The Unveiling and Blessing of a Plaque Commemorating

HMS Wasp and Royal Naval Coastal Forces based at Dover during World War II

on Marine Parade Dover

Saturday 10 July 2010

at 1100

In the presence of

Admiral Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL Lord Warder and Admiral of the Cinque Ports

Constable of Dover Castle

The Worshipful Mayor of Dover

Councillor Susan Jones and Mayoress Councillor Veronica Philpott

John Ascoli Esq

Chairman The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust

Coastal Forces Veterans

Trustees of the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust

Distinguished representatives of the people of Dover: Members of The Royal Naval Association,

The Royal British Legion Dover Sea Cadets - TS Lynx

Conducted by The Reverend Grahame Berridge

With Heidi Watkins Trumpeter to The Royal British Legion

HMS Wasp

At the start of the Second World War the Royal Navy had relatively few Motor Torpedo Boats, Motor Gunboats and Motor Launches, which comprised Coastal Forces. However, the build up of these forces increased with the Admiralty's appreciation of the necessity of their role in inshore operations against enemy submarines, initially, and then as a counter to the E-Boats and other threats to our shipping. When a formal Coastal Forces command was established under Admiral Kekewich in November 1940 he quickly increased the then five Coastal Forces bases into a complex of twenty bases along the Channel and East Coast. HMS Wasp was commissioned for Coastal Forces at Dover on 2 September 1940. The base was initially located at the Western Docks with The Lord Warden Hotel as its operational headquarters. The Coastal Forces presence was to expand beyond the Western Docks as the war progressed and the number of flotillas based at Dover increased.

By May 1940, with the fall of France, Norway, Holland and Belgium, the Phoney War was over and increased enemy naval activity was being seen around our coasts. The strength of Coastal Forces was building rapidly and more flotillas of Motor Torpedo Boats and Motor Gunboats were being built and positioned along the Channel Coast. HMS Wasp became a principal Coastal Forces base and home to large numbers of flotillas. Coastal Forces from Dover were involved in Operation Dynamo the evacuation of British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, under the direction of Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsey based in Dover Castle. Coastal Forces were involved in the attempt to stop the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prince Eugen making their channel dash. Coastal Forces from Dover also played a leading role in Operation Neptune, the Allied landings on the Normandy coast in June 1944. MTBs from Newhaven and Dover (HMS Wasp) protected the Eastern Flank of the invasion force and actively attacked enemy E-Boats who posed a threat to the operation.

The population of Dover suffered terribly from enemy air raids and from "big bertha" guns firing across the Straits of Dover, but continued to give magnificent support to the naval forces operating from HMS Wasp.

The base was decommissioned on 14 November 1944.==

Trumpet Alert

General Salute The Arrival of Admiral Lord Boyce

Welcome Remarks by Councillor Susan Jones - The Worshipful Mayor of Dover

The Revd. Berridge then leads the Service

The Bidding Prayer

We are gathered here today to unveil and bless the plaque commemorating those who served in Coastal Forces at HMS Wasp during World War II and to remember the many who sailed from Dover never to return. We thank you Lord for all the valiant souls, whose memory is with us today, who bravely fought and nobly fell, many of whom died that we might live to enjoy the democracy which is the result of their sacrifice. We remember the courage and endurance of very young men who were thrust into conflict in a totally alien environment with very little preparation, fighting tyranny and evil in the dark of night at sea. They did this resolutely without complaint. In remembering, we think not only of those who gave their lives but those who survived, many with physical and mental injuries, which they carried through the remainder of their days. And so we must remember the families who bore the burden of waiting for their loved ones, fathers, sons or daughters, and who often received the dreadful news of their loss or injury. Those same families who received the injured home and sometimes nursed them all their lives. It is right that we should also remember the World War II Allies whose servicemen and women fought in or alongside the Royal Navy in Coastal Forces at Dover, the Dutch, Norwegian, Canadian and Polish naval forces. It would also be right at this time for us to commemorate the people of Dover who made the Allied Forces welcome and who supported their activities in many different ways despite the terrible bombing and bombardment which was inflicted on the city.

Lesson A reading from the letters of St Paul, by David Watson Esq.

Saint Paul writes: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The Revd. Berridge leads the congregation in saying the Psalm:

They that go down to the sea in ships: and occupy their business in great waters; These men see the works of the Lord: and his wonders in the deep. For at His word the stormy wind ariseth: which lifteth up the waves thereof. They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep: their soul melteth away because of the trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man: and are at their wits end. So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble: He delivereth them out of their distress. For He maketh the storm to cease: so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad, because they are at rest and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness: and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! Who so is wise will ponder these things: and they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Address and Unveiling of Commemorative Plaque

By Admiral Lord Boyce

on completion

Pipe the Still

Trumpet Alert

Last Post

The Act of Remembrance George Chandler Esq., Coastal Forces Veteran

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Two Minutes Silence

Pipe the Carry-On

When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrows we gave our

today.

Trumpet Alert

Reveille

Blessing of the Plaque

The Revd Berridge

Almighty and most merciful Father, who has gathered the waters together in one place: bless this plaque to be a memorial of the service, bravery, and sacrifice of those who served from HMS WASP. Grant that it may ever set before us Thy Son's call to love as he has loved us and to be prepared to lay down our lives for our friends. We ask this in Christ's name, who himself died, was buried and rose again for us. Amen.

The Revd. Berridge leads in all saying

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.===

And leads The Naval Prayer

O ETERNAL LORD GOD, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who has compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end; be pleased to receive unto Thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us Thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Island may in peace and quietness serve Thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remembrance of Thy mercies to praise and glorify Thy Holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Revd. Berridge The Blessing

The Lord Bless You and keep You, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and ever more.

Trumpet Alert Stand Down - No More Parades Today

Retiring Words Captain Trevor Robotham Royal Navy===

The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust wish to thank the residents and officials of Dover, Members of the Royal Naval Association and, particularly, the management of the Dover Harbour Board who have supported this event and who have allowed the placing of the Commemorative Plaque on Lord Warden House.

Guests with invitations are welcome to join CFHT Trustees for refreshments in the Sea Sports Centre.

Support for the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust is welcome and can be given by contacting:

Captain M.C. Gordon-Lennox Royal Navy Secretary, The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust The Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth PO1 3NH Tel: 01730 813474 • Fax: 01730 817526 e-mail: megl@supanet.com