Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton has proudly donated to support the creation of a new mural within the Junior Soldiers’ Dining Facility at the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.
The mural, which spans three walls, captures the rich and often unsung history of Army Maritime operations. It honours the legacy of the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and its predecessors, showcasing their involvement in pivotal military campaigns including Operation Overlord (D-Day and the Battle of Normandy), the Falklands Conflict (Operation Corporate), and both Gulf Wars (Operations Granby and Telic).
The final panel brings the story into the present, highlighting the Regiment’s current capabilities, including the Mexeflote facility (a large float created to take cargo ashore), military cargo ships, and military diving operations. The mural not only serves as a tribute to the Regiment’s operational excellence but also as a source of pride and reflection for those who serve and have served.
The 17 Regiment Dining Facility also hosts a monthly veterans’ breakfast, offering former service members a chance to gather, reflect, and share their own stories—now surrounded by a powerful visual reminder of their shared heritage. This is extremely well attended, with retired Service personnel coming from all over the UK.
Richard Parkinson, Port Director at ABP Solent Gateway, said: “We are extremely proud to support the British Army and work closely with the Ministry of Defence through our operations at Marchwood Military Port and beyond. Contributing to this mural is a small token of our appreciation for the vital role the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment plays both locally and globally. It’s a visual tribute to their past and present achievements.”
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Goodall, Commanding Officer said: “The Regiment is humbled by the very kind donation from ABP; their generosity has made this incredible dedication to Army Maritime possible. With ABP and 17 Port and Maritime Regiment working so closely together at the Sea Mounting Centre, it is very poignant for them to help capture such significant events in the Regiment’s past and we look together to the future.”
This initiative reflects ABP’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and preserving the legacy of military maritime excellence.
