The Right Reverend Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, leading the act of worship during the International Drumhead Ceremony, Southsea Common, 29 June 2005. [Phot: PO(Phot) Steve Lewis]

HRH The Duke of York and HRH Prince Michael of Kent were the guests of honour at the International Drumhead Ceremony that took place on Southsea Common on Wednesday 29 June.

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, draped with regimental colours.

This form of ceremony is often used now 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.  The International Drumhead ceremony gave maritime veterans of all conflicts, including those who were never involved in battle, the opportunity to come together and remember the fallen.

The event was open to both UK and International Maritime Veterans.  The Bishop of Portsmouth, The Right Reverend Kenneth Stevenson led a formal Drumhead act of worship, joined by representatives of other faiths.  There was a parade of veterans, and schoolchildren, Sea Cadets, choirs and a Royal Marines band joined in.  As a finale, one of the RN Aircraft Carriers conducted a "steam past", and there was a flypast of former and modern military aircraft ranging from a Spitfire to a Sea Harrier.

A Veteran's Centre was establised nearby, and veterans were able to relax with old shipmates, and try to trace others using a computer search facility.

International Drumhead Ceremony as seen from the Spinnaker Tower	International Drumhead Ceremony as seen from the Spinnaker Tower	Veterans attending the International Drumhead Ceremony on Southsea Common, Portsmouth on 29 June 2005
The International Drumhead Ceremony on Southsea Common, Portsmouth, was well attended by Veterans	Sailors with National flags from all nations that took part in the Royal Fleet Review formed up around the arena	After the service Prince Andrew met with Veterans
HRH Prince Andrew attended the International Drumhead Ceremony along with HRH Prince Michael of Kent	During the service, attended by Veterans and Schoolchildren, HMS Illustrious sailed past in the background	Prince Andrew with former Royal Navy veteran William Stone, aged 104 years, and the youngest person participating in the Ceremony, RN Cadet George Connor, aged 12, from Macclesfield

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• T200: "As relevant today as in Nelson's day"
• T200: World's Navies to Commemorate Battle of Trafalgar
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Related Links:

• Trafalgar 200
• Royal Navy
• Sea Britain 2005
• International Festival of the Sea
• Royal Navy: T200 news