Decision on memorial service for 80th anniversary of RNAS Ford bombing announced

A wreath will be laid to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Royal Naval Air Station Ford but the full annual memorial service has had to be cancelled.
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The Littlehampton branch of the Royal Air Forces Association will be ‘at the ready’ for a wreath to be laid on Sunday, August 18, at 2.45pm, the official time of the raid in 1940.

President Bill Kelsey said: “The branch committee agreed that the normal memorial service and wreath-laying was not safely practical, due to the current Covid-19 situation.”

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The memorial for the 23 people who died as a result of enemy action during the Second World War can be found in the grounds at St Mary Churchyard in Climping, in the War Graves Commission section, on the north side of the church.

The Rev Derek Goddard leading last years memorial serviceThe Rev Derek Goddard leading last years memorial service
The Rev Derek Goddard leading last years memorial service

Mr Kelsey said: “The Littlehampton branch will be laying a wreath in memory of the 23 named. These were members of the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Air Force, Royal Military Police and civilian staff.

The attack on RNAS Ford, also known as HMS Peregrine, took place during the Battle of Britain. Ten of the men who died are buried at Climping and 13 are buried elsewhere but all are named on the memorial, which was placed by the captain, officers and men of the air station in their memory.

Last year, wreaths were laid on behalf of RAFA, Arun District Council, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis town councils, and Climping Parish Council.

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Standards from the Bognor Regis and Worthing RAF Association branches were present, along with those of Worthing Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association.

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