Sons of diving war heroes join charity dinner

David Ouvry and Andrew Bailey are the VIPs at the Vernon Monument Falklands 35 charity dinner.

The event aims to raise cash to pay for a new sculpture inside the old HMS Vernon complex – now Gunwharf Quays – paying tribute to minewarfare and naval divers past, present and future.

Mr Ouvry’s father, the late Commander John Ouvry, was first to render safe one of the German magnetic mines, a device which sunk scores of ships at the start of the war.

As a result of his team’s work on the mudflats at Shoeburyness on November 23, 1939, experts at HMS Vernon were able to develop and rush into service ships’ self-protective measures, including rudimentary degaussing coils, and effective magnetic mine sweeps.

Cdr Ouvry was presented with the Distinguished Service Order ‘for great courage and skill in securing and stripping live enemy mines without regard for own safety’ by King George VI.

Andrew Bailey’s father, the late Lieutenant William ‘Bill’ Bailey formed the Underwater Working Party in Gibraltar and was responsible for removal of limpet mines attached to the hulls of anchored ships. Later, he helped clear ports after the Normandy invasion. His wartime exploits earned him the George Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross.

The meal is on July 19 at Trinity House, London. For tickets, see eventbrite.co.uk/e/vernon-monument-2017-charity-dinner-tickets-34969356286