During World War II, the waters off Ocracoke Island were part of what became known as the “Battle of the Atlantic.” German U-boats prowled dangerously close to the Outer Banks, targeting Allied shipping routes just offshore. In 1942, the British Royal Navy dispatched 24 armed trawlers to help the U.S. Navy defend this vulnerable stretch of coastline.

On May 11 of that year, the HMT Bedfordshire was torpedoed by German submarine U-558. All 37 British and Canadian sailors aboard were lost. Only four bodies were recovered, carried by the tides onto Ocracoke’s beaches. Though far from home, the people of Ocracoke offered a final resting place with dignity and honor. A small plot of land was donated, and the four sailors were buried beneath the Union Jack. The site remains consecrated ground and is recognized as “forever England.”

Today, the British Cemetery is one of the most poignant landmarks on the island—a quiet place of reflection shaded by live oaks and marked by simple headstones. It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II and the enduring bond between the people of Ocracoke and the Allies who came to defend them.

Each May, a solemn ceremony and reception are held here to commemorate the sinking of the Bedfordshire and to honor the men who perished. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, and Canadian Royal Navy gather for the memorial, which includes the reading of the crew list, the playing of bagpipes, a 21-gun salute, and the laying of wreaths. The annual service not only honors the fallen but also strengthens the ties of friendship across the Atlantic that began in wartime and continue to this day.