Our History
The Royal Naval Association was formed in 1950. Before that year a number of naval clubs and associations had sprung up from the spontaneous wish of naval people to carry on the special comradeship that is a feature of life in the Royal Navy. The Royal Naval Association was effectively formed out of the Royal Naval Old Comrades Association which encompassed a number of naval associations with the intent of creating a ‘one for all’ organisation. The inaugural meeting of the RNOCA was held at Ye Olde Ship restaurant in Whitehall on January 3rd, 1935 and was attended by the grand total of 14 former naval personnel.
In forming The Royal Naval Association as the principal naval association recognised by the Admiralty Board, the aim was to attract all existing naval associations to join it so that there would be a single association maintaining and representing the high standard and reputation of the Royal Navy. It was also designed to provide comradeship and assistance in need for all naval people throughout the United Kingdom and indeed in any place in the world where people who had served in the Royal Navy came together.
A significant change from the days of the RNOCA was the inclusion of serving as well as ex-service members so that there should be a close liaison between the active Royal Navy and those who had earlier served in it. Furthermore the intention was that it should include all ranks, ratings, other ranks and all Branches and specialisation’s of the RN, RM, QARNNS, WRNS, and the Reserves so that we should be “all of one company” (an extension of the old RNOCA ‘one for all’ principal).
The Association was formed under a Royal Charter, in which our objects and rules were laid out. As times changed, we have amended various aspects of our governance within the Charter to enable us to continue to provide our members with the support and comradeship.
in 1952, The Admiralty appointed a full time liaison officer for the Royal Naval Association (a Commander Parker) and this appointment continued for many years (later on a part-time basis) until, because of tightened manning constraints, the appointment was permitted to lapse. This was not the end of the story however and following the introduction of an agreement between the Admiralty and the RNA in 2008 The Warrant Officer for the Naval Service and the Command Warrant Officer (Reserves) were co-opted as RNA Vice Presidents and in this capacity and in conjunction with the Second Sea Lord, became conduits for information flow to and from the naval authorities.
Prior to 1973, delegates to Conference were addressed either by their former naval rank (in the case of officers) or by “Mister” in the case of former ratings or other ranks. The first mention of the term “Shipmate” can be found in Conference Minutes from 1950 but this was only in terms of addressing a delegate during the President’s speech. The decision to formally adopt the pro-noun “Shipmate” was taken at the 1973 Conference and has been used ever since.
The Association had its Headquarters in a number of locations at the outset but soon settled into its long term home in Chelsea Manor Street in London until 1st October 2008, when Central Office moved to Portsmouth and into Semaphore Tower within HM Naval Base. On June 1st 2021, we moved a stone’s throw from Semaphore Tower to our current location in Scott Road.