THE SHELL AND ANCHORNewsletter for AUDACIOUS

ISSUE 02 | Autumn 2016

A MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR

Lady Elizabeth Jones

It is an honour and a privilege to have been chosen as the sponsor for HMS AUDACIOUS. It is a responsibility I take very seriously and I look forward to many years association with the boat, ship’s company and families. AUDACIOUS is truly an engineering marvel and I have the utmost admiration for the team that operate such a world beating warship and deliver its capability worldwide on behalf of the nation. I hope you enjoy the Second edition of the Shell and Anchor.

THE NORTHERN REGION GOLF OPENThe Northern Region Golf Open occurred on Wed 24 Aug at Helensburgh Golf Club, and having had some moderate success at some previous team events this summer, the team were cautiously confident when travelling up the day before. To prepare properly, a practice round had been organised, only to be curtailed after 11 holes due to torrential rain making the course all but unplayable. However, spirits remained high as the forecast for the following day was looking good. Fortunately, the forecast was slightly underplayed as the weather was nothing short of Mediterranean as the team of Lt Mark Dixon, ET Greg Melrose and ET Bungy Williams tee’d off at 1100. Dixon and Williams both scrambled well to keep their scorecards reasonable, but the star of the day was Melrose who combined some solid drives off the tee, decent approaches and some absolutely inspired putting to post level par (playing off 6) and scoring 42 stableford points. Williams and Dixon came in with 35 and 29 points respectively giving a team total of 106, which was the clubhouse lead with 10 teams left on the course. A nervous wait ensued, but the closest competition came in with 104 meaning that the Audacious team had triumphed. Melrose also won the individual scratch trophy for his tremendous round.

By: Lt DixonRight: The victorious team

Meet A Crew Member – Able Rating (Tactical Systems) (TSM) Nick RuethAB Nick Rueth joined the Royal Navy in November 2011 as a Warfare TSM rating.During his Phase 1 training at HMS RALEIGH, he was selected as Class Leader – a role which he undertook with passion.  Passing out in early 2012, he continued to excel at the RNSMS by passing all modules with ease.Streamed to Trident, he completed his SMQ Dry and was awarded ‘Best SMQ’ of the course.   Continuing his career on HMS VICTORIOUS, he completed four SSBN Deterrent Patrols whilst receiving a high recommendation for promotion to Leading Hand at this early stage in his career.In May 2016 he joined AUDACIOUS, his first SSN, in build.  Although the construction environment is dominated by engineers, he has sought out extra responsibilities in order to assist his technical brethren, which has made him stand out above his peers.  He recently returned from a voluntarily role on board HMS KENT during Exercise DEEP BLUE 2.  During this, he not only carried out all the tasks normally required in an unfamiliar environment, but in the absence more senior SM experience, provided tactical insight to the Command Team. He was also selected to attend the 1SL Dinner on HMS VICTORY in recognition of his hard work. By:CPO Dave McCoy

‘ESCAPE FROM BARROW’, CHARITY ROWWith the ever increasing need for Royal Navy Personnel to remain NavyFit, HMS Audacious embarked on a mission to see how far they could Row from their current base port of Barrow in Furness “ESCAPE FROM BARROW”.

31 members of Audacious Ships Company volunteered to row for 30 minutes from 0630 to 2200 at Nuffield Health and Fitness all in aid of Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity.

First to row, at 0630, was POPT Dave Berry who got Audacious off to a flier setting the bench mark for the submariners to follow, which actually worked out to be a great motivator.

As the day progressed, so did the distance and also individual targets. The much needed competitive nature of today’s Military Personnel being seen throughout day. ETME Millward stetting a very respectable 7066m but only for ETWE Moss to lay down 7199m straight after. The atmosphere was now heating up with the competitive spirit HMS Audacious has become renowned for over the last two years. LET Janicki pulling 7336m at 1300, which seemed to only fuel the rest of the Ships Company desire to beat his distance.

ETME Smith AKA the Pudding stepped up to the mark and destroyed Janicki’s target, which shocked the on looking spectators, which will end being the furthest distance of the day 7405m.

With the day coming to an end there was still time for more Audacious competitiveness, MEO versus the WEO. First up the MEO, LT Cdr Batsford, recently of patrol, stepped up to the plate with a very impressive 7275m. Next up the WEO, LT Cdr McQuaid, a keen Ultra Athlete who spends most weekends running around hills, gripped and ripped his way through the 30 mins to a very competitive distance of 6877m.

