Coastal Forces Monument
This will be the first major public monument to recognise the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women of the RN, RNR and RNVR who sailed in and supported the vessels of Coastal Forces from the First World War onwards…
Due to be installed in 2027 in HM Naval Base Portsmouth at Victory Gate in the heart of the Portsmouth Historic Quarter, this imposing sculpture will tell their stories, celebrating innovation and the ships in which they served – the Night Hunters. The location is a natural meeting point.
The Trust are delighted to be working with the Portsmouth Historic Quarter and the remarkably talented sculptor Amy Goodman, whose inspiring work can be found across the British Isles and around the world. From the Rolling Stones in Deptford, to Pegasus the flying horse at Colchester, Sir Stirling Moss OBE at Silverstone, the Gurkha Memorial and Florence Nightingale at Aldershot, The Kit Room at Old Trafford to HM Queen Elizabeth II at Romsey, her work is, quite frankly, stunning.
The monument will depict Lieutenant Commander Robert Hichens DSO* DSC** RNVR and a Rating signaller standing on the bows of a scaled down version of MGB71 – his last command. The dioramas carved into the wake depict life at sea in Coastal Forces over two world wars and across the pavement next to Boathouse No 4, stands a WRNS rating who is signalling back. The two figures are looking at the British Military Powerboat Collection afloat in the harbour below.
Our Target
To deliver this monument, we need £550,ooo by Nov 2026.
So far, we have raised
£320,156