Respecting the legacy
Whilst the Association is dedicated to supporting the welfare of our specialisation’s veterans, the continued preservation of our rich history and heritage, it is of such importance, that we continue to recognise and respect the legacies of those from our specialisation who passed before us.
In addition to publishing details on the website about members (and non-members we learn of) who have crossed the bar, and the maintenance of a Roll of Honour, we do this in a number of complementary ways.
Ceremonial, memorial, from traditional hymns, readings, to dits and poetry.
Association Memorials
A memorial cenotaph is an empty tomb or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. Although the vast majority of cenotaphs honour individuals, many noted cenotaphs are dedicated to the memories of groups of individuals, lost servicemen of a country or empire.
Branch Cenotaph
Association Standard - RBA93 2007
The original RBA93 Association Standard was commissioned at the inception of the Association in 1993 and decommissioned in 2007 when the Association became the Regulating Branch and Royal Navy Police Association, and is on permanent display at the Defence Policing College church at Southwick Park.
Assocation Standard
Its successor, the new Association Standard is now regularly paraded in honour of the Branch and its members past and present, at Armistice parades, Association events and, when requested and available, at funerals of former members.
In order to enhance the profile of the standard, a new standard bearers sash was designed and commissioned in 2018 to replace the standard ‘Sam Brown’ brown leather harness.
Past Standard Bearers include Ken Etheridge, Tony Hadley, Barry Edser, Archie Dickie, and William G Dick.
The Standard is currently proudly paraded by Nigel Carpenter.
Association Pall - history
The Association coffin pall was purchased in May 2015. It had been designed and proposed by ex MAA Colin Gent, who at the time was a Funeral Director and best placed to provide expertise.
It’s purpose was to offer a deceased members or past Regulators family and option of Association recognition when the Association Standard Bearer was unable to attend a members or past Regulators funeral due to distance or other commitments.
Association Coffin Pall
Since 2015 has been used on numerous occasions, both as an alternative to, or as an addition to, the Standard where requested by next of kin.
Should a member or past Regulator/RN Policeman’s family request the use of the coffin pall then it is dispatched by our Association Chaplain Father Michael Brown to the relevant funeral director or family as requested and all postage costs are born by the Association.
Hymns
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save, is a hymn known to communities who lives are touched by the sea, especially those who serve on ships or on lifeboats.
There are several variations of the final verse adapted to reflect the Service it represents.
Eternal Father
Originally written in 1860 by William Whiting with revisions, the composer John Bacchus Dykes wrote the tune for its accompaniment and serves today as the Naval Hymn and used for state and ceremonial occasions, funerals and whilst at sea.
“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm doth bind the restless wave, who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep, its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.”
Credits: Music of the Military Wives Choir – Music for Heroes Album.
Prayers in the Royal Navy
There are many Psalms, Prayers and Poems for sailors to be used at daily at sea which bring comfort. The Naval Prayer is recited as a devotion by many and is considered to be part of our Naval Heritage.
Other Naval devotions include a Royal Marines Prayer, A Commando Prayer, Naval Collect, The Lords Prayer, Nelsons, Prayer, The Naval Hymn, the National Anthem and Words of Remembrance.
The Naval Prayer
The Naval Prayer can be found in The Book of Common Prayer published in 1662, in the section commonly read at sea.
This prayer is regarded by the Royal Navy as The Naval Prayer and has remained mostly unchanged with the updating of the name of the monarch and some other relevant references.
*photo – contains public sector information licensed under the OGL v0.3
Crossing the Bar - CTB
“Crossing the Bar” is a term primarily used by the Royal Navy but also by the Armed Forces and Veteran community, to acknowledge the loss of a service member who has died and a famous poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Poem - Crossing the Bar
The poem echoes the correlation between the tide or river of life and crossing the “Sandbar” whereby we reach the ocean or the deep which lies beyond and to which we finally return.
The pilot is interpreted in the poem as God.
It is a reflective poem, written by Tennyson during a serious illness whilst crossing the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
It resonates with everyone who has a connection to the sea, serving and veteran sailors especially and a firm favourite at both funeral and memorial services.
National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is a UK registered charity and 150 acre visitor site on the edge of the National Forest in Staffordshire. Whilst part of the Royal British Legion, it remains a separate legal entity with a purpose to ensure that the contribution and sacrifice of those who have served is never forgotten.
Welcome to the NMA
The NMA is the UK’s year-round place to remember, welcoming over 300,00 visitors a year, the grounds with some 25,000 trees and riverside walks are open throughout the year.
The NMA is free to enter and supports an array of approximately 250 events hosted on site and built around Remembrance, from Armistice Day to Armed Forces Day.
Whether through the main events of Remembrance Sunday or intimate services and Summer Proms, the objective is to ensure that knowledge continues to be passed from generation to generation.
Please visit www.thenma.org.uk for further information.
*photo – contains public sector information licensed under the OGL v0.3
Paviour blessing
Throughout 2016/2017, the Association and the Royal Navy Police ran an appeal to raise £3000 for a York stone Paviour to remember those of the Regulating Branch and Royal Navy Police who have sadly crossed the bar.
The Paviour was blessed and dedicated on Sunday the 8th October 2017 after our scheduled church service in the Chapel at the NMA by our Association Padre, Father Michael Brown during our AGM and Association Reunion weekend.
Two wreaths were laid in memorial, one for the Association and Regulating Branch, and one on behalf of the RN Police.
Heroes area memorial - NMA
It is pleasing that we have a place of commemoration in the Nations memorial to those who are no longer with us. If you ever find yourself in the area, please do visit the NMA, go to the Heroes area and pay your respects to those friends and colleagues who are no longer with us, many of whom feature in our Roll of Honour – crossed the bar listing.