MARITIME RESERVE
Toughest of tests helps charities Tyne Detachment Royal Marines Reserve Scotland and members of Northumbria Police conducted 30-mile walk to raise funds for charity. Eighteen people took part in the event, the final commando test on Dartmoor, to raise money for the Care of Police Survivors and the Royal Marines Charity. All the participants carried 30lb packs, starting from Kirknewton and ten managed the complete course, finishing at Clennell Hall. Ian McAllister from Felton, who recently completed the 100km St Cuthberts Way Ultra, said the 30 miler was the hardest thing he had ever done. The groups went in teams, with both teams completing the 30 miles in around ten-and-ahalf hours, which was longer than the eight hours that is allowed for Royal Marines in training but still a remarkable effort. One of the main challenges was the weather and wet feet, with a number of policemen having to stop because of blisters. The event, which raised over £3,000, was the brainchild of Simon Guilfoyle and Lee Gosling, both serving police officers. It was organised by Capt Andrew Dyer RMR and supported by 20 ranks from Tyne and elements of the headquarters, including C/Sgt Terry Hislop and Maj Sandy Wood. Further details can be found at www.cops30miler.org
Sherwood duo lead way Two reservists from HMS Sherwood have begun their initial officer training with the regular Royal Navy. Sub Lts Chris Cotterill, 21, and Simon Elmore, 30, are at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. Both took part in an intensive training programme, known as the Accelerated Officer Programme (AOP), last summer condensing two years’ reservist training into eight weeks. Chris, who is to specialise as a warfare officer, said: “The AOP was a first of its kind in terms of intensive training programmes for the RNR, and I am so grateful to my employer for allowing me to take an extended period of leave so I could further my RNR career.” Simon, who worked as a teacher, previously used the school holidays to complete his fast-track training. He said: “It was great to be able to have enough free time over the summer to take part in the pilot of the AOP. “It allowed me to further my leadership abilities as well as developing my team-working skills. “I originally joined Sherwood in 2011 so am delighted to be now going on to be a HM officer in the Royal Navy, full time.”
Naval Service stars of show
ROYAL Marines storm the beach during one of the highlights of Bournemouth Air Festival.
The green berets were among a wide range of Service personnel who demonstrated naval craft and helicopters. Demonstrations included reservists from RMR Bristol, Viking vehicles, the Royal Marines unarmed combat display team and Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, with the Black Cats wowing the crowd with their aerial acrobatics. The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood conducted a concert on the opening evening and each day played Beating Retreat on the clifftop. Hawks from 736 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton flew over at the start and end of the beach assault. Capt Si Smith, Officer Commanding the Commando Recruitment Team, said: “The demonstration has gone down incredibly well with spectators – placing the Corps front and centre and enabling engagement with a younger audience who can see for themselves the unique capabilities of a Royal Marine Commando.” Mne Ben Jones, a Combined Services boxing champion, added: “It’s been good to talk with local people about the unique offer that serving with the Royal Marines provides, including the opportunities to play sport at every level of competition.” The beach assault was also watched by Rear Admiral Alex Burton, Commander UK Maritime Forces, who said: “It’s been a great few days focussing on the Royal Navy’s capabilities at
l HMS Monmouth and Smiter off Bournemouth the Bournemouth air show. Hundreds and thousands of members of the public got to see us in the air, at sea and on the shore.” Also attending were fishery patrol vessel HMS Tyne, P2000s Smiter and Ranger, RFA Argus and Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth. HMS Grimsby, which worked with the French Tripartite-class minehunter Sagittaire, rafted up with RFA Fort Rosalie in order to refuel and redeploy reservists during the festival. The four-day festival, which attracted 702,600 visitors despite poor weather, provided invaluable training for more than 180 RNR and RMR personnel. Lt Martin ‘Gunny’ Heighway, from HMS King Alfred, said: “We have a long and growing association with the Bournemouth Air Festival and it’s a really enjoyable way to get the Royal Navy firmly focused in the public eye.” PO Ian Lane, also from the Portsmouth reservist unit, added: “The festival is great fun for friends and families. After 23 years of service I can see the real benefits of the Royal Navy taking a major role in contributing to the
success of this event here in Bournemouth.” The expected bad weather which hit Bournemouth failed to stop the large contingent of regulars, reserves and cadets from taking part in the festival, with multiple training opportunities on show. HMS Monmouth provided simulated naval gunfire support to the amphibious demonstrations, which included raiding craft from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. Commanding Officer of RMR Bristol Lt Col Richard Maltby said: “The amphibious demonstration provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the public the impressive assets the Royal Navy and Royal Marines have and how we link all elements of air, sea and land.” Naval Regional Commander Wales and Western England Cdre Jamie Miller said: “It’s been a hugely successful air festival and the weather has helped to show the capability, flexibility and adaptability of the Naval Service. “Once again Bournemouth has proven to be the perfect location and perfect hosts for showing the very best of the RN, RM, RNR, RMR and the Fleet Air Arm.”
Eight deeps rewarded for their long service Dedicated reservist Royal Navy submariners have been rewarded for their excellence at a ceremony in Plymouth. Eight long-serving submariners were presented with the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal (VRSM) by Captain Scott Bower, Captain Submarines aboard HMS Talent at Devonport Naval Base. The VRSM was instituted in April 1999 and is awarded to Reserve Forces
personnel in recognition of ten continuous years’ efficient service in a full time reserve service (FTRS) assignment where individuals must be above reproach in respect of conduct and performance. The warrant officers and senior ratings, whose total service numbers 303 years, qualified by virtue of their conduct and performance being ‘above reproach’. Recipients were: WO1 Jim Griffiths,
For seamless transfer from Regulars to Reserves 26 : OCTOBER 2016
Pictures: LPhot Paul Hall, Richard and Sarah May
WO2 Dave Kingston, CPOs Phillip King, Ian Larkin and Andy Metcalf, and POs Dawson Kenny, Charles Payne and Carl Wetherall The sailors have served on the full range of classes of submarines, including decommissioned classes to those currently in service, including HMS Otter, Onyx, Dreadnought, Valiant and Upholder, and all the Swiftsure and Trafalgar-class
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submarines. PO Kenny, who has been in the Navy for 36 years, said: “I feel proud to have been able to serve extra years as FTRS in Devonport, relieving the work load on regular submariners. “The most memorable trip for me was a global tour on HMS Swiftsure in 1986 which covered places you can only dream about.’’
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