HMS Royal Arthur Naval Veterans Final Reunion
HMS Royal Arthur Naval Veterans Final Reunion
Skegness Butlins & Ingoldmells
news story date 6th May 2006
The final reunion of the HMS Royal Arthur Naval Veterans was held in Skegness and Ingoldmells this weekend.
Naval veterans travelled from as far afield as Canada to attend the reunion.
The parade, headed by the Royal Marines, marched through Skegness to the Pier Field on North Parade to hold the Drum Service.
Drum Service
The Band of the Royal Marines from Dartmouth led the parade.
The HMS Royal Arthur Veterans marched with the Standards (flags)
The drums, which represented the church altar during the Second World War, were ceremoniously laid in front of the Reverend and the Digniatories.
The Standard bearers then marched into position, flanking the drums.
The service was led by the Reverend Malcolm France who is rector and chaplain to the Skegness branch on the Royal British Legion.
The Mayor of Skegness, members of the Skegness Town Council and Ingoldmells Parish Council were also present.
Below: the drums in position with the Standards lowered as a mark of respect for the soldiers lost during the war.
Password to view the video is ’skegness’.
You may also be interested in reading a letter written by
Ordinary Telegrapher AER Rowe who was at the Royal Arthur Camp in November 1941
I have just come across this website, having found out this morning that my father, Roland (Joe) Garrett, was at Royal Arthur in April 1941 and being immensely keen to learn more about it and especially keen to contact anyone else there at the time.
Hi Gill,
Just found the following info:
On the outbreak of war in 1939 the campers were immediately sent home and the site was taken over by the Royal Navy. The camp became a training establishment and was known as HMS Royal Arthur. The beer garden became the sick bay, the Fortune Teller’s Parlour was the dentist’s office and the Viennese Dance Hall became the armoury with stacks of rifles. Air raid shelters occupied the former rose gardens and the brightly coloured paintwork disappeared under a dull military scheme. However the camp was respected and looked after by the Navy, despite constant attacks from the Luftwaffe – some 52 bombs landed on it!
Source: http://www.butlinsmemories.com/skegness/index.htm
The Royal Arthur Association disbanded after this final reunion due to the advancing age of members.
If I encounter any other info in the old Skegness newspapers I’ll let you know.
Kind Regards
Angela Gooch
Hi I never went too skeggy. I was at Royal Arthur at Corsham but only for the 6 week senior rate course. but then thats gone as well. David
Hi all,I found HMS Royal Arthur or whats left of it recently in Corsham.I havent explored it in deapth yet,but had a good walk round most of the camp clicking like a madman!I found the camp very interesting and since my visit have sourced a map of the camp that lists most of the buildings,so I will be returning soon to try to photograph each block/building and name them on my webpage..
all the best from Stu