Central Office held the last Open Day of 2022 on Friday 30 September 2022 in Portsmouth. Shipmates from RNA Christchurch and Lee on the Solent and Stubbington Branches enjoyed a first class visit hosted by the Central Office Team.
They were also joined by two very special guests and their families. We had the huge honour of welcoming World War Two Veterans – Tony Snelling aged 99 and John Keating (a mere slip of a lad at 96….)
S/M Tony had served in the Arctic Convoys in HMS Wild Goose, whose Captain was the famous Johnnie Walker and S/M John served in MTBTs before joining HMS Nelson where he faced ‘Kamikaze’s’ during action in the Pacific prior to the Japanese surrender.
Everyone was treated to a sandwich lunch and Harbour Tour. Capt Bill surprised them both by presenting S/M’s Tony and John with RNA Life Membership, which they were both thrilled with and of course a tot was had by way of celebration.
The Central Office Team would be delighted to welcome and hosts Shipmates and Branches from all over the UK as we previously did pre-pandemic. The programme includes lunch and a Harbour Tour.
Photographs by
Shipmate Nigel Huxtable BEM
