“For too long, and by too many, the men and women of the Lancastria have been forgotten.” These were the words of First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond MSP, MP during his opening remarks at the start of a remarkable, memorable and truly historic event at the Scottish Parliament on the 12th of June 2008
Survivors and relatives of those who had been aboard the Lancastria on 17th of June 1940 travelled from across Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland for the presentation of the Lancastria Commemorative Medal. The event marked the culmination of a campaign that has gone on for many years by survivors and relatives who have sought official recognition for a wartime attack that became effectively forgotten by history.
Last year, at exactly 3:48pm on the 17th of June 1940 on the floor of the Scottish Parliament 4000 poppies were laid out, spelling the name Lancastria. As the Last Post was sounded those present cast their thoughts back to the events which had led them, 67 years later, to the launch of the Lancastria Commemorative medal petition. Almost 1000 miles away immediately over the wreck site, at precisely the same time, Captain Yves Beaujuge, the Association’s new Vice President, sounded his ship’s horn as a mark of respect.
Amongst those in the Scottish Parliament that day was survivor Reg Brown. He said: “We have fought for many years to try and get recognition and now we bring that fight here to the Scottish Parliament. I think those who were on Lancastria, especially the families of those who lost someone aboard the ship, should be given a medal in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice paid by their relative.” < Survivor Reg Brown at the start of the medal campaign, June 17th 2007
At the start of November a delegation from the Association, Mark Hirst (Secretary), Fiona Symon (Chair) and Lt Commander Chris Walsh gave a presentation to the cross-party group of MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) as the Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament formally considered the petition before them. It called for the Parliament to commission a medal to all those who were aboard Lancastria that day. The delegation were cross-examined on various aspects of their petition. Concern was raised by some MSPs over the Parliament’s powers to commission such a medal and there was some confusion over what constitutes a commemorative medal and what is an official war medal. However these issues were resolved and clarity offered that the Association was seeking an official commemorative medal as the latter can only be instigated with the authority of HM The Queen (and specifically HMs British Government). Given the British Government’s refusal to extend official recognition, or to designate the wreck site an official maritime grave it was felt by the petitioners that they would be unlikely to strike a medal for those who had been aboard the Lancastria.
Finally MSPs agreed to consult with the Ministry of Defence, the Parliament’s Corporate Body and the Scottish Government before reaching a decision. The MoD formally responded by saying it had no plans to strike a medal of its own and furthermore had no plans to commemorate the loss of the Lancastria in any form. They suggested instead that the Association commission its own “Commemorative Certificate” to be awarded to survivors and relatives. That somewhat patronising suggestion was rejected by the Association as it did not reflect the official recognition members sought.
At the start of December, as the Association organised a two-day exhibition for MSPs highlighting the Lancastria story.
MSP Christine Grahame secured a members debate entirely devoted to the Lancastria and the issues resulting from its tragic loss on 17th June 1940. MSPs of all parties contributed before Stewart Maxwell MSP, Minister with responsibility for veterans issues in Scotland rose to respond on behalf of the Scottish Government. Mr Maxwell stated that he had had talks with his counterparts at the Ministry of Defence highlighting that they were better placed to commission the medal, given the event happened under the watch of the War Office, the MoD’s departmental predecessor.
Lancastria’s oldest living survivor, 96 year old Arthur Snow who now lives in Trigg, Australia, shows off his Lancastria medal >
Mr Maxwell said that the Scottish Government were awaiting a formal response to their representations but if the MoD failed to respond positively then the Scottish Government would proceed and commission a commemorative Lancastria medal of its own. “I believe that is the appropriate and right action for the Scottish Government to take on behalf of the survivors and those who fell in the Lancastria disaster.” added Mr Maxwell.
For those Association members gathered in the public gallery there was barely a dry eye left. At last, after years of struggle, the men and women involved that day were to be given official recognition. First Minister Alex Salmond said immediately after the decision was made: "I love the idea that the families and survivors campaigned and they are about to win something that may be long overdue, but perhaps it is all the more treasured as a result."
