Plymouth’s Royal Naval Heritage – History Day
£12.00
Join us for an SWMHS History Day in Plymouth, held in partnership with the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, exploring more than 300 years of Plymouth’s extraordinary Royal Naval and maritime heritage.
The morning will be spent at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, with a guided tour of its collections and an opportunity to explore its remarkable dockyard records. If you have a relative who served in the Royal Navy or worked in Devonport Dockyard, the Centre’s research experts may even be able to help uncover their story. We’ll also hear a short presentation on Chief WREN Euphemia Welby during the Second World War.
In the afternoon we move across to HMS Vivid for three talks exploring the marine archaeology of Plymouth Sound, Cyril Tawney and the songs of Royal Navy and dockyard life, and the troopships that arrived in Plymouth during the First World War.
Scroll down for further details of the day and the talks.
So do join us for a fascinating day combining Plymouth’s naval history, the collections and expertise of the Heritage Centre, family-history research and three specialist maritime history talks.
1 in stock
Description
When – Saturday 24th October 2026 – 10.00 am-4.00 pm
Where – Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth
Plymouth’s Royal Naval Heritage History Day
Explore Plymouth’s extraordinary Royal Naval heritage with a guided tour of the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, access to its historic records and experts, and three fascinating talks on Plymouth’s maritime past.
Morning – Devonport Naval Heritage Centre
The day begins at 10.15am at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, with an introduction from Peter Dunlop, followed by a guided tour of the Centre in two groups.
As well as exploring the collections, visitors will see examples of the Centre’s remarkable historic dockyard pay-book records. Those with relatives who served in the Royal Navy or worked in Devonport Dockyard can submit details in advance, giving the Centre’s research experts an opportunity to investigate their family connections.
During the morning, Martin Hazell will also give a short presentation on Chief WREN Euphemia Welby during the Second World War, focussing on her time in Plymouth.
12.30pm – Lunch. Bring your own lunch, or there are local shops and cafés nearby.
Afternoon – Three Maritime History Talks
From 2.00pm at HMS Vivid, three expert speakers explore different aspects of Plymouth’s naval and maritime past:
Peter Holt & Mallory Haas – The Ships Project
The Marine Archaeology of Plymouth Sound — more than 1,000 years of maritime history beneath the Sound, with new discoveries still being investigated.
Martin Hazell
The Oggyman – Cyril Tawney & Royal Navy and Dockyard Songs of the 20th Century — the songs and traditions of naval and dockyard life.
Clive Charlton
Troopship Arrivals at Plymouth Sound during World War I — the story of the wartime troopships and the men who arrived through Plymouth.
Please buy your ticket for the event by entering the number of tickets you would like in the gold box at the top of this page.
We look forward to seeing you in Plymouth!
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Additional information
| Place | The morning will be at the Naval Heritage Centre, Devonport. |
|---|---|
| Event | History Day: Tour of the Naval Heritage Centre collections and a series of 4 talks about Plymouth's maritime history. |
