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Speech given by the Deputy Mayor of St. Nazaire to veterans and relatives following the annual memorial service in St. Nazaire, June 2008
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to begin by thanking Captain Philippe STONOR, Deputy Attaché of Defence and Commander GILLIER;
Mr Roger Round, president of the HMT Lancastria Association and most specially Mrs Jacqueline Duggan who has worked very much in correspondence to prepare this ceremony. We offer her a bunch of flowers ;
Mr Mark Hirst, Secretary of the Lancastria Association of Scotland, whose president of honour is the mayor of Saint-Nazaire.
The members of the Royal Naval Association and of the Royal British Legion, the Veterans, the survivors,
Mr Stanley Forester will be given the Commemorative Lancastria Medal from the Scottish government.
The 9th Company of commanding and transmissions of the [French] Navy, for the Guard of honour.
It is a real work of remembrance that is being done every year and and for a long time, focussed on the greatest maritime catastrophy of all times in the Atlantic Ocean.
Every one can measure the importance of this celebration which goes beyond our borders.
Our English and Scottish friends, with whom we keep very strong links of friendship and brotherhood, who come to us here, allow us to confirm our determination not
forget this terrible event.
Saint-Nazaire owes very much to Britain, its shipyards created by Scotsmen, the British commandos in 1942 and the Queen Mary II.
We shall never forget the sacrifice of those who perished at sea.
Nowadays, this tragedy is known and acknowledged.
There is a website with many testimonies and information, but there is also a documentary film broadcast by “Thalassa” on TV, as well as an exhibition showing a model of the Lancastria which will be unveiled publicly at the Semaphore of Cape Saint-Gildas on June 19th.
And finally, dear friends, it is in the name of this faithfull friendship that I invite you to celebrate.
Catherine Tesseyre
Deputy Mayor, St. Nazaire
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