Through January and February their were many more discussions with officials over the specification for the medal and designs were finally agreed. The front of the medal would carry an image of the Lancastria with the words “HMT Lancastria” around the top edge, with “17th June 1940” on the bottom edge. The rear of the medal would read at the top: “St. Nazaire, 17th June 1940” - “In recognition of the ultimate sacrifice of the 4000 victims of Britain’s worst ever maritime disaster and the endurance of survivors. We will remember them.” The rear of the medal was also engraved with laurel leaves. The ribbon was to consist of grey background, representing the (battleship grey) colour the hull was painted that day, with a thick black stripe and centre red stripe denoting her Cunard past.
Worchester Medals Ltd, based in the Midlands was selected as the company who would make the medal from a design agreed and specified by the Association. The company is an official medal maker under appointment to HM The Queen.
< The Lancastria medal box, La Boule war cemetery.
Application forms were issued and made available in March and soon dozens of them started coming in from across the world, many containing additional contemporary information and accounts about the events that day.
Finally, Thursday the 12th of June was agreed as the day when the first batch of medal recipients would be presented with their medals by the First Minister of Scotland. The Presiding Officer of the Parliament Alex Fergusson MSP would chair the event on behalf of MSPs.
47 recipients and their families gathered on the evening of the 12th in the Garden Lobby, among them 6 survivors, James Cockburn, Jim Cowan, James Cuthbert, Harry Harding, William Hughes and Charles Napier. Sadly survivor William Walker from Dunfermline was meant to attend but ill health had forced him to be admitted to hospital on the morning of the presentation. The Presiding Officer welcomed the 150 plus guests and gave a most moving speech about the importance of remembering those who were lost aboard the Lancastria and those who endured in the hours following it. MSP Christine Grahame, who official sponsored the event, then spoke of the hard fought campaign to secure the recognition, signified by the medal. Association Chair, Fiona Symon outlined the role of the association in securing the medal, then First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond was last to speak and outlined the reasons the Scottish Government felt compelled to strike the medal and extend official recognition for this once forgotten tragedy.
First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond addressing over 150 invited guests at the historic Lancastria medal presentation, held at the Scottish Parliament, 12th June, 1940 >
Earlier in the day, during First Minister’s Question Time, the focus of the political week in Scotland, the First Minister (pictured right) responded to the opening question from the Leader of the Opposition, Wendy Alexander about his future engagements. He responded:
“Later today, I will have meetings to take forward the Government's programme for Scotland. Among my engagements, I will present medals to members of the Lancastria Association of Scotland, who are survivors and relatives of those who perished in the sinking of the Lancastria in June 1940, which was the worst single loss of life for British forces during the second world war. I would like to recognise one of those survivors in particular: Charlie Napier of Inverurie, who is with us in the gallery.” All 129 MSPs present responded with a round of applause.
As the survivors stepped forward individually to receive their medals from the First Minister there was a real sense of this momentous occasion. The medal was formally pinned on survivors. Relatives, who were collecting medals on behalf of a father, a husband, an uncle or grandfather were presented with their medal in its open presentation box, which read “HMT Lancastria Commemorative Medal”.
In his closing remarks the Presiding Officer described what a genuine privilege it had been to be there and described it as one of the most moving events he had attended in his nine years as an MSP. Afterwards the First Minister and other MSPs and Ministers mixed with relatives and survivors. One MSP produced an original copy of one of the first newspaper reports of the sinking showing Lancastria’s final moments.
Guests and survivors then moved through to the front of the Parliament and to Committee Room 1 for the UK English language premier of Christophe Francois’ outstanding and moving documentary, “Lancastria, the story of a secret sinking”. Refreshments were provided courtesy of the Scottish Government. An overflow room and secondary screen was needed to accommodate the number of guests present.
“It was a night I will never forget,” said one survivor after the viewing.
The Scottish media covered the event comprehensively but apart from the Times and ITV Midlands and a few local English newspapers, no other English based media organisation covered the event despite being notified of it weeks before… the silence surrounding this disaster and its associated loss is, for the time being, continuing south of the Border.
Above, some of the medal recipients: Lillian John, Melvyn Theobald, Arthur Snow, James Cockburn, Bill Hughes, John Hirst, Stanley Milne, Dennis Bamforth, Bill Walker June 2008.
The DVD, which can be bought via the Association (either through the website or by ordering via the Membership Secretary, Linda Clark) is being sold to help raise funds for the Lancastria memorial, at Clydebank. It costs £16.99 plus P&P CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.
HMT Lancastria Medal Presentation
< The Lancastria medal box, La Boule war cemetery.
