GIBRALTAR Heritage Minister John Cortes has declared that the UK’s Royal Navy will ‘always have a home’ on the Rock during the unveiling of a tribute to World War Two divers.
The statement from Cortes comes just two months after the historic United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) treaty on the territory was signed in July.
A major pillar of those negotiations was the UK securing absolute sovereign control and operational autonomy for its military base as physical border barriers with Spain were removed.
Speaking at Rosia Bay, the minister used the commemoration of wartime heroes to firmly reinforce this recent diplomatic victory.
He told attendees that the overseas territory is deeply proud of its long association with the armed forces.
“Gibraltar is proud of its long association with the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy will always have a home in Gibraltar,” Cortes said.
The ceremony was held to unveil a new plaque commemorating the Royal Navy Under Water Working Party.
During the war, the territory served as one of the most important Allied naval bases in the Mediterranean.
It faced a unique threat from specially trained enemy divers and manned torpedoes placing explosive charges directly onto Allied shipping.
In response, the Under Water Working Party operated out of Rosia Bay to counter the covert underwater threat.
Cortes highlighted the extraordinarily dangerous work undertaken by divers such as the legendary Lionel ‘Buster’ Crabb.
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Crabb mysteriously vanished in 1956 during a Cold War espionage mission, but during his time in Gibraltar, he and his team inspected ship hulls and rendered enemy mines safe.
The minister noted that the smallest error during these operations could have cost the men their lives.
He added that it is an absolute honour to ensure their courage and service are remembered by future generations.
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