Sachsenhausen Remembrance Service 11.11.2010

Today, members of the Royal British Legion, Berlin Branch, together with the Naval Attache and member of staff attended Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, North of Berlin.

A service was conducted at the Special services Memorial Stone near the camp entrance, by the Rev Max Homewood with a Piper in attendance.

Following the service Wreaths were laid and the party attended the cell block inside the camp, where those executed were held.

A service sheet and Roll of Honour are attached.

It is not easy being part of the proceedings and taking photographs but I hope that the atmosphere is captured.

A very cold day, but the rain held off until after the service.

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks for sharing that with us Tom.

The service I went to in Te Awamutu was lovely, with approx. 60-70 vets attending, and a total of about 120 people in all which we think may have been a record amount for this town. The light rain we had stopped as the service started. Unfortunately as I was part of the parade I was unable to get photos, so it is lovely to see your ones Tom.
Wendy

 

Thank you for an excellent post

Steven

 

Thank you all for the kind comments.

As far as I am concerned Remembrance is all important.

Regards
Tom

 

Thank you for the pictures Tom.

I will go to the service in Milan on Remembrance Sunday, I hope to do
as well with with pictures as you have !

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Thank you for the pictures Tom.

I will go to the service in Milan on Remembrance Sunday, I hope to do
as well with with pictures as you have !


Thanks,

I just hope that I can get some good shots at Sundays service at the CWGC here in Berlin as it is supposed to be a larger than normal attendance by Ambassadors this year and the Pipes and Drums band of the Black Kilts, Berlin are marching as at last June's Armed Forces Day.

Fingers crossed for reasonable weather.

Regards
Tom

 

Tom,

Would it be possible to use the picture of CPO Jon Craig (he's the submariner stood next to the memorial tablet) in an article on the website of Navy News, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy? Full credit would be given.

Jon got in touch last week about the visit of Ark Royal to Hamburg and mentioned Sachsenhausen as an aside; as it's something probably most of our readers wouldn't know about, I wanted to write an article in our paper.

Many thanks

Richard Hargreaves
News Editor
Navy News

 

Thanks for the photos Tom. I visited Sachsenhausen back in 1990 whilst stationed with the RAF in Berlin. I had absolutely no idea that so many of our guys were sent there. Hope the ceremony went well. Have a BK on me. Regards Gus.

 

Tom,

Would it be possible to use the picture of CPO Jon Craig (he's the submariner stood next to the memorial tablet) in an article on the website of Navy News, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy? Full credit would be given.

Jon got in touch last week about the visit of Ark Royal to Hamburg and mentioned Sachsenhausen as an aside; as it's something probably most of our readers wouldn't know about, I wanted to write an article in our paper.

Many thanks

Richard Hargreaves
News Editor
Navy News

Richard,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Yes please feel free to use whatever you wish.

We are trying to get our RN Veteran up for the visit as he was on several carriers during his WW2 Service including HMS Eagle that was sunk by torpedoes.

He still maintains that his Arctic Convoy duties were worse than being sunk!

It would certainly be a great experience for Sydney if he could visit HMS Ark Royal.

If you require a the photo via email, Jon has my email address.

Regards
Tom

 

Richard,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Yes please feel free to use whatever you wish.

We are trying to get our RN Veteran up for the visit as he was on several carriers during his WW2 Service including HMS Eagle that was sunk by torpedoes.

He still maintains that his Arctic Convoy duties were worse than being sunk!

It would certainly be a great experience for Sydney if he could visit HMS Ark Royal.

If you require a the photo via email, Jon has my email address.

Regards
Tom

Many thanks Tom, that is most kind. The resolution of the picture here should be fine. I'll post a link when the story goes up (either later today or tomorrow).

Typically we give photographers a name check; do you like to remain anonymous if you're ex-SF?

Also for all ex-pats, you can read our entire publication free online each month via our 'e-edition' at navynews.co.uk (apologies for a shameless plug).

Most of it is dedicated to today's Royal Navy and Royal Marines, but I do write historical supplements fairly regularly, e.g.

Narvik
Navy News April 2010

Dunkirk
Navy News June 2010
Navy News July 2010

Taranto
Navy News November 2010

That's a little reading material to keep people busy.

As for visits to Ark Royal, try via CPO Craig at the Embassy - although the programme for the ship's visit to Hamburg was still being confirmed yesterday; I'm not sure if they're having a 'ship open to visitors' - I'll be surprised if they don't; they've just had one in Newcastle.

All the best

 

Tom

Many thanks for an excellent report.

Lest we forget !

Ron

 

As promised, one article:

Sailors murdered by Nazis honoured in Berlin

 

Richard,
Many thanks for the link.

I have only heard about the revolt, that the group were tipped off by a Russian that they were to executed and the fight out with guards.

Is there actually a written report on this subject that you have quoted from?

Regards
Tom

 

There's a Word document running to around six or seven pages passed on to me by Chief Craig which details the history of British inmates of Sachsenhausen. I'm assuming it was compiled by someone on the Embassy staff.

 

Richard I have a copy of a report compiled by a Brixmis officer, which appears to be shorter.

I will liase with Jon.

Many thanks again.

Regards
Tom

 

If you'd like the full report, ping an e-mail to edit (at) navynews.co.uk and we'll happily pass it on.

 

Richard,

Will do.

Thanks again.

Regards
Tom

 

This is a great thread. Richard are you interested in other navys historical stuff if it affects ours? I might have a contact for you if so..
Dee