The Royal Navy Surface Warfare Officers Association

INTRODUCTION

In 1972, the training of the Royal Navy’s Seaman Officers in surface ships as Principal Warfare Officers (PWOs) replaced the Gunnery (G) and Torpedo & Anti-Submarine (TAS) sub-specialist courses. The main site for these courses moved from HMS EXCELLENT and HMS VERNON, which had long been the respective separate Gunnery and TAS training schools, to a single course at the School of Maritime Operations, HMS DRYAD.

To preserve the strong bonds between those who had qualified at, and invariably returned to serve in, the parent establishments, both sub-specialisations had held annual reunions at their respective alma maters. The St Barbara Association (for G and Ordnance Engineer (OE) officers) was formed as a focus for this common bond followed by the formation of the Portobello Association (for TAS officers). To maintain the beneficial personal relationships formed on course, PWOs (Above Water) (PWO(A)) and (Under Water) (PWO(U)) became eligible for membership of the appropriate Association in 1985. Annual reunions moved to HMS COLLINGWOOD in 2004 following the formation of the MaritimeWarfareSchool.

Over the years the 2 Associations have grown closer together, holding combined dinners, and this, together with a recent evolution of the role of the PWO at sea – which means that they do not graduate from the MWS as sub-specialists – led to the formation of the RN Surface Warfare Officers’ Association in 2008.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES.

Aim.The Association is a non-profit making unincorporated association whose aim is to perpetuate the common bond between past and present Royal Naval Executive, Seaman and Warfare Officers qualified by completion of the Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), Long Gunnery (‘G’), Ordnance Engineer (‘OE’), Torpedo Anti-Submarine (‘TAS’) and Torpedo (‘T’) courses.

Objectives.

To develop links with the UK defence business community for the furtherance of RN Warfare.

To develop links with other maritime warfare associations.

To provide guidance, coaching and support to current Warfare officers as they would wish.

PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTION

To follow

Link to CONTACT US

COMMITTEE (Jan 09)

PresidentAdmiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC

ChairmanRear Admiral Philip Wilcocks CB DSC

Treasurer Commander Stuart Barrand RN

Secretary Commander Simon de Halpert RN[1]

Above Water

Retired List RepCommander Ninian Stewart OBE RN1

Serving List RepLieutenant Commander Kay Lewis RN

Under Water

Retired List RepLieutenant Commander Jock McGrigor RN1

Serving List RepLieutenant Commander Paul Daly RN

PWO(General)

Retired List RepCommander Chris Stanley RN

Serving List / MWS RepLieutenant Commander Alison Pollard RN

TrusteesCommodore Dick Twitchen CBE RN1

Commodore John Rodley RN1

Commander Chris Connolly RN

Commander Gavin Pritchard RN

Lieutenant Commander Jon Goulder RN

[1] No longer serving on active list.