BRNC 1985 Reunion

CJH...zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Please take a few minutes to add your profile here. For those who have already added a profile, feel free to update us all on how much of the last 5 years was spent recovering from the last reunion and any other notable events since your last update/ posting.

So, scroll down and take a look at what your old Shipmates have been up to for the last 37 or so years.....

Click here to download a full list of our entry.

Click here to download a list of the Sep 85 Holdover Entry

Click here to download the BRNC Sep 85 List of College Staff and OUT's at BRNC and on DTS.

Given the frustrations of our aborted 2020 and 2021 attempts to get together, it would be good to ensure a large turnout in 2022. So please do refresh the content here and pass on the message to anyone else who may not be aware of the website and the BRNC 85 social network.

All profiles will be checked before they go live which will mean that there may be a short delay...go to the NAAFI then check back later!

Jeremy Coughlan

Now

City:Mold Country:GB Occupation:Director of Procurement Saudi British Defence Cooperation Programme , BAE SYSTEMS Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:Beaching the workboat on Slapton Sands Worst memory of BRNC:Crashing the duty dory and trying to hide the fact so I could avoid the ribbing.....no chance What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Worked around the globe with Airbus in various Procurement and Supply Chain roles. Now Director of Procurement for all things in Saudi Arabia which includes the RSNF ironically. In my spare time I have been racing cars and currently running a Lotus Exige after graduating from their driver academy. I am married to Tania, and we have two children (Austin 21 and Natalie 18) What have you been doing since the last reunion?:In work I have spent a lot of time on Programmes for UK Government and Saudi Royal Family out in KSA working in Riyadh. Lots of really interesting stuff as part of sustainability programmes and new acquisitions. New Hawk aircraft built in KSA included and now also responsible for the Al-Jawf minesweepers for the RSNF. In play I now race a Lotus Exige when I can but family now growing up very fast (son Austin is now 21 and studying business at Leeds university with Daughter Natalie now 18 and in the last year of A levels. My dog Cooper is my buddy for walking in North Wales. I Keep in touch with some of Blake boys so looking forward to the weekend.

From Jeremy:Looking forward to Dartmouth - It has been a long time !!

Send Jeremy a Message

Keith Hubber

Then

Now

City:Hungerford Country:GB Occupation:Retired Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:Grad Tech - Worst memory of BRNC:PLX (both times!) What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Left in 1990 after navigating EXETER to escape PWO course. Went to law school. Various legal jobs in private practice, including in Bristol and the City. Joined BG Group Legal team 2001-2014. Then did various GC & CoSec jobs until 2021. I Live near Hungerford. Married to Jo with 3 girls Sophie (20) and twins Katie & Charlotte (17) What have you been doing since the last reunion?:More legal stuff then decided during Covid that I'd had enough of commuting so semi-retired in 2021. Now doing to a Masters in Military History (part time) and some consultancy work.

Send Keith a Message

Neil Grice

Then

Now

City:Blunham Beds Country:GB Occupation:Chartered Surveyor Which Division were you in?:The one and only Blake Best memory of BRNC:Balls and getting my Middies Tabs Worst memory of BRNC:Not being made Div Sub. oh and getting WFT was a bit of a bummer. What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Still looking after Motorway Service Areas up and down the country. Still married to the quite amazing Michelle. All kids now through or at Uni so looking forward to a little more down time and cheap holidays What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Company I started up is now 17 years old. We are up to 23 staff. Am trying to be a proper MD using skills learnt as the Blake River Rep to keep everyone happy. Started playing Cricket again and seeing light at the end of the tunnel on works to the house. Happy to say still seeing many old Navy mates.

From Neil:Really looking forward to the reunion. As part of the planninmg committee fingers croseed the RPC & Golf all work out as they are dowe to me.. Just remind me of the date and venue again please ?

Send Neil a Message

Lance Batchelor

Then

Now

City:Kintbury Country:GB Occupation:PE Chair; Navy NED. Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:PO Jones Worst memory of BRNC:Soapy What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Submarines. MBA. Marketing. CEO. Chairman. Four sons. Sailing! What have you been doing since the last reunion?:NED on the Navy Board, working with Tony Radakin, Jerry Kydd and others to re-invent the RN. Chair of four PE cos. Trustee on Greenwich Museums Board.

