The Deep Sea Scouts planted a tree at the National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance. It commemorates and celebrates those who have given their lives in the service of their country, all who have served and suffered as a result of conflict, and others who, for specific or appropriate reasons, are commemorated here.
The Arboretum is a charity run by staff and volunteers, and part of The Royal British Legion family. It contains a ‘Merchant Navy Convoy’ which is a tree for every Merchant ship that was lost in World War II and the Deep Sea Scouts decided that it would be a good idea to have a memorial of their own. The Deep Sea Scouts are a charity so the funds for the tree were raised from member donations and a raffle held at a Gilwell Reunion Camp.
The Deep Sea Scout tree now stands in Fisherman’s Wood, over to the eastern side of the NMA, beyond the Armed Forces Memorial.
Just after planting, the area was flooded as the adjacent River Trent broke its banks, resulting in the growth being, shall we say, restricted. Currently it is standing around 12ft (3.6ish metres for you younger ones) and looking quite healthy.
The Deep Sea Scout tree has been visited by quite a few Deep Sea Scouts over the years; initially it was hard to find, but now that the Army Apprentices Memorial is in place, (about 25metres in from the right hand side) it is a bit easier to locate.
It is marked with a plaque bearing the inscription:
“Remembering The Scouts That Worked In Ships That Have Crossed The Bar,
Called To Higher Service”
Find out more about the National Memorial Arboretum
We are collating some nautical themed poems for Remembrance
In ocean wastes no poppies blow,
No crosses stand in ordered row,
There young hearts sleep… beneath the wave…
The spirited, the good, the brave,
But stars a constant vigil keep,
For them who lie beneath the deep.
‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot and think. “He’s there.”
But you can to the ocean go…
See whitecaps marching row on row;
Know one for him will always ride…
In and out… with every tide.
And when your span of life is passed,
He’ll meet you at the “Captain’s Mast.”
And they who mourn on distant shore
For sailors who’ll come home no more,
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas…
For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row on row.
And they can never lonely be
For when they lived… they chose the sea.
by Eileen Mahoney
Poppies grow in Flanders Fields
Over the heads of the brave,
But Poppies don’t cover a sailor’s grave,
Flowers won’t grow on a wave.
On land there is usually a marker,
A cross, a stone or a tree.
How do you mark the resting place
of the ones that are buried at sea?
They are no less the fallen
Than the others that are interred on the land.
Though their graves are unadorned
The seamen will understand.
They chose to sail the oceans,
They knew where the danger lies.
And if tragedy ever happens,
The sea claims the sailor who dies.