Littlehampton historian launches memorial to heroism

His detailed knowledge of the naval operations in the Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend, built up over decades of thorough research, led to the authorities there asking him to attend the ceremony, led by Belgian’s King Albert II and with VIPs including the high-ranking diplomats.

And the day before the main event, he visited a nearby cemetery to lay a wreath on a grave marked as ‘An Unknown Stoker’, but which David is convinced is the last resting place of petty officer Charles McDonald, having carried out extensive research into the casualties.

The new memorial at Ostend features the bow section of HMS Vindictive, a Royal Navy warship heavily involved in the raids.

“The attacks were carried out to sink block-ships in the canal entrances at Zeebrugge and Ostend in an attempt to bottle up German U-boats and destroyers and to also prevent these places being used as bases from which they could easily operate against shipping in the North Sea and further out into the Atlantic,” David explained.

Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded as a result of the action in the first raids on April 22/3, 1918 – only the defence of Rorke’s Drift in the Zulu War of 1879 produced more VCs in a single operation.

A further three VCs were won in the second raid, on Ostend, when the Vindictive was scuttled in the harbour.

David’s interest was sparked many years ago when he met a VC-holder from the first attack. He has since given many talks to groups about the operations.

Speaking on his return after the inauguration of the new memorial, he said: “It was a very great privilege and honour for me.”