The 104th Anniversary of the Dover Patrol’s heroic and historic raid on Zeebrugge on St George’s Day 1918 was commemorated at an annual ceremony on 23 April.
At noon, the Town Mayor of Dover, Councillor Gordon Cowan rang the Zeebrugge Bell. The Bell was a gift of thanks from the King of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifice of Dover’s fallen.
Reverend Catherine Tucker conducted a service at the People of Dover’s War memorial. A wreath was laid on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Mr Bill Fawcus, Councillor Cowan then laid a wreath on behalf of the Town Council and People of Dover followed by representatives of the Armed Forces, the Feestcomite of Zeebrugge, Veteran’s Associations and other Community Groups.
The St. George’s Day raid on the mole at Zeebrugge was a most inspiring episode recent British and Belgian history. Despite the terrible loss of life, the Zeebrugge Raid helped to hasten the end of the First World War.
We thank all those who gathered to commemorate the fallen including the young people of the Dover Cadet forces and the Scout Association.