St Mary's Fleet of Missionary Boats

In 1919 Bishop Dunn of what was formerly British Honduras now Belize, in Central America preached in St Mary's. He told the congregation that a motorboat for use in his missionary diocese was sorely needed to assist in the work of spreading the Christian Gospel. At that time the country had no roads or railways, transport was mainly by boat on the numerous rivers that dissected the country. Bishop Dunn suggested to the congregation at St Mary's that a fitting practical tribute to those who died in the First World War would be to allow part of the church war memorial to be a suitable motor launch for use in his diocese.

The congregation decided to accept his challenge and under the enthusiastic guidance of Revd Lionel Lambert, funds were raised. The first "St Mary's Stafford" boat, as this and all other boats were called, started work in the Diocese of British Honduras in 1923.

This was the start of an ongoing enterprise which continued up to the onset of the Second World War in 1939. In all 24 boats were provided, motor launches and yachts for use on rivers, lakes and the open sea and stationed amongst missionary dioceses all over the world as shown on this map.

The main source of funding for this enterprise was the Annual Sale of Work involving many members of the congregation, which was held on the last Wednesday of September in the Borough Hall (now the Gatehouse Theatre). Ultimately there were 16 stalls and a 'Coupon Club' to enable people to save money during the preceding year to spend on the day. Each stall was a trading unit in itself, held by a specific group of stall-holders, who often traded throughout the year, thereby raising further funds before the Annual Sale commenced. An indication of the success of the Sales of Work is indicated by the fact that over the 19 years to 1936, a total of £7,830 (£201,105 in today's money) had been raised. It should also be remembered that the 1920s and 1930s were not good economic times for the country.

Each boat flew the 'St Mary's Stafford' pennant. This was designed in 1933 and two were provided for each boat. The design was of a red cross of St George on a white background in the centre of which was a crowned 'M', the symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There were Stafford Knots on the four arms of the cross.