THE frigate HMS St Albans has arrived in Holyhead to kick off the celebrations to mark the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service being granted the Freedom of Anglesey.

Almost 200 submariners, lead by a Royal Marine band, will march through the town with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed.

The parade, which is taking place during this year’s North Wales Armed Forces Day event, will start from Newry Beach, led by the Band of the Royal Marines Portsmouth. Serving Royal Navy submariners will march through the town with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed.

After the parade a memorial service commemorating the loss of the submarine HMS Thetis off North Wales in 1939 will be held at Maeshyfryd Cemetery,Holyhead.

Commander John Cromie, her commanding officer said: “HMS St Albans is in Holyhead in support of the Submarine Service which is conducting its Freedom of Anglesey Parade, and will provide the backdrop for a reception that is being hosted on behalf of the Submarine Service.

“We will be open to members of the general public to visit the ship and se what the Royal Navy does. It is important the public gets the opportunity to see what we do because most of our work is done way out into the Atlantic way over the horizon.”

He added: “I am delighted to be here. Obviously HMS St Albans is not a submarine, but we are an anti-submarine warfare frigate and therefore we work a lot alongside the Submarine Service, so I think it is appropriate we are here to support our submarine colleagues.”