HMS Somerset honours the fallen

Conducted on the Flight Deck in thirty-three degrees of heat, the assembled Ship’s Company comprised of RN Officers and Ratings, including personnel from 829 Naval Air Squadron 04 Flight, and the Force Protection Group Royal Marines.

Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Bristowe laid a wreath to the sea after which a two minute silence was observed.

Following prayer and hymns, a roll-call was announced of UK servicemen and women who have fallen in conflict during the last year.

Commander Bristowe said:

“My thoughts are with the families of those who have died or been injured for their Country, past and present.

"Today’s Service of Remembrance provided a sobering reminder of the price of duty.“

Somerset is currently patrolling the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC), an area of sea between the coast of Yemen and Somalia.

Commercial sea traffic vital to the global economic recovery can travel the IRTC in the knowledge that help is available if required: coalition warships from the multinational Combined Maritime Force (CMF) are patrolling the area to deter, disrupt and defeat criminal acts.

Throughout Somerset’s deployment her ship’s company will continue to promote stable and cooperative relationships with nations with whom she has contact.

However, she remains at readiness to respond to any tasking. Somerset will shortly undertake a routine Operational Assurance inspection by Staff of Flag Officer Sea Training to ensure that, if required, she is ready to respond to any contingency tasking.