A Nation Remembers
09 Nov 25 - Remembrance Day at Plymouth Hoe. : ©UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2025 - LPHOT Kevin Walton
ARDENT’s joined the UK to remember our 22 fallen fallen shipmates and to commemorate the men and women who sacrificed their lives in wars around the world.
Plymouth - from Steve Palmer:
With the sun shining on the King in Whitehall, it was a very different story in Plymouth where the heavens opened right on cue as we started our 10am ceremony. Despite that, we had a very good turnout and were joined by representatives of the Type 21 Club who laid a wreath alongside our own. Our wreath was laid for us by young Jack Etteridge, aged 10, and grandson of ex-Argonaut Bob Etteridge who always joins us to remember the two lads that they lost in their Seacat Magazine on 21st May.
As last year, there were also six representatives of the "Fighting G" HMS Gloucester Association (WW2) gathered with us in the Memorial Garden. Having invited them to go first, on the basis that we went first last year, they said they'd rather join in with us for a combined ceremony which, I think, was far more in keeping with the spirit of combined remembrance, and which they very much appreciated.
Stephen's excellent rendition of Laurence Binyon's "To the Fallen" was particularly moving and very well received by all - Stephen always reads out all four verses which, in my opinion, makes our ceremony a lot more poignant and meaningful. The Fighting G group were particularly impressed.
Blazer and trousers now hanging in the airing cupboard to dry out!
Portsmouth - from Frankie Enticknap
About 70 people at the Sally Port this morning, just the 3 Ardents though.
Around the UK and at the Cenotaph in London
T.S. Ardent
From the CO: “Thank you to all the cadets and volunteers who paraded with us in Bollington today and to LtCdr (SCC) Sinden RNR for representing us at the parade in Macclesfield.”
London Cenotaph - Veterans on Parade
Every year, the nation gathers to remember the fallen at the Cenotaph. This year marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, but Remembrance is as much about the present, as the past. More than 10,000 veterans from past conflicts reunited in their regimental and corps groups on Horse Guards Parade in the early morning. Medals polished, cap badges shining, chests out, they marched through the historic arches onto Whitehall with pride, eager to “do their fallen comrades justice”. The veterans joined serving soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel, politicians, foreign dignitaries, religious leaders, and members of the Royal Family for the special service of Remembrance. They gathered to honour the dead in a solemn service whose words and music has remained largely unchanged for 105 years. That familiarity lends security and comfort, and the stark simplicity of the great, white monument in Whitehall around which the parade forms, and around which the wreaths of poppies were ceremonially laid, defies judgement or hierarchy, because it represents all, to all, equally. Wherever troops are based, whether supporting our allies in NATO, or on UN peacekeeping missions, the Armed Forces are supporting international efforts to restore security and stability. They create an environment that can lead to enduring peace and growth for previously unstable regions, whether this is by preventing the illegal trade in people, drugs, weapons and wildlife, or training with our allies to maintain a strong defence.
©UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2025 - LPHOT George Seymour
