For 67 years the Ocracoke community has honored the memory of four British sailors who are buried on the island. However, the ceremony remembers not only sub-lieutenant Thomas Cunningham, telegraphist Stanley Craig, and two unidentified crewmen of the HMT Bedfordshire, but the entire crew of the British armed trawler that was torpedoed by German U-boat U-558 on May 11, 1942, as well as all other British and Canadian seamen who gave their lives protecting our coast during World War II.
This year the ceremony will be held at 11 am today, Friday, May 7. Speakers will include representatives of the US Coast Guard, the British Royal Navy, the Canadian Navy, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, and others.
The graveyard is maintained by the US Coast Guard and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in cooperation with the British War Graves Commission.
"If I should die think only this of me, that there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England." Rupert Brooke
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter celebrates colorful islander Don Wood (1936-1998). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042610.htm.
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Philip, Hope you enjoyed the ceremony.
ReplyDeleteI am always so proud of this long, standing tradition that the people and visitors of Ocracoke island have faithfully remembered for nearly seven decades.
ReplyDeleteI haven't attended the ceremony, but every time I walk by the British cemetary, it is almost a "hush".
From viewing the wonderful web-cam @ Ocracoke Harbor Inn, it appears you had a lovely day for the ceremony.
Imagine there's no counties...it isn't hard to do..nothing to kill or die for and no religion too..Imagine all the people living life in peace.. You may say I'm a dreamer..but I'm not the only one
ReplyDeletefrom John Lennon's song Imagine