Sultan-marks Commonwealth Day with flag event
HMS SULTAN paid their own tributes for Commonwealth Day 2025 earlier this week as they adorned the Quarterdeck with flags from fifty-six individual countries to celebrate the skills of each community; which are all represented within the Gosport-based training establishment.
Every country in the Commonwealth was represented in the event on Monday (March 10) alongside the red, white and blue of the White Ensign; the flags being held by personnel before being added to the Quarterdeck to create a colourful image that glistened in the sunshine.
In addition, a special lunch saw personnel share food, and stories, from across the commonwealth, and learn about some of the additional support services available to commonwealth personnel and their families.
METG, Coaching Learning and Development Lead, Sub Lt Alex Obonyo, who organised the lunch joined the Royal Navy from Kenya. She stated: “Commonwealth Day is great, as there’s always a lot of different blends of cultures. There’s an opportunity to discuss situations which are similar, to find solutions from someone in that group, to get to know communities that exist and the organisations which are there to help those of us coming from commonwealth countries.”
“It’s great to have Sophie, a commonwealth advisor from NFF, here to speak with people about the support available, and Lesley from King’s Group Academies Gosport Community Hub here to speak with service families. On ship it might be easier to get to know people, but everyone at Sultan is really supportive, including the Ceremonial team who made sure that every nation’s flag has been represented today.”
Readers can read more information about Commonwealth Day online and may also find out details about HMS Sultan via this link.
PICTURED BY MATTHEW HIBBERD: Cultures combined to celebrate Commonwealth Day at HMS Sultan, which was marked on Monday (March 10).
