Association visit to HMS Defender
Today, the 25th April 2017 nine of us HMS Exeter Association Members were treated to a visit to HMS Defender in Portsmouth Dockyard.
Once formed up inside Nelson Gate we were taken by minibus to the Refit Support Group area for coffee.
We then all changed into white protective suits, safety boots, hard white hats and safety glasses and looked like ‘flour graders’.
With our ‘smart uniforms’ we approached HMS Defender in dry dock and accepted the opportunity of climbing down into the dock to stand underneath the ship and be briefed on the parts of the ship we could see.
That was a great experience and so was the effort required to climb back up out of the dock. Then we went inside the ship and visited several areas with briefings about what we could see in each area.
Climbing up and down the stairs was interesting with the unfamiliar safety boots that we were wearing, but we all managed, despite our age.
Special thanks must go to WO Jonnie Roome and his team for their efforts in showing us round the ship.
After that we were able to remove the safety suits and equipment changing back into jackets and normal shoes for the next stage.
The minibus then gave us a tour of the dockyard back to Nelson Gate. For the next part we were treated to lunch in the HMS Nelson Wardroom, which was a great experience with all of the oak panelling and paintings of the ‘Battle of Trafalgar’.
From the whole visit those of us who were lucky enough to be present wish to give their special thanks to the sponsor of the visit, Lt Cdr Sean Trevethan, and very special thanks to our host though out the visit, Lt Greg Sinclair.
We all really enjoyed the visit and further developing the links between our Association and the ships Company of HMS Defender.
Thanks to all concerned.
From Peter Cox HMS Exeter Association Committee Macassar Rep, on behalf of those who attended the visit.
