This year’s annual Memorial Dinner was held at The Duke of Connaught Club in Fareham and over 50 members, wives and guests enjoyed great food and excellent company.

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The dinner began in the traditional way offering a ‘tot’ of rum to all attendees before the welcoming words from the Chairman Steve Thorpe followed by the nostalgic honouring of absent friends and lighting of the symbolic candle which was undertaken by branch member US Navy Submarine veteran Jon Schultz.  In between the three courses of the dinner the names of all the UK submarines lost were read out by branch members paying respects to those on eternal patrol.

​While the tables were cleared, port glasses and decanters were placed on the tables while attendees helped themselves to the generous amount of cheese and biscuits that had been provided by the venue before they took their seats for the speech by the guest of honour.  

Peter Moody, the guest of honour, left the RN as a CPO RS submariner over 20 years ago.  His speech explained his journey after taking a gamble and investing his money into recycling.  He is now the Chief Executive of GAP group in the Northeast of England and his company has just been valued at £79m, it was a truly inspirational story from leaving the RN to becoming a successful business leader.  He still uses the RN ethos to run his business which has paid dividends. Those present were clearly impressed with Peter’s story and he received a spontaneous round of applause when he finished.

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The evening concluded with the Loyal Toast. A great evening was had by all and we are now looking forward to next year’s Memorial Dinner.

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Les Catlin

(the bio of Peter Moody by Steve Thorpe)

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(Photos by Peter Davies)