Prime Minister Winston Churchill joins King George VI and the Queen Mother with daughters Elizabeth and Margaret in the VE Day celebrations.
By Democrat reporter
When VE Day dawns on 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.
To mark this occasion the sirens of Royal Navy ships at HM Naval Base Clyde will blare and their searchlights pierce the darkness on Friday, May 8.
From the immortal White Cliffs of Dover to the sands of Bahrain and Caribbean and windswept Falklands, the men and women of the Naval Service will join their countryfolk in paying homage to our greatest generation and remember the sacrifices made between 1939 and 1945.
The Royal Navy lost more than 250 warships defeating Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy; more than 40,000 sailors and Royal Marines were killed in the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of many large-scale events marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day including many parades and events around Scotland involving veterans.
Nevertheless, every effort is being made to ensure May 8, 2020 is a day to remember reflecting both the celebration and sacrifice befitting the greatest day in the history of our isles in the 20th Century.
Events on Friday begin at 8am with all Government buildings flying the Union Flag at full mast – something they will do on all three days of the weekend (lowering the standard at 8pm).
There will be a nationwide two minutes’ silence at 11am to remember more than 400,000 British military personnel and civilians who died in World War 2.
At 3pm, Royal Navy ships and support vessels at HMNB Clyde will join others based around the country and those deployed around the world and will blast their sirens for a minute to celebrate victory – the time marks the moment on Tuesday, May 8, 1945 when Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill addressed the nation.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines have produced special versions of We’ll Meet Again and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, while the Corps of Drums will perform a special event on Horse Guards Parade, all while operating under Government rules.
Finally at 9.30pm or 10.00pm in Scotland, as it gets dark later, searchlights on naval ships – both those in harbour and those at sea – will be directed skywards for five minutes; the war’s end marked the lifting of the blackout after nearly six years.
Find out more about the Naval Service’s tributes to the men and women of 1939-1945 – and learn about the latter’s triumph over tyranny.
HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navys Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla SUBFLOT based at Clyde. It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines, said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nations interests. HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt – are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.
Pictured: Royal Marines and their Dutch counterparts share a cup of tea and cake with residents of Garelochhead. HMNB Clyde has donated Christmas trees to several communities around Argyll & Bute. The trees were cut from MoD land by Babcock and delivered by Santa’s little helpers; members of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.
Sir Boyd Tunnock KBE, inventor of the legendary Tunnocks Teacake and owner of confectionary empire Tunnocks Ltd., visited HM Naval Base Clyde on Wednesday, November 6, to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. The head of the family-owned, Uddingston-based, business was invited to the Home of the UK Submarine Service by Rear Admiral John Weale CB OBE, Rear Admiral Submarines. During the visit Sir Boyd was shown around Royal Navy Astute Class attack submarine and also spent time with Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Pictured is Captain Merns former Captain HMS NEPUNE handing over command to Captain Nick Gibbons.
GUN RUNNERS- Navy Team put on public show ahead of Field Gun competition. SPECTATORS gathered at Helensburgh Pier Car Park on Thursday (May 23) to cheer along Field Gunners from HMS Neptune as they prepared for this years competition at HMS Collingwood. The 18-strong team of Royal Navy sailors from nearby HM Naval Base Clyde were conducting their public run, an annual tradition in Helensburgh which gives the public the opportunity to witness the naval spectacle and support their local team. The Teams Number Two Trainer, Petty Officer Kevin Laing, said: Running in front of a crowd in Helensburgh gives the team a boost. When we compete at HMS Collingwood its in front of hundreds, so practising here with an audience helps us get used to that and to work on our focus. He continued: The competition is tough this year but we have a good team and were confident of giving our best. It was great that so many came along to give us a cheer. To prepare, the team has undergone eight weeks of physical training, followed by five weeks of track training with the Field Gun. The final week of training will be at Collingwood before the competition. The Field Gun events roots stretch back to 1899 and the second Boer War. British Army troops were under siege and The Naval Brigade came to their rescue, the sailors disassembling and unloading six, half-ton field guns from ships, HMS Terrible and Powerful, and transporting them over many miles of perilous terrain. The daring-do helped lift the siege of Ladysmith and rescue the desperate soldiers. Royal Navy teams have been recreating the event ever since, beginning at the Royal Tournament in 1907, and continuing to the present day where they compete at HMS Collingwood in Fareham. Teams must run, dismantle, reassemble and fire an antique field gun in as quick a time as possible. Lugging the gun, which weighs close to a ton, along the 78 metretrack, teams can pick up time penalties for
Captain Mearns signals the start of a 52 hour endurance event by doing the first hour long run in HMS NEPTUNE super mess The event is to mark the 120th anniversary of the siege of Ladysmith and to rais money for the RNRMC and DNRC The Field Gun crew and members of HMNB CLYDE will be cycling, running and rowing for 52 hours within the super mess at HMS NEPTUNE. culminating in marching the field gun from the north side to the south side of camp collecting money alonf their way.
Purple Friday LGBT Flag Raising The RN Compass organisation has obtained permission from NBC Clyde and CO 43 CDO to fly the LGBT rainbow flag from 43 CDO’s flag pole to mark LGBT history month. The LGBT Youtgh Scotland event where organisations fly the rainbow flag to show support. The flag was raised and flown in the presence of sailors, Royal Marines and MOD civilians.
Rear Admiral Weale and Mr Ray Hunter who was the Navigator on board HMS Resolution on the first CASD patrol in 1969.(Admirals office, HMNB Clyde. 6 Feb 2019)
Images; LPhot Porridge Oates Helensburgh Remembrance 2018 The service was attended by Sailors and staff from HMNB Clyde. Representing the Naval Base was Naval Base Commander Commadore Donald Doull. The parade marched through the streets of the town watched by members of the public. After there was a sevice held at the cenotaph which included a wreath laying ceremony.
Images; LPhot Porridge Oates Helensburgh Remembrance 2018 The service was attended by Sailors and staff from HMNB Clyde. Representing the Naval Base was Naval Base Commander Commadore Donald Doull. The parade marched through the streets of the town watched by members of the public. After there was a sevice held at the cenotaph which included a wreath laying ceremony.
Erskine Veterans visit HMS Tracker and HMS Raider host Erskine Veterans. 20/09/18 Words to follow
The Indian Submarine Rescue team have visited the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) based at HMNB Clyde as part of a fact finding visit.
Royal Navy bomb disposal experts at HM Naval Base Clyde have a new Commanding Officer (CO) with the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Chris Stephenson. Chris, who has previously served as Mine Counter Measures Staff Officer to the Faslane Flotilla, takes over from Lieutenant Commander Tony Hampshire as CO of Northern Diving Group (NDG).
HM Naval Base Clyde has a new hand at the helm with the appointment of Commodore Donald Doull as Naval Base Commander Clyde. Commodore Doull takes over from Commodore Mark Gayfer who has held the top job at HM Naval Base Clyde since February 2016. Commodore Gayfer is retiring from the Royal Navy after 30 years of distinguished service.
It’s all happening at HM Naval Base Clyde on 75th anniversary of VE Day.
