Royal Navy: Historic Portsmouth Naval Memorial rededicated on 100 year anniversary honouring fallen sailors

A torch was lit to mark the 100th anniversary of the historic monument, which holds roughly 25,000 names of those who perished during the First World War and Second World War. Residents of all ages gathered at Clarence Esplanade in Southsea this morning (October 4) to pay their respects to the fallen and watch the service.

A 24-strong Royal Navy Guard of Honour set off from The D-Day Story museum and formed up alongside standard bearers and armed forces veterans. Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CB CBE, expressed his honour to rededicate the landmark using similar words to those used a century ago. Speaking to the crowd, he said the “unmistakable obelisk”, alongside her counterparts in the manning ports of Chatham and Plymouth, were built to keep the fallen in daily view by those at sea or on land.

“We work hard to keep the condition fresh, to preserve its integrity and innate majesty, to ensure that as a memorial that marks the loss of those 25,000 sailors, that it will exist in perpetuity as a memorial to their lives, and that they will not be forgotten,” he said. “As the number of veterans who took part in those momentous events fall to small numbers, the responsibility of keeping the stories of those that served alive passes on to the next generation.” The Reverend Stephen Wilson, Royal Navy Chaplain, gave his blessing as The Last Post was played. A two-minutes silence was then unanimously upheld, with Reveille being played shortly afterwards. Wreaths were laid, shortly followed by the National Anthem.

For Stephen Morgan, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, it was a particularly poignant service. His grandfather, James Kaminski, was a D-Day veteran and landed on Juno Beach with Canadian forces on what was his 17th birthday. He then spent the rest of the war as a driver, playing his part in the assault through mainland Europe. He told The News: “One hundred years on, we see this naval memorial standing proudly on the seafront. It's great to see veterans, personnel and residents here paying tribute to those that gravely served at sea throughout these conflicts. The city knows very well the sacrifices and bravery of those that have served in the armed forces. It’s very important that children and young people learn about the past to shape the future, particularly with the conflicts we are seeing in the world today. It’s vital they learn about the sacrifices they have made, so we can have a brighter future.”

It was also a moving experience for Royal Navy reservist AB Emma Cutler, from Gosport. She has strong family links to the force, with her father Lieutenant Commander Peter Southern spending 40 years in the force as a submariner and serving at HMS Ganges. Her grandfather, John Southern, was a clearance diver while her grandmother, Ethel Southern, was a photographer. “I was very proud to be a part of it and to show my respect to those who have sacrificed their lives,” she said. “I feel honoured that as a reservist, I could march alongside the regulars as a mark of respect. Having two children myself, I think it’s very important that they understand what those personnel did for us, and that we continue that throughout the generations. The Navy has always run through our family. I’ve always had the passion for it. I joined the Navy when I left school and regretted leaving, so coming back to the reserves is my part to play and keep it going.”

Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, said it was an emotional moment to witness the ceremony, with the city always being the home of the Royal Navy. “It’s really poignant to be here and a massive privilege,” she said. “I think some of the readings that people made are very relevant to today, and there are echoes of what our Royal Navy is doing out there supporting, helping with aid and feeding people and keeping them alive.” Portsmouth took centre stage during the national commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June, hosting a remarkable ceremony which captured the public’s imagination and shared the stories of those who served our country,

Simon Bendry, director of education, engagement and volunteering at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said they will continue to keep those stories alive for years to come. “It’s really important that we’re engaging the new generations with what the memorial is about, what it is for, and especially with the stories behind the names of those on the memorial,” he said. “The biggest challenge after the First World War was how to commemorate those who died at sea and have no grave but the sea. Three identical memorials were made at the three principle manning ports of the Royal Navy. Each one records the names of the men and women who have no grave. One hundred years on, it now ensures that each of them is remembered, whether they were a Rear Admiral, Able Seaman or Boy Sailor. It covers the entire spectrum of those that served, and makes sure that every single one of them is commemorated.”

Lieutenant Daniel Mooney, based at HMS Nelson, was the Guard Officer during the ceremony and said he was inspired to join the Royal Navy by those who came before him. he said: “It was the most humbling experience I’ve ever had, and I’m so glad I did it. The navy has been around for hundreds of years, and it’s very easy to forget when we look back and think of Trafalgar and Jutland etc, that there were people there. To be able to put their names on here, to know that they are not just lost at sea or in time and that they are very much still with us, is what we’re here for. Their sacrifice inspires me to do my part.”