After almost eight months deployed with a NATO task group, HMS Cornwall returns to HM Naval Base Devonport to be cheered home for Christmas by hundreds of family and friends and the Cornwall Pipes and Drums Band.

The Type 22 frigate was the flagship to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and led the group out of its traditional operating areas in the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and into the waters off Somalia to conduct counter-piracy operations as part of NATO's Operation Ocean Shield.

The ship now comes home with an enviable tally of successes in making the Gulf of Aden safer for seafarers and denying the pirates some easy pickings they had previously enjoyed. Not a single merchant vessel was taken by pirates in the Gulf of Aden in four months of the frigate's presence. Last year six merchant ships were hijacked in area in the same period.

HMS Cornwall's commanding officer, Commander Johnny Ley said the success in her recent operations is down to the men and women crewing HMS Cornwall: “HMS Cornwall is a proud and capable ship and we have worked her hard, in challenging conditions, over an extended period. The ship's company have been absolutely first rate and they have continued to delivered in spades. It is down to them that we have not missed a single day on task. Throughout, the men and women in HMS Cornwall have been excellent ambassadors for their ship, the Royal Navy and their country wherever we have gone and with whoever we have been operating. Having achieved our mission it's wonderful to now be getting back to Devonport to see all our friends and families again, in time to spend Christmas with them.”

HMS Cornwall (affiliated with the county of Cornwall ) has been away for 226 days. She has steamed 43,453 nautical miles which has required her to refuel while on the move at sea 22 times. Her Lynx helicopter has been airborne for a cumulative 214 hours (almost 9 days) carrying out 155 separate sorties ranging from tracking pirate camps along the Somali coast to casualty evacuation from nearby merchant ships in need.

Commander Ley added: “This deployment has been a real success for HMS Cornwall and her crew, proving beyond doubt her capability as a first class warship and a superb flagship to the task group. In particular, the deployment has seen us engaged in a vitally important maritime mission providing a visible, robust deterrent to the real and active threat of piracy off Somalia . Our contribution, along with that of other nations, has meant that during that time no vessels have been hijacked in the previously notorious waters of the Gulf of Aden . HMS Cornwall has proved herself to be at the top of her game once again. Every man and woman on board can be proud of our achievements. They have more than earned Christmas with their families.”

To keep her fighting skills honed, she has fired three Seawolf supersonic anti-aircraft missiles, 246 shells from her main gun, and over 30,000 rounds of machine gun ammunition as part of operational readiness training. And throughout the entire period she has never once been unavailable for operations.

HMS Cornwall sailed from Devonport in April and her programme was filled with large-scale naval exercises designed to develop NATO's tactics in submarine hunting and air defence and some high-profile diplomatic Mediterranean port visits. However, this programme changed due to the threat posed by pirates to shipping off Somalia. The multi-national NATO Maritime Group ships are used to working with each other and are maintained at a high state of readiness to conduct operations at short notice. So, soon after the group entered the Mediterranean , SNMG2 was ordered further east to take on the pirates. In Crete the crew rehearsed intensive boarding operations and prepare the ship for the harsh Gulf of Aden summer. Commodore Steve Chick embarked to take command of SNMG2, with HMS Cornwall flagship.

HMS Cornwall and her group joined the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor, a 500 mile highway down the middle of the Gulf between Africa and the Arabian peninsula where merchant ships can get protection from the many naval forces on patrol It was soon recognised that better coordination of all the naval forces would benefit effectiveness against piracy. Commodore Chick and his opposite numbers in the EU, coalition, Chinese and Indian task groups have helped closer cooperation to significantly reduce duplication and be more efficient and effective.

HMS Cornwall's change in mission required a shift from being a top all-rounder to highly specialised pirate deterrent. The pre-deployment exercises under Flag Officer Sea Training staff at Devonport enabled the ship's Lynx helicopter, Royal Marine and Royal Navy boarding teams, deck gun crews, intelligence gatherers, communications specialists and radar picture compilers, to work closely and effectively. Now they have their skills honed yet further with operational experience. It has been a hard routine of being ever watchful over months of long patrols at sea, with temperatures on the upper deck at times exceeding 45ºC. But the sailors break up the routine with a lot of fund raising entertainment for charity. The 30- female crew members completed their own Race for Life on board, raising over £3,000 for Cancer Research.

