Eager Gosport sailor follows his parents' footsteps into the Royal Navy

Delighted William Hanson, of Gosport, has taken his first steps in a life on the Seven Seas after completing his basic training at HMS Raleigh.

The 20-year-old trainee communication and information systems specialist arrived at the naval establishment in July, spending 10 weeks learning all the skills needed for a career in the Senior Service.

Despite the coronavirus putting a halt to normal life nationwide, training at Raleigh has been able to continue – with groups of recruits split into their own social ‘bubbles’.

William said he was delighted to have completed the demanding course and added: ‘I joined the Royal Navy for a life-long career in the best job in the world, seeing the world and meeting amazing people. The training has been incredible and I feel fully prepared for my military career.’

William was inspired to join the navy by his parents, Colin and Heidi Hanson, who both met while in the Senior Service.

With his first phase of training now complete, the young sailor is now heading a stone’s throw away from his Gosport home to tackle his next course at HMS Collingwood in Fareham.

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He will spend 26 weeks studying at the training base to qualify as an Engineering Technician Communications and Information Systems (CIS) Specialist.

In this role he will be at the thick of the action working onboard ship as an online network engineer.

‘I could go home for dinner at Collingwood if I wanted,’ William joked.

The 20-year-old added he was excited to take the next step on his naval career.

‘I can’t wait, I just want to get on with my training and join a ship as soon as I can,’ he said.

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