Armistice Day: Tribute to fallen submariners at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint
Poppy seeds have been sewn in the shape of a submarine
A new memorial garden has been dedicated at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint to remember the submariners who have lost their lives in the service of their country.
On Armistice Day (11th November) the first poppy seeds have been sewn into the soil of the garden, which has been dug in the shape of a submarine.
The garden is also intended as a lasting memorial to the Submarine School, which is due to move to HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland in 2024.
Lieutenant (Lt) Anna Sanocki came up with the idea for the garden. The 39-year-old joined the Royal Navy in 2007. Her grandfather fought with the British Army as part of the Polish contingent in the Second World War.
She said: “I wanted to do something for the 100th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal and I thought it would be nice to have a garden dedicated to submariners as a permanent memorial at Raleigh. The poppies won’t flower until next spring or summer, so I intend to plant Red Cyclamen to give the garden some colour in the meantime.”
The dedication came after the school’s annual Remembrance Service, attended by staff, trainees and veterans.
On Sunday 14th November 2021, staff and recruits at HMS Raleigh will pause to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Captain of HMS Raleigh, Captain Suzi Nielsen OBE, will join the civic parade in Torpoint alongside one of the youngest sailors in training and a marching contingent made up of trainees in week seven of their course.
Two classes of trainees will attend a grave-side service at Horson cemetery, which is the final resting place of 74 Service personnel; 48 sailors, 25 soldiers and one airman. Wreaths will be laid at the war memorial and crosses will be placed on each war grave.
Of those buried at the cemetery, 44 sailors and 21 Royal Engineers lost their lives on 28 April 1941 when a bomb hit an air-raid shelter within HMS Raleigh. It is thought that the engineers were part of two troops who were based in the Plymouth area, helping to prepare assault boats for the North Africa campaign.
The remaining classes within HMS Raleigh will attend a Service of Remembrance on the parade ground.
Capt Nielsen said: “The annual Act of Remembrance gives the nation an opportunity to come together to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made. It is particularly poignant to those of us that serve in the Armed Forces today as we remember those brave men and women who have gone before us.”