The Memorial Garden offers the chance to the family, friends and colleagues of those that die whilst serving at 42 Commando the opportunity to pay their respects in a fitting environment.

The Royal Marines prides itself on its Esprit de Corps and it holds dear the ethos of the 'extended family' and inclusivity. The Memorial Garden seeks to wrap these qualities around the bereaved families in an attempt to give succour to their grief.

A place for reflection, to gather one's thoughts or to ready one’s self for the rigours of forthcoming operations, the Memorial Garden's value in the hearts and minds of those that continue to serve at 42 Commando is inestimable.

Importantly though, it is not just a place for families and serving Royal Marines; veterans from previous conflicts are able to return to Bickleigh to seek solace in the Memorial Garden at any time.

The redesign of the Memorial Garden has not required any of the commemorative trees already in place to me moved.