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Final parade through
Medway for HMS Chatham's company

by Alan Watkins

The commanding officer of HMS Chatham has thanked the people of
Medway for their "superb" support for the crew's farewell
parade.

People lined the
streets to show their appreciation of the crew as it
marched through central Chatham on Saturday. led by the
Band of the Royal Marines. (pictured right)

The Type 22 frigate has now been decommissioned, but local
people were determined to put on a good show of support for a ship
that has taken Chatham’s name across the world during more than 20
years of service.

Cdr Simon Huntington said afterwards : “I cannot think how we
could have sent off the ship in a more appropriate fashion. The
public reception was absolutely superb.

“The warmth of the welcome as we paraded through the town for
the last time was very uplifting for all of us.”

The farewell parade made its way from the High Street up to
the council headquarters in Dock Road, Chatham, where mayor Cllr
David Brake took the salute.

People enthusiastically waved flags (including Mark Richards
with his sons Ben and Josh, above), recognising how HMS Chatham and
her crew had enjoyed the Freedom of Medway since 2000.

One old sailor at the parade, Dave Wilkins, said: “She restored
some of the pride that was lost when the dockyard closed in
1984.”

Don't miss the special report on HMS Chatham's parade in
the Monday Medway Messenger.