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Submariners hold fundraiser for Dundee Memorial

25 April 2017
Royal Navy personnel at HM Naval Base Clyde were joined by members of the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir on Wednesday, April 19, for a fundraising event within the site's Neptune Building Supermess.

Passing base staff were offered a delicious selection of baking goodies with the cash raised going towards a project to repair the Dundee grave markers of early submariners from the 7th Submarine Flotilla - Scotland's first submarine base.

"We have already had a generous donation of £1,000 from charity 'We Remember Submariners' and today's cake sale has raised £705," said Warrant Officer Andy Knox, Command Warrant Officer Submarines.

"The 7th Submarine Flotilla was Scotland's first submarine base, opening in Dundee in 1909. 

Six submariners are buried in the town's Eastern Cemetery but unfortunately, over the years, their grave markers have fallen into disrepair

Warrant Officer Andy Knox

“Six submariners are buried in the town's Eastern Cemetery but unfortunately, over the years, their grave markers have fallen into disrepair and are in need of attention."

The Royal Navy submariner community have got behind the fundraising efforts and were joined by members of the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir who provided some of the cakes, along with members of HMS Vengeance's ship's company.

A donation of £100 was also made by Dundee sailor Leading Logistician Al Waterstone.

Also assisting was Leading Medical Assistant Kate Edwards from HMS Neptune's Recovery Cell.

Kate persuaded her mum, Maggie Paiton, to contribute her considerable baking skills.

The only snag? Maggie lives in Newcastle, some 187-miles from the Clyde base!

"Mum baked a chocolate cake, a fruit cake with a submarine design and a lemon drizzle cake for the sale," said Kate.

"She lives in Newcastle and so hopped in the car and drove to Faslane the night before to deliver the cakes.

“Her dedication was amazing and has gone a long way to helping to raise money for this great cause."

The 7th Submarine Flotilla was based in Dundee from 1909 to 1914, supported by depot ship HMS Vulcan and aircraft from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Dundee.

The submarine depot was responsible for the defence of coastal shipping and protecting the East Coast from invasion.

Six submariners from the Flotilla are buried at Dundee's Eastern Cemetery and are among the earliest submariner burials in the UK.

Money raised will go towards employing a stonemason to renovate and restore the existing grave markers.

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