PEOPLE from Southampton were among those who gathered at a series of remembrance services held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the loss of HMS Bulwark.

The Royal Navy battleship sank off the Kent coast after an internal explosion claimed the lives of more than 700 men.

Bernie Keane is a member of the Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association from Southampton.

Bernie, who lives in the Sholing area of the city, spent almost 24 years in the Royal Navy and served on a number of ships, including both the Albion and the Centaur.

Moving Over the past 32 years he has occupied the role of Standard Bearer for various associations such as the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion before proudly assuming the honourable post of standard bearer with BAC Association seven years ago.

Bernie joined around 60 other members of the BAC Association for the commemorative ceremonies in Gillingham and Chatham, which included a poignant voyage to the site of the wreck for Bernie and 24 other BAC members so that a wreath could be laid to those who perished.

When reflecting on the service Bernie commented that during the dip for the silence the standard ballooned up and almost stayed that way for the full duration of the silence.

“It gave me a chill down my back while doing the dip,” said Bernie.

The weekend’s commemorations, which also included services at Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham and HMS Pembroke Church in Chatham, was described as a very moving weekend for all of those connected with the Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association and the relatives that attended with them.