Life-belt washed up along the St Nazaire coastline
This is an original Life-belt washed up along the St Nazaire coastline from the Lancastria. It was retrieved by a Frenchman who found it whilst walking along the beach one day with their dog in 1940.
It came to light when its owner sadly passed away last year. It was in a poor state however it has been repaired and painted in Cunards red and white colours. It was eventually boxed in a display case along with the picture of Churchill which is thought to be quite apt as he looks as if he is still trying to keep the secret of the sinking of the Lancastria away from the British people.
It was donated to Jayne Dalrymple from a friend whose father had it stashed in his garage.
Ted Mansfield meets Lew Glover survivor
It had been some years since the sinking of the Lancastria and to be honest I thought I had met all the survivors through the Lancastria association. And one day many years after the sinking this was to prove me wrong:
I was in the "Fleece" pub in Burgh-le-Marsh for lunch with two friends, Olga and Chas and as we came through to the bar we did not notice these two people sitting at the side , which was Lew Glover and his wife Jean. Chas started talking to the landlord telling him all about the Lancastria and Olga's father who was lost on the Lancastria, turned and quickly pointed to me and said, 'he is a survivor of the Lancastria'. Chas and I were talking to the landlord when this other chap came up and said, 'he also was a survivor of that ship'. (Thoughts were on what were the chances of that happening entered my mind).
We introduced ourselves straight away and from that day a friendship blossomed between Lew and I grew, and we phone one another and meet up for lunch every now and again
In 2005 Olga Chas Margaret and myself went on the Pilgrimage to St. Nazaire, we went to the cemetery at La Baule where Olga had found out from the War Graves Commission that her father was buried there. We found the grave and it was a very emotional time for us all and it was this that stared the conversation about the Lancastria. The Landlord Ian was very interested and I lent him my book off the sinking. The image of the Lancastria and those lost is never ever far away from my thoughts. It saddens me after some 60 odd years the sinking has still never been recognized by this British Government-Ted Mansfield-Survivor
Lancastria Model Found
The model of the troopship Lancastria which was found in a farm outbuilding in France some years ago. It originally belonged to, 'Eric', a native of St Nazaire who's father had built it whilst under the Nazi occupation out of cigarette packets and old boxes on his farm in his spare time. Eric explained to us, 'his father use to have to collect the dead bodies washed up along the coastline with a local French spy called, 'Gaston LeBlonc', and between them they temporarily put them in makeshift graves just off the beaches whilst under the Nazi's noses.
Eric found the model in his fathers farm outbuilding not long after he passed away whilst having a clear out. It was under sackcloth. Covered in nicotine stains and thick cobwebs. The model was in a very poor state and was eventually worked on by Eric and then David Dalrymple. Eric decided to give the model to David & Jayne for their ongoing efforts to raise recognition with the film about the Lancastria survivors. Eric stated, 'his father would wish it that way', Eric wishes to remain anonymous
Colin Dennison stepson of Elvie Read, Colin tells for the first time the story of Nurse Elvie Read onboard the Oronsay.
Elvie Read
Elvie Read was to become known as, 'The Lady with the Lamp', of the 1940's. The Oronsay was attacked by German Bombers at St Nazaire and receiving a direct hit on the bridge, Captain Nichols was left with no steering gear. With much forethought the Captain used improvised steering gear, a compass from a lifeboat, and a school atlas given by the purser. Whilst all this was going on the Oronsay managed to take on board many survivors from the sinking Lancastria some with horrendous injuries, many were pulled out of the water dying in Elvies arms. Elvie Reads heroic efforts under duress on the day were always well noted by her Captain and crew and Captain Nichols gave Elvie a binnacle Lamp from the Oronsay for her efforts. Whilst for his achievements (returning to England), he was awarded the OBE.
With Grateful thanks to Colin Dennison
One of many posters about keeping secrets to yourself
The Tillyer Family Story
The cry goes up, Make way Baby here baby here! ' for the first time Jacqueline Tanner(nee Tillyer). Tells her amazing story about being the youngest survivor who was two years old when the Lancastria sank.
Story and pictures to follow.
More Stories to come