Your Shipmates
This site is predominantly for those who joined BRNC in September 1985, and was set up by those in that intake and they remain the focus of the reunion cycle but we are happy to have Half Term Flights and anyone else who was part of the College in that final term of 1985.
Please do 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 few 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 38 (and counting) 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 that the turnout in 2022 reflected the uncertainties of the past couple of years, we are keen to make it to 100 shipmates in 2025. 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 or the Gunroom, have a half of Websters and check back later!
Hugh Anderson
Then
Now
| Occupation: | MD Godolphin and Darley |
|---|---|
|
Comment:
We are to the present OUTs as the 1955 entry was to us.... |
|
| 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 39 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. |
|
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Watching a lot of races and going grey. | |
Christopher Baldwin
Then
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | RN (FTRS) |
| Which Division were you in?: | Hawke |
| Best memory of BRNC: | There's always time for another G&T |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | WE |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Navy - IMCA - Consultant - FTRS | |
Lance Batchelor
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | PE Chairman |
| Comment: Our son James passed out from BRNC in April 2025, a very proud and rather emotional day for me. He is now doing his Fleet Time and OOW courses. | |
| 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 39 years!!?: Submarines, then MBA, then Marketing, then CEO, now Chairman. | |
|
Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?:
I continue as chairman of various companies (e.g. Burger King), and institutions (e.g. Trinity House lighthouses, Greenwich Museums, the White Ensign Association). Finally stepped-down after 7 years as the “Lead NED” on the navy board, having worked with 3 First Sea Lords and 5 Secs of State. Rather sad to finish. Still “serving” and occasionally in uniform as an Honorary Captain RN. Very happily together with Wendy after 36 years marriage, 44 years since we met in the Sixth Form. She is my rock. Our four sons are all grown now (2 in marketing, 1 in RN, 1 at Uni). Great fun to share a boat with Jos & Sarah Williams. |
|
Tim Bell
Now
| Occupation: | Senior Supply Chain Manager |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Hawke |
| Best memory of BRNC: | High Tea and Sticky Buns at 1600hrs..! |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Thinking I'm late for 0730 river duty when it's actually 0600hrs..! |
|
What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?:
Left BRNC to immediately enrol into FE College to improve upon my A Levels with the intention of returning one day and passing those Professionals. Ended up joining the RNSTS, now in DE&S Ships and have so far had a progressive career up through the grades over the intervening 26 years. Now spent more time on board various Platforms than I ever thought I would...Second best perhaps but making the most of it and definitely playing my part in keeping the RN something to be proud of..! |
|
David Bence
Then
Now
| 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 39 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... | |
Paul Bennett
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Still in the Navy |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | DTS (does that count?) |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Long Divisions with a Tight Cap |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: In the RN. Served widely, mostly in Ships, but latterly behind a desk or 2. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Navy HR for 2 years and now in the joint world in Northwood. Feeling surprisingly good about going past 50. | |
Richard Boswell
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Managing Director - Aero Contractors |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | DTS - wasn't meant to be that much fun was it? |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Having to go back for another term after I transferred to 'Flight' |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Ended up as a Lynx pilot until I bounced off of the ground in a light aircraft. Joined the airlines after and ended up flying 747 for Virgin but got very bored so went back to helicopters. Now in Nigeria as MD of a helicopter company | |
JJ Bowley
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Business Stuff |
|---|---|
| Comment: | |
| Which Division were you in?: | Blake |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Charlies |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Charlies |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Lots of drinking and sleeping of course...! | |
Wayne Brads
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retirement practioner |
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Learning never to trust a man who wears grey shoes. |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | CJH |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Enjoying whatever life brings, in particular the growth and development of my children and more recently grandchildren. Having returned my AGR in 2005, I spent the next 18 years working for Guide Dogs, the National Cancer Research Institute and the Open University. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Glorious retirement and the birth of my granddaughter. | |
Keith Broughton
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Underwater Underwriter |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | St Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Anything Beach got tied up in |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | See above! |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Diving and sailing and spending as much time in Fiji as possible | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Sailing - as many ocean races as possible! | |