A group of veterans recently enjoyed a day out at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard organised by the Taxi Charity
The day began as always, with fantastic volunteer taxi drivers providing door-to-door transportation, collecting veterans from their homes. Pick-up locations were spread across London and the South-East and included the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and Royal British Legion Industries Village in Aylesford, which provides housing care and support for veterans and their families.
On arrival, everyone received a warm welcome from the Chatham Dockyard Museum staff, who served tea and biscuits in the Mess Deck Restaurant. Following the refreshments, veterans, carers and drivers were then free to explore the many and varied exhibits located across the 400-acre site. There was much to see, including an impressive display charting the Dockyard’s story through the industrial revolution and two world wars. An exhibition, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Association, included a remarkable collection of rescue boats.
The most popular attractions were undoubtedly the three historic warships on display - HMS Gannet, which protected British interests during the Victorian era, HMS Cavalier, a CA-class destroyer launched in 1944, and HM Submarine Ocelot, the last warship built at Chatham for the Royal Navy, which engaged in exercises and trials across the world, until she was retired in 1991.
The day provided moments of great poignancy, particularly for the World War II veterans in attendance. They included Peter Smoothy, who was among a crew of 99 on a Tank Landing Ship, which crossed the English Channel on D-Day to support amphibious landings at Juno Beach.
Norrie Bartlett and John King served as naval gunners on destroyers. Norrie was offshore from Gold Beach on D-Day, helping provide fire cover to protect troops who were landing. John joined the Royal Navy in 1943 and was drafted on to HMS Janus which was involved in the bombardments of both coasts of Italy. During the Allied landings at Anzio in January 1944, the Janus was sunk after being hit by a flying bomb. 160 seamen were killed. John was among the 52 who survived.
Peter, Norrie and John were taken back to Normandy in June by the Taxi Charity to attend commemorations marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
Over recent years the Taxi Charity has widened its support and helps British veterans from all conflicts. Terry Ward, Taxi Charity Life President and organiser of the Chatham outing, said: “It was a very enjoyable day for all concerned. Our visit was originally booked for mid-September but had to be postponed for a month as the date clashed with filming at the venue.” (Chatham Dockyard is regularly featured on film and in TV programmes, including Call The Midwife).
“Fortunately, the heavy rain we’ve experienced lately stayed away and it was sunny and dry day. I was also glad we were able to introduce veterans from Aylesford Village and the Royal Naval Association at Greenwich to our charity. Hopefully they will join us at events in the future.”
The group also included several veterans who collect for the Taxi Charity at railway stations across central London throughout the year. Their hard work and commitment help the charity finance social events and trips such as the visit to Chatham.
Following lunch, there was a visit to the Ropery Gallery - a working museum where rope has been made for over 400 years. It is one of four RN Ropeyards still in operation and provided the opportunity to watch Master Ropemakers at work using traditional techniques mastered centuries ago. Ropes which have rigged the mightiest vessels ever to take to sea, including Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, were made at Chatham Dockyard.
The most moving moment of the day took place in front of the Destroyer Memorial where a short commemoration and wreath laying service took place. RN veteran, John Janes, planned the service and was standard bearer for the occasion.
The 12ft by 10ft bronze memorial was unveiled by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2007 and commemorates the 11,000 lives and 142 Royal Naval Destroyers lost during World War Two.
For John King, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday next month, it was a particularly emotional moment, for among the long list of warships recorded on the memorial was that of his doomed ship, HMS Janus.
As always, the Taxi Charity is indebted to all those cabbies who freely offer their time and vehicles. They would like to thank them for their generosity and support.