HMS CUMBERLAND HOME FROM SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT

The Royal Navy warship HMS Cumberland arrives at her base-port of HM Naval Base in Devonport after six and a half months on anti-drugs and piracy patrols.

The Type 22 frigate sailed from Plymouth on the 24th May and on her deployment to the Gulf of Aden patrol during which she visited three continents and steamed 40,000 nautical miles while keeping merchant shipping safer from piracy and reducing the presence of illegal drugs on UK streets.

HMS Cumberland had a very busy operational deployment operating in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia , in demanding weather. All of her crew have displayed the determination, ethos and team work, typical of the Royal Navy, in order to keep £43 million worth of drugs of the streets of the UK. The ship has also been a fundamental part of the effort to keep international shipping lanes safer from piracy.

HMS Cumberland's commanding officer Captain David Dutton said “I am proud of the ship's company for their resilience, effort, professionalism and determination in what has been a challenging period away from the UK . Our work has been in some of the most dangerous waters of the world. We have been protecting the maritime trade routes from piracy and terrorism and also impacting on the significant drug trade routes from the Middle East to Europe . Everyone on board can return home for some well-deserved leave after a job well done.”

The first visits for HMS Cumberland were Valletta ( Malta ) and Souda Bay ( Crete ) in the Mediterranean , these visits provided some rest and recuperation for the ship's company and a final chance to prove the ship's capability before entering the Gulf of Aden.

On leaving the Suez Canal HMS Cumberland entered her patrol operating area and the ship was battered by a south west monsoon off the Horn of Africa with 35 mph winds and heavy sea, it certainly was a testing time for all the Ship's Company. The ship's first drugs bust was on 7 July when HMS Cumberland's boarding team searched a suspicious dhow off the coast of Oman , seizing 12 tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated UK street value in excess of £43 million. Along with the counter narcotics patrols the crew has kept many hundreds of merchant vessels safe from the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden by her very presence.

Despite long periods at sea and a high operational tempo HMS Cumberland had a busy sporting calendar with the rugby and football teams having played games in Malta, Dubai and the Seychelles. However the notable sporting fixture was the crew playing Kabaddi for the first time ever against the Pakistan Naval Recruit School , PNS Himalaya. The team was greeted by a brass band before being briefed on the rules and tactics of the game – a bit like team wrestling within a fixed area. Initially, the experienced Pakistan team gained an early lead. However, the Royal Navy team worked well together and used teams skills and enthusiasm to put on a good show the final score was PNS Himalya 67 – HMS Cumberland 55.

Although HMS Cumberland had a very busy deployment, the crew raised £2,100 for charity. For example, they staged a sponsored cycle ride, cycling on an exercise bike for two hours while the ship passed through the Suez Canal and completed the equivalent of twice the canal's 320 km length.

PLYMOUTH SUBMARINE'S EMOTIONAL FINAL HOME-COMING

The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trafalgar sailed into her home base for the final time to an emotional welcome today (Tuesday 10th).

The submarine is the first of the class of Trafalgar-class submarines at 27 years-old and the first of her class to be decommissioned from the Royal Navy.

She proudly flew the 120-feet long decommissioning pennant from the fin (the highest point of the submarine), to mark her 26 years' lengthy and distinguished service, as she entered the River Tamar and HM Naval Base Devonport from Plymouth Sound this morning.

She was given a high-profile escort including a Royal Naval helicopter from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Ministry of Defence police craft, a flotilla of sight-seeing pleasure-craft and tugs - the latter complete with water cannon firing high into the air. The submarines and ships alongside in the naval base also saluted her final homecoming with personnel lined smartly on deck and the sounding of ship's pipes.

HMS Trafalgar's Commanding Officer Commander Charlie Shepherd said the final homecoming of any submarine is an especially poignant one for submariners who regarded them with affection.

He said: “The feeling of everyone, including me, as we came in today for the final time was a mixture of pride and sorrow. Sadness, because this is the last time the submarine will be operational and some sailors who have been on board for up to seven years will miss their occupational home for so long and because close-knit submarines are almost families and this community will be broken up.

