Royal Navy Cemetery, Bermuda

Touching down with all brakes on we hit the tarmac and I arrive into one of the last far flung corners of the British Empire – Bermuda.

Visiting the old Royal Navy Dockyard on Ireland Island,  I came across a tranquil area in a beautiful location, near Lagoon Park.

RN Dockyard

Dockyard Clock Tower

Commissioners House

This is the hallowed ground for men from all over the Commonwealth, who served in Bermuda from the 18th to 20th centuries.   The Glade.

The Glade

It was first consecrated in 1812,  when the Dockyard was still being built, many men died from yellow fever during this period.

The Glade

Maintained impeccably by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  Amongst the headstones,  I count those of four Admirals.

The Glade

Close to the road are final resting places of Royal Navy seamen from more recent conflicts.  Those who died on their ships in mid Atlantic actions near Bermuda,  during World War II against German pocket battleships and U-boats.

Various causes of death:

(taken from the headstones)

Drowned.

Died of Yellow Fever - 1864.

Boy 1st Class killed by a fall from aloft - 1867.

Fell down suddenly in a fit of APOPLEXY of which he expired - 1836

John Booth of Aberdeen, North Britain, drowned by being blown off breakwater-1837

By a fall from the fore topsail yard

By a fall from the mizzen top

By the sheave of the mast head pendant block falling

Buried at sea

Suddenly of sunstroke

Typhoid fever

Dysentery

From the capsizing of a boat in a squall

Killed on the works whilst blasting (miner 1827)

Surgeon of convict establishment Bermuda - 1858

Captain Jervis & his wife (18) who died of Yellow Fever - 1853

Foundered during a heavy gale of wind - 1828

From rupture of a blood vessel

The wife of one of those who served in Bermuda.

Headstone cast.

Towards the sea.

RN Cemetery CWGC