Post by Administrator on May 30, 2014 20:26:22 GMT
“The Loss of Three Royal Navy Cruisers” - A First World War Commemoration Event at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, 22 September 2014:
As part of The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s First World War Centenary commemorations, an event of national significance will remember the three Royal Navy Cruisers - HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy - which were sunk by enemy submarine action on 22nd September 1914 off the Dutch coast in the North Sea with a total loss of life of 1,459 men.
Of those who lost their lives 1,264 men were from the Chatham Port Division and their names are inscribed on the Chatham Naval Memorial, others are recorded in Portsmouth, Devonport and private memorials. The first shot of the war was fired at the end of August and the first loss was of HMS Pathfinder on 5th September, but the loss of these three cruisers was one of the worst days for the Royal Navy so early in the war. This event has the personal support of the Lord Lieutenant for Kent and as such will be a major First World War commemorative event for the county, appropriately for Chatham, where this event’s focus will be on the Royal Navy.
The event will include a Drumhead Service, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, Last Post played by Royal Marines buglers with the fall of 1,459 poppy petals (one for every life lost), and a musical finale with an afternoon Beat Retreat performance by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (CTCRM) plus the opportunity of gathering family recollections throughout the day.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham would like to hear from local people with links or connections to this significant event that had such a huge impact on the local community. Priority tickets will be given to descendants and families of those who had a direct involvement with the action of 22 September 1914. Tickets for admission to both the Commemorative Drumhead Service and The Historic Dockyard Chatham site itself (including all the galleries and attractions) are free of charge. However, as numbers for the Drumhead Service are limited, they will be available on a first come, first served basis and must be applied for by emailing: threecruisers1914@chdt.org.uk with the subject “First World War Commemorative Event - 22.9.14”. Those applying for tickets are asked to provide the number of adult and child tickets required for entry into The Commemorative Drumhead Service and to The Historic Dockyard’s galleries and attractions.
As part of The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s First World War Centenary commemorations, an event of national significance will remember the three Royal Navy Cruisers - HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy - which were sunk by enemy submarine action on 22nd September 1914 off the Dutch coast in the North Sea with a total loss of life of 1,459 men.
Of those who lost their lives 1,264 men were from the Chatham Port Division and their names are inscribed on the Chatham Naval Memorial, others are recorded in Portsmouth, Devonport and private memorials. The first shot of the war was fired at the end of August and the first loss was of HMS Pathfinder on 5th September, but the loss of these three cruisers was one of the worst days for the Royal Navy so early in the war. This event has the personal support of the Lord Lieutenant for Kent and as such will be a major First World War commemorative event for the county, appropriately for Chatham, where this event’s focus will be on the Royal Navy.
The event will include a Drumhead Service, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, Last Post played by Royal Marines buglers with the fall of 1,459 poppy petals (one for every life lost), and a musical finale with an afternoon Beat Retreat performance by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (CTCRM) plus the opportunity of gathering family recollections throughout the day.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham would like to hear from local people with links or connections to this significant event that had such a huge impact on the local community. Priority tickets will be given to descendants and families of those who had a direct involvement with the action of 22 September 1914. Tickets for admission to both the Commemorative Drumhead Service and The Historic Dockyard Chatham site itself (including all the galleries and attractions) are free of charge. However, as numbers for the Drumhead Service are limited, they will be available on a first come, first served basis and must be applied for by emailing: threecruisers1914@chdt.org.uk with the subject “First World War Commemorative Event - 22.9.14”. Those applying for tickets are asked to provide the number of adult and child tickets required for entry into The Commemorative Drumhead Service and to The Historic Dockyard’s galleries and attractions.