BRNC 1985 Reunion

Gavin Young

Then

Now

Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:Soapy Watson who taught me all I know Worst memory of BRNC:Running. I'm more of an explosive sprinter What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Commanded most classes of warship, enjoyed excellent relationships with all COs, Sqn Cdrs and Line Managers. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Keeping fit and trim. (And foolishly allowing Mid Anderson editorial privileges on my profile page)

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David Bence

Then

Now

City:Denmead Country:GB Occupation:Consultant Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:Day One......excited Worst memory of BRNC:Getting bollocked for something I didn't do....honest it wasn't me! What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Navy, Navy, Navy, until 2016. BAES for a short time and now I consult (on anything!). SOSREP for the New Forest Park Authority and freeman of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. Have a thing about gardening, love triathlon and done a bit of gig racing - podium finish at the World Gig championships no less...

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Steve Young

City:Edinburgh Country:GB Occupation:Future Business Director Which Division were you in?:Hawke Best memory of BRNC:The balcony from the upper dorm and the view down to the mouth of the Dart Worst memory of BRNC:Scrubbing shower curtains (and lots of other pointless cleaning! What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Stayed in the RN for around 19 years. Ended up in Submarines, last job before leaving was WEO of Vengeance. Five years in Defence and Aerospace project management (where I learned I wasn't really an engineer) and then six years in support services, running a business unit delivering training for the RN

From Steve:Didnt make the last reunion so very determined to make this one!

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Simon Cheesley

Then

Now

City:Colwyn Bay Country:GB Occupation:Oil and Gas Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:Getting old enough that just about everything features highly! TC the Launderette Manageress, PO Smith you only have one C*** to look after, Weekend sailing trips to Torquay, Port Coolers, the friends i made from BRNC85 and fitting my new best number 5s, looking oh so trim, arriving at my Rigby Club to be told I was too thin to be a prop--oh happy day (day=it didnt last) and Mid Grice... nuff said. Worst memory of BRNC:With TC and ND on PLX(the return) with a certain Staff officer and having to remember not to give him the slap he deserved (deserves Jocks protestations that he is really a good bloke notwithstanding). realising that DTS was not quite the same as Basic Training and finding out i was indeed back to prop size and needed to borrow a best No5 for parade as mine was consigned to the back of the cupboard, where it remained unworn until Mid Green at the 15 year reunion,it fitted like a glove on said undercover expert effectively offending both of us. Was i ever that small I grumbled..You mean I am now as big as fatty cheesley he wept.. What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:True SL Shag took 5 Year break point. Worked in Oil and Gas sales and Marketing for 10 years in London Became a God botherer, got bored of work, went to Philippines doing good and worthy deeds, went for 1 yr stayed for 6 met my wife, and decided I had better get a job again. returned to UK, Surrey did some work on cleaning in hospitals and pushing wheelchairs in airports for 7 years.got to last reunion--good time had by all What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Got a call about 4 years back on whether I would like to return to Oil and Gas, Moved to north wales and took up a role to build relationships with NOCs and Ministrys (mostly through Africa) with my fine sense of timing joined just in time to watch the oil price dive down the toilet so I can live under constant joy of potential unemployment. In North wales, 3 kids still Kathleen (13) Christian (9) and William (5) and with much depression passed the half century so know for sure there is definitely more behind than there is ahead! but hey ho part of ahead is the weekend pass to have a boys weekend in Dartmouth...now just have to see how I watch the game!

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David Noyes

Then

Now

Occupation:NHS Director of Planning Which Division were you in?:St Vincent Best memory of BRNC:Good Lifelong friends Worst memory of BRNC:Record breaking spell of bravos post Go-Karting What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Served 28 years and had a great time; would do it all again in a heartbeat! Culminated as Deputy Commander of Logistics Brigade in Afghanistan. Left 2013 and now work for NHS in Wiltshire. Married to Catriona for almost 20 years, and have two wonderful daughters. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:EVTs and saving up for this one.

