Ocracoke's British Cemetery Ceremony is Friday

This year is the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the H.M. Trawler Bedfordshire off the coast. Sub-Lieutenant Cunningham’s son and his wife traveled from England for the event, and have safely arrived on Ocracoke.

Special guests and military dignitaries from England, Canada, and Germany were invited; their arrival is dependent on the Hatteras ferry operations. 

Ocracoke Civic and Business representative Janey Jacoby said tonight that the ceremony will take place as planned. 

"We need to acknowledge the event, even without the presence of the invited guests," she said.

The ceremony honors the memory of the lives lost seventy years ago. Ocracoke high school seniors Molly Lovejoy and Virginia Downes will read the history of the H.M. Trawler Bedfordshire and the names on the Roll of Honor. Seniors Leslie Espinoza and Echo Bennink will welcome the guests and distribute the programs. 

The Ocracoke ceremony can trace its ties to island families back to May 1942. The British Cemetery site has meant a lot to the people of Ocracoke, as well as becoming an important stop for many visitors. As one stands at these gravesites, you begin to understand the kindness and respect people have shown for these four men who died so far from home.  The Ocracoke community has continued to help care for the gravesites and to honor these British sailors. 

The Charlotte Observer recently ran an excellent article about the annual ceremony. You can find it here.