In a powerful tribute to Remembrance Day, 25 members of the Defence Survival Training Organisation (DSTO) at RAF St Mawgan undertook a demanding 30-mile hike across Cornwall’s rugged coastline, culminating at the historic Pentire Point memorial.
The journey began at RAF St Mawgan and carried the team across dramatic Cornish cliffs, sweeping beaches and National Trust land. Battling gale-force winds on the final approach, the personnel pressed on with determination, embodying the resilience and spirit of service that Remembrance Day represents.
Pentire Point holds special significance as the place where poet Laurence Binyon penned, 'For the Fallen' in 1914. At the memorial, the team gathered to read the Ode of Remembrance, closing with its poignant lines:
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
The Padre, Squadron Leader Colin O’dell, joined the group for the final leg of the hike and led a moving moment of grace, offering reflection and unity at the close of the day.
The team’s journey also included a symbolic crossing of the River Camel, made possible thanks to the generosity of the Padstow Black Tor Ferry, which provided free passage.
This annual act of remembrance highlights the enduring commitment of DSTO personnel to honour those who gave their lives in service, while strengthening bonds of camaraderie and resilience among today’s servicemen and women.
