The Commanding Officer of the East Midlands’ only Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit is seeking photographs and memories for the 75th anniversary celebrations of Royal Navy and Royal Marine service in the East Midlands.

Commander Sacha Brooks RNR, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sherwood, Nottingham, said: “We are excited to be using our social media feeds to showcase our shared history and prized memories.

“We’re calling out to the local community to be a part of this celebration by sharing their memories and any old photographs they have of the Royal Navy’s presence in the city.

“Whether it’s a snapshot of a memorable event, a parade, or a glimpse of the daily life of one of the thousands of residents who have volunteered to serve in the Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve, or Royal Marines Reserves, your photos will help us create a vibrant feed that honours the past and looks to the future.”

HMS Sherwood’s home city, Nottingham, will be being dressed in naval style during March.

From the start of March special ‘RNR75’ banners will be going up around the Market Square, and from 10th March, the city’s Council House will be lit up in Navy blue.

Later in March, senior representatives from the Royal Navy and local Naval Reservists and Sea Cadets will be joined by dignitaries, friends, families, and supporters of the Armed Forces from across the East Midlands to observe a milestone 75th-anniversary of the Naval Service’s enduring commitment to the region and support by the community.

The celebrations will feature a formal reception at the Council House including a captivating
performance by the Royal Marines Band.

Since the establishment of the first Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve unit in the Lace Market Quarter in 1949, the Royal Naval Reserve has maintained a steadfast presence in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands.

That unit was commissioned as HMS Sherwood, a full unit of the Naval Service, in 1984.

It was later joined by the Nottingham Detachment of the Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside in 2007, and most recently, the East Midlands University Royal Naval Unit, which was established in 2021.

Although Nottingham is over 50 miles from the nearest sea, the city and the wider region
boast deep maritime connections.

The Royal Navy has named ships after towns and cities in the East Midlands since the 17th
century, including an HMS Derby and an HMS Leicester City.

Notably, four ships have been named HMS Nottingham. The most recent, a Type 42 destroyer, was granted the Freedom of the City of Nottingham in 1982, allowing its crew to march through the city with full ceremonial honours.

HMS Sherwood was granted the same honour in 2018, recognising the continuing close ties between the Royal Navy and the local community.

Send digital copies of your photos and memories to [email protected] by Monday, 17th March.

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