[Dora Hannan’s father was in the navy and away from home for extended periods of time until he was discharged after WWI]

One great event of the year was the Trafalgar Day parade, when the Navy really went all out to collect as much money for their charities as possible. What antics those sailors got up to, dressing in fancy clothes, playing barrel organs, and jolly Jack Tar bands rolling round the town. I can only recall Dad being able to take part in this festivity once, and how eagerly we waited at our vantage point till he hove in sight with a collecting bag on the end of a long cane, enabling him to reach over the heads of the crowds for their pennies, and of course, we eagerly dropped ours in. This carnival procession covered all the main roads of the town, those taking part enjoying it as much as the onlookers, for those bluejackets [an enlisted sailor] with their skylarking kept people in fits of laughter.