83rd Anniversary

A clear bright morning for the St Nazaire Raid commemoration, the raid, known as Operation Chariot is also regarded as “The Greatest Raid”.
There are two casualties of that raid, Able Seaman Bill Savage VC and Mechanic Tom Parker, buried in the cemetery along with ‘Johnny’ Johnson who survived the raid and the war to live out his days in Falmouth.
The service in the cemetery is a small affair, a couple of Veterans, members of the St Nazaire Association and the family of ‘Johnny’ Johnson and it precedes the larger parade held at the Raid Memorial on Prince of Wales Pier.
Over the years parade numbers have grown to the point that today there were so many that the vast majority were out of range of the speaker system with a crowd rather than the ranks of previous years.
Mrs S and I had a quick coffee and a pasty to go so we could get home and change ready for Sam’s rugby match.
Mrs S and I along with Paddy and Mrs S’s friend Lucy enjoyed an afternoon of rugby. It was a bit stop start but still hugely enjoyable. The Falmouth Eagles coming out winners 33-17 against Exmouth. That three consecutive weeks of rugby for Sam and three consecutive wins - great stuff.
A great day and no hangover - bargain!!