“Also, pride because of the fantastic work the submarine has done over 26 years and the more recent work we have done in the last two and a half years since I have been on board. We spent five months east of Suez working with a carrier task force and interacted with other navies. We also supported the training of would-be submarine commanders – called Perisher.”

He said many hundreds of different personnel had served in HMS Trafalgar over the years and among the achievements of them and the submarine was becoming the first nuclear-powered British submarine to fire a TLAM missile and the first British submarine to circumnavigate the globe.

He added: “Although she is being decommissioned she remains an extremely reliable vessel and has proved this over the years. Also, she still has cutting edge hardware and software sup[porting her systems on board.

“Most of all I am very proud of my ship's company, they have been resilient, cheerful and hardworking right to the end. They, like the submarine are a credit to the Royal Navy.”

The submarine, affiliated to Morecombe, is due to decommission (leave service with the Royal Navy) in December. To mark this, a decommissioning ceremony will be held in HM Naval Base Devonport on 4 December. The proceedings will be overseen by Lady Fieldhouse, the ship's sponsor. HMS Trafalgar was launched on 1 st July 1981 at the Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited Shipyard. This year marks the 26th year since HMS Trafalgar was commissioned at Barrow-in-Furness by Lady Fieldhouse ( 27 May 1983 ).

HMS Trafalgar is being prepared for disposal in Devonport, her ship's company will be assigned to new submarines including HMS Ambush and other Trafalgar Class submarines.

ROYAL NAVY LEADING ROLE AT REMEMBRANCE EVENTS

The Royal Navy played a leading role in the Plymouth major acts of Remembrance this week.

The Senior Naval Officer attending was Rear Admiral Snow who heads the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation in HM Naval Base Devonport.

Admiral Snow is leading the Royal Navy's attendance at the Plymouth Hoe Remembrance Service on Sunday 8 November as the senior Royal Naval officer in Plymouth where he will also be the Royal Navy wreath-layer.

Admiral Snow said: "The Royal Navy has been protecting the interests of the UK and Commonwealth for hundreds of years with many thousands of sailors having made the ultimate sacrifice. It is that very sacrifice which has given our nation its wealth, prosperity and freedom. We remember those from all nations and services who have fallen and will be giving particular thought to the many Naval Service personnel currently serving overseas in Afghanistan and elsewhere, praying for their safe return."

Commander Malcolm Pollock, of HMS Drake, HM Naval Base, Devonport, explained; “The Barracks in HMS DRAKE provides accommodation for some 1661 service personnel from across our three Services. These soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors in the main use DRAKE as they either prepare to deploy on operations or as they return from operations.

“People are probably familiar with the support that we provide in Afghanistan , where over the last year we have seen Plymouth-based Royal Marines and Royal Naval medical staff very much in the front line, along with “South West based soldiers from the Rifles. However, the global deployments – including counter-piracy operations – that our Devonport-based ships and submarines have made over the last year also provide a glimpse into the high tempo of operations supported by our armed forces. Remembrance Sunday provides us with an opportunity to pause and reflect on the dedication of our armed forces and in particular to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, suffered life-changing injuries or who have demonstrated outstanding acts of courage. That we gather as a community and stand shoulder to shoulder remembering and reflecting on the service of our Armed Forces is a source of great national pride.”

Participants in this year Remembrance Parade are as follows, three x 12 Man Guards, made up from ratings (non-commissioned officers and junior sailors) from the Devonport Naval Base Commander's organisation and the Devonport flotilla organisation of ships. Submarines and other units. Also taking part in the parade and service will be Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade in Stonehouse, Plymouth, and an Army guard from 29 Commando at the Plymouth Citadel. The Royal Marine Band will be from HMS Raleigh and four memorial guards will represent the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and RAF. A Royal Naval platoon will comprise 80 senior and junior ratings.

A troop of 300 will attend from the Territorial Army unit based at Millbay, Plymouth , along with D-Company of the 6 Rifles - another TA Unit from Millbay. Finally, most area armed forces veteran associations and cadet units will attend. There are also 6 x Lord Lieutenant's cadets who are wreath bearers; these are from various cadet units across Devon.

