Emma Pritchard

An 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Grafton Cubs Scouts Disaster is set to take place next month.

On December 10, a Commemoration Luncheon will be held at 12pm at the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC).

On December 11, a Dawn Vigil will commence at 5.30am in Memorial Park, Grafton, followed by graveside services at the Grafton Cemetery at 8.30am, and at the South Grafton Cemetery at 9.30am.

A Commemoration Service will be held later in the afternoon from 4.15-5.30pm, back at Memorial Park.

The event will be held in memory of the 13 young boys who tragically drowned in the Clarence River on December 11, 1943, when the punt they were travelling in capsized upon its return to the mainland from Susan Island.

They were among a group of 31 Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs who had attended an annual picnic and were halfway across the river when the wind suddenly picked up, causing a number of the passengers to panic, and subsequently, overturn the punt.

Only a small number of the boys could swim.

As the 80th anniversary of their tragic passing draws nearer, President of the Clarence River Historical Society (CRHS) Steve Tranter has established a GoFundMe page to raise funds to assist the Grafton Scout Group in purchasing specialist equipment for their regular activities, in honour of the 13 boys who sadly, never made it home in 1943.

Items the Grafton Scout Group wish to purchase include an inflatable (semi-rigid) boat, trailer and motor, canoe trailer, and life preservers.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/as4ds-raising-funds-to-purchase-equipment