Ringing of the Memorial Bell

in 2015 the RNCDA Commissioned a Memorial Bell to be cast in memory of all fallen Royal Navy Clearance Divers.  The bell is now permanently housed in a purpose built enclosure within the garden of remembrance at Horsea Island, alongside the very lake where so many divers learnt to dive.

5 Bells will be sounded across the lake annually

In October each year the RNCDA holds a dinner for its members and guests, a time to come together and remember the good times, celebrate the achievements and raise a glass to absent friends.

 On the morning of the dinner the RNCDA AGM takes place at Horsea Island followed by a bell ceremony.
The first of these procedures was carried out on 9th October 2015 when the Bell was commissioned and a list of all Royal Navy Clearance Divers who have crossed the bar was read out.

At each subsequent annual bell ceremony the RNCDA chairman will read out the names of any Royal Navy Clearance Diver who have crossed the bar that year, with 5 Bells rung after the reading.

The only exception to this will be if the family of a diver down requests their ashes spread in the lake, at that time 5 bells will be rung also.  (Their name will also be read at the annual bell ceremony).

Beneath the waves, where silence reigns,
A diver’s lifeline pulls and strains,
And with each tug, a message sends
Of work begun or work that ends.
Five bells ring out, a signal clear,
“I’ve found, started, or finished here,”
And all above the waves can know
That progress has been made below.
But five bells, too, can signify
A diver’s fate, a final goodbye.
When lifeless limbs the water yields,
And all that’s left, the sound of five.
So, listen well to every chime,
Each bell a marker in its time,
And pray that every diver’s line
Will always bring them safe to shine.

By Rtd Po(D)
Derek (George) McCarthy