Send Lance a Message

Tim Winter

Then

Now

City:Swindon Occupation:Engineer in NHS Estates Which Division were you in?:Hawke Best memory of BRNC:Div Music - Time Warp Worst memory of BRNC:Passing Out Parade practice with broken collar bone. What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Finally pushed out the door Jan 22, now enjoying work with the NHS. Career highlights: last Cdr E and then SNO, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS; Fleet MEO. Adventurous highlights: sailing round Cape Horn; leading RN exped to Antarctic and South Georgia. Family highlights: wife and 2 sons (one now a SLt and one at university), living on the edge of the Marlborough Downs. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Never been to a reunion - Holdover in Sep 85 then Term 1 Jan 86, so fell through the gap, unless there was another reason that I haven't been invited before!

From Tim:Looking forward to catching up with old friends, especially all those who have made careers outside the RN.

Send Tim a Message

Clive McCartney

Now

City:Fort Lauderdale Country:US Occupation:Principal Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:PO Jones Worst memory of BRNC:Soapy Watson What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Left mob in '99, moved to the States, worked in cruise lines for 5 years then started in yachting industry. Raised two kids, contributed to USA's national debt... Also drank a lot of beer.

Send Clive a Message

Lucas Dawe

Then

Now

City:London Country:GB Occupation:Food Which Division were you in?:Vincent Best memory of BRNC:Crying with laughter while being humiliated on the parade ground Worst memory of BRNC:Arriving late for afternoon tea and finding no cake left What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Boring stuff - but mainly trying not to screw my kids up too much. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:What reunion?

Send Lucas a Message

Chris Dorn

Then

Now

City:Crondall Country:GB Occupation:Space Systems Engineer Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:Picket boat command Worst memory of BRNC:Snowy PLX on Dartmoor What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Building spacecraft and throwing them off the planet, along with some work to reduce space debris. 2 kids to keep me busy. Also a District Cllr. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:I wasn't at the last one, but will keep drinking - moderately!

Send Chris a Message

Ian Goodacre

Then

Now

City:Brighton Country:GB Occupation:Senior People Business Partner Which Division were you in?:St Vincent Best memory of BRNC:DTS and the ports of call Worst memory of BRNC:PLX - it was so cold! Captain Concrete shouting at you What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Left the RN in 2009 after serving in Submarines as a warfare officer, then PWO(U) and XO, served in Bahrain with COMUKMARFOR then went to COMSPMARFOR in Rota for 2.5 years - final job in RN was as OC UW Training Unit HMS COLLINGWOOD. Civilian career so far in HR with Iron Mountain (Europe), the City of London, University of Brighton and now Study Group Ltd a global education company. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Yet to attend - hopefully soon

Send Ian a Message

Tony Carruthers

Then

Now

City:Midlothian Country:GB Occupation:HR Consultant Which Division were you in?:Blake Division (Ho) Best memory of BRNC:Looking back now, they are all pretty good. Hiding behind a hedge on a squad run and dropping in at the back unseen (With Mid Cheesley I believe) gave one a sense of bucking the system and winning a small victory - for once. Worst memory of BRNC:PLX with a certain well loved Blake Division Staff Officer leading from the land rover. What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Did my eight years as required, most of it spent doing every job there was on Hunt Class MCMV\\\\\\\'s. In the illustrious company of such luminaries as Mids Bence, Ince, Davis and Welch. Based in Rosyth most of my time and ended up staying in Edinburgh on completion. Working in the charity sector for the last 20 years and still in touch with many of the Blake Old Boys and associated hangers on from other Divisions. Married to Linda, 2 girls at university. Upholding the proud Blake traditions and values of old! What have you been doing since the last reunion?:A change of direction, now working for myself and promoting a charity that provides housing advice to veterans and those leaving the armed forces so back dealing with people in uniform again. Have been working for myself and running my own business for over 5 years now and despite a crash in the business during the pandemic, still enjoying it. A particular highlight since the last reunion was travelling to NZ for the wedding of A/Sub/Lt Nelson. Pictured here with the happy couple and with fellow 85 travellers Mid Grice, Ince & Powell. Great trip.

Send Tony a Message