VIDEO: DASHER REMEMBERED

0 - 0 • Published 6 Apr 2009 08:15

VICTIMS and survivors of the tragic HMS Dasher were remembered both on the MY Caledonian Isles and onshore at the Dasher Memorial on South Beach at the weekend.

Robert Powell, an 86-year-old Dasher survivor flew all the way from New Zealand to pay his respects and was welcomed by British Legion president and chairman Alastair Kennedy and other legion members.

Speaking about Mr Powell"s visit, Alastair Kennedy said: 'We managed to track down one of the only known survivors of the Dasher and were delighted to hear that he would be making the trip to Scotland to our remembrance weekend.

'Mr Powell was a pleasure to meet and was delighted to see so many people turn out for the weekend. He has now made his way back to New Zealand and everyone at the legion would like to thank him for coming all that way.'

Sadness and grief mixed with pride was felt on the waters of the Firth Of Clyde off Ardrossan on Sunday and TS Gannet members were also there to pay their respects.

As has now become a tradition, Sunday afternoon"s sailing of the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry veered off course briefly and treaded water above the very spot where the converted aircraft carrier went down following an explosion and fire in 1943, with terrible fatalities. Ashore, the memorial garden was packed for the annual remembrance service.

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This article appeared in Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 06 Apr 09

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