Service to commemorate 70 years since boating tragedy

TODAY marks the 70th anniversary of the drowning of 13 Cub Scouts in the Clarence River, and the Grafton Scout Group will commemorate the tragedy on Sunday.

The Cub Memorial at Memorial Park, Grafton. Photo: Adam Hourigan/The Daily Examiner. Picture: Adam Hourigan

TODAY marks the 70th anniversary of the drowning of 13 Cub Scouts in the Clarence River, and the Grafton Scout Group will commemorate the tragedy on Sunday.

The group has been busy organising the memorial service, to be held at 10am on Sunday at Memorial Park, followed by morning tea at the Scout Hall.

"This week we will lay some new wreaths for the boys at their resting places, prior to our memorial service on Sunday," group leader Amenda Gilmore said.

"Our memorial service should be well attended as we have contacted most families of the victims and others involved in the tragedy. We would like to see as many community members as possible on Sunday."

In preparation for the event, the Cubs and Scouts have been involved in a number of activities, including a recent visit to the graves at the South Grafton cemetery.

One current Grafton Scout said, "When it all happened the Scouts must have felt terrible, upset, bad and miserable. I would have been terrified."

Everyone is invited to the service. To attend the morning tea phone Mrs Gilmore on 0431 370 217 or email [e-mail].

Originally published as Service to commemorate 70 years since boating tragedy