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!
Tony Carruthers
Then
Now
| 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 39 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! | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended 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. | |
Jeremy Carter
| 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 39 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. | |
Simon Cheesley
Then
Now
| 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 39 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 |
|
| Anything of note happen since you attended 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! | |
Jeremy Coughlan
Now
| Occupation: | Director of Procurement Saudi British Defence Cooperation Programme , BAE SYSTEMS |
|---|---|
| Comment: Looking forward to Dartmouth - It has been a long time !! | |
| 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 39 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) | |
|
Anything of note happen since you attended 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. |
|
Jonathan (Jon) Dadley
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Semi -Retired |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Summer sailing to Blackpool sands |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Soapy Watson inspections |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Post Gulf War stayed in Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi as consult for Oil and Gas industry. MBA. Then to Rolls-Royce plc ac Planning Executive for Aerospace and Submarines. Now retiring/semi retiring as Primary School Teacher as don't need rthe money, but like long hols . 5 children...all very lovely. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: The above - didn't make to previous reunions | |
Nick Davis
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Marketing and comms stuff |
|---|---|
|
Comment:
Stomachs in, chests out chaps! |
|
| Which Division were you in?: | Blake |
| Best memory of BRNC: | The Blake Dorm |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Naval History lectures in CJH |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Left in '93, ran Xerox operation on South coast, then got into horseracing and gaming internet ventures (set-up the \\\'at the races\\\' brand), next came a mobile technology start-up, consultant with Capita, UK Marketing Manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, now doing contract work. Married to the lovely Jennifer and have a beautiful daughter named Scarlett. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Recovering | |
Lucas Dawe
Then
Now
| 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 39 years!!?: Boring stuff - but mainly trying not to screw my kids up too much. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: What reunion? | |
Chris Dorn
Then
Now
| 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 39 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. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: I wasn't at the last one, but will keep drinking - moderately! | |
Charles Doyle
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Corporate Finance |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | St Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | The Passing-out ball |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Being forced to move out of our 4 berth cabin for a 20 berth dormitory |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Spent 3 years at Oxford as UCE before resigning from RN to spend 11 years in the city, 6 years running my own business, and 7 years at Transport for London. Along the way found a wonderful wife and have two boys (10 & 12). | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: I\\\'m now even more into trains, moving from TfL to run a £1.6bn train finance company with an office overlooking Kings Cross. | |
Paul Edwards
Then
Now
| Occupation: | pilot |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | St. Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Wearing a beret to first Formal Divisions - wiith everone else in Caps |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Wearing a beret to first Formal Divisions - wiith everone else in Caps |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: 19 years as an SL Pilot. Ended up as a test pilot and the UK exchange tutor at US Navy Test Pilot School. After a few civvie jobs ended up in Philadelphia certifying the world's first commercial tiltrotor. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Have not been to a reunion. | |