HMS SCOTT DEPLOYS FROM PLYMOUTH TO ANTARCTIC

The Royal Navy's advanced deep water survey ship HMS Scott deployed Monday night (26th October) in the pouring rain from Devonport, Plymouth, to the Antarctic for the first time.

The Executive Officer of HMS Scott, Lieutenant Commander Phil Harper said: “We're deploying to the Antarctic to support the British Antarctic Survey and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It's a rare opportunity to make a difference in this far-flung part of the world, and we're all very excited about it. We'll be helping to ensure that the frozen continent remains unspoiled, and this is particularly important in the year of the fiftieth anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.”

The purpose of HMS Scott's deployment to the Antarctic is to maintain the United Kingdom's presence in the region during Austral summer 2009/2010.

HMS Scott will be patrolling and surveying the Antarctic and South Atlantic. This is the first time HMS Scott's state-of-the-art sonar suite has been deployed to the Antarctic and it is hoped her work will help deepen understanding of this little-known part of the world and the marine environment.

HMS Scott will be deployed to fulfil, amongst other tasks, the role usually undertaken by the Royal Navy's ice patrol vessel, to patrol and survey the Antarctic and South Atlantic maintaining sovereign presence with defence diplomacy and supporting the global community of Antarctica.

The ship helps support the following agreements: The UK was the first state to ratify the Antarctic Treaty and remains committed to upholding its core values of preserving the continent for peace and science. The UK also continues to strongly support the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection 1991. The UK is committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of environmental protection in Antarctica and we will continue to work with other treaty parties to achieve this aim.

The capability of HMS Scott's deep ocean survey capability was well demonstrated after the Boxing Day Tsunami, when her survey of the fault zone was able to show exactly where the disaster had started, helping provide a new effective early earthquake warning system.

HMS Scott, the Royal Navy's only deep-water ocean survey vessel presents a contrasting life for all junior sailors. Even for survey recorders who have experienced life on board the Royal Navy's survey ships HMS Endurance and HMS Roebuck, life on board HMS Scott shows how varied the survey squadron is in terms of both quality of life and operational capability. The first thing that strikes new sailors on board is the extra space. HMS Scott is the sixth largest vessel in the Royal Navy and yet has a small ship's company of only 52. Despite this relatively small crew – they can demonstrate the qualities of the Royal Navy by displaying the flexibility, capability and resilience of the personnel that make up this professional ship's company.

The majority of time for the survey recorders is spent on watch-keeping in the ‘mission' space. Survey recorders new to the ship need to forget everything they have learned about conventional hydrographic surveying and be prepared for a world of computer monitors and plotters. Also, it comes as quite a shock to them, learning that survey lines can be up to 400 miles long!

All raw bathymetric data is processed using the CARIS survey processing system to ensure it is accurate and clear. Also onboard is the moving vessel profiler multi-sensor towed array system, which is the commanding officer's pride and joy. This technical wizardry can analyse all manner of oceanographic variables from salinity to sound speed throughout the water.

The ship has completed a successful ten-month refit beginning in August 2008 recently achieved the culmination of a challenging period of trials and training. The highlights included a full certification of her sonar equipment, successful marine engineering trials, and most recently, world-class training delivered by the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training in and around Plymouth.

Plymouth-based Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth made a diplomatic visit to the ancient city of Alexandria, Egypt, as part of her deployment.

The warship, nicknamed the Black Duke sailed into the Egypt 's largest seaport in Alexandria and as soon as the gangway was rigged, a guard of honour was dispatched to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Lieutenant Martin Wright, Guard Officer said: “As is tradition, we wanted to remember the unknown sailor by laying a wreath in his honour. The Egyptian Navy was the perfect host and mustered an entire guard of honour and band for the ceremony which really added something extra special to the occasion.”

HMS Monmouth played host to over 80 guests and then delivered presentations by the operations officer, pilot, boarding Officer and the Royal Marine boat boarding team sergeant. The day was an important chance for guests to recognise the dynamic nature of the ship's and Royal Navy's operations, which are vital to the security of the UK and its allies. This type of hospitality is still a vital tool for defence and diplomacy worldwide.