With a final distance of 196km 543m and £330.31 raised for RNRMC HMS Audacious can be very proud of what they have achieved with not only making sure NavyFit ethos remains in their thoughts but also raising the awareness of RNRMC and the impact they have on the RN.

A bit thank you must go to Lyndsey Wood from Nuffield Health in Barrow who allowed us the use of their

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCTA number of personnel received good conduct badges (GCBs) and Long Service and Good Conduct (LS&GC) Medals over the summer. These awards are an important recognition of the sacrifice and service that sailors give to their country. A GCB is presented for 4 years’ service and the LS&GC is awarded for 15 years of “undetected crime”. In September CPOET(MESM) “Jumper” Collins was presented with the bar to his LS&GC which constitutes an incredible 30 years’ service; sadly he has moved on from AUDACIOUS and is now employed in Faslane; a well-deserved shore draft. PO Caterer Marshall received his LS&GC from the CO and when questioned by the CO if he had ever made a mistake in his 15 years he replied that once in 2006 he had forgotten to season the midnight soup. In a typically modest fashion he also describes himself as the best chef in seven navies. This is yet to be corroborated we all await his first menu eagerly.

Above: Rowing participants.

Left: PO Marshall and Capt Bower RN.

By: POPTI Dave Berry

SICK CHILDRENS HOSPITAL PAINTINGWe have forged a relationship with the Sick Children’s Hospital in Newcastle and this was the second visit to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the building. This association will continue when we will be marshalling at their night time walk in the autumn. The work wasn’t that difficult and involved painting access doors and the Day room where visitors can sit and relax with their children. The paint job has really lifted the room and it will now be really enjoyed by all who visit. The staff were really happy with the job that was done and know it will go a long way to making the centre an all the more pleasant environment and will go some way to making life that little bit easier for the children. Lt Gill AMEO(S) said “It was a great privilege to be able to help these children who are absolute troopers with how they deal with their conditions. To be able to put something back in to the community that supports us while on operations is a great feeling. It makes us that little bit more humble and thankful for what we have. I look forward to returning in the future as it was such a great experience”

ROSALL SCHOOL REDEDICATIONOn the 29th June 2016 Rossall School staff, students and dignitaries from across the Fylde coast gathered for a special event to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. The Fleetwood School, which was granted the Queen’s Colours in 2010, marked Her Majesty’s landmark birthday by rededicating and blessing the Colours in her honour at a ceremony held in the school Chapel. VIPs attending the event included the High Sheriff of Lancashire, John Barnett and the Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Terry Lees. Representing AUDACIOUS were Lt Sam Gill, PO John Corcoran and LS Daryl Stubbs. The Queen’s Colours are awarded in recognition of Service achievement. Rossall was granted the Colours to mark the 150th anniversary of its Combined Cadet Force and to acknowledge its status as the oldest cadet corps in the UK. The school is one of just four in the country to be accorded the honour. Despite the stormy summer weather, the AUDACIOUS contingent enjoyed the excellent hospitality provided in the school’s cricket pavilion afterwards. PO Corcoran said “The rededication of the Colours as a mark of respect on Her Majesty’s birthday really highlights the values of tradition, commitment and service that remain at the heart of this school’s life and the Royal Navy”.

Above and below: The painters. Bottom Right: Rossall School Rededication

FREEDOM OF BARROWThe Submarine service exercised its right to the freedom of the Borough of Barrow in Furness on the 11 Jun 16 by parading with arms. This was the 15th anniversary of the original granting of the Freedom. The event was supported by submarines across the fleet. TRENCHANT, ASTUTE, AMBUSH, VANGUARD and VICTORIOUS all provided personnel to the parade. The local Sea Cadets and the Submariners Association also provided platoons and the Royal Marine Band Scotland provided the musical accompaniment. AUDACIOUS played a central role in providing the Guard and they performed exceptionally given they only had a week’s training and many hadn’t marched for years. The parade started at the quayside; where HMS RAMSEY was berthed, providing an excellent recruiting vehicle for the weekend. The parade then passed the Town Hall and the Australian submarine memorial on the Abbey Road roundabout (a salute was given to those men on AE1 and 2 forever on patrol). The parade then fell in at the town hall and Rear Admiral Submarines John Weale and the Mayoress Anita Husband expressed the importance of the links between Barrow and the silent service having been formed over a hundred years ago with the build of Holland 1 and how these will continue into the future with the building of the remaining Astute class submarines and the new submarines providing the nation’s nuclear deterrent. Luckily the rain stayed away for the duration and the streets were lined with hundreds of spectators appreciating the spectacle. All of us were overwhelmed by the support on display and marched with a bounce in our step as a result. From a service that’s motto is “we come unseen” we rarely get the adulation or fanfares that those in the surface fleet regularly receive, it was definitely a welcome change. Many families also turned out to support and the Royal British Legion put on an excellent spread and for those that were more musically inclined the Royal Marine Band offered a concert in the town’s forum. All in all it was a marvellous occasion that was enjoyed by all involved. Hopefully the next 15 years are

