Bridlington historian Richard Jones has uncovered the town’s link to a major event in WWII.
Richard has been highlighting a lot of aspects of the Second World War in Bridlington in both talks and lectures and also the unveiling of blue plaques (which include four George Medal blue plaques in Bridlington alone).
Recently it came to Richard’s attention that Bridlington was the birthplace of the elite No.5 Commando, an army unit consisting of a group of very determined men who set up their HQ in Bridlington on the orders of Winston Churchill himself.
The HQ was based at No 6, The Crescent, near to the seafront.
The unit formed on 18 July, 1940 and training commenced straight away.
The missions achieved by this unit going down in history which included the very deadly Operation Chariot – the raid on St Nazaire.
This was where and old American destroyer was renamed HMS Campbeltown when taken over by the Royal Navy and purposely rammed a dry dock that was large enough to repair the German battleship Tirpitz.
After timed charges were detonated the daring operation destroyed any hopes of the ship being able to conduct repairs and create further havoc on the convoys.
The raid cost the lives of over 500 people including 169 of those taking part in the raid.
Now a special green plaque will be unveiled to mark this remarkable piece of history by the relative of one of those lost in that raid.
Said Richard: “The story of No.5 Commando was highlighted to me by local Royal Navy veteran Martin Barmby and after putting several plaques up in and around the town I decided that this was another opportunity to put Bridlington history on the map.
“The owner of The Carlton Apartments (which is now what the building is today) kindly gave me permission straight away and was equally fascinated to hear the story of his building.
“Combined with the fact that the plaque was paid for straight away by one of the families after a very short campaign just goes to show the enthusiasm for this unit to be remembered and commemorated.” added Richard.
The unveiling of the plaque will take place at The Carlton Apartments at midday on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024 and members of the public are invited to attend.
Said Richard: “This will be my 16th plaque unveiling, the sixth one in the last twelve months. Previously there have been ceremonies at Bridlington railway station, the harbour and others in Grimsby and Hull for Second World War heroes. “
For further information please contact Richard on shipwreckdata@yahoo.co.uk or via his Facebook page www.facebook.com/shipwreck.data
