MP supports Corfu Channel veterans

Mike Penning arranged for a meeting with Veterans Minister Kevan Jones MP for constituent, 'Jack' Dobby, veteran of the Corfu Channel Incident to fight for a UK memorial for those who lost their lives.

Hemel MP, Mike Penning arranged for ‘Jack’ Dobby – Chairman of the Corfu Channel Naval Association – to meet with Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP to discuss the Association’s campaign for a UK memorial to those who lost their lives in the Corfu Channel.

Eighteen months after the end of World War II, on 22nd October 1946 two British ships were blown up by mines laid after the war by the Albanian Government. HMS Saumarez was the first to be hit and HMS Volage was hit when coming to the aid of the Saumarez. The mines were in international waters – though claimed by Albania. There was a dramatic rescue involving several ships and in which the Volage, which had lost 40ft off its bow, towed – stern first - the Saumarez away from the scene.

In all 44 seamen lost their lives. 12 bodies were recovered and are buried in Corfu. In 1987 – through the effort of surviving crew members – a memorial was erected in Corfu and the Corfu Channel Naval Association was formed.

The event and events surrounding it have come to be known as the Corfu Channel Incident and are regarded by many as some of the earliest episodes of the Cold War.

The Association is now campaigning for a memorial stone to be erected in the UK.

Mike Penning, who accompanied the Association members to the meeting with Kevan Jones MP, said:

“We have a duty and a responsibility to remember those who have laid down their lives for our country – both in and out of wartime. I am really surprised and disappointed to learn that there is no memorial to these brave seamen in the UK. This was not an accident. The Government of the day was aware that there were potential problems with Albania – Royal Navy ships had come under fire from Albania earlier in the year.

“It is a credit to the Association members – both past and present – that there is now a memorial in Corfu. Without it the names of those whose bodies were never recovered would be lost forever.

“I fully support the Association in its fight for a memorial. The Chairman, ‘Jack’ Dobby does a fantastic job and I really hope we can move this forward.”

Photo: (l to r) Mike Penning MP with Corfu Channel Naval Association Secretary, Phillip Carey and Chairman Gilbert ‘Jack’ Dobby with Minister Kevan Jones MP.