HMS Sultan joins communities in honouring fallen
PERSONNEL from HMS Sultan have honoured the fallen over Remembrance Weekend as they joined residents by attending multiple services and commemorations in the community over recent days; thus continuing their annual tributes to those who have died in conflict across the world.
Remembrance Sunday saw many Marine Engineers feature in an armed guard and parade at Gosport War Memorial Hospital; where they were joined by representatives from the Royal British Legion, veterans’ groups, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets, and other local organisations.
The ceremony saw a wreath laid by Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL (King’s representative from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office) alongside Gosport Mayor Cllr Richard Earle, Sultan’s Commanding Officer Captain Mark Hamilton and association representative. Readings were spoken to large crowds before concluding with a march past and salute taken by the Mayor and Adm Band.
Trainee Air Engineering Technician David Stevens said: “Remembrance means a lot. It is nice to remember all those who have fought for our country. I have an uncle who served in the Irish Guards and lost his legs, so it is important to the whole family.”
“It is a massive honour to be in the guard, to remember the sacrifices of others and represent what they have done on behalf of the Navy. It is important not to forget as we might not be living the lives we have now if it wasn’t for them, and it would be a shame to let that memory fade.”
Meanwhile in Lee-On-The-Solent the First Lieutenant, HMS Sultan, Lieutenant Commander Neil Parker joined with veterans from the Royal British Legion in laying a wreath at the sunken garden A guard of Sultan Air Engineers were further present at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial with wreaths laid by Commodore Andrew Rose OBE RN and Sultan’s Executive Officer Commander Fergus Ochtman-Corfe; whilst Sultan Chaplain Reverend James Percival was tasked with leading the prayers.
Representatives from HMS Sultan and the local community further took part in the National Service of Remembrance, which took part at the Cenotaph on Sunday morning (November 10). This was attended by high profile figures including King Charles III, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and dignitaries from other countries across the world.
These events on Sunday followed the attendance of HMS Sultan’s Volunteer Band at Gosport Borough FC as they joined the club’s annual ceremony on Friday evening; where they played poignant music before the match and further received praise for continuing to play later in the evening amidst difficult circumstances.
The training establishment also conducted their own act of Remembrance late last week as cadets took the opportunity to create poppies and place them within their own Poppy Garden. This tradition began in 2020 and has become an annual event for personnel on base; who also held a Remembrance service before the planting was undertaken late last week.
And at 11am this morning personnel were given the opportunity to fall silent to mark Armistice Day at Sultan; where they again joined the nation in remembering the fallen on this important occasion. This date represents the end of the First World War in 1918 after four years of conflict and is observed in many countries; including Belgium, France and the UK.
PICTURED BY LPHOT BAZ SWAINSBURY: Remembrance Sunday is marked by hundreds of people, including personnel from HMS Sultan, at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
