The annual memorial service for those lost in the HMS Dasher tragedy was held in Ardrossan over the weekend.
Organised by the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of Royal British Legion Scotland, it was a moving tribute to those 379 servicemen who lost their lives in the 1943 wartime disaster between Ardrossan and Arran.
The annual event also remembers how the Ardrossan community came together to assist survivors and the dead coming ashore.
The Dasher tragedy remained a mystery for many years.
The ship sank on March 1943 after suffering a major internal explosion.
One of Britain's biggest naval losses, the tragedy was hushed up by the military, who feared the impact of morale on the nation at the height of the Second World War.
This year's memorial events were launched on Friday, March 22, with a social get-together in the Ardrossan Indoor Bowling Club.
The annual commemoration traditionally includes a memorial service on board the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry, which passes close to the site of the Dasher wreck.
However this year the 'at sea' service had to be cancelled because the weather was too poor for the CalMac ferry to set sail.
Legion chairman Paul Coffey said: "CalMac tried to help but weather conspired against us for the Saturday sailings. Plan B was put into operation and we held a short service at the ‘Dasher Memorial’ instead of the service over the site of the sunken aircraft carrier.
"Along with the relatives who joined us, we paid our respects in the cold and rain to the 379 who perished. Wreaths that would have been laid at sea were placed at the memorial.
"We then went to Ardrossan Cemetery and another short but solemn service was held where in the inclement weather.
"Canon McManus reminded us of what those HMS Dasher crew members went through on that night 81 years previously entering the cold, oil saturated flaming water with, for most, little chance of surviving."
On Saturday evening the ‘Dasher Function’ was held in Stevenston Masonic, where a full house enjoyed a more relaxed chance to unwind.
Sunday saw the annual parade and service at the ‘Dasher Memorial’ at 11am.
Paul said: "Sunday was a very different weather picture, with pleasant sunshine, led by the SAS Branch Parade Marshall, John Murphy, a brilliant Isle of Cumbrae Band, our local Cadet Forces, Naval Reservists, families and friends, plus MPs and MSPs and a representative of the Lieutenancy of Ayrshire and Arran who laid wreaths.
"Everyone paid respects during a service lad by Canon McManus. with the Auchenharvie Academy choir providing a lovely and fitting tribute to the service. Special thanks to must go to Auchenharvie Academy bugler Oran who performed not once but twice in foul weather on Saturday and again on Sunday."
Paul added: "Thanks goes to all who made the weekend a success. We paid our respects to those who perished on that fateful night, and those from the surrounding areas of Ardrossan and Saltcoats who came to help the dead and dying and the rescue mission undergoing on that fateful day in 1943."
(Photos by Charlie Gilmour)
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