HMT Lancastria - World War 2 (17/6/1940)

[liverpool annie]

We won't forget !

[scotmum]

70th Anniversary



Another year has gone by and it is once again the 17th. This year is perhaps more poignant, as it is the 70th Anniversary of the tragedy.

Posting, as ever,  in remembrance of all  those who tragically lost their lives and those who lived but have since died.

For those remaining survivors, as your memories of the day are once again brought to the fore, may you take comfort from those around you or from knowing others thoughts are with you,especially today.

70 yrs.......but remembered still.

[kangarucci]

The 70th Anniversary of the sinking of the Lancastria! I could find no reference to it in  our Newspapers down under. I did write to the Editor of our "West Australian", but no mention. I am sure there are many relatives of the victims living in Australia and NZ who may not know about the Commemorative medal. I have contacted a few newspapers,and other media, but no one seems to have any interest in Britain's worst maritime disaster. However much mention is always made of the SYDNEY, I think about 600 lost their lives. Ah well, always next year.
Kangarucci(daughter of Lancastria survivor.

[scotmum]

I did read this online NZ article earlier :

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/111098/men-sang-ship-went-down

and the following items in  Australian based sites (albeit not just re the 70th):

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/LancastriaAssociationofSc.html

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/LossofHMTLancastriaatStNa.html

http://www.actrsl.org.au/st2008-09-p11.pdf

but like you, I agree that in some areas, even in the UK, coverage is poor.

I have written to a Northern Ireland online newspaper editor, asking why they haven't mentioned it either, when members of the forces from the counties there, were amongst those killed.

[DeeBoneham]

Have put a copy of your links on Commonwealth Forces of WW2 forum for their interest.  AWWW may be able to find something from Oz as he is a bit of a superstar at finding that sort of stuff...
Dee

[kangarucci]

Thanks for that
Kangarucci

[Mean_genie]

The anniversary didn't pass unnnoticed at The National Archives

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/events/forgotten17-06-10.htm

The talk was recorded so the podcast should appear on the website in due course.

Mean_genie

[brianthetaff]

On Sunday 20th June, I was in London for the Annual Service of the Lancastria Association.
My connection with this tragedy is that my late father's younger brother was one of those that lost his life that day.
I was made very welcome by the Chairman and a Vice-President and felt quite humble in the presence of some of the survivors that were there.
Although I've had the file of the original war office letters that were sent to my grandparents, due to many reasons, it is only now that I've pieced together some details of my uncle and am in the process of compiling a dossier so that they can be kept for future generations.
I only wish my late parents had told me a lot more when I was a child, but there was never any conversations about the war in our house.
As an ex-serviceman myself, I am sad that such a tragedy still remains a little known fact of WWII in many parts of the UK.
I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER!

[kangarucci]

 A few weeks ago, one of our local free papers, showed the famous photo of the sinking of the Lancastria. There are 3 fellows looking over the wreckage from the ship the HIGHLANDER. The fellow in the middle is Ted Pritchett who lives in Perth(WA) He is now 90 but very sprightly and has the original photo, which was taken from the bridge through a porthole. I met up with him and a fellow Lancastria survivor Arthur Snow who also lives in Perth. At the age of 98 he is very frail. The paper organised a meeting with the 2 men, their daughters and myself. My Dad ( a survivor)passed away 5 years ago, but the three families have now all shared  photographic memorabilia for our albums.
The major paper that did not carry the story due to the fact that no Australian troups were involved missed out on a good story. The Lancastria took many ex Diggers to  visit Gallipoli before  WW2 was declared...the local free newspaper did a little bit of research.
Kangarucci