Wednesday, 29 June 2005 �?Southsea, UK

Remembering the fallen...

Maritime veterans from the UK and abroad are invited to a special international ceremony to commemorate those who have fallen in conflict.

Trafalgar 200 focuses on the life and death of Admiral Lord Nelson, unquestionably Britain’s greatest naval hero. But we cannot forget the thousands of other men and women from around the world who have laid down their lives in maritime conflict.

This ceremony gives maritime veterans of all conflicts, including those who were never involved in battle, the opportunity to come together and remember the fallen.

The event takes place on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, where veterans can seek out old comrades using a computer search facility in the Veterans' Centre.

Tickets have now been allocated for this event.

If you would like to view a timetable for the International Drumhead Ceremony please click here.

If you're a World War 2 veteran, you may be interested to know that the main focus for commemoration will take place in London on Sunday, 10 July 2005 - official marking of the 60th anniversary of both VE and VJ Day.

What is a 'Drumhead Ceremony'?

In past centuries, religious worship on the battlefield often took place as a 'Drumhead Ceremony'. Soldiers would parade on three sides of a hollow square. On the fourth side, drummers would pile their drums in the shape of a pyramid to make an altar and drape it with regimental colours.

This form of ceremony is often used now to commemorate those who have fallen in conflict.