Last weekend saw events in Londonderry to mark the 70th Anniversary
of the Battle of the Atlantic. Being the most western port in the UK, Derry was
strategically very important. The Naval base, HMS Seaeagle was home to ships
and personnel of at least seven nations. as well as the Royal Navy and Air
Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and United States Navy and Marine Corps had
bases in and around the city. The events saw two warships visit the city, the
minesweeper HMS Bangor (named after an N.Ireland coastal town) and patrol
vessel HMS Pursuer. A new statue of the 'international sailor' unveiled on the
Seaeagle site and dedicated to 'all those of all nations who lost their lives.'
This event happened on the Saturday by the Commodore and Chief of the Maritime
Reserve Forces HRH Prince Michel of Kent. On Sunday a special service was held
in St Columb’s Cathedral (which among the colours laid up in the building is a
Canadian/British white ensign, RAF ensign and US ensign,) attended by veterans,
cadets and representatives of the Merchant Navy and Navies of the UK, USA,
Canada, Australia and Norway. After this wreaths were laid at the city war
memorial and Prince Michel dropping a wreath in the River Foyle from the patrol
vessel Pursuer. During this I got a picture of the vessel on the Foyle flying
the Royal Standard used by members of the Royal Family:
HMS Pursuer carrying Prince Michel and wearing Royal Standard
Its a rare site to see a patrol boat wearing a Royal standard so I though I would share it. The Royal Standard used in this case is the version with an ermine boarder. This version is used by members of the Royal Family who have not been granted their own arms:
While I am talking about the events of last weekend I might as well show you the badges of the two Royal Navy ships in the city for the events. The ships badge of HMS Bangor and HMS Pursuer:
hope you enjoyed this as it is quite rare to see warships
fly Royal Standards, especially as Prince Michel is a Rear Admiral, and could
have used the RN rank flag, which is normally used in cases like this:
Rear Admiral rank flag, rank flags are more commonly used on board ships rather than Royal Standards
All comments welcome
none of the flags are my designs the picture of HMS Pursuer is by me.
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