Submariner Memorial Service 2026
This year around 250 serving and veteran submariners and their families gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum for the annual service. We Remember Submariners organise this simple but very moving service which included contributions from all parts of the submarine family and wreath laying by organisations and those who have been bereaved. David Parry read his poem Submariner Memorial which is reproduced below. Much more of David’s work is in our book Deep Thoughts, sales of which raised over £550 shared between Friends and Friends of the Holbrook Submarine Museum in NSW.
Submariner Memorial by David Parry
Can the restless wave know who is asleep,
Down in the dark, down in the deep?
Can the fish know what friends they have,
In the watery cenotaph?
Can dolphins tell their silent tales,
And share their gossip with the whales?
Can the earth remember those it bore,
Those who had to leave its shore?
Can the families who said farewell,
Recover from the tolling bell?
Will the country e’er recall with pride,
Those who in the mighty ocean died
Those who knew the klaxon’s cry,
Did not know that they would die.
Those who lived with valve and vent,
Did not look for our lament.
But the boats they loved have turned to rust.
And their bones have now turned to dust.
So let this memorial forever be,
Though it stands far from the sea,
A sanctuary for any day
A place for us to reflect and say
Lord God of hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget
Memorial Service
Some still live by the sea,
In the ports they once knew.
Others from suburban climes,
In the towns in which they grew.
Others yet with Irish brogue,
Or Gaelic tongue and Scottish hew.
Some are solid as an oak.
Others gnarled just like the yew.
Few are sprightly, fleet of foot,
Lucky genes have seen them through.
All have borne the test of time,
As on their faces life’s scars accrue.
They bring their standards and their berets,
Blazers mark out why they’re here.
Heraldic crown, boat and motto,
Show the life that they did steer.
They bring their memories and camaraderie,
To swap their stories belittling fear.
They’ve served on boats of different classes,
Across the world in days gone by.
All know the meaning of a deep sea,
All have heard the klaxon’s cry.
All have warmed to Harbour Stations,
Memories bring a tear to eye.
On Memorial grass, they make their muster,
Gathered there to extol,
Those who have gone before them,
And remember how dangers took their toll.
Collective thoughts and quiet reflections,
Will serve and honour those still on patrol.