Personnel from HMS Sultan celebrated the Establishment’s 60th anniversary with a Freedom of the Borough March through Gosport.
The Marine Engineering Branch of the Royal Navy, based at HMS Sultan, was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Gosport on 17 April 1975.
Following a short reaffirmation ceremony at the Timespace, the Establishment exercised their right as Freeman of the Borough to march through the town with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and Colours flying.
This was just one of many planned events to mark the 60th anniversary of the commission of HMS Sultan. For it was on 1 June 1956, following their transfer from a site adjacent to Portsmouth Dockyard and the Royal Naval Barracks, that the Mechanical Training and Repair establishment HMS Sultan was first commissioned.
The Mayor’s Civic party, led a procession from Holy Trinity Church to Timespace, with the Mayor was accompanied by Nigel Atkinson Esq, the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, Captain Trevor Gulley OBE ADC.
Following the General Salute to Lord-Lieutenant and the National Anthem, The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and the Worshipful the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Mrs Lynn Hook, inspected the front rank of the Guard, the HMS Sultan Volunteer Band and the Establishment’s Royal Naval Cadets (RNC).
A Welcome address from the Mayor, Councillor Mrs Lynn Hook, was followed by a response from Captain Trevor Gulley OBE ADC, before a short Service of Commemoration was held to mark the 60th anniversary of HMS Sultan’s association with Gosport, led by The Reverend Canon John Draper.
On conclusion, the Civic procession paraded along the promenade and up through the High Street to the Town Hall. HMS Sultan’s personnel marched up through the High Street to the town Hall where the Salute was taken by the Worshipful the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Mrs Lynn Hook and VIP guests Nigel Atkinson Esq Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and Captain Trevor Gulley OBE ADC.
At the end of the March, the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Mrs Lynn Hook said: “We are delighted to have been able to support HMS Sultan in their wish to Exercise their Right as Freeman of the Borough, and to March through the town on this the 60th Anniversary of the formation of the establishment,”.
“We have always experienced an excellent rapport with HMS Sultan and I would like to thank them on behalf of the Council and the residents of Gosport for the time and effort they have given at Civic events such as Remembrance Sunday and for the wonderful events they have put on for the benefit of the community.
Captain Trevor Gulley OBE ADC said: “It’s hugely symbolic that we’ve been marching through the Borough to mark our 60th anniversary. As an establishment, we are immensely proud of the important role that HMS Sultan plays, both as a centre of engineering excellence and in serving within our local community.”
“With technology evolving at an ever increasing rate it’s a very exciting time to be an engineer within the Royal Navy. With a programme to deliver new aircraft carriers, submarines and fighters well underway, we can all feel very proud of our Marine and Air Engineers who are being trained within HMS Sultan.”
“Thank you to everyone who has come out to show their support for the Establishment today. Whether it’s through our Summer Show, Bonfire Night or some other association, we are delighted to be able show our gratitude towards the people of Gosport. We share an exceptional bond and this contributes so much towards making HMS Sultan very special.”
