The Royal Navy played a prominent role along with other members of the Armed Forces and civic personnel in the annual Remembrance Day Service on Sunday on Plymouth Hoe.
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Michael Wright was joined by Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Vice Admiral Sir Richard Ibbotson KBE CB DSC DL, Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress, Councillor Chaz Singh and Saranjit Kaur and new Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, Tracey Lee at this year’s Remembrance Day Service on Plymouth Hoe.
The service remembered all those who lost their lives in both World Wars and in all conflicts. A two-minute silence will took place at the Royal Naval Memorial at 11am.
The Deputy Lieutenant laid a wreath on behalf of the county of Devon followed by the Lord Mayor who laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Plymouth, followed by Rear Admiral Johnstone from the Royal Navy’s Flag Officer Sea Training organisation and other representatives of the armed forces.
A member of HMS Heroes (a support group of service family children from across the city) also laid a wreath, followed by pupils from Eggbuckland, Lipson and Thornbury Primary Schools. The Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Sam Philpott conducted the service.
Members of the public and local organisations paid their respects and laid their personal wreaths at the end of the service, following the departure of the civic dignitaries.
The processional party took their places at the Civilian Memorial in Lockyer Street, where Father Philpott will said a prayer. Wreaths were laid around the civilian memorial by the Lord Mayor, Rear Admiral Johnstone and Oliver Colvile MP (on behalf of all the local Members of Parliament) followed by civilian representatives.
The service remembered all those who lost their lives in both World Wars and in all conflicts. A two-minute silence took place at 11am before the Lord Mayor laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Plymouth. He was followed by Rear Admiral Johnstone from Flag Officer Sea Training and other representatives of the armed forces.
The Royal Navy at Plymouth provided the following numbers of personnel for Remembrance events: Plymouth Hoe 125 for guards, sentinels and parade, on Sunday 11th November, Alexandra Park in Plymouth, 9, on 9th November; Plymouth Pavilions Festival of Remembrance 3 on the evening of Friday 9 November.
The Royal Marines had contingents on parade in Plymouth. The 1-officer and 14-man guard supplied by 30 Commando (Information Exploitation Group) of Stonehouse. Lieutenant Colonel Nick Bruce-Jones (CO of Royal Marine Stonehouse) as the senior Royal Marine laid two wreaths, the first at the Naval Memorial as part of the tri-service parade and the 2nd wreath laid at the Royal Marine Memorial on the Hoe. In London – the 3-officer and 60-man guard was supplied by 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, 42 Commando Royal Marines, Commando Logistics Regiment from North Devon and 30 Commando (IX Group).
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Bruce-Jones said: “The act of remembrance is about much more than remembering those who have lost their lives fighting our nation’s wars. It is an opportunity for all to reflect on the loss and suffering caused by conflict and to resolve to play our part, whatever that may be, to make this a better and more peaceful World for future generations.
“That said, not since the start of the Cold War have the citizens of this country been so keenly aware of the sacrifices their Armed Forces make for their nation or been so strongly supportive of the men and women who serve under arms. The fact that such a great proportion of the people of this country will go out of their way to participate in an act of remembrance this weekend is greatly appreciated by all Service personnel and our veterans, not least because it assures us that those of our number who bear the physical and psychological scars of our operational service will not be forgotten by their fellow countrymen.”
Sailors from Devonport Naval Base also attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London with 30 personnel. Royal Naval personnel assisted with collection activities around Devon this
is up to 28 persons. In addition Devonport Naval Base Volunteer Band played the Last Post at Plymouth Argyle’s match on Saturday with 24 bandsmen and band master
Rear Admiral Clive Johnstone, head of the Flag Officer Training organisation in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, laid a wreath on Plymouth Hoe. He said: “We must never forget the sacrifices made during conflicts both past and present by our servicemen and women. Those who have died serving their country and protecting our interests should be honoured along with the families they have left behind. We must also remember those members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who have suffered life-changing injuries. Plymouth has a strong naval tradition and at the Remembrance Day parade on the Hoe I will be very proud to be able to lay a wreath and to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
Commodore Jake Moores, Commodore Devonport Flotilla, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to represent the
Devonport Flotilla at the Plymouth City Council Annual Remembrance Service. Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our Country is something, we as a Flotilla, many of whom are deployed on operations, hold dear. Thank you to all those who have put so much effort into making the day so special.”
The Royal Naval Reservist unit HMS Vivid, at Devonport, attends at Devonport Park. HMS Vivid commanding officer Commander Ian Pethick, said: “Royal Navy Reservists, including members of HMS Vivid in Plymouth, continue to support operations in Afghanistan and we will be at Devonport Park War Memorial to lay a wreath on Remembrance Day to honour and remember all servicemen and women who have laid down their life for their country and our freedom. Our thoughts will also be with those away from home serving their country and their families.”
