131 Parachute & Commando Engineers. Cromwell Lock Memorial, Newark
This is a photo of past and present members of 131 Commando, formally 131 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers. On September 28th 1975 ten members of the 131 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers were killed when their boat went over Cromwell lock. This had been an eighty mile night navigation exercise in extreme weather conditions. Power failures had caused the weir lights to go out, which resulted in all ten members drowning at the weir. Every year the Newark Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association organize the memorial event. Nottingham and Lincoln Branches are always in attendance, as well as members past and present, from 131 Commando and Parachute Squadron. 131 Parachute Squadron lost it's Parachute role during the cut backs within the territorial parachute brigade. 131 Engineer Squadron then converted to Commando. Current members of 131 Commando Engineers attended the event yesterday, as well as former Parachute Squadron members. Photo and information courtesy of Mark Holding, Treasurer Nottingham Branch The Parachute Regimental Association. Posted by Pete R.
131 Independent Commando Squadron supports 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and is the largest Territorial Army Commando Unit
You can find Cromwell lock just North of Newark in Nottinghamshire. From Newark you go North on the A1. After about three miles you follow the sign for Cromwell Village. As soon as you see the red telephone box, you turn right, opposite the telephone box, and go down a single track road, marked public footpath. Follow the road until you get to the end (about one mile), and you reach the lock and memorial.
In Memory of Sappers Raymond Buchanan, Norman Bennet, James Black, Stuart Evenden, Peter Evenden, Ian Mercer, Alexander O'Brien, Terry Smith, Ronald Temprell, and Joseph Walker
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