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On the 17th of June 2006, Captain Yves Beaujuge of the Couronnée IV took part in the first Scottish memorial service to the victims of the Lancastria, held in Edinburgh. Yves, is a good friend and member of the Association and has himself undertaken a great deal of work to remember the victims of Lancastria by constructing his own website in French. He has also given talks around the region on the subject and is an well known source of information, giving a detailed insight into the assistance offered by the French immediately following the disaster. His website can be found at www.lelancastria.com
“Today, I am very happy to be among you to share your first commemoration of the tragedy which took place on the 17th of June 1940, the tragedy of the Lancastria which sank 10 miles out of St Nazaire's harbour.
“St Nazaire is a city which commemorates this tragedy every year. Today many witnesses from that time are present.
“I want to thank all the survivors, their relations and all the witnesses who have known all along how to honour the memory of the victims of the Lancastria.
“I have come to tell you, survivors and relatives of survivors and victims of the Lancastria that you are forever anchored in our hearts.
“The City of St Nazaire and myself wish this friendship to be eternal.
“At this very moment, I am thinking about St Nazaire's harbour where people are commemorating, as well, the tragedy of the Lancastria, not yet recognized as a war grave, unfortunately, which would only do justice to all the relations of the victims.
“At this very moment too Mr Christophe Francois the filmmaker of the documentary about the Lancastria is in St Nazaire. I know he is thinking of us. I hereby thank him for the marvellous job he has done so that this historical event may never be forgotten.
“I wish to pay a tribute to the Scottish Association for the Lancastria, for the enormous work it has done in particular Mr Mark Hirst for his investigations on behalf of the thousands who disappeared in this shipwreck.”
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