CIVIC PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE MAYOR
In the morning of the Reunion Dinner, town Mayor Councillor Geoffrey Evans hosted a civic reception in the Falmouth Art Gallery for the St Nazaire veterans, who were asked to wear medals for a Civic Photograph with the Mayor. It was a very convivial gathering where we met old Falmouth friends. Our warm thanks to Councillor Geoffrey Evans for his hospitality. Our thanks also to Carrick District Chairman, Councillor Ms Pat Young, who hosted a small reception prior to the Reunion Dinner.

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE The next morning 28 Charioteers lined up in front of our Memorial on the Fish Strand Quay (now a car park). Standards were paraded by the Royal British Legion and the Royal Engineers, wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Falmouth, by Hugh Arnold, DSC, for the Society, by the Royal British Legion and the Royal Engineers. The short service of Remembrance was conducted by the Reverend Simon Beveridge RN and the Reverend Barrington Bennetts, Chaplain to the Royal British Legion (Falmouth Branch).

After the Service, led by Piper Douglas Harver and parade commander Lieutenant Colonel Bob Montgomery MC, the veterans marched to the Parish Church where they joined a large congregation for the Sunday Morning Service. The Right Reverend Bill Ind, Bishop of Truro presided and preached the Sermon. The Old Testament Reading was read by Mrs Gina Baker-Lamb, sister of Lieutenant Graham MacNaughton Baker, RCNVR, ML447, who was killed at St Nazaire. The New Testament Reading was read by Dr Bill Watson, MC. After the Creed, Michael Burn MC, read the last letter of L/Sgt Bill Gibson to his father. Bill was killed at St Nazaire. This reading was followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony in the Warrior Chapel. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by bugler Bill Bishop.

During the Offertory Hymn, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a collection was taken for the maintenance of the two St Nazaire Memorial Wells in sub-Saharan Northern Ghana.

Gina Baker Lamb and her husband, the Reverend Bill Lamb, have joined the Society as Associate Members.

The memorable sermon preached by the Bishop of Truro will appear in the December newsletter.

BUFFET LUNCH IN THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
After the Service we were all invited to an excellent buffet lunch in the Royal British Legion. The hospitality of the RBL made it a splendid occasion for meeting old Falmouth friends and Society comrades and relatives. Time passed very quickly and then the call came to board the coach for Falmouth Cemetery.

FALMOUTH CEMETERY
There at the graves of Able Seaman Bill Savage VC, and LMM Tom Parker, a short Service of Remembrance was conducted by the Reverend Simon Beveridge, RN. Jacqueline Downing and Caroline Carr, niece and great niece of Bill Savage, VC, laid flowers on the two graves. Philippa Beattie, widow of Sam Beattie, VC, and now 91, insisted on negotiating the steep slope to lay a wreath on each grave. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Bill Bishop.

Bill Bannister, the only surviving shipmate of Bill Savage, was photographed by the press, kneeling by the side of Bill’s grave. Two of the officers of MGB 314 are still alive, Lieutenant Commander Bill Green, DSC, and Dr Chris Worsley, DSC. Chris is seriously ill in hospital. We send him our best wishes for a good recovery.

In the cemetery we were introduced to Falmouth taxi driver Mr Peter McCluskey, who for many years, unknown to us, has looked after the two graves.

Our thanks to Mrs Deborah Smith, daughter of Johnny Johnson, who has looked after our Memorial in Falmouth since the death of her father.

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