The loss of the HMT Lancastria - on the morning of the 17th June 1940,

HMT Lancastria was anchored three miles off St. Nazaire, a port on the French Atlantic Coast. She, along with a number of ships, had been ordered to repatriate British Servicemen and Civilians who had been left in France after the evacuation of Dunkirk.

By mid-afternoon almost nine thousand people were packed aboard the Lancastria when she was hit four times by enemy bombs. Within half an hour she had sank with a loss of life at least equal to the combined losses of the ‘Lusitania’ (c. 1200) and ‘Titanic’ (c.1513).

It is appropriate that the memorial service for this tragic maritime disaster is held at St. Katharine Cree Church as this Church was frequented by mariners who sailed into London Docks from Eastern lands and ports over many past years. The East India Dock Company Offices were also very near the Church.

As we look at the magnificent Lancastria memorial window we have the opportunity to remember, to pray for and to thank all who go to sea for whatever reason to keep us safe and deliver goods and services to our country.

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