HMS Sultan welcomes back former commanding officers for 60th anniversary

Rear Admiral Lockyer cutting HMS Sultan's 60th anniversary cake with the base's youngest trainee, Engineering Technician Jordan Chaplin

The centre in Gosport is marking its 60th birthday this year and invited the commanding officers for a commemorative lunch.

The visitors were given a tour of HMS Sultan to see how the base and training has changed over the years.

Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock led the tour, which looked at the Defence School of Marine Engineering and the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival School.

Back row left to right - Capt Worlidge LVO, Capt Ferguson, Commodore Shirley, Commodore Clayden, Commodore Thwaites, Commodore Slawson.
Front Row Left to right - Rear Admiral Lockyer MVO, Mrs Gulley, Captain Gulley, Second Sea Lord,Rear Admiral Latham CBE, Rear Admiral Rymer Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins — Back row left to right - Capt Worlidge LVO, Capt Ferguson, Commodore Shirley, Commodore Clayden, Commodore Thwaites, Commodore Slawson. Front Row Left to right - Rear Admiral Lockyer MVO, Mrs Gulley, Captain Gulley, Second Sea Lord,Rear Admiral Latham CBE, Rear Admiral Rymer Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins

Retired Commodore Malcolm Shirley, CO between 1995 and 1998, oversaw the move of the RNAESS from HMS Daedalus in 1998. He was impressed by its progress.

‘The most striking thing about HMS Sultan now is how the establishment has embraced modern technology within training and teaching,’ he said.

‘It’s a complete evolution but what is really impressive is that the people haven’t changed, their commitment to training and quality of training is as good as it has ever been.’

As well as lunch and tours of the facilities, the former COs were treated to a ride on HMS Sultan’s own super sentinel steam lorry which has been with the establishment since 1960.

Retired Commodore Mark Slawson, who was CO between 2010 and 2013, added: ‘It was tremendous fun all day and lovely to be back within Sultan.

‘It’s a little bit emotional coming back as I had a tremendous time in my three years there.’

The visit finished at a reception with the cutting of a cake by the base’s youngster trainee Engineering Technician Jordan Chaplin.