Commemoration of the Portsmouth Blitz (Saturday)

The WFA Hampshire and IOW branch are delighted to be invited to display at  the first Partnership Event of 2026 between English Heritage and, the great friends of the Branch, The Pompey Pals Charity over the weekend of the the 10th and 11th of January at The Royal Garrison Church, Penny Street, Portsmouth.

The Event will Remember all those who suffered during the Bombing of Portsmouth in the Second World War, with particular reference to the 85th Anniversary of the First Blitz Raid which destroyed the Church roof and the Guildhall on 10th January 1941.  

A Remembrance Service will be held at 11:45am with a 2 Minute silence at 12 noon on Saturday only.

The day will then tell the story of Portsmouth’s Military Heritage from the First World War to the present day.

Re-enactors will be on site covering the Victorian era through to the Second World War.  

The Branch's Chairman, Neil Bond, will be giving a talk on 'Tubby Clayton, Talbot House and Toc H'. Tubby was a curate at St Mary's, Portsea before becoming an army chaplain and founding Talbot House in Poperinghe, Belgium in 1915 which directly led to the foundation of the Toc H ex-serviceman's organisation after the war.

Information will be available to view relating to the Pompey Pals, The Bombing of Portsmouth, the 85th Anniversary of the sinking of HMS Hood the work of The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and much more.

During the day we will also be joined by The Fine Voice Chorus performing period songs and representation from The Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band.
Veterans Outreach Support will be on site, along with Keith Malcolm from Veterans Service Hub who support the local veteran community.  Highlighting their services.

The Royal Garrison Church will be open from 11am till 4pm on both days.  The Service will take place on Saturday only.
Weather permitting.’

Do come along and meet Branch members at what promises to be a very interesting event.