HMS Sickle Memorial Event 18th June 2014
On 18th June it will be 70 years since the loss with all hands of HMS Sickle, the warship adopted by the towns of Epping and Harlow during warship week in 1942.
The people of Epping, Harlow and villages raised £176,000 to sponsor the vessel, which was commissioned in December 1942. Sickle spent most of her active service in the Mediterranean. The stories of her patrols during the war have been collated by local historian John Duffel, and and can be found here [click here]
The Town Council, Epping Forest District Museum, St John's Church and the British Legion have organised events on June 18th to mark the 70th anniversary of the loss:
A one day exhibition of the history of the Sickle to be held at Epping Hall (where the ensigns of the Royal Navy and HMS Sickle will be flown). The exhibition will be open from 10am - 10pm and we encourage all residents to visit.
A memorial service will be held in St John's Church at 7.45pm after which a memorial plaque for the men of Sickle will be dedicatedin the Garden of Remembrance at St John's Church with the Civilian Memorial so that respects can be paid each and every Remembrance Sunday.
People are invited to the Hemnall Social Club for drinks after the memorial event
Residents are invited to both the exhibition and memorial service - we hope to see many people there.
