Exercise Tiger Veterans, American Irving Locker and British sailor Don Reynolds along with members of the Dartmouth Royal British Legion, former Commodores of the Britannia Royal Naval College Robin Shiffner CB DL and Jake Moores, along with Dartmouth Mayor Rob Lyon and Dart Harbour Board member Jan Scott, and the US Naval Attached Captain David Stracener onboard the Fairmile.
The water’s off South Devon were the scene of a sombre memorial on Bank Holiday Monday as veterans and dignitaries marked the anniversary of D-Day and Exercise Tiger.
Greenway Ferry’s Fairmile, a World War II Rescue Motor Launch Boat, played host to the event, which formed part of a special round-Britain voyage organised by the D-Day Revisited Charity – set up to help the last surviving veterans of the D-Day landings and the ‘Miracle’ of Dunkirk attend memorial events without cost or difficulty.
The Millin-Montgomery Voyage has been organised to mark the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.
On the trip was John Millin, son of ‘Piper’ Bill Millin. Piper Bill went down in history after playing bagpipes under fire on Sword Beach during the D-Day landings. John has learned to play the Bagpipes like his father, who died in 2010, and he is playing a replica set of bagpipes on the voyage – which will culminate at the international commemorations of D-Day in France on June 6.
On the Fairmile on Monday May 26, the guests of honour were two Exercise Tiger Veterans, American Irving Locker and British sailor Don Reynolds.
Members of the Dartmouth Royal British Legion, organised by Dartmouth Secretary Bobbi Smalls, former Commodores of the Britannia Royal Naval College Robin Shiffner CB DL and Jake Moores, along with Dartmouth Mayor Rob Lyon, Town Councillor Robin Springett, Dart Harbour Board member Jan Scott, and the US Naval Attached Captain David Stracener also attended the event.
During the voyage the veterans scattered 1,000 poppy petals in the sea off Slapton in honour of the near-1,000 men who died during its disastrous three days in April 1944 during preparations for the D-Day landings in June that year. John Millin played the bagpipes during the solemn ceremony.
John Phipps of D-Day Revisited said: “It’s vitally important that we mark this anniversary and pass on to the next generation an understanding of the amazing sacrifice and bravery of the men who fought in World War II. The south coast and especially around Slapton will always be linked to the story of D-Day. This ceremony was a very touching tribute not only to the servicemen who died during Exercise Tiger, but also to the American people who made victory in World War II possible alongside the British and all the allied nations. This is both a very local and a completely international story and event. Thanks to Greenway Ferry for allowing us to be on the amazing, historical vessel the Fairmile to commemorate these events today.”
John Ford, who captained the Fairmile during the memorial voyage said: “We are delighted to welcome the Millin-Montgomery Voyage onboard and help them to hold this ceremony, marking the incredible sacrifice of those who died during Exercise Tiger and on D-Day itself.
“We are all proud here at Greenway to run the Fairmile trip to Slapton regularly to help keep the memory of those young men and their sacrifice alive.”
Phil Scoble 