PR 1051

VETERANS GATHER FOR D-DAY DEDICATION

D-Day veterans will gather to share their memories of a former secret military training base, HMS Cricket, at an event at Manor Farm Country Park near Bursledon on 2 June.

The top-secret base was located among the woodland of what is now the country park and provided accommodation and training for the crews of some of the assault landing craft involved in the invasion of Europe.

The event, hosted by Hampshire County Council, will be attended by more than 20 HMS Cricket veterans. Countess Mountbatten of Burma will dedicate a memorial at Barnfield in the country park to all those who were based at the camp.

The memorial, funded by the County Council and local councils and companies, is in the shape of a landing craft. It will include a seating area, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, providing a peaceful location for people to sit and reminisce or simply enjoy the park's scenic surroundings.

Those attending will have the chance to see a World War II Spitfire fly over the country park and veterans will be invited to step aboard Royal Marine landing craft, to take a short trip along the River Hamble. A short service will be delivered by members of the local clergy during the day and music will be provided by the HMS Nelson Volunteer band.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan, the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, and various local dignitaries and councillors will also attend the event.

Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, staff at the country park have also been able to work closely with members of the local community and Botley Local History Society to collect memorabilia, records and memories from HMS Cricket veterans.

This collection will form the basis of a permanent display at the Barnfield kiosk, which overlooks the memorial at the country park. As part of the project, veterans' memories will also be recorded on paper and collated for inclusion in a book which will be available to buy at a later date. The records will also be archived, ensuring that there is a permanent record of HMS Cricket's D-Day role.

County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "This event and dedication of the memorial are a fitting tribute to those who spent time at HMS Cricket and lost their lives at war. We hope that veterans enjoy this opportunity to meet up with others who spent time at the base and share their memories of one of the most significant periods in our history."

"As owners and managers of Manor Farm Country Park, we recognise the importance of having a permanent record of the role which HMS Cricket played during World War II. We hope that the display at the country park's visitor centre will make younger generations aware of Hampshire's D-Day connections."

ENDS

For further information please contact: Julia Herron on 01962 846006
julia.herron@hants.gov.uk

19/05/04

Notes to editors

The event on 2 June is not open to the general public. It will take place in Barnfield, within the country park. Part of this area will be cordoned off for the duration of the event. All other areas of the country park will remain open to the public.

Stan Blacker, a member of the crew of a landing craft and part of the project team which campaigned for a permanent memorial at the country park, has clear memories of his time HMS Cricket and is available for interview.