Written by: Tony | Tuesday, 14th May 2024 - 10:00

Category: Events | Tags: visitmeal

We were pleased to join the Probus Club of Horsham and District on their trip to Southsea on 14th May and enjoyed a quick coach ride to arrive a little early.

The early morning rain had passed and we arrived on the coast in fine, but breezy weather.

The Museum is set in a fine new building and after coffee we had the choice of taking an audio tour of the D-Day exhibits or going on a conducted tour round LCT7404 (located outside), a restored tank landing craft that took Sherman tanks and their crews to land on D+1.

The internal Museum exhibits were very well displayed and covered all aspects of the landing in great detail, but the highlight for many of us was the tour of the LCT. The guides explained extremely well how these long, flat-bottomed ships, with minimal facilities on board wallowed across the Channel to take their cargoes to the heavily defended beaches in support of the Allied landings.

We also learned that LCT7404, the last survivor of its type (and 800 were built) had followed a chequered post-war career, including being used as a night-club, only finally to be abandoned in the mud of Wallasey Dock.

A very enjoyable trip, well organised and our thanks to District for the invitation to join them.

You can take a guided tour of LCT7074 on YouTube - just search LCT7074.