Felixstowe: 41 flood victims to be honoured 70 years on

The town was among those in Suffolk which were most affected by the flood, with a total of 41 people having lost their lives  

Reverend Andrew Dotchin is the vicar of St John the Baptist and St Edmund’s King and Martyr churches in Felixstowe.  

He said that it was important to continue to mark the loss of these 41 lives for future generations.  

“There are people who are alive now, who were very young back then and have lived their whole lives with the memory of an awful night, when it was dark and wet, and nobody knew what was happening,” he said. 

“The communication means in those days was a policeman on a bike. 

“We are recognising how far we have come, being thankful for what we have, and honouring those who used to move amongst us and keeping their memories alive.” 

Reverend Andrew Dotchin is the vicar of St John the Baptist and St Edmund’s King and Martyr churches in Felixstowe. (Image: Newsquest)

Saturday, January 28 

From 11am until 2pm, Felixstowe Library in Crescent Road will be hosting the launch of Felixstowe resident Jean Macpherson’s book, The Felixstowe Floods of 1953: Never to be Forgotten. Mrs Macpherson has interviewed over 50 people for the book, many of them speaking about their experiences for the first time. A special chapter researching the 41 people who lost their lives is included, and is dedicated to their memory. 

Mrs Macpherson has also made a commemorative quilt with the help of fellow Felixstowe resident Jill Adam, which is currently on display at Felixstowe Library. 

Felixstowe resident Jean Macpherson has written a book, The Felixstowe Floods of 1953: Never to be Forgotten. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Newsquest)

A 'Procession of Light' will leave the memorial on Langer Road at 6pm on Tuesday. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Sunday, January 29 

A church service will take place at St John’s Church in Orwell Road at 6pm. This will be attended by Suffolk Coastal MP Thérèse  Coffey and Felixstowe Mayor Sharon Harkin. The service will include music from the period, as well as readings and memories from survivors. 

Tuesday, January 31 

At 10am, there will be a memorial service at the flood memorial in Langer Road, with children from Langer Primary Academy participating. 

At 6pm, a ‘Procession of Light’ will set off from the flood memorial, visiting the streets where many people lost their lives. At each stop, a few words will be said about each of the 41 victims and their families.  

Jean Macpherson has created a commemorative quilt, with the help of fellow Felixstowe resident Jill Adam. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mrs Macpherson's book will launch from Felixstowe Library, where there is a display to honour the 1953 flood victims. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

There is currently a display on the 1953 floods in Felixstowe Library. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)