Memorial service for disaster
3:30pm Monday 13th October 2008
THIS week marks the 60th anniversary of the liberty boat disaster when 29 young men from HMS Illustrious lost their lives when sailing back from Weymouth to join their ship in Portland Harbour.
The tragedy happened on October 17, 1948, when 49 sailors were returning in a pinnace after a night out in the town.
A memorial service to mark the 60th anniversary of the disaster will be held on Sunday, October 19, when survivors, families of those who lost their lives, members of HMS Illustrious Association, local Royal Naval Associations and Sea Cadet Units will be among those paying their respects.
The memorial service will be held at All Saints Church, Easton, starting at 10.30am and conducted by Rev Martin Poll, RN, chaplain at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth.
They will proceed from there to arrive at Portland’s Royal Naval Cemetery for the laying of wreaths at approximately noon.
Guests will then gather at the Heights Hotel for a buffet lunch.
Depending on circumstances, it is intended that Weymouth Lifeboat will go out to the spot where the pinnace sank and a wreath will be laid on the waters.
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