Bel,what interesting comments! I am also reading the same book ; it is so gripping and as you say, brings a lump in the throat. The poem is unbearably moving.
I'm so interested to hear about Betty's (- I shall go on my next visit to York, thank you for the info -) and the memomorabilia and would love to have a list of the names of the crew.
Thanks everyone for their response; if only these brave young men and women could be officially commemorated.

On a much lighter note, whilst typing these worthy sentiments, my 2 dogs have chased an interloping cat out of the house.The noise was horrendous and the younger ( and thinner ) of the dogs raced down the steps to the garden at such speed that he had to flatten his ears and push his front legs forward in order to fly through a gap in the balustrade before landing in a rhododendron bush.The cat, of course, got clean away.
There may be a moral here...!!!