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!
David Hargrave
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Ships Captain/ OIM retired |
| Comment: Retired at 63 ( last year/ 2023 ) when I realised that there was no need for me to spend 6 months a year away from home. | |
| Which Division were you in?: | St Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | WO Greenaways welcome speech, and PO's Nunn and Jones humour |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Being made to listen to half arsed officers like McCready |
|
What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?:
Returned to the Mechant Navy, became a Master Mariner Eventually became captain of a deep water pipe layer and the OIM on several oil rigs and drill ships |
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Stephen (Sidney) Harpin
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Company Director |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | St Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Marching to Hearts of Oak - honest! |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Running up that rather steep hill at a stupid time in the morning |
|
What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?:
Left in 1990 for a woman, who promptly left me! Brand Management Career at Procter & Gamble, then SmithKline Beecham. Strategy Consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Last ten years set up various internet retail businesses. Latest is www.ChoiceShops.co.uk. Married Nikki and have 4 children, Charles (9), George (7), Cordelia (7) and Izzy (4). Living in Shropshire. |
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Gary Hawley
Now
| Occupation: | Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Leaving |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Not enough room for the answer! |
|
What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?:
Became a hard core 'Manadon' instructor but had two years on exchange with the United States Navy. I was appointed to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis and had a great time. While at Manadon I studied part-time for a PhD and started to become a career academic. Left the Navy in 1995 and went to the University of Bath as a lecturer in mechanical engineering. Made it to a Personal Chair in 2005 and I'm now the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design. |
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Chris Healy
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | CEO - NOTCH |
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Causing uncontrollable laughter on the parade ground as PO Jones contemplated my sword drill ineptitude! |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Soapy's rounds! |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Spent the first decade learning about business with Ford & Toyota and the next three practicing how to run one of my own! Married to my wonderful wife Gill and proud Dad to three fine sons, Sam, Jake and Joe. Found paradise in the wolds of East Yorkshire where we live, work, run and dog walk! | |
Kevin Hood
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Professional Yacht Skipper |
| Which Division were you in?: | St Vincent |
| Best memory of BRNC: | The Craic |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Dog robbers |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: RN Stuff, bit of consultancy stuff, lots of sailing stuff | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: Organising the next! | |
Keith Hubber
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
|---|---|
| Children: | 3 |
| 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 39 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) | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: More legal stuff then decided during Covid that I'd had enough of commuting so semi-retired in 2021. Did a Masters in Military History (part time) and some consultancy work. Fully retired since 2023. | |
David Ince
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Royal Australian Navy |
|---|---|
| Comment: Still living the pirate adventure...... | |
| Which Division were you in?: | Hawke |
| Best memory of BRNC: | The Bosun\\\'s daughter |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Coastal nav training |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Did 23 years of them in the RN, managed to get most of the sexy MCD jobs, but left after a 4 year USN exchange, transferring to the RAN to start over. I have now done many sexy MCD jobs here too, but finally got bored with it and have gone back to driving ships. I am currently based in Tonga as the Maritime Surveillance Advisor to the Tongan Navy. It is a RAN role and part of a program we run across the South Pacific. | |
andrew isherwood
| Occupation: | Ex-Accountant |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Blake |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Ball, Passing Out, Runs Ashore |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | EMAs, saluting senior officer using left-hand during 1st week! |
|
What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?:
Went to Uni Became an accountant Worked for ICI, KPMG and EY - and travelled the World! Got married to the beautiful, intelligent Kristina, had 2 kids (now 8 & 10) Currently a stay-at-home dad - lucky me |
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Ceryl Johns
Then
Now
| Occupation: | President of Aviation Company |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Cunningham |
| Best memory of BRNC: | Colour Sgt Bateman |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Sandquay Steps |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: Lived in London and worked in the Financial Services Industry until 2003 when I emigrated to the US. Now a Group Commander of seven SAR USAF(Aux)squadrons | |
David Jones
Then
Now
| Occupation: | Cooking School Director |
|---|---|
| Which Division were you in?: | Hawke |
| Best memory of BRNC: | 4 o'clockers and beagling |
| Worst memory of BRNC: | Those bloody steps! |
| What have you been doing for the last 39 years!!?: After 5 years in the RN I worked in corporate training and development for about 12 years running lots of team and leadership workshops which never failed to remind me of BRNC. Since 2002 we have lived in Kingswear and look across the River at the Naval College, a weird experience at first but I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve stopped twitching now. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve been married to Holly since 1992 and we now run a Cooking School; this is my excuse for not being able to wear my old uniform any more. | |
| Anything of note happen since you attended the last reunion?: I've remained firmly routed in Kingswear. | |