RNAS YEOVILTON GATHER AT THE FLEET AIR ARM MEMORIAL CHURCH
FLYPAST over the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church pays tribute to all who have given their lives in Service
Today Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton held their annual Act of Remembrance in the Royal Naval Cemetery of the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church, St Bartholomew’s in Yeovilton village, Somerset.
Over 800 people were in the congregation to remember our Armed Forces that lost their lives in the line of duty. Those in attendance included serving members of the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), the Army Air Corps and Royal Electrical and MechanicalEngineers from the Air Station along with civilians, contractors, veterans and families.
The ceremony holds an extra significance for the Royal Navy; in addition to Armistice Day, the 11th November marks the Anniversary of the Battle of Taranto, the famous World War II decimation of the Italian Fleet inflicted by the Royal Navy and specifically the Fleet Air Arm’s Swordfish aircraft
80 children and teachers from local schools: Preston C of E Primary School, Ilchester Primary and Stanchester Academy joined the Service men and women to honour the fallen members of our Armed Forces.
The service was led by The Reverend Edward Wills, RNAS Yeovilton's Chaplain and the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Peter Hancock delivered the address.
Following prayers and the reading of The Roll of Honour, the two minutes silence was initiated by a Royal Marine bugler sounding the Last Post from the top of the church tower. The ceremony concluded with the Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton, Commodore Nick Tindal laid a wreath on behalf of all at Yeovilton and a flypast of the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish W5856 (Mk1 Fairey Swordfish the only one flying in the world at 76 years old) flanked by a Wildcat, the Royals Navy’s newest helicopter from the Wildcat Maritime Force, a moving tribute to the 6,750 Royal Naval Air Service and Fleet Air Arm personnel who have given their lives in the service of naval aviation.
We will remember them…