Fort William, United Kingdom Events

VOYAGE INTRODUCTION AT FORT WILLIAM

On Monday 5th might, a Bank Holiday, the Group collected at the Town Crannog Pier. At 0945 as people in the Fort William department of Royal British Legion (Scotland) formed up in 2 outlines, John Millin played the ‘Millin-Montgomery’ Pipes from Jetty across ‘Souter’s Lass’ and onto the Coastguard Cutter, ‘MCA Hunter’. It absolutely was here that he ceremonially handed the Pipes over to the Remembrance Voyage Piper, Karl Wainwright.

Special thanks go right to the crew of ‘MCA Hunter’ plus in specific the Skipper, Kenny Devine. All local arrangements have been made with the prepared support of Kevin Lane MBE, Vice Chairman of the Fort William Branch of Royal British Legion (Scotland). Once the Pipes were safely in Karl’s arms, all of those other celebration gathered aboard Souter’s Lass ready for departure – the commencement of the Voyage across all areas of the uk. In exactly one month to your time, on arrival to the Portsmouth Historic Naval Base the Pipes would be returned from Karl to John Millin.

As the ‘MCA Hunter’ slipped from the Jetty it had been closely followed by the ‘Souter’s Lass’ with all the current Send-Off celebration aboard. A flotilla of cruising yachts joined up with from Fort William Sailing Club and Bethany Mundey associated with the SeaXplorer from Ballachulish. Since the sky eliminated, the scene quickly progressed into one thing quite extraordinary. Karl stood from the deck of MCA Hunter whilst motored along from the coast region of the various other vessels. Fittingly plumped for by Karl, the sound of ‘Heilan Laddie’ could be heard dance regarding liquid of Loch Linnhe for several to listen to.

John Phipps of D-Day Revisited

“I became privileged to-be standing with John Millin on guard-rail of Souter’s Lass soon after making the Jetty. Only along side had been the Coastguard Cutter, ‘MCA Hunter’, moving slowly along the Loch; there clearly was Karl standing proudly entirely view, playing their heart away. Behind the coastguard vessel was town of Fort William and above the snow covered grandeur of Ben Nevis. Exactly what a captivating and unforgettable scene! Inevitably I had to inquire about John Millin just what their parent could have looked at this: a spectacle of Piping tribute to Fort William additionally the Highlands seventy years on. John ended up being therefore demonstrably moved because of the scene and talked quietly regarding how their father would have been delighted, once you understand also this really is just the start of a lengthy trip linking the Nation in honouring all those whom added on popularity of the Invasion and Liberation. We both stared, took when you look at the remarkable view and the noise of this Pipes.”

There have been people across the shoreline waving once the flotilla made its means across the Loch. After the selection of vessels had set up itself if you wish, Kevin Lane made their way to the Bridge and made a deeply appropriate address making use of the public-address system.

“On behalf associated with the Owners of Souter’s Lass, D-Day Revisited and also the Fort William Branch regarding the Royal British Legion Scotland may I enjoy you up to speed Souter’s Lass these days as she participates when you look at the Millin-Montgomery D-Day 70th Anniversary Voyage of Remembrance. In May 1940 the British Expeditionary energy that were battling against the might associated with Germany Army found itself forced to the Channel interface of Dunkirk and ended up being facing particular annihilation. A hasty plan, rule named “Operation Dynamo” had been put together and for that reason a flotilla of the legendary “Little Ships” and Navy vessels sailed to Dunkirk and been able to pluck a complete of 338, 226 guys through the shores.

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