Every year Dover remembers and honours the men who fought and died during the raid on the mole at Zeebrugge on St George’s Day, 23rd April 1918. The current Covid-19 restrictions mean that the traditional commemorations cannot take place.
This year, the 103rd Anniversary of the Dover Patrol’s heroic and historic raid will be observed online in the form of a special pre-recorded film on location featuring both parts of the traditional ceremony. Commemorations and wreath laying at St James’ Cemetery will be followed the ringing of The Zeebrugge Bell at Dover Town Hall.
The St. George’s Day raid on the Zeebrugge mole 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.
You are very warmly invited to join us on-line to pay your respects to the fallen. The specially made film ‘Remember from Home’ will be available to view from 10am on 23rd April on our website. We thank Rev. Sean Sheffield, Honorary Chaplain to the Mayor, and Chaplain to the Royal Green Jackets Association for officiating and Mr Alan Tinker of the Merchant Navy for speaking the traditional commemorations. A single wreath will be laid on the World War 1 Memorial in St. James Cemetery, by the Mayor, Councillor Gordon Cowan, on behalf of Dover Town Council and the people of Dover. The film will include the two minutes’ silence and footage of the Lord Keyes Memorial together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery where many of those who gave their lives lie at rest. The second part of the film will show the annual ringing by the Mayor of the Zeebrugge Bell, given to the Town in thanks by the King of the Belgians and now hanging outside Dover Town Hall.
103rd Anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid (St. George’s Day 1918) Commemorations
A spokesperson for Dover Town Council said: “Public safety is paramount at this time and we urge those wishing to mark the 103rd Anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid (St. George’s Day 1918) to join the on-line service and avoid endangering themselves and others by physically visiting the War Memorial at St. James’ Cemetery and the Town Hall. This is the best way to show respect for the sacrifices made by the fallen and their comrades. Please stay safe and remember from home this year”.
Our photograph shows the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, The Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL paying tribute to each of the fallen at rest in St James’s Cemetery during the centenary commemorations in 2018