11/08/2025
Discovered a new Memorial at former HMS Daedalus yesterday. Unveiled in June the Daedalus Commemorative Stone is dedicated to the service and civilian personnel who served, fought and in some cases died at the Royal Naval Air Station between 1939-1996.
A short ceremony preceded the unveiling with Vice Admiral Duncan Potts sharing some of the history of the site. Established in 1917 as a Naval Seaplane Training School, Daedalus has been part of the local communities of Fareham, Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport for more than a century. The stone was then blessed by RNA Padre, Reverend Liz Quinn.
In June 1944, the airfield flew 435 sorties associated with Overlord (D-Day), said to be the largest number from any airfield in the UK.
Royal Naval Association's President, Vice Admiral Duncan Potts CB RN Rtd, said: “Anyone looking around will see how quickly Daedalus is changing and developing, with numerous commercial enterprises, higher education and Coast Guard operations on site. This regeneration is really a community success story. But with the old Daedalus disappearing, it’s timely to commemorate the history of the site. This commemorative stone is dedicated to those that served and worked here from the service and the community, and importantly allows future generations to understand the important part of our history and defence that the Naval Air Station provided for so many years.”
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