Merchant Navy Memorial unveiling 03 SEP 2008

Ships in the Port of Dover

8th September 2008

Unveiling of the Merchant Navy memorial on Dover seafront on Merchant Navy Day 3rd September 2008. The dedication speech was made by Winston Churchill, grandson of the legendary wartime leader. The driving force behind the erection of the memorial was Donald Hunter who had served as a Radio Officer on the Atlantic convoys and with the Normandy invasion forces. This memorial therefore specifically commemorates those merchant seamen who lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Normandy invasion, a sacrifice which Don rightly feels has not received the attention it deserves. The statue depicts a navigating officer looking out to sea across the Dover Strait through the Western Entrance to Dover Harbour.

Assembled veterans and public prior to the ceremony.	BBC Southeast interviewing a veteran prior to the ceremony.	Don Hunter with dignitaries prior to the unveiling.	Banners arriving.
Reverend Ridley conducting service prior to the unveiling.	Winston Churchill making a fine speech, it was as though his grandfather was speaking through him.	The statue unveiled - actually the wind had already prematurely removed the red duster!	Veterans with banners.
Don Hunter and Winston Churchill.	Don Hunter and Winston Churchill.	Statue with the Ghurka band in the background.	Marching away with banners after the ceremony.
Marching away with banners after the ceremony.	Marching away with banners after the ceremony.	Marching away with banners after the ceremony.	Marching away with banners after the ceremony.
Veterans and dignitaries.	Don Hunter with the statue.	Don Hunter and Winston Churchill with the statue.	Front of plinth.
Veterans and dignitaries.	Winston Churchill giving TV interview.	Don Hunter.	Winston Churchill and Don Hunter.
Statue from the front.	Statue from the front.	Statue from the front.	Plinth from the front.
Statue from one side.	Statue from one side.	Statue from one side.	Plinth from one side.
Statue from the other side.	Statue from the other side.	Plinth and wreaths from the other side.	Plinth from the other side.
Statue from the rear, looking out through the Western Entrance.	Statue from the rear, looking out through the Western Entrance.	Plinth from the rear.	WW2 poster