Chatham Naval Memorial

[John]

From 'The Navy' magazine, November 1952.

THE first of the three great Naval Memorials was unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh at Chatham on Wednesday, 15th October. They are for those who gave their lives and "who have no other grave than the sea." The new memorials are to be extensions of the Naval War Memorials which commemorate the 1914-18 war. At Chatham, high up on the hills and overlooking the town, the Memorial has had a semi-circular wall added in Portland stone, flanked at each end with a pavilion, and the 9,946 names to be commemorated are inscribed on 50 bronze panels on the new wall. The main obelisk has had the dates 1939-1945 added to it.

The Duke of Edinburgh entered through the main archway on which is inscribed "In honour of the Navy and to the abiding memory of those Ranks and Ratings of this port who laid down their lives in defence of the Empire and have no other grave than the sea." Unveiling the memorial, the Duke of Edinburgh said  "I am particularly proud to do this as like all of us who served in the war, I lost many friends and shipmates who are commemorated here. These men paid the greatest sacrifice and it was not in vain. It is now our duty to work with all our strength to prevent another war."

Prayers were read by the Venerable Archdeacon F. Noel Chamberlain, Chaplain of the Fleet, and by the Lord Bishop of Rochester. The Imperial War Graves Commission, on recommendations of an Admiralty Committee, erected the original memorials at Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. After the 1939-45 war, they were again requested to add to the memorials for those who were lost or buried at sea during 1939-45. In carrying out this work the Imperial War Graves Commission, representing all the peoples of the Commonwealth and Empire, have produced at Chatham a dignified and beautiful memorial. The result will bring comfort to many.

[John]

The Naval Memorial prior to WWII.

[John]

Site plan prior to construction of the original Memorial, prepared by the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1921.

[John]

Lease / tender documents..

[John]

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[John]

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[robin]

I am researching the deaths of 3 Morgan "boys"  during WW2--one, Henry William  MORGAN was killed on the Dieppe raid --Aug    1942 and is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

I am hoping that someone might be so kind and take a photo.of his name on the memorial.

I can offer help with anything similar in the Worthing area.

Many thanks 

Robin

[John]

From the CWGC website.

Major renovation works at Chatham Naval Memorial

17 October 2012

A two-year renovation programme is under way at Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

The first phase of work, which will be completed by Christmas, involves  a full cleaning of external walls and shelters, re-pointing of stone work, the removal of blue stains under panels and other minor repairs.

The work will cost nearly a quarter of a million pounds and follows a general inspection in 2011. It is partly being carried out in response to frequent vandalism at the site.

As recently as June, the copper roof was stolen from one of the memorial's shelter buildings, costing   £10, 000 to replace.

Security cameras have now been installed. The memorial is also regularly patrolled and access to the public has been restricted to between the hours of 08.30 and 17.00, to minimise damage.

It is hoped that the work will have minimal impact on public access to the memorial.

A similar renovation project will also be carried out at Plymouth Naval Memorial.

[John]

Dover Express - Friday 19 August 1921

NAVY WAR MONUMENTS. THE CHATHAM MEMORIAL. An imposing naval memorial is to be erected on the Great Lines at Chatham to the officers and men of the senior Service who were lost or buried at sea in the war. The monument, 110 ft. in height, is to be placed in the Gillingham part of the Great Lines, overlooking the London Road, and will form a landmark for many miles, visible from the Medway Valley and probably from Sheerness. This memorial will form one of three which are to be erected. The other two will be at Southsea and on Plymouth Hoe.