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Memorial for crew lost on D-Day Landing craft LCT 427 in Solent Memorial for crew lost on D-Day Landing craft LCT 427 in Solent
(about 4 hours later)
A memorial service will be held later for the servicemen who died when a World War II landing craft sank in the Solent during World War II.A memorial service will be held later for the servicemen who died when a World War II landing craft sank in the Solent during World War II.
Landing craft LCT 427 was returning to Portsmouth on 7 June 1944 after taking tanks to Gold beach in Normandy.Landing craft LCT 427 was returning to Portsmouth on 7 June 1944 after taking tanks to Gold beach in Normandy.
Just four miles from shore it collided with battleship HMS Rodney and was sliced in half. All 13 crew died. Four miles from shore it collided with battleship HMS Rodney and was sliced in half. All 13 crew died.
The Southsea Sub-Aqua Club recently discovered the wreck and began a search for relatives or comrades of the crew. The Southsea Sub-Aqua Club discovered the wreck in August and began a search for relatives or comrades of the crew.
Only one body was ever recovered, the other 12 were lost with the craft.Only one body was ever recovered, the other 12 were lost with the craft.
Alison Mayor, who led the diving team, said as a result of the campaign, relatives of nine of the 13 crew had contacted the club and many were planning to attend the memorial.
Sea wreath layingSea wreath laying
Alison Mayor, who led the diving team, said as a result of the campaign, relatives of nine of the 13 crew had contacted the club and five families were planning to attend the memorial.
Other D-Day veterans and divers from Southsea Sub-Aqua Club will also take part.Other D-Day veterans and divers from Southsea Sub-Aqua Club will also take part.
A boat will take 22 of them from Portsmouth dockyard to the site of the wreck to lay wreaths for the crew who lost their lives in the tragedy.A boat will take 22 of them from Portsmouth dockyard to the site of the wreck to lay wreaths for the crew who lost their lives in the tragedy.
It will be followed by a short, traditional service at St Ann's church in Portsmouth Naval Base.It will be followed by a short, traditional service at St Ann's church in Portsmouth Naval Base.
The wreck was identified at a depth of 30m (100ft) during Southsea Sub-Aqua Club's recent diving survey and historical research in the Solent area. Former Midshipman Paul Butler, from Bledington, Gloucestershire, will be giving a reading at the church service.
He was on another LCT returning as part of the same flotilla and believes he signalled LCT427 just before the accident.
Among others attending will be the former fiancé of Wireman Kenneth Sumner, from Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Remained missing
He was the only crew member recovered from the sea that night but died two days later. His grave is at the Royal Naval Cemetery in Haslar, Gosport.
The remaining crew were reported as missing, presumed killed, and none of the relatives were told about what had happened.
Many relatives went on believing they had been lost in Normandy, until the wreck was found by divers this summer.
It was identified at a depth of 30m (100ft) during Southsea Sub-Aqua Club's diving survey and historical research in the Solent area.
The two pieces lay upright several hundred metres apart in the busy main shipping channel approaching Portsmouth and Southampton.The two pieces lay upright several hundred metres apart in the busy main shipping channel approaching Portsmouth and Southampton.
The area is normally out of bounds for diving, but the club was given special permission by Portsmouth Harbour Master.The area is normally out of bounds for diving, but the club was given special permission by Portsmouth Harbour Master.
Sub Lieutenant Frank Freeman, 20, from Nottingham was one of those who died in the tragedy. Sub Lieutenant Frank Freeman, 20, from Nottingham was another crew member who died in the tragedy.
After Ms Mayor appealed on BBC Radio Nottingham, the a son of one of Sub Lt Freeman's cousins, Richard Graine, contacted the BBC to say he would be keen to attend the memorial. After Ms Mayor appealed on BBC Radio Nottingham, the a son of one of Sub Lt Freeman's cousins, Richard Graine, contacted the BBC saying: "I was always aware of pictures of Frank and that he died on D-Day, but that's all I knew.
He said: "I was always aware of pictures of Frank and that he died on D-Day, but that's all I knew.
"To think you are home safe and then this happens, it's very sad.""To think you are home safe and then this happens, it's very sad."
Relatives of Hallam Carr, Eric Fields, David Spillane, Kenneth Sumner and Joseph Whitfield were attending the memorial.