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Roy’s uncle is honoured by Government – at long last
PERTH man Roy Golby was one of 43 men and women to attend a medal presentation at the Scottish Parliament to commemorate the sinking of HMT Lancastria during the Second World War.
An estimated 4000 people lost their lives when the Clyde-built troop ship sank off the French coast on June 17, 1940.
The ship was lending support to the war effort, evacuating British Expeditionary Forces from France, when it was attacked by German bombers.
A news blackout of the event – Britain’s worst-ever maritime tragedy – was ordered by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who feared it would affect public morale.
It remained hushed up, despite calls from relatives and survivors to recognise the tragedy and the sacrifice given by so many people, about 400 of whom were Scots.
Now, 68 years later, the Scottish Government invited survivors or their representatives to Holyrood.
Among the 6000-plus on board the Lancastria was 22-year-old Gerald Golby, who was in the Royal Army Pay Corps. He is buried in Pornic cemetery, the largest of more than a dozen cemeteries containing the graves of Lancastria victims. Many of the bodies were never recovered.
His nephew, Roy, was 11 when the Lancastria sunk, and is the only surviving member of his family who remembers Gerald.
Roy (79) who lives at Bowerswell, Perth, was invited by First Minister Alex Salmond to accept the Lancastria medal on Gerald’s behalf at the presentation.
In his invitation to Roy, Mr Salmond wrote: “The Scottish Government fully acknowledges the great suffering and sacrifice of those on-board the HMT Lancastria 68 years ago.
“We also recognise the fortitude and stoicism of the survivors who have had to endure the lack of recognition of the events on that June day from a succession of governments.
“The Scottish Government has taken the decision to strike a commemorative medal in acknowledgement of the unique scale of the tragedy that befell so many servicemen and civilian refugees.”
He added: “This recognition is thoroughly deserved and long overdue.”
The medal states its recognition of the ultimate sacrifice of the 4000 victims and the endurance of the survivors. Inscribed are the words “We will remember them.”
Check out www.lancastria.org.uk
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