Tomorrow will see one of the most emotional service parades Falmouth has seen in recent years. It is likely to be the last parade at which surviving veterans of the famous St Nazaire Raid of 1942 will muster to pay tributes to the many colleagues who died all those years ago.

A memorial, rededicated last year in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall when it was moved from the Church Street car park to the Prince of Wales Pier, will again be the backdrop to the memorial services.

It is expected just seven surviving members of the raid will be in town, all now being well into their 80s and beyond. They will be accompanied by their families and hosted by the town’s Royal British Legion. With them will be several of their French counterparts and representatives from St Nazaire including the French town’s mayor.

The parade will muster at the Moor at 10.40am and march to the pier for the service at 11am. It will be led by the 6th Rifles Peninsular Cadet Band.

All standards will be carried and in the harbour HMS Chatham will be tied up alongside the County Wharf with other warships nearby and others currently within the docks all paying tribute.

All will be sending representatives from the vessels to the parade and service which will include some from the current HMS Campbeltown - a former Campbeltown being blown up in St Nazaire in 1942 to block the then German submarine base.

It was from Falmouth that many of those taking part in the now well-documented raid, left and to which some survivors returned.

Eric Dawkins, former town clerk who has been instrumental over the years in maintaining the close links between the town and veterans said he hoped the “whole town” would turn out for the parade. “This will be the last visit of the veterans,” he said. “It should be a real navy day in town.”

The veterans and others involved will also be hosted to a special re-union dinner and the Royal British Legion is hosting a reception.

Falmouth town council has given the event its full support and backing and members and officials will be present at the parade and service.

Representatives of the Armed Services, Royal British Legion and dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow, the mayors of Falmouth and St Nazaire and other key representatives from both towns will attend.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the service on Prince of Wales Pier and make the veterans welcome.