During the port visit, day trips were organised to the Egyptian capital, Cairo and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza, which date back to before 2,500 BC. Air Engineering Technician James Dawes said: “The Pyramids have been something I've always wanted to see and they certainly didn't disappoint.”

They then headed off to the Papyrus Institute & Bazaar and finally to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo which holds over 120,000 items of ancient Egyptian antiques.

The Black Duke rugby team played Cairo RFC and played admirably, but were defeated despite battling hard. All was not lost because the rugby team stayed overnight in the Egyptian capital and saw the Great Pyramids the next day before returning to the ship with their heads high and firm affiliations made.

Although the informal visit gave the crew time to acclimatise prior to a busy deployment east of the Suez Canal, it also strengthened relations between the Egyptians and the British.

After the final rest-stop before the Suez Canal transit the ship continues her journey at a higher state of readiness eastward towards her operating area, the Northern Arabian Gulf.

Commissioned by Lady Eaton in 1991, HMS Monmouth is a Type 23 Duke class frigate 133 metres long and displacing over 4,000 tonnes. She has a complement of 174 officers and ratings and is equipped with the latest weapons, sensors and communications systems.

ROYAL NAVY SURVEY SHIP HMS ECHO HOME FROM FAR EAST

The survey vessel HMS Echo arrived home safely in Plymouth yesterday afternoon (Thursday 8th October) after 18 months based in the South China Sea on successful military data gathering operations.

HMS Echo also conducted diplomatic visits, in countries including Algeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong and South Korea.  The multi-role hydrographic and oceanographic survey ship was the first Royal Navy warship to visit Bangladesh in 12 years. 

The ship's executive officer Lieutenant Commander Derek Rae: “HMS Echo has maintained a continuous Royal Navy presence in the Far East for nearly 18 months, conducting important military data gathering operations in demanding environmental conditions, and often a long distance from shore support.  To achieve this has required team work from the whole ship's company who can be justifiably proud of what we have achieved and all have performed in the finest traditions of the Service.”

A highlight of the lengthy time away was taking part in an International Maritime Festival when HMS Echo represented the UK at the Indonesian Navy fleet review, culminating in an impressive sail-past off the coast of Sulawesi. 

More than 40 warships from across the world took part in the festival including vessels from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Australia and an American aircraft carrier battle-group.  Throughout the fleet review the Indonesians proved to be excellent hosts offering a fascinating insight into the more rural areas of this relatively youthful country. 

HMS Echo then visited Brunei and Singapore before commencing the 9,000 mile return journey to Devonport via Cyprus.

Having visited Singapore on 12 occasions over the previous 18 months, it was with sadness that HMS Echo bid farewell for the final time during this deployment. Numerous war memorials attended in the Far East provided a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations of British armed forces and Singapore will always occupy a special place in the hearts of HMS Echo's crew.

In her time away from the UK, the crew have forged many friendships and close ties with the support network within Devonport Naval Base. 

Other memorable moments included crossing the equator whilst en-route to an informative visit to Jakarta . Here the ship helped build links with the Indonesian Navy's survey branch, as well as taking part in a Foreign and Commonwealth Office-sponsored outreach programme.

HMS Echo briefly joined the Taurus 09 Task Group to play a key role in Exercise Commando Rajah off the coast of Brunei .  The ship again represented the Royal Navy – this time at the South Korean Navy fleet review.  In addition to these high-profile events the ship continued to conduct training which included teams from Devonport-based Flag Officer Sea Training organisation visiting on-board in the South China Sea.

During her time away HMS Echo was able to maintain an intensive programme due to the following factors:

Operating independently of support from other ships for the majority of her deployment; operating a watch-manning system allowing her to remain at sea for periods longer than expected of a conventionally manned warship and running a rotational crew system - meaning the ship stays on deployment with crews changed regularly from the UK .

HMS Echo has spent 380 days at sea conducting military data collection and maritime security operations.  She has steamed 76,000 nautical miles (equivalent of three times round the equator), including 7,700 nautical miles in one month as part of the homeward transit.

