Sailors and marines from HMS Lancaster pay respects to the fallen in Oman

Sailors and Royal Marines on board HMS Lancaster have completed a challenging yomp to pay their respects to the fallen in Oman.

Personnel including marines from 42 Commando and members of 815 Naval Air Squadron and the Naval Chaplaincy Service visited Muscat New Naval Cemetery, which is also known as Eastern Cemetery Cove.

The cemetery, which is managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), contains the graves of four Commonwealth personnel dating back to the First World War.

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During their visit, the ship’s company cleaned and restored the headstones, ensuring the site remains a fitting tribute to the fallen.

These graves reflect the region's strategic importance during the wars, particularly for maritime operations in the Indian Ocean, with some of the graves belonging to unidentified servicemen.

Some of those buried there lost their lives protecting vital trade routes or during naval operations.

Eastern Cemetery Cove not only represents the sacrifices of Commonwealth forces, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the global scope of the conflicts and the diverse makeup of the forces involved​.