Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE

Address at the Unveiling and Dedication of the Channel Dash Memorial monument

If you are prepared to give your life in the service of your country and for the protection of others you should be remembered. The Channel Dash involvement of 825 naval Air Squadron is the story of 18 airmen who displayed suicidal bravery 68 years ago today and is close to the heart of many of those present this afternoon. As patron of the Channel Dash Memorial Trust I am delighted that so many family and friends of the ‘Heroes’ are here with us on this highly significant and poignant occasion, along with representatives of the many who have made this memorial possible.

As the Daily Mail reported at the time:

“This is an episode in the Battle of the Straits of which Britons can be rightly proud. In planes which, against the German protecting aircraft, were as slow as cart horses compared with a motor car, 18 men of the Fleet Air Arm flew over the channel. Crippled and ablaze they got within range, they kept on, delivered their attacks and – died!” 

‘18 men we shall never forget’

The membership of the Channel Dash Association have made it their mission to ensure that the names of these brave men are not forgotten, it is sad that the relatively recent passing of the remaining survivors means that none of them can be present to receive the recognition that they truly deserve and that has been so long in coming.

Operation Fuller involving 825 Naval Air Squadron was a truly Tri Service operation involving units of the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force, and we are especially pleased that the other services connected to the Channel Dash are represented here today. The number of standards present today is testament to the significance given to this momentous day in defence of our island nation. We thank all the standard bearers for their contribution.

The memorial that I will unveil shortly has been designed and produced in consultation between the committee members of the Trust and our stonemason Gordon Newton of Burlite War Memorial Restoration Ltd and we are most grateful to Gordon for his valued input and advice.

Many and varied activities have taken place to raise the funds for this memorial these include dinners, raffles, auctions, social evenings, sponsored runs, generous corporate and personal donations in cash and kind, not to mention the time given by many. Those that have contributed in some way to this memorial are recognised on the back of today’s order of service; we thank them all and look forward to their continuing support to the work of the trust.

I now unveil this fine and lasting memorial to the brave and selfless Channel Dash Heroes of 825 Naval Air Squadron in recognition of their immense contribution to Operation Fuller on the 12^th of February 1942, and trust this will become a focus now and in the future for all who have cause to remember and be proud of these men.