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Darroch Woodward

Then

Now

City:Ottawa Country:CA Occupation:Contract Consultancy - Maritime and Infrastructure Security Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:Grad Tech Worst memory of BRNC:Burning my balding patch on DTS and then having to wear a beret at morning muster. V painful! What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Having treated BRNC as a school ground, my next few years where a little disjointed until I eventually became a Mine Clearance Diving Officer in 91. Two statutory MCD sea jobs bouncing around in little boats were followed by a string of fun jobs that included 4 mths in Hong Kong during the drawdown, Boss of FDU2, Experimental Diving ProjO at DCIEM Toronto, two years purgatory back in the Portsmouth HQ as punishment for so much fun, and then 3 years on loan service running the Omani Navy's diving team. Leaving the RN and emigrating to Canada Aug 08, I took 7 months off (3 skiing in Whistler) but the 2008 economic downturn foiled my new career ambitions, so I ended up back in RN uniform on a 6 month FTRS contract in the Portsmouth HQ in March 09. The Career Managers then tempted me with a 2 year FTRS contract back in Canada (Ottawa) as probably the only Reservist on an overseas exchange appointment. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Completing my FTRS contract in Ottawa in Oct 11, still unsure what to do, I then put on an RCN uniform. But I remained stuck behind an Ottawa HQ desk for another 2½ years and decided the next options were even less fun, so I ditched the RCN in Aug 14. Since then I have been working on an occasional subcontracting basis. My long term view is that work is severely overrated, so I have bought a piece of land overlooking a lake in the untamed interior of BC, and next year intend to build a large cedar log house and live the laid-back BC dream in semi-retirement.

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Hugh Anderson

Then

Now

City:Newmarket Country:GB Occupation:MD Godolphin and Darley Which Division were you in?:Cunningham Best memory of BRNC:The good friends I made there and still have. Worst memory of BRNC:Charlies. Surely a breach of my human rights? What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Left the RN in 07 with many good memories of T42s at sea and fun as a naval barrister in courts martial and the odd hot spot around the globe. Last 8 years at Godolphin and Darley in various roles (Dubai and Newmarket). Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Married to Emma with 2 children - Duncan and Eleanor. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:Watching a lot of races and going grey.

From Hugh:We are to the present OUTs as the 1955 entry was to us....

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Simon Powell

Then

Now

City:Eastleigh Country:GB Occupation:Marine Technology Company Director Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:Crashing the summer ball some years later Worst memory of BRNC:Getting broke and spending 2nd term hospital What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Pretty much stuck with nautical stuff. Left submarines in '93 to spend gratuity (and some)seeing the world for 2 years in Land-Rover. 2 years warship trials team at Vosper Thornycroft, Southampton. 5 years back at sea in the RFA. Last 15 years partner in Marinetech South Ltd and Marine South East Ltd. Married to Anne with two kids, Isabella 14 and Freya 9. What have you been doing since the last reunion?:More of the same, building the business, raising the kids, walking the dog and keeping out of trouble with the CO. Some of the above have been more successful than others.

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Jeremy Carter

City:Guildford Country:GB Occupation:Deputy Headteacher Which Division were you in?:St. Vincent Best memory of BRNC:The smell. Worst memory of BRNC:Battle dress, folding socks before rounds and trying not to untuck my carefully ironed sheets when sleeping, so as to save a few minutes the next day. What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:Studied physics at Southampton University, then did PhD in laser physics before teacher training and teaching in Durham for eight years. Moved south to Guildford in 1998, married Helen (47) in 2000 and have James (10) and Charlotte (7) to account for much of that time; time well spent.

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Andrew Findlay

Then

Now

City:Tampa Country:US Occupation:Director of Sales Which Division were you in?:Blake Best memory of BRNC:DTS - arriving in Fort Lauderdale during College Week! ...and for some reason the night we spent in a liferaft in the middle of the river! Worst memory of BRNC:Evening rounds What have you been doing for the last 30 odd years?:After spending 6 months aboard the Hong Kong patrol ship HMS Starling, left the RN and moved back to HK in 1990. Spent 4 more years there, having a very drunken time, between sports and various other adventures. Managed to get a job with my Physics degree in the Semiconductor Industry, where I have remained ever since. Got married just before leaving Hong Kong; moved to Scotland; 2 kids; divorced; new job based in Tampa, Florida; 3 years later got married (again); 2 more kids; and am still in Florida 19 years later. Work for a European Semiconductor Equipment Company - with most of business in Asia! So I travel frequently, and try to stay fit doing swim/bike/run, and various other fun events when I can. Enjoy sailing (mainly for vacations), and power boating / water sports around the coast and lakes here.

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