Fareham teen becomes fourth in his family to join Royal Navy as coronavirus crisis affects passing out parade

Air Engineering Technician (AET) Michael Guthrie, from Fareham, completed a 10-week training course at the naval institution this week.

The 19-year-old navy lad, who followed in the footsteps of his parents, uncle, grandparents and great-grandfather in joining the Senior Service, marked his achievement during a behind-closed-doors ceremony at Raleigh amid tightened health rules over the coronavirus outbreak.

AET Guthrie said: ‘Training was a bit of a tumble between happiness, nervousness and pride in what I and the rest of my class achieved every day. I am very proud to join the Royal Navy and follow my family in what has developed into a tradition.’

AET Guthrie – who was named as Fareham’s Young Citizen of Honour in 2018 for his voluntary roles and community service – was part of a class of 53 new recruits who have joined the service to fill key roles.

It comes as Royal Navy medics and planners are playing their part in helping the NHS save lives during the coronavirus outbreak.

The class, which included two naval nurses and a medic, now stand ready to proceed with their next stage of training.

While the finale of the course is normally a passing-out-parade attended by family and friends, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the parade took place behind closed doors with a live stream made available for families to follow.

The news followed the homecoming of HMS Prince of Wales, which arrived home to Portsmouth earlier this week with no fanfare.

Captain Rich Harris, the HMS Raleigh’s commanding officer of HMS Raleigh, said: ‘We continue to train sailors to support the country in times of need, as so many of our people are doing right now in helping the NHS save lives during the coronavirus outbreak.

‘Among the people finishing their training are medical personnel, chefs, supply chain specialists, and engineers, who the country will call upon in times of emergency.

‘While this passing-out-parade and currently those planned for future recruits will be held without their families to share in the pride and joy of their achievement, it in no way undermines their great efforts and readiness to serve their nation.

‘HMS Raleigh will continue to deliver essential training to personnel in order to fulfil operational outputs. This means that trained personnel will be ready to respond to the evolving Covid-19 situation and provide resilience as the Royal Navy’s support increases, while maintaining key defence outputs.’

He added training would be ‘kept under review’ in line with Public Health England guidelines.