Cromwell Lock Memorial to 131 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers
28th September 1975
CROMWELL LOCK MEMORIAL
SUNDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 2014
Today saw the 39th Anniversary memorial to the men of 300 Troop of
131 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, who died on a night
Exercise "Trent Chase" on 28th of September 1975. This was an
annual water skill exercise over approximately 80 miles. In stormy
weather and dark conditions 10 out of the 11 Sappers drowned when
their assault boat went over Cromwell Weir, including two Brothers,
Sappers Stuart and Peter Evenden. 300 Troop were from Scotland. A
memorial was erected by the Locks, opposite to the weir, made of
Scottish granite, with the names of the men inscribed on a bronze
plaque.
Today's ceremony was attended by the Newark and Nottingham Branches
of the Parachute Regimental Association. Fittingly a serving member
of the Parachute Engineers laid a wreath for the Newark Branch, and
a former member of the Parachute Engineers, Mike Wardle, laid a
wreath on behalf of the Nottingham Branch.
A short memorial ceremony was carried out by the memorial with a
reading of the incident by Col. (Retd) John Tinsley (23 PFA). A
reading of the Airborne prayer was given by Reverend Christine
French, of St Giles Church. One of the local village farmers, David
Jackson, also attended the service. David’s Uncle, Ron Graves, had
been one of the first on scene with the Ambulance service. David
had brought along a certificate of service for his Uncles 31 years’
service with the Ambulance service.
Stuart McNair, National bugler for The Parachute Regimental
Association, and member of the Newark Branch played the last
post.
The service by the memorial was followed by a buffet at Tom and
Daphne Sharpe's bungalow in the village of Cromwell. Members of
both Branches then headed to St Giles Church in the village, where
a church service was held.
The Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace attended the
church service, with a talk to the guard of Honour before entering
the Church. Col. John Tinsley read the first reading and Sir John
Peace read the second reading. The service was given by Reverend
Christine French, and Stuart McNair also played the last post.
After the service finished there were refreshments, before the two
Branches made their way home. Next year will see the 40th
Anniversary at the Lock. This had also been the Reverend Christine
French's last memorial service, as she is moving to a different
Parish at Kirk-Hallam in Derbyshire.
ABOVE: THE TWO BRANCHES MARCH TO THE MEMORIAL
BELOW: THE TWO BRANCHES HAVE A GROUP PHOTO TAKEN BY THE MEMORIAL GARDEN
BELOW: THE MEMORIAL STONE WITH NAMES OF THE FALLEN ON A BRONZE PLATE
Sunday 29th September 2013