Church Moderator tours Royal Navy units

Meeting the partners of serving Royal Marines at 45 Commando in Arbroath

The Moderator joins naval chaplains and military personnel at HM Naval Base Clyde, from left: Colonel Tony De Reya, Commanding Officer of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines; Rev Dr Marjory MacLean, Convener of the Chaplains to Her Majesty’s Forces Committee of the Church of Scotland; Commodore Donald Doull, Naval Base Commander Clyde; Reverend Mark Allsop, Padre to 43 Commando; Right Rev Susan Brown; Reverend Mark Dalton, HMS Neptune Chaplain; Venerable Martyn Gough QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet; RevProfessor Scott Shackleton, Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet; and Father Michael Maloney, Naval Base Roman Catholic officiating chaplain to the military.

he Moderator with staff at BAE Systems in Scotstoun where they are constructing the Type 26 ships.

On board mine hunter HMS Grimsby at HMNB Clyde, meeting some of the Royal Navy Mine Disposal experts.

The Moderator visits the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Welfare team in Helensburgh.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland visited Royal Navy units across the country this week.

Right Rev Susan Brown and her team saw the Faslane base, new aircraft carrier Prince of Wales and Royal Marines from Arbroath.

Afterwards she said: “The trip is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the work being done by the various arms of the Royal Navy, including HMS Prince of Wales, Royal Naval Reserve, Cadets, Glasgow and Strathclyde University Royal Navy Unit, Royal Marines, pool drill, Royal Marine Band and the charity Aggie’s.

“It’s also been a chance to connect with the Naval community and to see the rich seam of opportunity for so many skills and also for chaplaincy.

“There’s been lots of chances to talk with all sorts of young people about life and faith.

“If only I was younger…!”

The Royal Navy says that chaplains of all denominations play an important role, connecting with personnel and providing pastoral care, spiritual and moral leadership. They also play a central part in giving support to the families of naval personnel.

During her visit, the Moderator was accompanied by Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet, Reverend Professor Scott Shackleton, and staff from Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland’s office.

Together they spent time with Glasgow and Strathclyde University Royal Naval Unit and took to the water with them on board patrol boat HMS Pursuer for a sail on the River Clyde.

Glasgow’s Royal Navy Reserve Unit HMS Dalriada was also included, as was a tour of BAE Systems’ shipyard at Scotstoun to see the construction of Type 26 HMS Glasgow.

Later in the week the team were at the Royal Navy’s biggest establishment in Scotland – HM Naval Base Clyde – where they met submariners, Royal Marines and training staff, as well as touring mine hunter HMS Grimsby.

While at the site, the Moderator also spent time with naval families and charities, and was present for the awarding of a medal to naval chaplain Rev Mark Dalton. Rev Dalton was given his long service and good conduct medal by Commodore Donald Doull, Naval Base Commander Clyde, in recognition of 15 years of exemplary naval service.

Captain Chris Smith, naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “It has been a real pleasure and privilege to host the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland this week and showcase the breadth of the Naval Service in Scotland.

“We are delighted that the Moderator has given us so much time and shown such interest in our people, their families and the operational activities that takes place in and around Scotland, as well as the wider global operations being conducted by Scottish-based units.”