WATCH: D-Day veteran Peter Gosling honoured in village sign

Those passing through the Trimley villages will now be greeted by a vibrant new sign which stands proudly beside Reeve Lodge care home in Trimley St Martin.

The original sign and memorial for peace was unveiled in 1995 by five people who had bravely served their King and country during the Second World War: Private D Francis, Corporal K Pooley, Leading Aircraftwoman M Seaman, Able Seaman Evans, and, of course, Able Seamn Peter Gosling. 

Peter was the last of these veterans to pass away; he died at his home on August 27, aged 98.

Peter Gosling, pictured centre, at last year's Remembrance Day service outside Reeve Lodge. (Image: Trimley St Mary Parish Council)

The brand new dedication to Peter Gosling was unveiled on Monday. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Peter's wife, Bridget, chatting to Revd Canon Sharron Coburn, ahead of the unveiling. (Image: Lucy Taylor) The Last Post was sounded by Phil Hubert. (Image: Lucy Taylor) The Exhortation is recited by Chair of Trimley St Mary Parish Council David Southgate. (Image: Lucy Taylor) An original song 'Last Post' was written and performed by Nigel Ashcroft. (Image: Lucy Taylor) The previous village sign had fallen into disrepair, and so when the time came to replace it, the parish councils of Trimley St Mary and Trimley St Martin decided unanimously that it was only right to pay tribute to Peter’s legacy.

Mr Gosling moved to Trimley as a child, having been born in Combs on September 8, 1925. 

At 17, he joined the Royal Navy, after completing six weeks training at HMS Ganges in Shotley. If the young Peter ever felt homesick, he would climb the ship’s mast, from which he could see Trimley across the River Orwell.

Able Seaman Gosling must have impressed his seniors, for he became one of 530 crewmen to board the newly commissioned cruiser HMS Bellona.

HMS Bellona operated as an escort for the Arctic Convoys from Scapa Flow to Murmansk, its radio jamming equipment used to prevent the use of incoming radio-controlled bombs. Later the ship was deployed on anti-aircraft support of the Omaha Beach landings in Normandy on D-Day, June 6,1944.

Year Six students from Trimley St Mary Primary School join in the two-minute silence. (Image: Lucy Taylor) The Kohima Epitaph was recited by Sophie. (Image: Lucy Taylor) A commemorative poem is recited by Harrison and Aris. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Prime Minister Winston Churchill described the Arctic Convoys as “the worst journey in the world” – and it must truly have felt that way to the teenaged Peter, as the ship travelled through thick fog, drifting ice and strong currents, working in total darkness in the depths of the winter and being attacked by the enemy around-the-clock in the brightness of summer.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Peter was amongst the thousands of men to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy, providing desperately needed naval and artillery support to the American troops.

Thankfully, Peter came through the operation unscathed, and, on VE Day, he was part of the Guard of Honour for George VI at St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

In the months following the war, HMS Bellona was used to take Churchill and his daughter, Sarah, to Belgium, stopping off in Oslo, where Peter remembers being presented with salmon and ice cream by grateful locals for the navy’s part in liberating Norway.

Mrs Gosling lays a wreath in her husband's memory. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Retired Warrant Officer Tristin Gail lays his wreath. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Mrs Gosling thanked the community for coming together to remember her husband. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Workers from the nearby building sites of Bellway and SEH also joined in the two-minute silence.  (Image: Lucy Taylor) The plinth was originally dedicated to five former servicemen and women in 1995, for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. (Image: Lucy Taylor) Peter’s bravery would not be recognised for another 60 years; in 2006, he was finally awarded the Arctic Convoy medal by Russia, and the Ushakov Naval Medal in the intervening years. In 2013, Britian followed suit with the Arctic Star medal.

Peter was also awarded the Legion d’Honneur by France, recognising the part he played in liberating the country in D-Day.

Back home in England, Peter married Bridget. They were married for nearly 71 years, and welcomed three children together, Jane, Robert and Julia. 

On Monday, Mrs Gosling laid a wreath in her husband's memory at the peace memorial.

“He would have been very surprised, but I know he would have appreciated it,” she said.

Students from Year Six at Trimley St Mary Primary School were also in attendance, reading out a commemorative poem and reciting the Kohima Epitaph. 

An original song ‘Last Post’ was performed by singer-songwriter Nigel Ashcroft, with the traditional Last Post played by bugler Phil Hubert. 

Workers from the nearby building sites of Bellway and SEH also joined in the two-minute silence. 

Lynn Beal, vice chair of Trimley St Mary Parish Council, said: “Peter was the last surviving service man named on this sign and was always at the church remembrance service and the civic act of remembrance at the Reeve lodge peace sign, wearing his medals.

“He was well known in the Trimleys and will always be remembered and it was unanimously decided by both councils to remember this gentleman with a new plaque on the sign. We felt this a fitting tribute to a D-day veteran on this 80th anniversary year.

“We wanted to honour Peter and pay tribute to him and to all who have and are serving in the military from our villages.”