Free guided tours will reveal stories of naval heroes immortalised on Portsmouth Naval Memorial

The Portsmouth Naval Memorial will be open for free tours, talks, demonstrations, and interactive activities on Sunday 18th September.

Staff from The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will share stories of some of the 24,000 men and women marked by the memorial, on Southsea Common.

The open day is part of the broader Heritage Open Days scheme.

Liz Woodfield, director of external relations at the CWGC, said: ‘They’re a great opportunity to learn how the CWGC honours and cares for the men and women of the Commonwealth who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten.’

‘There’ll be plenty going on from fascinating tours and talks to interactive activities such as stone engraving.

‘Visitors will also learn how the CWGC is becoming more sustainable and is playing its part in tackling the key environmental concerns of our time.’

One casualty visited on the tour is Christopher Tanner, an England rugby player who was later ordained a priest.

He saved 60 men from the sickbay on a sinking HMS Fiji, before singing morale-boosting songs for four hours in freezing water.

He then aided a further 30 soldiers up the ladder before finally boarding himself.

He sadly died of exhaustion shortly after, but became the only English rugby player to receive the Albert Medal for bravery.

Christopher is one of the 1.7m men and women who the CWGC commemorate.

To book a free tour, visit www.cwgc.org/opendays