Loss of WWII vessels remembered this weekend

Saturday 29 September 2018

With the loss of more than 400 lives in total, the sinking of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne is still marked every year in Guernsey - including this weekend, the 75th anniversary of the tragedies.

Both ships were sunk by enemy fire on 23 October, 1943.

They were in the Channel as part of 'Operation Tunnel', a Royal Navy exercise after they found out that German vessels would be moving a convoy along the Brittany coast over that night.

However, the German forces were alerted to their presence and a torpedo attack sunk the British ships some five miles off the French coast. Many of the survivors were brought to Guernsey while some of those who lost their lives are buried at Le Foulon.

Each year since, a memorial service is held at the cemetery attended by survivors, their relatives and relatives of the victims. 

Pictured: One of the images following the sinking of the Charybdis and Limbourne which is on display at Castle Cornet.

On the 75th anniversary a number of events are planned to commemorate the lives lost including a parade, memorial service and a concert. The Royal Marines Band will be Beating the Retreat in town this afternoon from 15:00, while the annual football game to contest the Malaya Cup, with a Guernsey development side hosting a Fleet Air Arm 11 will kick off at the Track at 15:30.

While the football game is being played there will be a service of remembrance at sea before the formal commemorations continue tomorrow. 

• 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 top: HMS Charybdis.