Remembrance Day 2024 at the National Museum of the Royal Navy
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Every year 11th November marks Remembrance Day, held in honour of all armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The National Museum of the Royal Navy has commemorated the day with events held at several of our sites. This year the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport are allowing opportunities for reflection, education and commemoration of those in the armed forces that never made it home. There was also a very special memorial in Northern Ireland to a particular airplane's crew.
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum has hosted its annual remembrance service commemorating those in the Submarine Service, in front of HMS Alliance and a monument to all Royal Navy submarines lost in service. This event is hosted in partnership with the Gosport branch of the Submariners Association, and was livestreamed on social media for those who could not attend. Remembrance of those who served in the Submarine Service is central to the museum, with a ticket including access to our special remembrance garden, featuring the names of all British submariners killed on active service. To watch the service please see the livestream below:
The Fleet Air Arm Museum is also hosting several special remembrance activities throughout November. Young visitors have been able to follow the Remembrance Trail around the museum, while taking in the temporary displays developed in conjunction with The Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church. These displays explore the stories of some of the Fleet Air Arm that are laid to rest at the church. Finally, there has been special ‘I Was There’ talks from our veteran volunteers, touching on their experience serving in the armed forces. Please be aware that these events are only available to those with a valid ticket to the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
While not organised by the museum, a special memorial was unveiled at Enagh Lough in Northern Ireland. This memorial commemorated the three crew who lost their lives here onboard a Fairey Barracuda, designation DP872. Verses from the Dobbie and Mew families, representing two of the crew who were onboard, were shared and read aloud, adding a heartfelt personal touch to the remembrance. Today there are no surviving examples of the Fairey Barracuda, and the Fleet Air Arm Museum is hard at work reconstructing what will be the only Barracuda in the world. Using original parts, this Barracuda will have the designation DP872. Pictured are students from The Foyle Aviation College who have been instrumental in the detection and preservation of this location.
The history of the Royal Navy is full of stories of heroism and sacrifice, and its these stories that come to mind every Remembrance Day.