HMS Dasher tragedy 80th anniversary
The Ardrossan community are marking the date with memorial services
Last updated 26th Mar 2023
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the HMS Dasher tragedy in the Firth of Clyde.
As in years gone by, the Royal British Legion will be hosting a parade and memorial service for those who lost their lives in the 1943 disaster.
The converted aircraft carrier mysteriously exploded between Arran and Ardrossan, killing 379 crew members on board.
The remains of the ship have been designated as an official war grave, and lie some 140 meters beneath the surface.
The parade will begin at the Ardrossan South Beach carpark, before making its way towards the HMS Dasher Memorial Gardens, where the salute will be taken by Vice Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, John Dalrymple Hamilton.
Kevin Wood from the Troon branch of the Legion said: “nobody really knows what happened to the Dasher, but the biggest thing for the relatives and those who are still living is that they don’t know where their relatives were actually buried.
“They were our boys, we must remember them.”
Other events across the weekend included a service from the ferry over the site of the wreck where wreaths were laid by relatives, before a graveside memorial at Ardrossan Cemetery.
Mr Wood hoped the events would bring some comfort to the families of those who were involved in the catastrophe.
He said: “these individuals don’t know what happened to their relatives and they’re still grieving at this point today because they’ve had no closure…
“If you haven’t got closure, you haven’t been able to say; this is where your relatives are buried, and you can pay homage to them, without that place, then it must be a really difficult thing to face.”
The final service of the weekend will be hosted by the St Peter in Chains Church at 11:30am.