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Service pays tribute to daring WW2 personnel
4 November 2025
A service to mark the 80th anniversary of the standing down of a special World War 2 unit was marked at Hayling Island.
The Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) were based at Hayling during the war years. The elite unit saw personnel risk their lives to gather information about proposed landing beaches and in-shore waters, usually under the noses of enemy coastal defences, including land and sea patrols. It was hazardous work of great importance to the planners.
Three years ago a permanent memorial was established at Hayling Island Sailing Club to recognise the 200-plus COPPists.
The 80th anniversary of the disbandment of the COPP force was marked at the sailing club, attended by representatives of the Royal Navy, including Warrant Officer Class 1 Gary Vines, who carried the White Ensign, as the club had special permission to fly it for the event.
Hosted by HISC Vice Commodore Sailing David Hitchcock and Léonie Austin of HISC Historical Archives, the event was attended by representatives from the Royal Navy, Army, COPP families, researchers and publishers, the COPP Heroes Memorial Fund and members of the sailing club. The ceremony was presided over by Colonel (Retd) Charles Ackroyd TD RD DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant.
Photo Credits Roy O’Donnell and Léonie Austin
A thanksgiving and remembrance service led by the Rev Nick Todd Anglican Vicar of Hayling Island was held at HISC’s flagpole. This concluded with two ratings, AET Rosie Aisthorpe and AB Craig Johnston, being given the honour of hauling down both the Combined Operations flag and the White Ensign at the end of the day
Attendees were shown a number of exhibits, including the personal possessions of Commander Harold Wilkinson Goulding DSO RNR and included a framed cutaway drawing of the Folbot Canoe.
Robert Smith brought along a framed silk Sicily escape map. His father, Lieutenant Philip Robert Gilmer Smith, along with Lieutenant David Brand made a daring escape during the Sicily campaign by paddling all the way from Sicily to Malta.
Research and items regarding Captain H N C Willmott were brought along by John Kimbell. Personal letters written by Lieutenant John Henry Bowden were brought by his son Mike Bowden, and Rob Crane of COPP Survey brought his own private collection, which is inspired by his grandfather Major Jack William Crane who was a member of COPP.