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‘Overwhelming love and pride’ – Royal Navy’s Caribbean sailors buoyed by their return home
4 November 2024
Forty sailors say their return home to the Caribbean as a thank-you for its outstanding support for the Royal Navy has been an unforgettable experience.
The sailors and Royal Marines made the 9,000-mile round trip to St Vincent and the Grenadines to mark the island chain’s 45th anniversary of independence from the UK.
From TV crews waiting on the tarmac at the airport in the capital Kingstown to parading in front of thousands of fellow countrymen and women, the sailors were warmly welcomed wherever they went – and invariably in the spotlight of the local media.
The Commonwealth nation is one of the staunchest supporters of the Royal Navy – out of a population of just over 100,000, some 600 Vincentians are serving as sailors and Royal Marines.
The Royal Navy and its principal charity, the RNRMC shared the costs 50-50 for around 40 personnel to return for the small nation’s 45th independence anniversary celebrations.
The returning sailors seized the opportunity to thank islanders – and families in particular – for their ongoing, long-distance support, got stuck into community projects, and offered schoolchildren and students an insight into their lives in the Navy and the careers available.
They say throughout their ten days back home, the warmth and love shown by family, friends and fellow countryfolk has been overwhelming.
Able Seaman Ronique Glasgow, who serves as a writer with 1700 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose, looking after the administration/pay/travel details of her shipmates, returns to Cornwall after ten days back in her homeland she will never forget.
“Being able to wear my navy uniform and be there on Independence Day, engaging with people in the community, that meant the world to me – one of my best moments in the Navy,” the 25-year-old said.
“The way you grow up in Saint Vincent, everyone is like extended family and everyone is very friendly. Family is a big, big thing for us.”
Able Seamen Telson Goodgie, a writer at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth, surprised his mum by turning up for her birthday, celebrated his own birthday while back in St Vincent and above all returns to the UK filled with joy and pride.
“The whole experience was heart-warming. I was able to show people the ‘new me’, in my uniform, that was a very proud moment for me," he said.
“The noise from the crowd as we were marching was so overwhelming that it gave me goosebumps.”
Able Seaman Zoe Da Silva’s family were unable to watch her pass out of basic naval training in the UK, so this was her first opportunity to show them how she looked in uniform, take pictures and watch as she marched through the capital on Independence Day
“I think the country as a whole was also proud, seeing their nationals return home and participate in events. I hope we’ll be able to send another delegation for the 50th anniversary of independence – even bigger and better.”
Being able to wear my navy uniform and be there on Independence Day, engaging with people in the community, that meant the world to me – one of my best moments in the Navy.
In a packed programme, the sailors
- visited schools and colleges to showcase careers in the Navy and wider UK armed forces which drew considerable interest from students;
- joined coast guard to see the impact of June’s Hurricane Beryl on the 3,000 residents of Union Island at the southern end of the archipelago;
- conducted a flurry of interviews with the island’s media (TV, radio and news outlets who followed the sailors pretty much wherever they went);
- toured the botanical gardens (the oldest in the Western Hemisphere);
- collected ten sacks of rubbish from Canash Beach with the coast guard to rid it of invasive sargassum seaweed;
- hosted a beach barbecue featuring traditional island cuisine;
- and enjoyed breakfast with Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Independence Day itself was marked by a parade through the heart of the capital from the old Parliament Building to Victoria Park, its main sports stadium, where the marching sailors were cheered upon entry, for the main celebration. When they drew to a close, the group were joined by friends, family and the public for photographs.
Logistics expert Able Seaman Dimitri Mayers surprised his family, including his recently-born nephew Lucas – they were not expecting his visit.
“Dimitri, we are so proud of you, you make us happy and you also make St Vincent very proud,” his sister told him.
Fellow logistician Warrant Officer 2 Fee Collins and former Girls High School pupil is the only Caribbean female in the current Royal Navy to attain her rank – something of which she is immensely proud.
“When I joined, there was no one senior. There weren’t any officers – the highest rank I saw was probably a leading hand at the time when I was a junior.
“So for me to work up the ranks quickly in 18 years to be promoted to warrant officer, it is a big achievement – and youngsters can see someone they can look up to.”