Representatives from across the Naval Family, including serving personnel and veterans, marched past the Cenotaph on Whitehall yesterday at the Royal Naval Association’s Biennial Parade, held during the Association’s 75th anniversary year.
Serving personnel from HMS COLLINGWOOD and HMS SULTAN marched, as well as representatives from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 12 Naval Associations including the Association of Wrens, Association of Royal Yachtsmen, Submariners Association and the Merchant Navy Association. We were also joined by members of the Belgian Naval Association and the Irish Naval Association.
Captain Bill Oliphant, CEO of the Royal Naval Association, said:
“This 75th anniversary year is a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the Royal Naval Association and the community it represents. For seven and a half decades, the RNA has brought together serving personnel, veterans and families, ensuring that the bonds forged in the Royal Navy last a lifetime.
“With nearly 25,000 members worldwide, our Association remains a living testament to the motto ‘Once Navy, Always Navy.’ Today’s parade gives us the chance to unite as one Naval Family – to celebrate our shared identity and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Katrine Sallows from the Royal Naval Association Stowmarket Branch said:
“I think it’s important to be here to unite us and to remember everyone who has gone before us.”
Andy Sears from the Royal Naval Association Edinburgh Branch said:
“I’ve come down with the Brand Standard which has never been here before. This is very important to me because, before now I was homeless, and because of the RNA and other charities I’m not homeless anymore and I’m having a wonderful time being back in the RNA.”
The RNA is the biggest collective group of Royal Naval veterans, serving personnel and their families, with nearly 25,000 members and over 240 branches in the UK and overseas. It organises the Biennial Naval Parade in Whitehall every other year to enable all naval associations to come together and march in comradeship and commemoration.
The RNA enables those with a link to the Royal Navy access to a life-long community of like-minded and supportive individuals. Our community provides companionship, resilience, comradeship and unity to anyone and everyone with a Naval story, supporting them through life’s highs and lows.
The RNA would like to thank Oracle’s MAVEN-UK Group for their support and also that of RNRMC, who helped veterans from further afield attend this event.
