His Royal Highness Prince William joined hundreds of serving and veteran submariners on Sunday, November 4, for the annual Submariners’ Remembrance Service in Middle Temple Gardens, London.
The service was the culmination of two days of events, beginning with the dedication of the Submarine Service Poppy Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on November 3.
Members of the Royal Navy Submarine Service from the length and breadth of the country gathered in the capital to pay their respects including a wreath laying within the Abbey at the Combined Services Memorial.
On the Sunday, Commodore-in-Chief Submarines, HRH Prince William, attended the solemn service in Middle Temple Gardens where the names of fallen submariners were read aloud. Afterwards the group paraded to nearby Victoria Embankment and laid wreaths at the National Submarine War Memorial.
Rear Admiral John Weale OBE, Rear Admiral Submarines, said: “This is an important event in submariners’ calendars and one which takes on extra significance during the centenary of the end of the First World War.
“Submarines and submariners played a vital and often unsung part in the war effort.
"Indeed, submarine operations have been a decisive element of almost every conflict since then – gathering intelligence, deploying special forces and tackling enemy warships and submarines.
“The bravery and sacrifice shown by submariners’ means that it is right that they are honoured with their own Remembrance event.
"We were delighted that His Royal Highness as Commodore-in-Chief Submarines could join us to pay his respects.”
Situated between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges, the National Submarine War Memorial features the names of all the British submarines lost during both World Wars.
Submariners from HM Naval Base Clyde – today’s home of the UK Submarine Service – joined veterans from the Submariners Association, family members and friends at the poignant memorial service.
