Commémoration du Raid de Zeebrugge – 23 April 2019

The 101st 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 2019. Reverend Sean Sheffield conducted a service at St James Cemetery where the fallen of the raid are laid to rest together with their leader Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes. Servicemen from Band and Bugles of the Rifles played the Last Post. Representatives from Dover and Zeebrugge laid wreaths together with Veteran’s Associations, Community Groups and families of those who died.

The St. George’s Day raid on the mole at Zeebrugge is remembered for the extreme bravery of the men involved in the attack. Following the attack 8 Victoria Crosses were awarded. Despite the terrible loss of life, the Zeebrugge Raid helped to hasten the end of the First World War.

After the ceremony at the cemetery further respects were paid at Dover Town Hall where, at noon, the Town Mayor of Dover, Councillor Sue Jones rang the Zeebrugge Bell. The Bell was a gift of thanks from the King of Belgiums in recognition of the fallen.

Our photograph is of the memorial to Lord Keyes in St James’s Cemetery following the Commemoration Service and wreath laying.