The ship now returns to Devonport to conduct routine maintenance and further training before returning to sea early next year for her next tasking.

SAFETY OPEN DAY GOES WITH A BANG

Friends and families of servicemen deployed overseas enjoyed a special fun day in Plymouth with a serious message about safety and security.

Children especially, enjoyed using the fire hoses to spray their parents and brothers and sisters and sitting on police motorbikes and trying on helmets of the emergency services who staged the open day in Crownhill.

The afternoon culminated with a demonstration from the Bomb Disposal Team to ensure the afternoon finished with a bang!

The Friends and Families of deployed Units (FAFDU) hold regular informal “get togethers” to support the families of serving personnel. Helen Howlett, the Community Development Organiser who organised the event, said afterwards:

“I was delighted to see so many of our families come and have an enjoyable afternoon together. The FAFDU team (who are all volunteers) try to get everyone together informally for a function at least once a month to help support the families of those deployed. We normally try to have these on a Sunday as this is traditionally considered to be the most difficult of days for families to contend with. I would like to thank everyone for coming and making the day a great success.”

The next great event being held by the FAFDU is for Halloween on Sunday 1st November at the Crownhill Family Centre between 4pm and 7pm. All friends and families of serving personnel are welcome to attend.

The Royal Navy hosted a families and veterans from the Canadian Navy who came to Plymouth for a memorial weekend to remember those who died when their warship sank off the South West coast.

The delegation of relatives together with serving and former members of the Canadian Navy took part in events last weekend (2 to 4 October) marking the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Canadian warship the HMCS Kootenay on 23rd October 1969 in the Western Approaches, off the South West coast. The weekend is organised by the Plymouth Royal Naval Association.

The sinking was due to mechanical failure when the ship was undergoing trials, causing the deaths of nine Canadian sailors and 53 injured. Funeral services took place in St Nicholas Church in HMS Drake, and burials at sea were co-ordinated by the Royal Navy in Plymouth at the time.

Commander Malcolm Pollock, of HM Naval Base Devonport, said: “The Royal Navy has been working closely with the Canadian Navy to ensure that the 40th anniversary of the HMCS Kootenay is a fitting tribute to those 9 sailors who lost their lives and the 53 who were injured in the explosion”

“After the explosion Kootenay spent some three weeks in Devonport being prepared to be towed back to Canada. During that time very close links were made between the Canadian sailors, their loved ones, the Royal Navy and the wider population of Plymouth. Hopefully, by marking this 40th anniversary some bereaved families and survivors will be able to draw the strength to enable a partial closure on this devastating and tragic explosion at sea.”

The weekend was especially poignant for the widow of the staff officer to the Admiral who was Flag Officer of Plymouth at the time. Mrs Mo Morris will attend a memorial service, wreath–laying and evening reception in Plymouth. She was the wife of Commander Roger Morris (Chesty to his naval colleagues), who helped organise the welfare of the families of those who were injured and died in the naval disaster – the worst peacetime incident to affect the Canadian armed forces.

Mrs Morris, of Plymouth, said: “I am honoured to attend the memorial events at the weekend. It was desperately sad, the saddest thing to have happened to me. I still remember only too well meeting the families of those who died and were injured when they came to Plymouth. We also hosted the Canadian naval liaison officer in our house for his sad duties. My husband was responsible for making sure the families were looked after in difficult circumstances.

Arthur Gutteridge, Plymouth Royal Naval Association (RNA) honorary secretary, said: “This was the first time this has happened and it was well received by the families and veterans. They said they had been well looked after by the association and the Royal Navy. The event in the senior rates mess in HMS Drake went very well. This was a big occasion for both the families and former Canadian Navy survivors. We looked after100 of them making this long trip from Canada and hope to make it one they will remember. The RNA is privileged to have played a key role in such an important event which was an emotive one, but enjoyable at the same time.”

On Saturday evening Plymouth Royal Navy Association hosted the Kootenhay delegation in the senior rates mess in HMS Drake, while on Sunday a memorial service was held in St Andrew's Church, Royal Parade, Plymouth, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Mayflower Steps, Barbican waterfront, Plymouth.