No sailing at the club last week due to the awkward tides. However, it was a pleasure to see the Christmas lights going up, reminding us that winter is well and truly upon us and the festive season is not far away. However, earlier in the week, Martin Andrews laid the SSC poppy wreath at St. Issell’s Church, so I have chosen to look back at a time when life was very different.

Just over 100 years ago this week, on November 30, 1915, the SS Middleton was travelling from Mudros, Greece, to Alexandria, Egypt. Her cargo was sand bags as she was a Merchant Navy ship, but this didn’t make her immune from German attack. When German submarine U39 came across her, it fired its torpedoes and the Middleton was hit and sunk. On board was Able Seaman Henry Howells, aged 58, born in Saundersfoot. He was killed during the attack.

Charles Ormand was an engine room artificer in the Royal Navy and the son of John and Mary Ormand, of the Cambrian Hotel in Saundersfoot. He was on board HMS Defence when it was hit by a German salvo during the Battle of Jutland on May 31, 1916. She blew up and sank almost immediately taking down with her the entire crew of 903 men. Charles was 27-years-old.

Lastly, I’d like to mention brothers Bernard Olin Badham, aged 20, and Geoffery David Badham, aged 17, sons of William and Doris Badham, of Saundersfoot. Geoffrey died in Alexandria, Egypt, on December 30, 1941, following injuries he sustained at sea aboard HMS Maori. Tragically, his brother Bernard died less than two years later on October 17, 1943, after serving aboard a Royal Navy landing craft. It is impossible to imagine the pain and grief that this family went through.

Details of these and other brave local men who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace can be found on the West Wales War Memorial Project website.

Finally, the last reminder that our AGM will be held next Sunday, at 1 pm, straight after the last sail of the season. See you there!

Gypsea Girl