A special service to remember the lives lost during one of Britain's worst maritime disasters has taken place in Liverpool. The loss of Cunard’s Lancastria during an enemy bombing raid off St Nazaire, France, on June 17, 1940, was commemorated on Liverpool Waterfront today (June 17) on the 86th anniversary of the attack – acknowledged as the biggest loss of life ever suffered on a British merchant ship.
Service at Pier Head
The special service, including an Act of Remembrance commencing at the time the first bomb struck the ship, was held at the ship’s memorial at Pier Head. It was led by the Rector of Liverpool, Fr Philip Anderson. Civic dignitaries attended together with relatives of those who were on board the ship.
History of the Lancastria
Lancastria had been requisitioned for war service by the British government and sailed from Princes Landing Stage in her homeport on June 14, 1940, bound for Plymouth where further orders were received for her to join Operation Aerial, the rescue of British nationals and troops from France two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuations.
It is estimated almost 7,000 people had embarked when the attack was launched with a string of bombs crippling the ship at the mouth of the Loire River at St Nazaire, Brittany. She sank within 20 minutes of being struck by the first of three or four direct hits, with historians concluding that the attack claimed as many as 5,000 lives.
Memorial Service Highlights
- Crew from Cunard's Queen Anne attended the service.
- Veterans remembered those who lost their lives.
- The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr William Shortall, laid a wreath.
- Wreaths were placed at the memorial.
- Julia Staite, whose father Walter Tyley survived the sinking, was among civic guests.
The ECHO was at the service this afternoon and shared pictures of the event.
