The Amethyst Incident, also known as the Yangtze Incident, in 1949 involved the British Royal Navy ship HMS Amethyst being trapped on the Yangtze River for three months, during the Chinese Civil War.
About the Memorial:
The circular planting of 46 Chinese euonymus plants commemorates each life lost during the Yangtze incident in China in 1949.
A plaque alongside the memorial tells the full story of the Yangtze Incident. Inside the circle are a black polished granite monument and trees planted as a tribute to HMS Amethyst, HMS Black Swan, HMS Consort and HMS London which were the four ships involved in the incident.
The human cost in the four ships was 46 dead and 68 injured. The tree planted just outside the circle remembers the RAF Sunderland flying boat named D-DOG ML772 from 88 Squadron that, on the fourth attempt, landed successfully on the Yangtze River alongside HMS Amethyst to deliver medical supplies and a replacement doctor.*
*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4
You have the job, Cherie. Keep it up.
I have never heard of or seen these splendid memorials you keep showing. They are so calm and quiet and ’serene’?, if I can call them that. And they cause me, at least, to remember.
That is their job.
They cannot do that for me without you.
Thank you for you kind words my dear
The memorials in my recent posts are all located in the National Memorial Arboretum which was officially opened to the public in 2001.
It is a place for remembrance, honouring the fallen and recognising their service and sacrifice for their country. Over 50,000 trees have been planted in the grounds which give it the quiet serene atmosphere you mention. It is a humbling and uplifting place to visit.
Near to the entrance of the site is ‘The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness’. It is the only place in the United Kingdom where the Act of Remembrance is observed every day of the year.
That is really moving. I didn’t know anything about this part of history!
Thank you, the memorials and history are moving.
Thanks, Cherie, I’d not heard of it either.
I expect the Naval aspect has hit a particular chord with you…