Ferndown Branch presentation Legion d'Honneur

Ferndown Branch presentation Legion d'Honneur

On April 5th 2016 fourteen shipmates of Ferndown Branch Royal Naval Association mustered at the Gangway of HMS VICTORY, in Portsmouth Dockyard, by kind permission of the Commanding Officer of HMS Victory Lt. Cdr Brian Smith, Royal Navy, to support three of their Messmates, Shipmate Bob Barnett (HMS Redpole), Shipmate Ron Cunningham (Landing Crafts) and Shipmate Charles Grant (HMS Nelson) who were to receive their Legion d'Honneur Medals awarded by the President of France and was to be presented by Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB. DL, former 1st Sea Lord in the Great Cabin on board HMS Victory.

The Ceremony was very moving with each recipient being taken into the Great Cabin and presented with his award individually. At the conclusion of all the presentations, The group were invited for coffee and biscuits in the WO & CPO's Mess this was followed by a full and detailed tour of the the Ship by members of the Ships Company

Photo's in the Great Cabin, L to R Shipmate Mick Arnold MBE, Chairman, Shipmate Bob Barnett, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band,GCB.DL Shipmate Ron Cunningham and Shipmate Charles Grant.
At the entrance to Victory. Shipmate Charles Grant, Shipmate Bob Barnett and Shipmate Ron Cunninham.The group from
Ferndown alongside HMS Victory Extra photo in the Great Cabin. Mick Arnold, Jean Arnold, Bob Barnett, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Ron Cunningham, Charles Grant and Ian Scraggs Vice Chairman of Ferndown Branch