Final salute: Royal Navy officer's ashes laid to rest at Ostenburg Point, Trincomalee

In a solemn and dignified ceremony held at Trincomalee’s Ostenburg Point on 27th September 2024, the ashes of late Lieutenant Norman Schofield, a Royal Navy officer and Mrs Marian Schofield, his late spouse, were scattered with full naval honours. Between 1956 and 1958, Lieutenant Norman Schofield served as a communication officer at the HMS Highflyer naval base in Trincomalee, which was regarded as the second-largest naval base in the world during that period. In accordance with the officer's final wishes, who passed away in 1999, his and his spouse's ashes were respectfully scattered following naval traditions.

Honoring the final wish of Lieutenant Norman Schofield, who passed away 25 years ago, his ashes were intended to be scattered at sea in Trincomalee. Unfortunately, this practice has been discontinued due to various complications. According to a special request made by the Defence Adviser of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Darren Woods to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the ceremony of scattering the ashes of the late Lieutenant Norman Schofield and his wife at Ostenburg Point was organised by the Naval Dockyard.

Lieutenant Norman Schofield enlisted in the Royal Navy as a signalman in August 1935 and received his commission in June 1947, during the Second World War. After being assigned to various ships and bases of the Royal Navy, he served as the Port Signal Officer at HMS Highflyer Naval Base in Trincomalee from 1956 to 1958. He served in Sri Lanka, stationed at the Trincomalee Naval Base, until its transfer to the Sri Lankan Government in 1957. Honoring the officer's final wish, his and his wife's ashes were scattered at sea near Ostenburg Point, Naval Dockyard Trincomalee - a place he held dear to his heart.

The occasion was also attended by Defence Adviser of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Darren Woods and two relatives of the late officer. The ceremonial proceedings of the event was carried out by the Commanding Officer, officers and sailors of the Naval Dockyard.