The Channel Dash Memorial Dinner
18 March 2009
In the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich
In support of the Channel Dash Memorial Appeal
A Very Special Evening of History and Ceremony
As part of the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation The Second sea Lord graciously permitted the Channel Dash Association to hold a Memorial Dinner in the spectacular Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich to honour all those who participated in the operaion to intercept the might of the German Fleet as they attempted to 'Dash' up the English Channel from Brest in France to the safety of their home ports in Germany on the 12 February 1942. The significance to Fly Navy 100 was that the spearhead of Operation Fuller were six Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 825 Naval Air Squadron based at RAF Manston.
The Dinner was a unique opportunity for business, individuals and the Association to entertain in superb surroundings while enjoying a VIP gala affair filled with Military Pageantry, Nostalgia and the live premier of a song written for the occasion and performed by the composer Camille Sims. The evening included eye witness recollections of those that were there on that fateful day day in 1942. Music was suitably supplied by the Band of the Royal Hospital School joined by the Guard and Colour Party from the school who gave a breathtaking display of synchronised drill set to music. The Dinner concluded with some highly successful fundraising activities including a highly entertaining game of Head and Tails, a raffle with prizes donated by major supporters and a very special auction of limited edition memorablia including a limited edition lithograph copy of the original score of the Lennon and McCartney song 'Yesterday' donated by one of the Associations Vice Patrons Sir George Martin the producer of the Beatles in their heyday. The Dinner raised a substantial sum in support of the Memorial and the work of the Channel Dash Memorial Trust.
The Channel Dash Memorial Trust is currently planning more similar unique opportunities for their supporters to entertain, enjoy themselves and raise funds for a hugely worthwhile cause. Please visit our future events page for your chance to be part of history.
Rememberence Memorial Service
St George The Martyr Church, Ramsgate
Thursday 12th February 2009.
The Channel Dash Association held their annual Remembrance Service on 12 February 2009, at St George the Martyr Church, Ramsgate. The service commenced at 12.15hrs and was led by the CDA Chaplain, Reverand Peter Adams. In excess of forty members attended the service along with the Mayors of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs & St Peter's. Standards and representatives of other Veterans Associations whose members had took part in 'Operation Fuller' also attended. The Service concluded at 12.45hrs, the precise recorded time that the last of the Swordfish aircraft was seen to explode and crash into the sea.
Following the short service, Reverand Peter Adams led the congregation out to Ramsgate War Memorial, which is immediately in front of the church main entrance, for a wreath laying ceremony. A minutes silence was observed at the War Memorial with the Last Post played by Mr Alec Kirkland of Birchington Silver Band. During the Silence CDA member Miss Patricia Knox-Duignan gave 'The Exhortation and following Reveille Member Eric May recited the Kohima Epigram. The Standards of the Veterans Associations were lowered in salute during the silence.
A wreath was laid on behalf of the CDA by Chairman, Mr Peter Nixon with further wreaths laid by Councillor John Kirby, Chairman of Thanet District Council, Councillor Brian Sullivan, Mayor of Margate, Councillor David Lawson, Broadstairs & St Peter's and Councillor Steve Ward deputising for the Mayor of Ramsgate. Wreaths were also laid by the east Kent Submariners Association, Royal Air Force Association and the Lest We Forget Association.
The Channel Dash Association are very grateful to Estuary Services Ltd for the exclusive use of the Pilot Cutter and crew, who were the Operations Manager Mr Andrew Thompson and Mr Mark Stamford. We are also very grateful to St Georges Church and Ramsgate RNA for the use of their premises for the occasion.
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY.
DOVER STRAITS.
12 FEBRUARY 2008.
At 1345hrs. Tuesday 12th February 2008 the Association laid wreaths on the waters of the Dover Straits to honour all personnel lost or injured during the heroic attempt to prevent the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen ‘Dashing’ through the Straits en-route from Brest, France, to their home ports in Germany. To assist with this, the Royal Navy made available HMS Ledbury, a Hunt Class Minehunter HMS Raider, a P2000 fast Patrol Boat attached to Cambridge University Royal Naval Unit. Also, a Thames Pilot Boat belonging to Estuary Services Limited was kindly made available and Sundowner, the Dunkirk Little Ship Veteran attached to Ramsgate Maritime Museum. Also taking part in the ceremony was an AgustaWestland 109 helicopter, owned by local Thanet businessman Ken Wills. The helicopter overflew the convoy with photographers and a TV news camera crew and, following the Wreath Laying Ceremony, flew past as a salute to the Veterans onboard HMS Ledbury.
HMS Ledbury departed from the Port of Dover with the Chairman of Thanet District Council and his Lady. The Mayor and Mayoress of Ramsgate representative of the Esmonde-White and Kingsmill families. Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force. The CDA Chaplain, Reverend Peter Adams conducted the Memorial Service.
HMS Raider, with the Mayor's of Margate and Broadstairs and Veterans and Standard of the Royal Artillery Association with other Veterans Associations departed from Ramsgate Harbour escorted by a Pilot Cutter and Sundowner. Standards from several Associations lined the jetty as the Flotilla sailed.
All the vessels rendezvoused in the Dover Straits where the Wreath Laying Service and Ceremony was held.
Following the ceremony the CDA Chairman announced the launch of the Fairey Swordfish Memorial Appeal.
Click on the links below for TV News coverage of the event:
Meridian News: http://www.itvlocal.com/meridian/news/?&void=151295 WREATH LAYING CEREMONIES BELGiUM & HOLLAND The Channel Dash Association (CDA) were invited to participate in a number of wreath laying and memorial parades in Holland and Belgium during the weekend Friday 2 to Sunday 4 November2007. The invitation, from Algemene Vereneging Oud Marine (AVOM) Afdeling Zeeland, Holland, via Ramsgate Royal Naval Association also involved the Submariners Association, East Kent Branch and the Royal Marines Association, Isle of Thanet Branch. The CDA laid a wreath at Eede in Holland along with the Town Mayor and members of the Canadian Military. CDA Members and the other UK Veterans Associations also paraded and laid wreaths at Aardenburg, Sluis, Knokke, Entranchement Oosthoek-Knokke and at the Canadian, Polish and British War Cemetery at Adegem with our Dutch, Belgian and Canadian colleagues. It was a very moving weekend and the Channel Dash Association wish to thank everyone involved from Holland and Belgium. This includes the members of the Veterans Associations, Town Dignitary's and in particular the towns people of all the places we paraded for the very warm reception and wonderful hospitality we received over the entire weekend. Special thanks also go to the Canadian Consul and members of the Canadian Military who made up the majority contingent by far for also making us feel most welcome.
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
VICTORIA CROSS PRESENTATION
The Association was honoured to have been invited to a very special presentation in October 2007 at the Imperial War Museum, London where the Esmonde and Esmonde-White families have placed the Victoria Cross Medals awarded to two family members. The medals can be viewed in the Victoria Cross and George Cross Gallery.
The first VC was awarded to Thomas Esmonde for action in the Crimea War and was presented for display at the Imperial War Museum by Lieutenant Colonel John Esmonde-White.
The second VC was awarded Posthumously to Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde RN for action during 'Operation Fuller'. 825 Naval Air Squadron commanded by Esmonde pressed home an attack against the German Battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the Cruiser Prinz Eugen and accompanying protective flotila and air cover provided by the luftwaffe.
Eugene Esmondes medal presented by Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Esmonde.
Top of Page
Home Page