Personnel attend local Remembrance Sunday events

By Matthew Hibberd & Marie Arnott

PERSONNEL from HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood were honoured to attend various services to mark Remembrance Sunday (November 8) this weekend, where they joined together with local veterans and communities in both Gosport / Fareham to pay their respects.

At the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, the Worshipful Mayor of Gosport, Mrs Kirsten Bradley, led the borough in Remembrance. She was joined by the King’s representative from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL.

Captain Mark Hamilton, Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, attended alongside high-ranking military and civilian dignitaries and laid a wreath, along with Surgeon Captain Mike Lindsay, Head of Medical Employability and Standards for the Royal Navy also attended, representing the Institute of Naval Medicine.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion were on parade alongside veteran’s groups, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and other local organisations. There was also a two minutes of silence and playing of the Last Post during the service, which was described as being poignant by guests.

HMS Sultan provided the Guard of Honour, made up of trainees from the Marine Engineering Training Group (METG). Cadets from HMS Sultan’s Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps and the Gosport Division Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC) also took part, alongside Sea Cadets and other youth organisations.

At the Fleet Air Arm Memorial in Lee-on-the-Solent, Senior Officers present included Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh GCB DL and Rear Admiral Andrew Rose OBE, Director People and Training and Naval Secretary. Both laid wreaths, as did Commander Niki Clear, Executive Officer of HMS Sultan, on behalf of the establishment.

A marching platoon from the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School’s Aircraft Engineering Technician Qualifying Course 26/005 and the HMS Sultan Volunteer Band played a central role in the Act of Remembrance.

At the Sunken Garden in Lee-on-the-Solent, the First Lieutenant of HMS Sultan, Lieutenant Commander Richard Cleaves, represented the establishment and laid a wreath in remembrance. The Band of the Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC) Gosport also took part in the ceremony.

Meanwhile in Fareham, personnel from HMS Collingwood were in attendance at the borough’s Remembrance Day Parade to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country. Sailors from the establishment led the parade at Fareham War Memorial alongside members of the Royal British Legion.

Captain John Cromie, Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood, laid a wreath on behalf of the establishment, whilst the Volunteer Band provided musical accompaniment throughout the service. The parade provided an opportunity for the local community and Armed Forces personnel to come together to remember and honour those who have served.

HMS Collingwood personnel were also in attendance to support the Stone Remembrance Day Parade to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country. This continued their standing affiliation with the Borough of Stafford and the City of Stoke-on-Trent, with which the establishment holds the Freedom of the Borough.

HMS Collingwood inherited this distinguished honour from HMS St Vincent following the closure of the Gosport-based training establishment in 1969. The base was named after Stone-born Admiral of the Fleet John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent, who served alongside Admiral Lord Nelson and remains one of the Royal Navy’s most celebrated figures.

PICTURED BY LT TRACEY PARROTT: Trainees from HMS Sultan’s Marine Engineering Training Group form the Guard of Honour at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital on Remembrance Sunday.