Tim Cooper
Royal Navy personnel have been preparing for a parade at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
The sailors and Royal Marines have had to adapt to new drills brought in especially for 2020 due to coronavirus.
The training has taken place at HMS Excellent on Whale Island in Portsmouth ahead of a final rehearsal in London.
Warrant Officer Eddie Wearing, the Royal Navy’s State Ceremonial Training Officer, has been working with the division for nearly three weeks.
He told Forces News: "I believe that Sunday is the day that we can pull together as a nation and remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice."
Despite the new England-wide lockdown, Remembrance Sunday events are allowed to go ahead as long as they are outside and social distancing measures are in place.
The national ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London, which is usually attended by senior politicians and members of the Royal family, as well as about 10,000 veterans and members of the public, is going ahead but on a much smaller scale.
Just 25 sailors and marines will be taking part in the march along Whitehall to the memorial - a quarter of the number usually sent by the Royal Navy.
They will be joined by five buglers and Corps Bugle Major from Royal Marines Band Portsmouth.
Able Seaman George Brown, from HMS Duncan, said: "I’ve always wanted to do it because it's very personal.
"You’re remembering so many people that gave up their lives for us and I think it’s a massive respect to go to London to the Cenotaph and stand there with the Air Force, the Army and stand together as one, remembering everyone.
"For me, it’s a very personal time because my grandad was actually in the Army," he added.
"Unfortunately, he passed a few months ago which is quite saddening, but for me it's time to remember his life and remember the time he gave up for his country and now it’s my turn to do the same."
Captain William Morton-Hooper, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, said: "There’s lots of standing still as well as uniform preparation, so long nights polishing, bulling, indeed, that will take us up to Saturday night before the parade itself."
The service at the Cenotaph on Sunday will be the first time it has been closed to the public, with ministers already urging people to instead watch it at home on TV.
The Royal British Legion veteran march-past is also not going ahead.
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