Merchant Navy Memorial Day.
4 September 2008
See the very interesting comments below- add yours, see blue bar below.. its open to all.
Picture by ColetteB: It was certainly a big day on the seafront. I dont think I personally ever remember anything quite like it before. It was a very very special day remembering all the merchant navy seamen who died in the war, and indeed those who served in the war too, by unveiling a marvellous statue to their memory and sacrifice. In his quest to get this memorial erected, Mr Don Hunter, seaman, doggedly raised £46,000 to see his goal through. And it all took shape yesterday Wednesday 3 Sept along the seafront here in Dover. We were, as the very Rev David Ridley said, blessed with the weather, well...until the last few minutes anyway.
We on Doverforum decided to keep with our usual style of coverage in the pictures and to concentrate on the people at the event , with the inevitable leaning towards our Forumite members and players, but also of course to make sure the notables are featured strongly.
The most fascinating aspect of yesterdays event were the people in the white chairs neatly laid out along Marine Parade, veterans of both war and council, widows of fallen heroes and so on. The top picture shows some of the gathered women, the mainstay of the community. Just in there you can note top councillors Sue Jones, Deputy Mayor of Dover, from of course Dover Town Council, and Cabinet member Cllr Sue Nicholas from DDC, looking rather fetching in the turquoise hat and scarf.Yes indeed it was certainly a very moving occasion, with a centrepiece of solemn service, followed by a delightful unveiling by Winston Spencer Churchill, grandson to the Churchill of legend.
It was great to see the medal laden veterans of the grim North Atlantic and indeed elsewhere having their moment in the sun. These were not a fighting unit, as Winston's grandson said, but men going about their daily work keeping the nation fed in it's hour of extreme need. They were easy targets. More than 30,000 died with more than 50,000 casualties overall. Truly brave but sadly very vulnerable men.This is all marked on the base of the new statue, so if you havent seen it up close yet then it's certainly worth a visit.
It's always a delight to photograph the glamourous ladies of the Town Council. They are so very stylish and always represent the town of Dover very well. I speak of course of the lady Mayoress Jean Farrell, and the Mayor herself, Diane Smallwood. Diane left a wreath at the base during the extensive wreath laying ceremony which was all beautifully and movingly done and very well organised throughout.
Above a couple of close up extra shots of the ladies for the ladies. These two pics also taken by Colette Boland and again show the splendid finery. Congratulations girls on the super Dover image.
Another shot of the gathered veterans and councillors. In the centre of the picture you can see good egg Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member at DDC. The event took place in Nigel's ward and as ever he is there in the thick of it. A very good representative of his immediate community is Nigel.
I think this part of the ceremony is called 'the entry of the colours'. But whatever the official term for it the march to the proceedings along the seafront was very impressive, led as it was by the Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas.
Ah! here is a gaggle of councillors of legend. Two forumites here in the shape of Cllr Sheila Amos in the rocket propelled motorised vehicle, and former Mayor Jan Tranter on the right. In the centre is the legendary KCC Councillor Gordon Cowan.
And speaking of legends.. in the picture on the right we have former long time councillor the smiling Keith Sansum, just getting down behind Sheila to hide from the incoming heavy weather as the day changed! Sheila now sporting her effective inclemental headgear! Good to see all these guys again.
And here we have The Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas, as mentioned earlier. They cut a fine dash as they march in tune and harmony along Dover's fine seafront to set the day in motion.
And then to the unveiling itself. Much terrific pomp and circumstance with Town Sergeant Bryan Walker trumpeting the arrival of the moment.Then after a moving speech reflecting on the wartime losses, Winston Spencer Churchill elegantly whipped the flag away and the statue was revealed in all it's glory. A fine moment. The chap on the left is top man himself Mr Donald Hunter. Who penned the inscription at the bottom of the plinth...among other notable achievements .
A moment's silence to reflect... following Mr Churchill's speech. The chap at the front of picture is of course Bernard Butcher, chairman of Dover District Council. Mr Butcher along with his predecessor Pat Heath, were acknowledged for their outstanding help in moving this idea forward. Congratulations to all.
Paul Boland.
See the very interesting comments below- add yours, see blue bar below.. its open to all.
We on Doverforum decided to keep with our usual style of coverage in the pictures and to concentrate on the people at the event , with the inevitable leaning towards our Forumite members and players, but also of course to make sure the notables are featured strongly.
The most fascinating aspect of yesterdays event were the people in the white chairs neatly laid out along Marine Parade, veterans of both war and council, widows of fallen heroes and so on. The top picture shows some of the gathered women, the mainstay of the community. Just in there you can note top councillors Sue Jones, Deputy Mayor of Dover, from of course Dover Town Council, and Cabinet member Cllr Sue Nicholas from DDC, looking rather fetching in the turquoise hat and scarf.Yes indeed it was certainly a very moving occasion, with a centrepiece of solemn service, followed by a delightful unveiling by Winston Spencer Churchill, grandson to the Churchill of legend.
It was great to see the medal laden veterans of the grim North Atlantic and indeed elsewhere having their moment in the sun. These were not a fighting unit, as Winston's grandson said, but men going about their daily work keeping the nation fed in it's hour of extreme need. They were easy targets. More than 30,000 died with more than 50,000 casualties overall. Truly brave but sadly very vulnerable men.This is all marked on the base of the new statue, so if you havent seen it up close yet then it's certainly worth a visit.
