From Derek ‘Blondie’ Boorn, RMA Poole & District Branch.
I make this approach on behalf of the Royal Marines Association ( Poole and District Branch) to let you know that on Sunday, 13th August, 2017 from 14:15 hours we will be holding a service to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the action that resulted in Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher VC., DSM., being awarded that Victoria Cross.
CPO Pitcher was also awarded the French Medaille Militaire; French Croix de Guerre and two Mention in Despatches, it should also be noted that CPO Pitcher also served throughout the Second World War, which I am sure you will admit is a truly incredible record of a very gallant man and an exceptional credit to the ethos of the Royal Navy. His story is attached which includes the times for the Commemorative Service and another file gives details of those interned in graves maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and both are in .pdf format.
The service will be held in St. Mary’s Church followed by a Graveside Blessing in Northbrook Cemetery both located in Swanage, Dorset.
A request has been made to HMS Flying Fox ( Bristol ) for, hopefully, a Flag Officer to grace this parade and to magic up a Corps Bugler as this event clashes with the Edinburgh Tattoo we might not be lucky, so we are looking at alternatives and if anybody has any contacts or suggestions please let me know.
And standards would be most welcome.
We extend an invitation to the Royal Navy Association to come and join us in this service of Commemoration as we salute one of your men and hope that some of your veterans and standards will come and join us at this event and also to honour the other Royal Navy men buried in this cemetery, including a Boy Seaman 1st Class. See attached file.
The Swanage Branch RBL will be helping us and on the day and they will, we hope take on the duty of honouring those buried in the other official Commonwealth War Graves.
Yours sincerely,
Derek ‘Blondie’ Boorn
RMA Poole & District Branch