Planned memorial for COPP heroes
AN appeal to raise £25,000 to build a lasting memorial to the heroes of the secretive COPP unit based at Hayling during World War Two has been launched.
Discover Hayling chairman Robin Walton revealed that fundraising has begun to build a memorial to be erected near the old Lifeboat Station on The Seafront, during a presentation at last month's Hayling Island Residents' Association meeting.
Mr Walton has traced some of the last few remaining members of the unit which used to creep close to enemy lines to survey the shorelines in preparation for allied invasions during the last two years of the war, in both Europe and the Far East.
He wants to build a landscaped memorial with a stone pillar and bronze plaque inscribed with a dedication to the brave men and women – 90 of whom received some of the highest military medals and commendations – who trained for their operations at their base at Hayling Island Sailing Club, from 1943-45.
Discover Hayling launched a new booklet – the latest in their series on the Island's history and heritage – at the meeting at the United Reformed Church Hall, on July 22
The booklet called Hayling's Heroes also tells the tale of another local war hero Cecil Walker, who served as a fighter pilot on the Arctic convoys.
After the war he went on to found the Bentley Walker electrical store at Mengham. For a full report of meeting see here.
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Weather for Hayling
Sunday 05 February 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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