In Memorium
St C had the pleasure to be present at an incredibly moving ceremony today. At 08:30 I was lined up with some 350 other people suitably dressed in tropical whites etc on the flight deck of HMS OCEAN.
We were at the exact spot where, on the 10th of December 1941, aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy sunk both HMS Repulse, and HMS Prince of Wales.
The full horror of the story can be read here. Suffice it to say, that when the last post was played, and the wreaths dropped into the sea, your author seemed struck by a rare case of sea spray in the eyes!
Over 800 lost their lives on the two capital ships that day, and they lie together at a depth of 30 fathoms in the South Cina Sea.
I know this will be particularly meaningful to “The Eye” who has not a few nautical connections!
O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until the day and night come to an end; Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her Dominions and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God bless.
Some salt spray in the eyes. Ha! Got that remembering the Prayer off by heart and not even needing to read the words.
Would have been hospitalised with acute salt-spray-itis if had been lurking in the locality.
Not even bothered to click through the link to the history as TheEye is intimately familiar with it. Great ships, attempt at show of strength, right sort of planes and wrong way to make the the ships effective, complete lack of thought about how warfare was changing = many heroes dead.
Hat-tip for the GOT’s reply and all co-authors on this blog were standing at your shoulder today St C. A great post.
RIP
Ocean’s XO read the nrrative of the story, and 3 of the ship’s company (of the same rank & age) read excerpts from survivors stories.
I looked up into the empty sky, and tried to imagine the dive bombers, the flack, and the devestating torpedo bombers, and how it would have been, but you can’t reproduce the terror those sailors would have felt.
Because the attack was aover a lenght of time, many wounded in the initial attacks were taken below for treatment. It was many of these who were lost when the ship sank as they were to injured to get back topside.
Must have been a poignant moment. As an ex-matelot of 28 years, I have attended many ceremonies. Even though I am not particularly religious, I do like the Royal Navy Prayer.
TheEye was muttering the Royal Navy Prayer whilst doing trivial stuff today in the shops. Doubtless looked like a loon. It was learned in desperation a few decades ago then TheEyeSenior was in harm’s way and the BBC could only say as Breaking News that his particular chunk of greyness which carries the engraved name of TheEyeJunior on the bell (having been christened on the flight deck) had been hit with unknown results.
Didn’t sleep much for a few days until news came through. Anyway, TheEyeSenior emerged unscathed and now is almost identical in approach to life as our resident GOT.
Damn, need to do a light-hearted post but will feel awful pushing St C’s superb post off of the top slot.
TheSpecialOne…feel very welcome to add your story or even just a few good anecdotes to this blog. You know the feel – forces based – so stick your oar in on the next closest post and tell us something that the co-conspirators won’t necessarily respond to in public but would privately raise a glass to.A full public post would be fantastic but but privacy by email with 100% anonymity completely guaranteed.