The 'Seaborne' Memorial Ceremony at the National Arboretum 14th May 2022
Terry Giles's thoughts on the day
The 14 May was unusual at the National Memorial Arboretum. Normally breezy and often damp, it was blazing sunshine and not the weather to be wearing a blazer and tie. The event started with the National Standard and eight Group Standards marching on to form a back drop to the new Memorial. The service was conducted by the Rev David Simpson. Padre to No 20 Group York.
The Memorial was unveiled by June Jay, her husband had been one of the 796 Observers enrolled into the Royal Navy as Aircraft Identifiers in the rank of Petty Officer. Whilst we remembered the two killed on duty off the beaches of Normandy the talk afterwards was about those who returned and their character. Les Leney was the Seaborne from No 1 Group that I remember well. The grove was in blossom and looked magnificent. Jacqui and I paid particular attention to the No 1 Group tree that is the first tree you see as you enter the grove and it looked robust.
With the National Committee well represented the chance was taken to try and turn the view to the future rather than just the past. As the need to focus on the resolutions for the next Annual Delegates Meeting where decisions on the next steps are needed before we fade away. It is a bit like writing your will, having a funeral plan or life insurance because you do not want to think about the end but without these in place those left behind face difficult questions. However, it was not too difficult to turn the discussion back to the purpose of the day and recall the Seaborne Observers we knew and the pleasure they had given us, gone but not forgotten. With their memory now forever recorded in the ROC Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum
Terry Giles
National Vice President
The Memorial was unveiled by June Jay, her husband had been one of the 796 Observers enrolled into the Royal Navy as Aircraft Identifiers in the rank of Petty Officer. Whilst we remembered the two killed on duty off the beaches of Normandy the talk afterwards was about those who returned and their character. Les Leney was the Seaborne from No 1 Group that I remember well. The grove was in blossom and looked magnificent. Jacqui and I paid particular attention to the No 1 Group tree that is the first tree you see as you enter the grove and it looked robust.
With the National Committee well represented the chance was taken to try and turn the view to the future rather than just the past. As the need to focus on the resolutions for the next Annual Delegates Meeting where decisions on the next steps are needed before we fade away. It is a bit like writing your will, having a funeral plan or life insurance because you do not want to think about the end but without these in place those left behind face difficult questions. However, it was not too difficult to turn the discussion back to the purpose of the day and recall the Seaborne Observers we knew and the pleasure they had given us, gone but not forgotten. With their memory now forever recorded in the ROC Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum
Terry Giles
National Vice President