Veterans sail into Plymouth bearing Invictus Games flag on epic UK journey

3rd March 2026

Two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, will sail into Plymouth on Tuesday 17th March as part of the Full Circle Expedition.

The voyage is coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event that uses competitive sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS service personnel and veterans, bringing together nations from around the world to share their journeys of resilience.

Full Circle sets sail from Falmouth on 17 March 2026 and will travel anticlockwise around the UK, stopping at 22 ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026.

The voyage will carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July 2026.

The crew is expected to dock in Plymouth for four days. There, the Invictus Flag will be handed over to the City of Plymouth and raised to honour the crew, local veterans and all of those competing at the Invictus Games.

When in Plymouth, the crew will host a community event with live music from Will Keating at the Dolphin Inn on Thursday 19th from 2100hrs, invite local veterans will be invited to join a "mess deck morning" and come aboard the Pellew and the Spirit of Falmouth to experience life on a tall ship, and have organised a drinks reception with local dignitaries at the Citadel.

Further community engagement is planned through workshops, linked to the expedition, at Montpelier Primary School, and an exclusive project with local charity, Promoting Children in Plymouth, where local children will be invited aboard the tall ships.

The voyage is also raising £300,000 to enable Turn to Starboard to purchase a second tall ship, so that the charity can support more veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence. To donate to Full Circle, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/t2sfullcircle

Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard said: “This expedition brings together two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community, each united in the belief that adventure can be truly transformative.

“While Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, Turn to Starboard draws on the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, restore purpose and help veterans navigate life with intention and fulfilment.

“More than a voyage, this expedition is a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, showing how adventure and the sea can heal, inspire and bring people together.

“We can’t wait to bring this inspiring message to Plymouth later this month to reach more veterans and highlight their challenges and remarkable achievements.”

The journey is divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one: Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool, and Liverpool back to Falmouth.

For those hoping to catch the arrival of the ships into Plymouth, the crew are expected to dock at 1900hrs into the Barbican Landing Stage.

Paul Miller, Army veteran and skipper of Spirit of Falmouth, said: “Being part of this expedition fills me with real pride. It has reminded me how far I’ve come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together. Sailing the Invictus Games Flag around the UK is deeply meaningful. It represents courage, determination and community - values that we must hold on to after military service ends.”

“Taking the Invictus Flag on this journey feels especially meaningful. It carries the hopes of so many people rebuilding their lives through courage and community. Seeing Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games come together in this way is powerful – every mile we sail, and every donation raised, helps build resilience and support the veteran community.”

Full Circle forms part of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Impact Programme. Through teamwork, challenge and time at sea, the expedition will help inspire the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS veterans who are suffering from trauma as a result of their service.

Captain Lee Hazard RN, Director of Special Projects, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 said: “With the Invictus Games Flag onboard, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard will utilise their military skills to sail with purpose and skill. Full Circle shows that recovery doesn’t only happen on the field of play - it happens through challenge, connection and community.

“As we build towards Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the Full Circle Expedition is helping the nation see the strength and resilience of those who serve today and those who have served before them.”