Thanet Unit invited to Channel Dash Memorial Service
Thanet Unit was greatly honoured to receive an invitation to the annual laying of wreaths at the Channel Dash Memorial on 12 February 2012 in Ramsgate (just across the harbour from the unit’s base) and the reception that followed. Despite the short notice and the sub-zero temperatures, nine MVS members were in attendance.
Admiral the Lord Boyce, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Patron of the Channel Dash Memorial Trust, led the laying of wreaths at the ‘Channel Dash’ Memorial at the start of a weekend of events to mark the 70th Anniversary of Operation Fuller. During this operation, 13 aircrew from 825 Naval Air Squadron, crew members from HMS Worcester and airmen of the Royal Air Force paid the ultimate sacrifice in the ill-fated attempt to prevent the might of the German fleet from passing through the Straits of Dover as they ‘dashed’ from Brest to Wilmshaven. Manston Airport (previously RAF Manston) near Margate, to which Thanet Unit has strong links, was the base for operations on 11th February 1942.
Pictured below is Geoffrey Shaw-Case (retired HoU Thanet) whose own father served in the Fleet Air Arm during WW2, laying the MVS unit wreath of laurel and lily.
