Acres unveils Lancastria Memorial at our ‘Melbourne Remembers’ Event

Saturday was one of those days that we will remember for a very long time.

After many months of planning, we unveiled the Lancastria Memorial at Acres as part of our ‘Melbourne Remembers’ event, marking the closing of the 85th anniversary commemorations of Britain’s greatest maritime disaster – This week we shall cover the event in detail over several posts.

As we began Armed Forces Week, it feels particularly fitting to reflect on the service, sacrifice and courage of those who have worn our nation’s uniform, and to remember those who never returned home.

Luke Parker (MD) said:

“My 98-year-old Grandad attended the event. His brother, Private Jack Doughty of the Sherwood Foresters, lost his life aboard the Lancastria on 17 June 1940, on his 21st birthday. To stand beside my Grandad as we remembered those who never came home was a moment I will treasure forever.

Seeing four generations of our family together, united by a story that spans more than eight decades, was a powerful reminder of why remembrance matters. Remembrance is not just about looking back. It is about ensuring that future generations understand our history, learn from it, and carry those stories forward.”

Following the service and wreath laying, Bruce Spence, our Defence lead led a charity march from our HQ in Melbourne to Mickelover – around 18 miles – which was attended by several groups of cadets and reserves – Thankfully the weather held out and was just before the heatwave properly kicked in the following week.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported the event, and helped ensure that the story of the Lancastria continues to be told.

If you would like to watch the full event, the recording is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS5PdcTTj-c

Lest We Forget.