Busy weekend planned to mark Charybdis and Limbourne anniversaries

Friday 28 September 2018

One of the many tragic events of the Second World War will be commemorated this weekend, marking 75 years since the Charybdis and Limbourne both sank.

504 lives were lost in total while 107 men were rescued, after the boats were hit with torpedoes on 23 October 1943.

The anniversary of the loss of the two ships is being marked this weekend, 28 to 30 September, with a number of events planned.

They include a visit by the Royal Navy, a service of remembrance at sea, a football game between a Navy side and a Guernsey 11, a remembrance parade and service and a concert of remembrance.

Due to the poor weather forecast, some aspects of the weekend have had to be amended, including the cancellation of a visit by HMS Ranger and Dasher. Otherwise the events are as scheduled: 

• Saturday 29^th – Her Majesty’s Band Royal Marines (Plymouth) will be performing Beating the Retreat at 1500, step off from Moores Hotel at 1455 and performing the Beating the Retreat in Market Square 1520-1540, attended by His Excellency the Lt Governor and Lady Corder.
• Saturday 29^th – 1600 to 1645 Service of remembrance at sea on board the Trident. The Charybdis association will be attending this event with Brigadier Fraser (Regional Commander, SW and Wales) and Rear Admiral Clink
• Saturday 29^th – 1530 Fleet Air Arm Football Vs Guernsey development side for the Malaya Cup in support of remembrance of Charybdis (The Track)
• Sunday 30^th – 1000 Royal Marine Band Recruitment presentation and concert practise at St James
• Sunday 30^th – 1430 to 1545, Charybdis remembrance parade and service. Starting at Ladies college and finishes at Le Foulon, service starts at 1500, All island attendance, VIPs and Standards
• Sunday 30^th – 2000 to 2200 Royal Marine Band Concert of remembrance at St James

Pictured: Guernsey Museums's display at Castle Cornet on the Charybdis and Limbourne.

For those wanting to find out more about the Charybdis and Limbourne, there is a display in the maritime museum at Castle Cornet. That will be closing in November before refurbishment works and a new museum exhibition is installed.

Pictured top: An image of the Charybdis from a report of its sinking.