June 6th 1944, the date the invasion started was a fitting date to start the next chapter of the story of the ‘Medway Queen’, the paddle steamer that has touched so many lives.
The ‘Unveiling of the Keel Ceremony’ was held at the Albion Dockyard, Bristol, among the pomp of an old fashioned occasion with a specially formed silver band and cheering crowds.
The unveiling was performed by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Christopher Davies helped by thirteen year old Oliver Field a junior member of the Sittingbourne branch of the sea scouts.
Other dignitaries included Sheila Bearcroft (South West Regional President of the GMB and also President of the TUC), Mr Bob Bewley (Director of Operations of the Heritage Lottery Fund) and Mr Leslie Wicks (Portfolio Holder for Education on Medway Council who all added their words of encouragement.
John Kempton, Chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society gave a speech of welcome to the large crowd which included people from the Isle of Wight, Liverpool and even Paris.
45 members from the Medway area travelled down by coach and stopped the night to carry on the celebrations.