Munro’s Mariners kayak challenge completed

Following in the footsteps of the brave Second World War commandos, Munro’s Mariners have completed a 70-mile charity kayaking expedition in France – in memory of highly respected Dorset Police Inspector Neil Munro.

The team of 21 officers and staff from Dorset Police – known as Munro’s Mariners - took to the water on 28 November from Pointe de Grave, the most northern point of the Gironde River in south-west France.

The team then kayaked 70 miles over four days along the Gironde and Garonne rivers, finishing at Blaye, near Bordeaux, on 1 December – retracing the route taken by commandos in the daring Second World War Operation Frankton against German battleships in Bordeaux harbour in December 1942.

The majority of the team returned home the following day. However, expedition member and Dorset Police Superintendent, Mick Rogers, PC Gary Jones and the High Sheriff of Dorset Vicky McDonaugh stayed on to complete the 103-mile walk originally completed by the ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ of Operation Frankton.

The patron of Munro’s Mariners, the High Sheriff of Dorset, has been a strong supporter of the team and has helped the group so far raise £8,700 towards their target of £10,000 for three local charities, the Special boat Service Association, the Neo-natal Unit at Poole Hospital and the Dorset Police Benevolent Fund.

Expedition member and Dorset Police Superintendent, Mick Rogers, said: “It was a great challenge and we met some wonderful people – we even stayed with relatives of Second World War Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the Cognac area of France.

“I and the rest of the team are very proud and pleased that we completed a very physically and mentally gruelling challenge in memory of a very fine and highly respected police officer. I’d like to thank the many people who have supported us.”

The expedition was staged in memory of Inspector Neil Munro, who tragically died last year. His final posting was to north Bournemouth where he was based at Winton police station.