| LCG 15 and LCG 16 (Landing Craft Gun) (April, 25, 1943)
Their purpose was to engage enemy shore batteries during the forthcoming beach landings in Sicily. A number of these newly converted craft set sail from the Belfast docks, their destination, Falmouth. As the weather deteriorated and the seas mounted, many of the crews became seasick. As they headed down the Welsh coast with the wind now at gale force the ships started to fill up with water. Approaching the Naval Base at Milford Haven, the LCGs 15 and 16 were battling to keep afloat. Swept overboard, bodies were pummelled against the rocks. Hundreds of would be rescuers had gathered on the cliff tops unable to help as they watched the merciless seas pound the two vessels to smithereens. In all, 78 men were lost from the two landing craft, there were only three survivors. Today at Milford Haven, 39 gravestones stand in stark reminder of the tragedy. The other bodies were sent back to their families for private burial.
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On weald of Kent I watched once more
Again I heard that grumbling roar
Of fighter planes; yet none were near
And all around the sky was clear
Borne on the wind a whisper came
'Though men grow old, they stay the same'
And then I knew, unseen to eye
The ageless Few were sweeping by
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