November 7 2024

Hundreds of members of the Silent Service attended events at Westminster Abbey

By Kim Hardie

Serving and veteran Royal Navy Submariners travelled to London at the weekend for the annual Submariner Remembrance Service. 

The Service is held the week before the nation’s main Remembrance commemorations to allow Submariners to attend both and was first held over 100-years ago in 1923, following the establishment of the National Submarine War Memorial. 

Hundreds of members of the Silent Service attended events at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday, and Middle Temple Gardens on Sunday, paying their respects to those Submariners who have gone on “eternal patrol”. 

Events began on Saturday, November 2, with the dedication of the Submariner’s Remembrance Garden at Westminster Abbey and was followed by wreath laying in the West Cloisters of Westminster Abbey at the Special Forces Memorial.

On Sunday, the main Remembrance Service and Parade at Middle Temple Gardens was attended by Commodore of the Submarine Service, Commodore Paul Dunn OBE, serving Submariners and members of the Submariners Association. During the service, a two-minute silence was observed, wreathes were laid at the Drumhead and Submariners gave Salute to absent friends.

A group of Submariners from HMS Sultan attended the event, with one of the youngest members of the Submarine Service, trainee Engineering Technician Marine Engineering, AB Freddie Lawson laying a wreath on behalf of the training establishment.

“I am so happy to be part of the Submariner’s Remembrance and to be asked to lay a wreath on behalf of HMS Sultan is a huge honour,” said AB Lawson.

“I decided to join the Submarine Service after visiting one of the boats. I was really attracted to being part of the submariner community and I am so grateful to join with serving and veteran submariners this weekend to remember those who have served in the past.”

The Remembrance weekend, which is organised by the Submariners’ Association, serves not only as a memorial, but as an opportunity for serving and veteran submariners to come together to maintain the special bonds of friendship, loyalty, and comradeship, which were formed during service on Royal Navy Submarines.

Today, all Royal Navy Submarines are based and operated at HM Naval Base Clyde in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, the Home of the UK Submarine Service.

Pictures include:

1. Members of the Submarine community gather at Middle Temple Gardens for the annual Submariners’ Remembrance Service.
2. Veterans of the Submarine Service lay wreaths at the Drumhead.
3. Trainee Submariners from HMS Sultan lay a wreath during the service.
4. Standard Bearers march on at Middle Temple Gardens.
5. The Poppy Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
6. Veterans’ Badge.
7. Submarine frrom HM Naval Base Clyde.