Derry’s role in Battle of the Atlantic to be marked with special Victory in Europe (VE Day) parade and service

The Churchill Flute Band will lead a Royal Naval Association (RNA) parade from Iona Terrace to the church for the service at 11am on Sunday.

Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rev. Andrew Forster, will lead the Battle of the Atlantic service.

It is being held as part of the Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) commemorations of the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.

The port of Derry played a central role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

On May 14, 1945, eight German U-boats surrendered to Admiral Max Horton at Lisahally.

Their crews were taken to Ebrington, which had been taken over by the British Royal Navy in December 1940 and was known as HMS Ferret during WW2.

At least 60 German submarines would be brought to Derry following the surrender.

HMS Ferret was the main base for all naval operations covering the Western Approaches during WW2 and was the main Royal Navy base for anti-submarine operations.

It was the suspected target of a Luftwaffe bombing raid on April 15, 1941, that killed thirteen people in Messines Park.

In 1947 it was renamed HMS Sea Eagle and became a Joint Anti-submarine Training Base.

HMS Sea Eagle was handed back to the British Army in 1970 and was returned to its original use as Ebrington Barracks.

In 2003 the barracks was given to the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (now The Executive Office) by the Ministry of Defence.