Churchill Unveils Abbey War Memorial A memorial at Westminster Abbey , to the officers and ratings of the submarine branch of the Royal Navy , who lost their lives in the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars , and to all ranks of the Commandos and Airborne forces killed in the 1939-45 war was unveiled by Mr Winston Churchill BRitains wartime leader . The memorial consists of three bronze figures , three feet high , desighned by Mr Gilbert Ledward . They represent a submarine man on look out , a Commando with tommy gun ready for action , and a parachutist in full equipment . They are set on stone block projecting from the wall of west cloisters Mr Churchill seen giving his address shortly after unveiling the memorial at Westminster Abbey 21st May 1948