Cunard at War Part 2

Thursday 19 March 2026

An illustrated presentation by

ERIC FLOUNDERS

Cunard at War:

'A debt not easy to repay'

Cunard provided invaluable service to Britain in the Crimea War & the First World War.

But these achievements were significantly surpassed in the Second World War.

Of 26 Allied divisions at D Day, over half were brought by Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary & Aquitania. The company carried 2,473,040 troops up to May 1945.

In a letter to Sir Percy Bates, Chairman of Cunard, Sir Winston Churchill wrote of Cunard's ships:

''Without their aid the day of final victory must unquestionably have been postponed. To those who brought these two great ships into existence, the world owes a debt that will not be easy to repay''.

Book in via the club website here. The talk will begin at 19.00, please arrive between 18.30 18:45 to buy a drink and socialise

Last updated 10:20pm on 19 February 2026