A MEMORIAL is being unveiled on what would have been the 40th birthday of a fisherman who died off Newhaven.

Robert Morley was one of two crew members who drowned when their vessel Joanna C sank on November 21, 2020.

Captain Dave Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews, while the body of 26-year-old Adam Harper was found by divers five days later.

The memorial is also a tribute to other fishermen who have died off the coast of Newhaven and will be unveiled in the port today at 4pm.

The Argus: Robert Morley's body was found washed up in Bexhill in December 2020Robert Morley's body was found washed up in Bexhill in December 2020

Jackie Woolford, Robert Morley’s mother, revealed that she wanted the ceremony to happen on what would have been Robert’s birthday, April 28.

She told The Argus: “We wanted it for the first anniversary just so it was a specific day but we couldn’t get it done by November 21 last year.

“Then we thought spring time. Robert always wanted something special for his 40th, for his 18th and 21st he got gold.

The Argus: Tributes to Robert Morley and Adam Harper in Newhaven PortTributes to Robert Morley and Adam Harper in Newhaven Port

“Robert said ‘I don’t want gold for my 40th, I want something special’. You can’t really get any more special than this memorial.

“It sounds silly but it’s bittersweet. We have had this to deal with, there has always been something to do. Now it’s coming to an end and you feel not sure what you’re supposed to do after that.

“It was Maria Caulfield and Steve Bell who started it all off when the boat went down, they have followed the journey with us and fought for us. Local people and businesses as well as people all around the world donated to the memorial.”

Maria Caulfield, Conservative MP for Lewes, said: “The people of Newhaven and beyond have been incredibly generous in raising thousands for this memorial to those fishermen, including Robert Morley and Adam Harper, who have been lost at sea.

The Argus: A procession for Robert Morley's funeral in March 2021A procession for Robert Morley's funeral in March 2021

“This statue, in a location that was so special to Robert Morley, will be a permanent memorial to him and all of the fishermen who have so tragically died. I hope that the families and local community will be able to use this beautiful spot as a place of remembrance and reflection.

“I am pleased to have been able to help the family of Robert Morley in their endeavour to have this beautiful memorial installed.”

The memorial is set to be unveiled in Newhaven Port at 4pm today.