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St Peter’s donates to Sea Cadets

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Historic event: Sea Cadets at the annual Midshipman Dale ceremony at St Peter's Church. The 2012 service, which is the 80th annual ceremony, takes place next Sunday.

The Friends of St Peter’s Church donated funds to TS Admiral Somers, St George’s Sea Cadet unit at a brief ceremony recently.Friends chairman, Rev Dr Erskine Simmons told Commanding Officer of the unit Michael Frith, that the funds were towards new uniforms.“We really appreciate the number of occasions the Sea Cadets have provided an honour guard for The Friends of St. Peter’s Church events,” said Dr Simmons.The Sea Cadets annually take part in the service held in memory of Midshipman Dale.Midshipman Sutherland Dale United States Navy, aged 20, died in Bermuda in February 1815, of wounds received while fighting for American Independence in January, 1815.He was the last casualty of that war. He was wounded after peace had been signed in Europe on December 24, 1814 as it took about a month for this news to reach North America.Dale was brought to Bermuda as a prisoner and tended to by sympathetic St Georgians but died of his wounds after lingering for a month.His parents were very touched by the kindness St Georgians had shown to his son and part of the inscription on the tombstone in St Peter’s churchyard reads: “This stone records the tribute of his parents’ gratitude to those inhabitants of St. George’s whose generous and tender sympathy prompted the kindest attentions to their son while living and honoring him when dead.”The service was begun by Capt Scarritt Adams, a Bermudian US Navy officer in 1932 when he was an Ensign so this year will mark the 80th anniversary of the service.The service for Midshipman Dale this year takes place on Saturday, February 18 followed by the Friends’ annual dinner and art auction.

The Rev Dr Erskine Simmons (centre) is shown presenting the cheque to Leading Cadet Ani Douglas. Also present representing the Friends are the Rev David Raths, and treasurer Donnie McLaughlin. Shown with Commanifn Officer Lt (SCC) Michael Frith, RNR, (far left standing) are the Officers, Instructors and Cadets of TS Admiral Somers.