Remembrance Sunday on board RFA Argus was successfully acknowledged against the backdrop of the Bay of Biscay, as the flight deck became Argus natural Cathedral.
Sporadic weather, combined with the well-known Argus ‘pitch and roll’ added to the challenge and poignancy of the occasion.
There was a particularly special moment as two wreaths were committed (one RFA, one RN) to the deep.
The first, discharged by the Commanding Officer, Captain Angus Bissell RFA, on behalf of all on board, and the second by Apprentice (Communications Information Systems) James Houlden, aged just 17yrs, in his capacity as the ships youngest seafarer.
This symbolism, of an RFA trainee, not yet eligible to vote, yet capable of serving alongside veterans of the South Atlantic conflict, represented the breadth of hope and experience gathered on this platform, and the cycle of history.
Apprentice Houlden commented, “As the youngest person aboard Argus, I was asked to dispatch a wreath of poppies over the side of the ship as a sign of remembrance.
"The wreath of poppies represents the circle of life, we are all born and we will all eventually die.
"The Captain and I committed the wreaths to the ocean to acknowledge the sacrifice of individuals that have passed during the last year and also all the personnel who have fallen in previous conflicts.
"I felt very privileged to be given this opportunity to make this gesture and attend the remembrance service."
Finally, after the Blessing, including the formal and corporate Act of Remembrance, had been concluded by RFA Padre, Rev Mike Hills, the ships company and embarked forces briefly dispersed to a private space on the flight deck to pause and deliver their final and individual tribute, symbolised by simply dropping their poppy into the sea, in silence, before returning to the tasks of the day.