just as successful for both Barrow and the Royal Navy and the bonds of friendship continue to be as strong.

Left: AUDACIOUS Colour Party

Below: The Parade

COAST 2 COAST CYCLEDay 1 The group mustered in the dock museum car park at 0700 for the issue of Audacious cycling tops and a phot of the group with the DDH in the back ground. We set off for Whitehaven getting there around 0930. The bikes and gear were sorted in the harbour area and when we were ready we went down the slip way and dipped our wheels in the Irish Sea. We set off through Whitehaven following the sign posted cycle path towards Keswick. After the first turn we lost WO Brandreth who was concentrating on getting dancing Queen on his phone, 15-20 minutes later we all agreed we weren’t going to wait the next time. The weather was grey and overcast with a light drizzle but not cold, the route took us up through the town before we dropped on to quiet minor B roads heading in to the Lake District national park. At this point we had split into 2 or 3 groups everyone finding their own pace. Around lunch time the lead riders were heading up through the village of High Lorton approaching the climb up and over the Whinlatter pass. The pass is 1043 feet above sea level with a 7% gradient (average 15% max). At the top we all met up with the support crew in the visitor centre for a lunch time stop. The decent down to Loweswater was fast and exhilarating, leading to a comfortable ride into Keswick. From Keswick we climbed up alongside the A66 into Greystoke just outside Penrith where we stopped for the night.45 miles, 4402 feet total climbedDay 2We set out from Greystoke to Allenheads in bright sun shine, the hottest September day in 55 years. The first part of the day took us into Penrith through the town centre. From there we started the long climb up into the Pennines. The route climbed up over low hills and it was on the decent from one of these that we had our only accident. CPO Scott and ET Moss unhappy at being not right at the front decided to make time on a long downward section. Having overtaken the cox’n and ships at something like 40 miles an hour, it was at this time that they noticed the large “cyclists slow down” sign. The road went round a sharp left turn, CPO Scott ET Moss did not, WO Brandreth laughed loudly. Luckily the only real injuries were extensive nettle stings and pride, though Chief Scott can take pride in doing a complete summersault while still attached to his bike. The team carried on after a short stop to effect repairs and started the assault on the Hartside pass. At 1903 feet it was the highest point of the trip and a well-deserved lunch break was taken at the Hartside café. From there it was another steep decent in to Alston Britain’s highest market town. The rest of the day was spent climbing up one valley side then down the other, while most agreed this was not the best part of the ride CPO Hunter was heard to say “I love climbing me” repeatedly. The night was spent at Parkhead station where we were the only guests, and were treated to a massive thunder storm with sheet lightning that lit up the surrounding moors like daylight. The stations staff did not appreciate the storm when they were in bare feet at 3 in the morning dealing with the coffee shop under 3” of water.40 miles 4307 feet total climbedDay 3On the last day we set off from Allenheads with a good steep climb to get us in the mood for Crawleyside just outside Stanhope. At 750 feet in just over 2.5 miles, 16% gradient CPO Hunter enjoyed it immensely (I love climbing me) the rest of us did not. However from the top it was 30 miles of old rail way lines and cycle paths down through Consett, Rowlands Gill and Swalwell to the banks of the Tyne. From there we followed the river through the centre of Newcastle down to Tynemouth. It was in Tyne mouth that I had the only puncture of the trip 1.5 miles from the end. After struggling for 20 minutes while being ably obstructed by WO Brandreth we were back on the road and made it down to the beach under the old priory to touch the North Sea. Everyone agreed it was a worthwhile trip and once we get all monies in we hope to have raised £1500 in sponsorship (TBD). The three days were hard going at times but we all had a sense of personal achievement and were glad we attempted the coast to coast, and finished, but next year’s cycling trip is to Holland.55 miles 1909 feet total climbed By: PO Gardner