Memorial to lost WWII submariners

Nearly 300 Allied personnel at the Ambrose base died during WWII

A Royal Navy memorial honouring hundreds of Dundee-based sailors killed during WWII has been unveiled.

Almost 300 Allied sailors and commandos at the HMS Ambrose Royal Navy base in the city lost their lives during the war.

A Royal Navy frigate formed the backdrop to the event, which was attended by the Duke of Gloucester.

Hundreds of veterans and serving personnel also attended the formal ceremony at Victoria Dock.

Between 1940 to 1946, Dundee was the home port of the 2nd and 9th Submarine Flotilla.

The submarines based there were used to patrol the North Atlantic and in covert operations against the German occupying forces in Norway.

'Striking tribute'

The base sent out six vessels which never returned, carrying crews from Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Russian.

The names of the 296 personnel who lost their lives will be remembered at the permanent tribute titled "Still On Patrol".

Speaking ahead of the event, Dundee's Lord Provost John Letford said: "The memorial is a striking tribute to the vital contribution to Allied victory made by Dundee-based submarines.

"It will inspire the young of today and tomorrow to study the truly remarkable story of the Dundee flotillas and, in years to come, it will serve as the focus for remembrance of the 296 Allied sailors and commandos who gave their lives in the noble cause of freedom from tyranny."

Also attending were ambassadors from the Russian Federation, the Netherlands and Poland as well as the heads of the Norwegian, French and British submarine services.

The role of guard ship was taken by HMS Portland, a Duke class Type 23 Frigate, which has recently returned from an eight-month tour of duty in the Middle East.

The memorial, which has been funded by the Unicorn Property Group, is sited at Victoria Dock, where the submarine base was located.