Ceremony to Commemorate First World War Tragedy
The universities of Greenwich and Kent, in collaboration with the Royal Naval Association, are holding a ceremony to rededicate a plaque recording a tragic event that took place in Medway during the First World War.
The site, which now houses the Universities at Medway campus, was then the Royal Naval barracks, HMS Pembroke. On the evening of September 3, 1917, a German Gotha bomber dropped two bombs on the building that now serves as the Drill Hall Library. The bombs killed more than 130 naval ratings who were sleeping in the building.
The ceremony will take place at 11am on the morning of Sunday, September 10. It will include a short memorial service, march past, parade and plaque unveiling.
Among those taking part will be the Royal Marines band from HMS Raleigh in Devonport, a Naval Honour Guard from HMS President, and veterans and standard bearers from the Royal Naval Association.
Professor Alan Reed, representing the Universities at Medway, who is organising the event, said: 'The aim of the rededication ceremony is to show that, as custodians of the site, we very much respect the history of
the site, and to acknowledge the sacrifice made by those sailors nearly 90 years ago.'
The memorial consists of a bronze plaque mounted on granite plinth, which will be located outside the entrance to the Drill Hall Library. It can be viewed without entering the building, thereby allowing all visitors to see
it at any time.
The guest of honour, Rear Admiral Philip Wilcocks DSC, will unveil the monument by simply pulling back a white ensign draped over it. The unveiling will then be followed by a short service of rededication, led by
Rev David Preston.
Invited guests from the Royal Navy, Medway Council, Pembroke House, the Royal Engineers, Chatham Historic Dockyard, the University of Kent, the University of Greenwich and other organisations will be seated on the parade ground.
Members of the public are also invited to view the event from Central Avenue, which will give a good view of the proceedings.
After the event, significant buildings comprising the former HMS Pembroke will open to the public to view. These include the Drill Hall Library, which has been refurbished by the universities at a cost £15 million; the Ward Room, with its magnificent carvings; and the former St George's Chapel, containing much history about the ships associated with Chatham, which is run by Medway Council.
-ENDS-
Nick Davison
Public Relations Unit
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk