Interview with John Lippiett

British naval cadet, midshipman and officer with Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, GB, 1967-1970, including sea time aboard HMS Appleton and HMS Eagle in Persian Gulf, GB coastal waters and North Atlantic; served as officer aboard HMS Yarmouth in GB coastal waters and Far East, 9/1970-12/1972; served as staff officer at Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief Fleet at Northwood, GB, 1973-1974; served as navigating officer aboard HMS Achilles, 3rd Frigate Sqdn in GB coastal waters, Far East and South Atlantic, 1974-1975; attended Lieutenants' Course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, GB, 1975; commanded HMS Shavington, Fisheries Protection Sqdn in GB coastal waters, 1976-1977; trained on Principle Warfare Officer Course at School of Maritime Warfare, Southwick, GB, 1978; served as Principle Warfare Officer aboard HMS Fife in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Caribbean, 1978-1980; served as instructor on leadership course at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint in GB, 1980-1981; student on staff course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 7/1981-12/1981; served as First Lieutenant aboard HMS Ambuscade in South Atlantic during Falklands War, 4/1982-6/1982 and in GB coastal waters and Far East, 1982-1983; served with Polaris Headquarters, HMNB Clyde in GB, 1983-1986; commanded HMS Amazon in Far East, GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and North Atlantic, 1986-1988; student on Joint Services Defence Course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, GB, 1988; served as Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord, Chief of Naval Staff in Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 1988-1990; commanded HMS Norfolk and 9th Frigate Sqdn in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Far East, 1990-1992; student at Royal College in Defence Studies in London, GB, 1/1993-6/1993; served as Chief of Staff to Flag Officer Surface Flotilla at HMNB Portsmouth, GB, 1994-1996; served as as chief of staff with Headquarters, Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Naples, Italy, 1999-2002; served as Commandant of Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, GB, 2002-2003; civilian served as Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth, GB, 2003-2015

REEL 1 Background in Bognor Regis, Hove and Chichester, GB, 1949-1963: family; family connection with Royal Navy; reaction to visit to HMS Glasgow at Brighton; education; military presence in Southern England; learning to play French Horn and role of bugler with Combined Cadet Force at school; interest in Royal Navy fostered during visits to Portsmouth; attitude towards membership of Naval Section, Combined Cadet Force at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School. Aspects of enlistment in Royal Navy, GB, 1963: parents attitude to prospect of his joining Royal Navy; selection process, including meeting with psychiatrist and question of failing eye test; amusing story of last performance as bugler with Naval Section, Combined Cadet Force; importance on education at Chichester Cathedral School to naval career; story of being arrested for taking photograph whilst serving with Naval Section, Combined Cadet Force; importance of contact with Admiral Sir John Whitworth. REEL 2 Continues: prior recollection of steering minesweeper aboard HMS Curzon whilst with Naval Section, Combined Cadet Force. Recollections of period as naval cadet with Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, GB, 1967: accommodation and inspections; lights out; haircut and kitting out; role of divisional chief; nature of early morning activities; role of leading seaman instructor in drill instruction; building of team spirit, including training in boat and ship handling; need to change clothing rapidly; shore leave in Dartmouth; character of Dartmouth Training Sqdn; accommodation and messing on board training frigate, HMS Eastbourne; background to role as senior cadet during sea training aboard HMS Eastbourne; instructors on board HMS Eastbourne; living conditions in mess and seasickness; duties of cadets during sea training aboard HMS Eastbourne in Mediterranean, including being in charge of ship's whaler; importance of cadets learning role of crew. REEL 3 Continues: issue of rum ration to junior ratings; introduction to first tot of rum in Gibraltar; nature of training on board HMS Eastbourne; importance of time spent with Dartmouth Training Sqdn; training for passing out parade; receiving Queen's Telescope; amusing story of First Sea Lord making a 'sloppy' salute. Aspects of period as midshipman aboard HMS Appleton in Persian Gulf, 1968: reception on arrival aboard HMS Appleton in Bahrain; accommodation for officers in Ton Class Minesweeper; working duties; size of crew; description of minesweeping duties; characteristics of Ton Class Minesweepers; period of engine rebuild in Bahrain; reasons for ship being an unhappy one; incident of being attacked by seaman who had family issues. REEL 4 Continues: impressions during port visit to Bombay, India; week spent with Brigade of Guards personnel; role in charge of boarding party in anti-smuggling operations in Persian Gulf; role as gunnery officer and nature of exercises; memories of Commodore Tom Fanshaw ashore in Bahrain; memories of Trafalgar Night at Bahrain, 21/10/1968; question of what makes a happy ship; story of Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1968. Aspects of period as senior midshipman aboard HMS Eagle in GB coastal waters and North Atlantic, 1969: joining aircraft carrier at Devonport; officer accommodation; command structure on board; nature of ward room; importance of getting to know way around aircraft carrier; first visit to officers' mess. REEL 5 Continues: use of task book and keeping journal; duties as fourth officer of the watch on bridge; duties running 'Eagle Airways' supply flights; nature of operations room; flight command and role of Commander Air; nature of air operations on board aircraft carrier; role of escort to pay officer on trips ashore; experience of ship's galley; description of computer room; opinion of rum ration being abolish; aircraft taking off and landing on deck; story of midshipman's crash landing on flight deck during air experience training; characteristics of Fairey Gannet; aircraft recovery measures; nature of engine rooms; damage control; aircraft trials for McDonnell Douglas Phantom taking place on board; sight of De Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen crashing on flight deck; arrival at Norfolk, United States of America; taking fleet board examinations; navigating aircraft carrier in North Atlantic. REEL 6 Continues: amusing story of rehearsal for Western Fleet dinner; nature of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to HMS Eagle for Western Fleet dinner, 7/1969; lessons learnt as midshipman. Aspects of period as sub-lieutenant with Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, GB, 1969-1970: return to Royal Naval College, Dartmouth; role as senior sub-lieutenant; subjects studied; training responsibilities; nature of practical jokes played during term time; Trafalgar Night celebrations, 21/10/1969; passing examinations and passing out parade; attending sub-lieutenant course on graduating from Royal Naval College Dartmouth, including gunnery course at Royal Naval Gunnery School, HMS Excellent, Whale Island and supply course at HMNB Chatham. REEL 7 Continues: attending aviation course at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Recollections of period as officer aboard HMS Yarmouth in GB coastal waters and Far East, 9/1970-12/1972: joining frigate; experiencing collapsed lung; working up at Portland; importance of operational sea training; nature of working up exercises; role as damage control officer; experiencing collapsed lung for second time during working up process; characteristics of HMS Yarmouth; duties as flight deck officer; reasons for introduction of nuclear depth bomb to counter Soviet Navy's expanded submarine fleet; Royal Navy's dealing with threats from Soviet Navy. REEL 8 Continues: deployment to Far East; need to acquire Ocean Navigation Certificate and Watch Certificate; ashore in Sierra Leone and Simonstown, South Africa; nature of service with Beira Patrol in Indian Ocean; ashore in Mombasa, Kenya, including trip to ranch and Christmas celebrations; visit to Gan Island; night-time watch duties; story of night-time watch in Malacca Straits; arrival at HMS Terror at Singapore; operating with Five Powers Defence Agreements navies; move to Hong Kong and dealing with typhoon; role during operation to evacuate ship's crew stuck on reef during typhoon in South China Sea; shore visit in Yokohama, Japan. REEL 9 Continues: story of arrival of ship's new commanding officer Commander Richard Turner; navigating ship into Addu Atoll; character of Commander Richard Turner; awards for typhoon rescue. Recollections of period as officer on staff at Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief Fleet at Northwood, GB, 1973-1974: arrival at headquarters, 1/1973; breakfast invite from Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore; staff set up at headquarters; character of Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore; role working for Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore; Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's command style and responsibilities; Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's North Atlantic Treaty Organisation responsibilities; role working for Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore. REEL 10 Continues: story of Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's visit to Oslo, Norway; attending fleet gathering at Gibraltar, 2/1973; Lady Ashmore's naming of submarine HMS Sovereign; reaction to attending submarine Polaris Missile firing off United States of America; Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's responsibilities for Royal Navy potential role in evacuation of nationals; amusing story of visit to Lagos, Nigeria; nature of visit to Caribbean; Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's diplomatic visit to Stockholm, Sweden; story of attending combined maritime exercise using HMS Bristol as flagship in North Sea. REEL 11 Continues: how Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore intervened to stop collision during combined maritime exercise; arrival of Admiral Sir Terence Lewin took over as Commander-in-Chief Fleet, 12/1973; different approach to command of Admiral Sir Terence Lewin and Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore; stories illustrating Admiral Sir Terence Lewin approach to command and changing character of Royal Navy; how Royal Navy has scope for individual capabilities; Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore's introduction of Principle Warfare Officer scheme; Royal Navy ethos to command; question of location of Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief Fleet at Northwood. REEL 12 Continues: Recollections of period as navigating officer aboard HMS Achilles, 3rd Frigate Sqdn in GB coastal waters, Far East and South Atlantic, 1974-1975: background to joining frigate; composition and proposed role of squadron for deployment to Far East; working routine and navigating duties during intense training; reasons for 3rd Frigate Sqdn being ordered away from South Africa by Prime Minister Harold Wilson; denial of exercise with South African Navy; problems encountered navigating in Indian Ocean during Beira Patrol; orders to move rapidly to South Vietnam, 4/1975; abortive operation to evacuate British Nationals from Saigon, South Vietnam; move to South Atlantic and coast of Brazil; opinion of Admiral Sir Henry Leach; role of navigating officer. REEL 13 Continues: debates on board frigate about joining Common Market; return to GB; responsibilities for frigate tours on 'Navy Days'; importance of 'Navy Days'; attending dinner with former tutor George Walker. Aspects of period on Lieutenants' Course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, GB, 1975: nature of junior officer staff course; atmosphere at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; engagement to future wife; attitude towards attending course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; role of Royal Navy staff courses in expanding world knowledge; amusing story of dealing with Commander-in-Chief of Kenyan Navy; question of role of commanding officer of Royal Navy vessel; usefulness of contacts made during course. REEL 14 Continues: Recollections of period commanding HMS Shavington, Fisheries Protection Sqdn in GB coastal waters, 1976-1977: attending Commanding Officers' Designate Course at Torpedo and Anti-Submarine School at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth prior to taking command; amusing story of attending lunch with Prince Charles; ship handling at Portsmouth; taking command of HMS Shavington at Newcastle upon Tyne; characteristics of Ton Class Minesweepers, including composition of ship's crew; reaction to taking command and first time of taking minesweeper to sea; role of minesweeper with Fishery Protection Sqdn; berthing at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth; incident of fight in which first lieutenant was struck by petty officer; question of ship being unhappy; attending Exercise Highland Fling at HMNB Faslane; overcoming problems of open bridge aboard HMS Shavington and physical effects of operating in cold weather conditions; nature of fishery protection duties in Western Isles; incident of towing Irish trawler that had run out of fuel to Isle of Man; dealing with sinking French trawler; meeting with fellow minesweeper commanding officers at HMNB Faslane; marriage at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; marriage quarters in Rosyth; working routine. REEL 15 Continues: character of new first lieutenant; amusing story of crew's reaction to scrubbing decks; introduction of shipping lanes in English Channel; dealing with Soviet factory ships in English Channel, including visit aboard one; dealing with French trawlers in English Channel; boarding illegally operated trawlers during fog in English Channel; story of crashing into jetty whilst berthing at Douglas, Isle of Man; commanding officer's responsibilities; story of bad weather encountered during visit to St Kilda for rocket firing; attitude towards bad weather experienced; amusing story of signal sent after television crew experienced sea sickness and berthing at Aberdeen; attitude to having responsibility of commanding first ship; amusing story of anchoring for barbecue in bay on Isle of Skye. REEL 16 Continues: story of attending Silver Jubilee celebrations, 6/1977; amusing story of attending highland games in northern Scotland; story of show of force to salmon poachers in Scottish waters and subsequent court case; attitude towards commanding ship and development of command style. Aspects of period as officer with Principle Warfare Officer Course at School of Maritime Warfare at HMS Dryad, Southwick, GB, 1978: studying main perceived threat of Soviet Navy; nature of course tactical exercises; gunnery training; realistic nature of course tactical exercises. REEL 17 Continues: course of assessments; role of Principle Warfare Officer at sea. Recollections of period as Principle Warfare Officer aboard HMS Fife in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic, Arctic and Caribbean, 1978-1979: background to appointment to HMS Fife; reporting to Captain Jeremy Black and allocation to secondary roles with band and line book officer; Captain Jeremy Black's style of command; amusing story of ship's band playing for admiral at Gibraltar; discovery of shadowing Soviet Navy submarine whilst exercising with United States Navy in Caribbean; role of ship as West Indies guardship; nature of disaster relief duties after Hurricane David on Dominica, 8/1979-9/1979; flight in Royal Air Force Lockheed C-160 Hercules to GB; attitude to participating in hurricane disaster relief duties on Dominica, 8/1979-9/1979. REEL 18 Continues: award of Order of Member of the British Empire (OBE) for hurricane relief duties; intelligence gathering on Soviet Navy off North Cape in Arctic; question of strength of Soviet Navy; reasons for putting in resignation letter. Aspects of period as instructor at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint, GB, 1980-1981: nature of ten week leadership course; creating syllabus based on course run by Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley with appropriate changes; success of course in building up junior rating confidence and leadership skills; degree of danger and threat experienced on course. REEL 19 Continues: lessons learnt from working on course. Aspects of period as officer on staff course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, GB, 7/1981-12/1981: organisation of six month staff course; presentation; question of Royal Navy's attitude towards staff duties; atmosphere at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; work routine and passing course; question of career preference and career path. Recollections of operations as First Lieutenant aboard HMS Ambuscade, Task Force in South Atlantic during Falklands War, 4/1982-6/1982: initial appointment to frigate and attending executive officer course, 1/1982-3/1982; role of First Lieutenant; characteristics of Type 21 Frigate Amazon Class; crew complement; frigate's armament and helicopter; question of upper hull being constructed from aluminium; frigate's engines and speed; reasons why ship was a happy one; secondary role as medical officer. REEL 20 Continues: start of the Falklands War, 27/4/1982; question of degree of personal and popular awareness of Falkland Islands, 4/1982; joining ship at Gibraltar, 4/1982; question of whether he would be allow to stay or if predecessor would continue in role; orders to sail for Ascension Island; preparing ship for war at Ascension Island; degree of knowledge of frigate on joining; question of whether there would be a war; training on voyage southwards; damage control training on board; appointment of medical officer; anti-flash gear worn; radio silence; story of medical officer having to operate on seaman's hand on voyage from Ascension Island. REEL 21 Continues: moving to defence watches; making will and taking out insurance; beard growing competition and swimming on the equator to maintain morale; incidents leading to realisation that the ship would participate in a war; question of reasons for loss of life aboard Argentine Navy AGA General Belgrano and lack of triumphalism amongst Royal Navy personnel on sinking; offering facilities to Royal Navy submarine's crew at Ascension Island; problems with ship's engines; advantage of heading south with HMS Antelope; attempt to refuel from tanker in mid ocean; practising anti-missile drills; joining main group of Task Force, 21/5/1982; collision with tanker whilst zig-zagging to avoid submarine attack; effect of cracking ribs during collision with tanker. REEL 22 Continues: working defence watches in Task Force screen; listening to actions in San Carlos Water on radio; incident of torpedo being fired by Argentine Navy submarine at frigate; loss of HMS Antelope, 23/5/1982; reasons for first lieutenant not having a specific action station; reasons for walking through frigate during defence watch; use of radio to find out bigger picture of progress of war; communications; role of ship escorting SS Atlantic Conveyor, 25/5/1982; reporting Exocet Missile attack and measures taken on board; Exocet Missile hit on SS Atlantic Conveyor and aftermath, 25/5/1982. REEL 23 Continues: night-time refuelling and restore; loss of HMS Coventry, 25/5/1982; providing naval gunfire support from Teal Inlet, including crossing minefield and under fire from Argentinean artillery; role of British Army spotter on board and accuracy of fire; number of rounds fired inland towards Port Stanley; need for ships to have structural flexibility in sea conditions and damage caused by poor weather conditions; difficulties of replenishing at sea; staying in defence watches for two weeks after surrender, 15/6/1982; repairs to ship; taking company of 1st Bn Scots Guards to South Georgia; use of sleeping bag during conflict; attempt to get piper to play ship into harbour on South Georgia; taking Royal Marines party from South Georgia to Ascension Island; methods used to sustain morale. REEL 24 Continues: advance party's return to GB, 7/1982 [Very Short Reel]. REEL 25 Continues: amusing story of administrative issues on return voyage to GB; crew's decision not to talk about experiences in Falklands War on return to GB; question of British Broadcasting Corporation's coverage of the war and effect on crew; communications with home, including letters; return to Devonport and visit by admiral; examples of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst crew; question of Royal Navy personnel needing to be prepared for active service; story of medical officer administering morphine to sailor acting as casualty during damage control exercise whilst operational sea training; lessons learnt about ship design and armament from Falklands War; importance of Royal Navy's ability to fight conflict at long distance; importance of air support from aircraft carriers; significance of sinking of Argentine Navy AGA General Belgrano; effect of Falklands War on status of GB. REEL 26 Continues: leave on return to GB. Aspects of period as first lieutenant aboard HMS Ambuscade in GB coastal waters and Far East, 1982-1983: reaction to operational sea training, 10/1982, including watching raising of Mary Rose; question of strengthening of ship; voyage from GB to Far East; exercising with United States Navy in Far East, including collision with United States Navy cruiser USS Dale; nature of damage to ship's bow and move to Bombay, India for repairs; conditions during period under repair in Bombay, India; receiving promotion to commander at Jakarta, Indonesia; activities on return to GB coastal waters; court martial after collision; expectations of appointment. Recollections of period as officer with Polaris Headquarters, HMNB Clyde in GB, 1983-1986: nature of appointment to Polaris Missile Programme; opinion of nuclear firing chain and independence of British nuclear deterrent. REEL 27 Continues: near nuclear release incident, 26/9/1983; belief in nuclear firing chain and Royal Navy's ability to maintain British nuclear deterrent; sea time in nuclear submarines; question of state of world in 2019 in comparison with Cold War; belief that role of armed services was to maintain peace at time of Cold War; attitude to working with nuclear weapons. