The Live Bait Squadron Society Bulletin 7
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The Live Bait Squadron Bulletin Bulletin-7 May 2014 1 INTRODUCTION, BY YOUR VIRTUAL CHAIRMAN Dear Friends, First of all we’d like to welcome you all to this new Bulletin, the May-Bulletin. The next Bulletin issue is planned for July/August, shortly before the September Commemoration ceremonies that will take place in Chatham (22nd) and The Hague (24th) respectively. At present several Live Bait Squadron followers already signed up for tickets in order to attend the ceremonies. For anyone still interested, the invitation is repeated below. A detailed confirmation will be communicated to every applicant in the early part of August. The Live Bait Squadron Society Special Bulletin Dear all, Many of you have probably been looking forward to receiving more information regarding the commemoration of the disaster of 22nd September 1914, which is due to take place September next. We are therefore glad to be able to put forward more specific information on that subject in this bulletin. In close co-operation with the staff of the Lord-Lieutenant to the Queen in Kent and the Royal Navy, The Historic Dockyard Chatham have drawn up an excellent programme for Monday the 22nd of September, Centennial Day. 2 In the following paragraphs you will find a full account of it, including guidance about how to participate. Furthermore, your chairman has drafted a number of items, to be included in the programme, scheduled for the afternoon of the preceding day, Sunday 21st of September. Additional ceremonies are planned to take place in Holland on Wednesday, the 24th of September, 2014. Listed below is a first outline September 21, Sunday - first performance in Great Britain of the Documentary (film) about the three cruisers, and directly after - an informal meeting between all descendants and relatives of the men who served on the cruisers, and other interested parties. Time and venue yet to be determined; the idea is to let those events take place in Chatham, too. September 22, Monday Official Commemoration, see the programme below. September 23, Tuesday, travelling day to Holland for those who wish to be present at the ceremonies to be conducted there. September 24, Wednesday, official commemoration in The Netherlands, The Hague area. In the morning visitors will be given the opportunity to visit the special exhibition dedicated to the Cruisers, displayed in The Hague (Scheveningen seaport) museum “Muzee”. In the afternoon, between 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. a memorial service will be held at the Kerkhoflaan 12, a Cemetary in The Hague, while the Documentary will have his Dutch premiere later that day. In The Hague too, venue to be decided. 3 It goes without saying that it is essential for the organizing parties, viz. both The Historic Dockyard Chatham and our Association, to timely get an insight into the attendance. In the Dockyard message below you will find all data needed to apply. As far as the Association is concerned we would like you to inform us - if you want to take part in the Sunday afternoon activities and if so, with how many adults, how many children, - and the backgrounds of your participation (HMS Aboukir, Cressy, Hogue, or SS Titan, Flora, or otherwise) - If you are considering taking part in the ceremonies in Holland; and if so, with how many adults, how many children? Kindly send your applications for Sunday afternoon and trip to Holland via e-mail to [email protected] With kind regards, also on behalf of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Henk van der Linden First World War Commemoration Event at The Historic Dockyard Chatham Afternoon of Monday 22nd September 2014 As part of The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s First World War Centenary commemorations, this event of national significance, will commemorate 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. The event will consist of: • A Commemorative Drumhead Service at 2.00pm • A plaque unveiling and hand-over of a wreath to Henk van der Linden for a commemoration event on 24 September in Holland • Fall of 1459 poppy petals (one for every life lost) • Refreshments in the Steam Steel and Submarines Gallery • Royal Marines Band marching and a musical afternoon Beat Retreat performance with the Salute taken by a VIP Guest. • The opportunity for the collection of family recollections. Tickets for admission to both the Commemorative Drumhead Service and The Historic Dockyard Chatham site itself (including all the galleries and attractions) for the day are free of charge. 4 However, as numbers for the Drumhead Service are limited, they will be available on a first come, first served basis. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is giving members of the Live Bait Squadron Society the opportunity to register for tickets ahead of general release. Tickets for this commemorative event are free of charge but must be applied for in advance. Members of the Live Bait Squadron Society are encouraged to do so by the latest date of 30th May 2014 Applications for Tickets Applications can be made via an email addressed to: [email protected] in c.c. to [email protected] with the heading: First World War Commemorative Event - 22.9.14. 1. Please state how many tickets you require (adults and children) for: Entry into The Historic Dockyard (including all galleries and attractions) Entry into The Commemorative Drumhead Service 2. Your link or connection to the story. Priority will be given to descendants and families of those who had a direct involvement with the action of 22 September 1914 Over the weekend immediately preceding the event, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is running its annual “Salute to the ‘40s” event. A nostalgic look at life on the home front during the 1940s with vehicles, fashion and entertainment. We would be delighted to offer members of the Live Bait Squadron Society the special rate of £10 per person for this event – tickets do not need to be purchased in advance for this, however proof of your membership of the Live Bait Squadron Society and/or a copy of this bulletin should be presented on arrival at the ticket desk to obtain this special rate. Further information about The Historic Dockyard Chatham can be found at www.thedockyard.co.uk OUR NEW SOCIETY MEMBERS 5 This time again we’re happy to welcome a number of new Society Members, HMS Aboukir: Mr William Frederick Everitt. Mr Stanley Charles Kennard. Mr Patrick Scamaton. Mr Thomas Gerard King. Mr Horace Bramall. Mr William Pointer. HMS Cressy Mr George Frederick Middleton. Mr Walter Charles Nelson Hall. Mr Richard Attwater. Mr Walter Henry. Mr Jeremiah McCarthy. Mr James Frederick Wootton. Mr John Wright. Mr Henry Langrish. Mr John James Miller. Mr Alfred Paddy. Mr Frank Vieland Parker. HMS Hogue Mr George Michael Slater. Mr William Wright. Mr John Brading. Mr Glen Kidston. Mr Lt Ingham. Mr Tom Bellerby. JGC (fishing trawler from Lowestoft, who saved a lot of men) Mr George Edward Jacobs. and their relatives and family members. MEMORIALS AND MONUMENTS 6 As this Bulletin has over 40 pages, no monuments this time. FROM HENK’s TREASURE CHEST For the same reason: my Treasure Chest keeps shut this time. THE DOCUMENTARY The Documentary work is right on schedule and is expected to come out next September in Chatham and in The Netherlands. ABOUT THE MEN 7 About Hugh Leonard Hopps (HMS Aboukir) Mr Christopher (Chris) Richford presents Hugh Hopps. He writes me this: ‘My father's uncle, Hugh Leonard Hopps, his mother's brother, was Surgeon Commander on HMS Aboukir and was one of those lost in the action. In my boyhood (1950/early 60s) I recall reading an account of the action, possibly from a newspaper of the time, which made mention that Surgeon Commander Hopps had ensured that as many sailors reached safety as possible. His body was never found, but my sister still has his wooden trunk. His brother, Lt Leonard Hopps 25th Northumberland Fusiliers, was also killed in 1916. My grandmother Frances Nina (née Hopps) also served as a nurse in France, where she met my grandfather, Sgt Christopher Richford (Seaforth Highlanders). My father, born 30/08/1923, was christened Hugh. He died in 2007 at Staplehurst, Kent. He was an RAF pilot both during and after the 2nd world war. Hugh and Leonard Hopps are also recorded on the Burntisland, Fife, Great War memorial, the reason being that their father, James, was a senior Excise officer and moved to Edinburgh in the 1890s. Years ago I bought my father Three Before Breakfast, an account of the action. Information about Hugh Hopps is on the web. http://www.chippingnortonbritishlegion.com/surgeon-hugh- james-hopps.php’. His photo is there too. About George William Dobinson (HMS Aboukir) Mrs Claire Atkinson sent me this email: ‘My name is Claire Atkinson and I am the Great-Great Grandaughter of George William Dobinson who was the Chief Carpenter on The Aboukir when it perished on 22/09/1914. I have a photograph I can email if you would find it useful. There are 4 generations of George's relatives living today. One surviving Granddaughter, 6 Surviving Great-Grandchildren, 9 Great-Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Great Grandchildren (my daughters). Most of the family are based in Whitstable so we are local. It would also be fantastic to find more out about George’. This was my answer: ‘Dear Claire, ‘Thank you for this. Yes I would be very pleased with the photo.