Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher VC

Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher VC

We mustered at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Swanage. Sunday 13th August 2017.


Eleven Standards representing a variety of organisations from all over the South and South West of England attended a Service to mark the centenary of the action on 8th August 1917 by Q-5 Dunraven, also known as HMS Farnborough and to honour the memory of Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher VC, DSM, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre.
And those with whom he served.

The standards were very well supported by attendance of family, friends and Shipmates from No. 4 Area of the RNA. Following the service we moved across to Northbrook Cemetery to pay heart felt tributes at the grave sites of CPO Pitcher and other Naval ratings, one of which was that of a boy seaman, only 15 years of age.

Also images from the grave of a 32 year old Stoker 1st class that Ben and Vaughan were at for the Last Post while I was at the 15 year old’s grave.

A very worthwhile undertaking by everyone, especially so those that travelled all the way up from Cornwall.

photographs by Carol Nelson and Maureen Sherren

Yours Aye
Dan Sherren MSM
No. 4 Area PRO