Svatoš, Slovakia by Ambassador Ĺubomír Rehák and Defence Attachés Col. Milan Gavlas and Col. Jan Goceliak. For the British side, the Member of Parliament for North Shropshire, Owen Paterson MP, and two senior members of the British Military, from the Air and Ground Forces were present. Among the honorable guests were the descendants of Edna and Lorna Ellison and their parents who the paratroopers were friendly with.

After the service, the attendees gathered at the memorial stone which is located on the grave of the Ellison family, just in the immediate vicinity of the church. Before the act of unveiling took place, the stone was covered with a military parachute, symbolising how Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík began their mission. The participants held a minutes silence to show their deep respect, admiration and gratitude to the Czechoslovak soldiers who laid down their lives in the fight against Nazism and the freedom of their homeland, Czechoslovakia. And most of all, as an expression of warm thanks to the Ellison family, who for several months provided Jan and Jozef with a calm background and many nice experiences in England. During the few months they knew the Ellison family they were based in the military training camp in nearby Cholmondeley. They then moved to Leamington Spa, and after special training sessions, they were selected, together with 5 other Czechoslovak soldiers, for a top secret mission called Operation Anthropoid, aimed at assassinating the Reich Protector in Czechoslovakia and the right hand of Adolf Hitler, Reinhard Heydrich. On 27 May 1942, Kubiš and Gabčík succeeded in their mission, and only a few days later, after a massive hunt by the Gestapo, they died along with the other members of their group in an historic struggle in the crypt of the Prague Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Cyril and Methodius, where they were hiding.

After the stone’s unveiling, a reception was held in the local social club. John Martin was first to speak and emotionally expressed his thanks to everyone who had helped to make this moment possible. He was then followed by all the honorable guests who gave beautiful and moving speeches. Col. Svatoš stressed, among other things, the human dimension, which the memorial stone represents, the hospitality and helpfulness of the Ellison family, who accepted complete strangers into their lives and gave them, in the difficult moments of war and separation from their homeland and their families, support and friendship. Such examples are always good to follow.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in London cordially thanks John Martin for the flawless organisation of the whole day and for his verve and enthusiasm, which he has long been dedicating to maintaining the legacy of the brave Czechoslovak soldiers. We would like to thank Edna and Lorna Ellison's descendants, without whose permission the placement of the memorial stone in Ightfield would not be possible. A warm thanks also belongs to all of John Martin's associates and about 150 participants, some of whom arrived from Scotland, Wales and the Czech and Slovak Republics, in order to be personally present at the solemn unveiling of the memorial stone dedicated to a very special friendship.

The event was covered by the BBC, Czech Television, Czech Radio and, Slovak Television.

More information about Operation Anthropoid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Anthropoid