It's always a delight to photograph the glamourous ladies of the Town Council. They are so very stylish and always represent the town of Dover very well. I speak of course of the lady Mayoress Jean Farrell, and the Mayor herself, Diane Smallwood. Diane left a wreath at the base during the extensive wreath laying ceremony which was all beautifully and movingly done and very well organised throughout.
Another shot of the gathered veterans and councillors. In the centre of the picture you can see good egg Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member at DDC. The event took place in Nigel's ward and as ever he is there in the thick of it. A very good representative of his immediate community is Nigel.
I think this part of the ceremony is called 'the entry of the colours'. But whatever the official term for it the march to the proceedings along the seafront was very impressive, led as it was by the Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas.
And speaking of legends.. in the picture on the right we have former long time councillor the smiling Keith Sansum, just getting down behind Sheila to hide from the incoming heavy weather as the day changed! Sheila now sporting her effective inclemental headgear! Good to see all these guys again.
And here we have The Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas, as mentioned earlier. They cut a fine dash as they march in tune and harmony along Dover's fine seafront to set the day in motion.
And then to the unveiling itself. Much terrific pomp and circumstance with Town Sergeant Bryan Walker trumpeting the arrival of the moment.Then after a moving speech reflecting on the wartime losses, Winston Spencer Churchill elegantly whipped the flag away and the statue was revealed in all it's glory. A fine moment. The chap on the left is top man himself Mr Donald Hunter. Who penned the inscription at the bottom of the plinth...among other notable achievements .
A moment's silence to reflect... following Mr Churchill's speech. The chap at the front of picture is of course Bernard Butcher, chairman of Dover District Council. Mr Butcher along with his predecessor Pat Heath, were acknowledged for their outstanding help in moving this idea forward. Congratulations to all.Paul Boland.
End
- well done that man,its about time the merchant navy was reconised in this town.know we have a permanant reminder right where it belongs again well done that man.
- Well i never paul I did not even see you too busy talking to Sue Jones .See regardless of party we do speak to each other I get on very well with Sue and Ronnie .Glad you got the hat on camera before it took off .It stayed on until after the first Hymn .I always enjoy meeting up with the Merchant navy guys .It was more difficult to socialise this year crammed in at the Premier Lodge .Its the mingling which goes with the job .You cant beat a good mingle .Lovely photos I thought Dover Sea front did us proud .
- A very moving and rewarding day and splendidly organised. Well Done to all involved.
- A very moving and important day. Thanks for the photos and telling us all about it.
- So good to see such nice turnout and so good that these chaps now have there own memorial at last, I for one was proud to be there I think the picture's tell the story.
- A very well written piece PaulB with some excellent pictures, a very moving ceremony in memory of all the proud, lost unsung heroes, gone, but not forgotten
- I just think what a great turn out it was, I'm pleased for the organisers, also It Is all to easy to forget all those years ago how all these people fought to make this country have the freedom it presently has today.
The rain didn't faulter those present, and we were lucky it didn' t get to heavy.
Sue, I did see you at the event, but ' i'm just a pleb theses days and mingled with the other more important plebs around the seafront.
Yes went to premier lodge(wasn't going to)but needed to speak to a couple of cllrs, alo I had some flag gear for one of the organsations I had to pass on.
It was a good morning, and i was pleased for those present and the turnout.
- Nice to see that HRH came down for it (first picture).
Terry - Good to see the comments both here and in the Letters Club...
It has been very interesting to see the number of people who have come to visit the statue in the past couple of days since its launch. Mostly elderly people who appear to have specifically made the trip to come along and see it. Cars park and out they get sometimes in groups...very nice to see. This is obviously already a very popular memorial.
The wreaths still lie there majestically despite the bad weather since. - Is case anyone wonders, the wreaths will be left in situ for two weeks and then removed. The is the normal practice at the war memorial.
Terry - interesting comments about our older citizens visiting.
must mean more to them than the photo opportunity brigade.
looks like a great statue, similar quality to the miner one.
must try to get down there this weekend. - A fitting memorial to have here in Dover, long overdue but why have the 17,000 plus merchant seamen lost in WW1 not also been included on it. Other war memorials commemorate the fallen of both World Wars. I lost a grandfather whom I never had the chance to meet in that conflict when his merchant vessel was sunk by a mine in the North Sea in 1916.
- I hope Howard you were not referring to me as apart of the Photo opportunity brigade.All Councillors were seated third row back from the front and vetrans sat in front of us .I can remeber the war and although not a war widow i have the same feelings as other widows .I find a lump comes to my throat when i sing "I vow to thee my country".I f councilllors did not attend we would be critised as showing no interest and lack of respect .WE were there with a low profile if Paul caught me on camera that was his choice I did not look directly at him .I always weear a hat at these kind of events .In the afternoon I had to attend another event no photos .
- Agree with you there Sue we cann't win, I know alot of the old chaps that were there and they were pleased councillors and alike attended to show respect.
Paul was just doing what he does best capturing the day with his picture's - BrianC makes an interesting observation there about the heroes of WWI and its not something that's been mentioned before, so a good point. I myself dont know the answer to that one but wonder if anyone else does and can let us know.
Don Hunter made the great fund raising effort for this statue because he personally remembers the losses of his own colleagues and fellow servers in the last great war and wanted to see them remembered by all, so perhaps thats a reason but Im just speculating. If anyone knows why WWI was not included in the remembrance please let us know.