Tuesday 6th January 2015 saw the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of HMS Formidable off the
coast of Lyme Bay 1915.
HMS Formidable was the first battleship to be sunk in the First World War. The ship was torpedoed twice early in the morning of 1 January 1915 some 20 miles east of Start Point in Lyme Bay. There were only about 200 survivors out of the crew of over 700, many came ashore at Lyme Regis in life rafts.
The ceremony at the Lyme Regis cemetery was well attended with representation of 14 standards of both the Royal Naval Associations of Area 4 and the Royal British Legion, senior ad junior rates from HMS Vivid Plymouth, the Army, civil dignitaries and members of the general public including those relatives of those lost at sea in the sinking of Formidable.
The weather stayed dry but cold and was followed up with food and drink supplied at the Pilot boat Inn.
Photo's by s/m Dick Moon.
5910a Area 4 RNA and RBL standard bearers.
5921a Standard bearers lead by Chard branch's s/m Malcolm Day.
5923a Ready for the 'off'.
5924a Vicar of Lyme, Mayor of Lyme and Royal British Legion representative.
5934a Ratings from HMS Vivid Plymouth.
5938a Service representatives wreath layers.
5941a Area 4 s/m David White Area 4 RNA representative wreath Layer .
