Commodore Donald Doull, who was accompanied by his wife Olivia, laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy. Pictures by the Royal Navy, Faslane
By Kim Hardie
Commodore Donald Doull, Naval Base Commander Clyde, went along to the Helensburgh Garden of Remembrance today to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country.
Commodore Doull, who was accompanied by his wife Olivia, laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy. His wife Olivia also laid a wreath on behalf of the Military Wives Choir.
Normally, there would be a full Remembrance Service however this year, due to Covid restrictions, the ceremony was cancelled, with no parade of local groups or any band permitted.
However local dignitaries and community groups still attended the Garden of Remembrance at different times, to lay wreaths and take a moment to remember those who have died in the service of their country.
Cdre Doull said: “Remembrance Sunday is a day for us to commemorate all those that made the ultimate sacrifice, whether they be military or civilian, that have fought and died in the service of our country.
“Although COVID means we cannot come together in a joint act of remembrance as normal, their sacrifice will be remembered.”
In addition, Royal Navy personnel laid wreaths in other towns and cities around Scotland. In Edinburgh, Commodore Bob Anstey, Senior Naval Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, laid a wreath in the Scottish National War Memorial and Captain Nick Gibbons attended the Clydebank War Memorial to honour those lost.
The Naval Base will hold its own Remembrance Service on Wednesday, November 11, with a limited number of Naval Base personnel attending at The Church of St John the Evangelist, part of the base Chaplaincy. Two minutes silence will be observed across the Naval Base which will close with the Bosun’s Call signalling participants to “carry on”.
The Helensburgh War Memorial; Mrs Olivia Doull lays a wreath on behalf of the Military Wives; Choir;Commodore Donald Doull, Naval Base Commander Clyde, lays a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy at the Helensburgh Garden of Remembrance, and poppies red and white for peace.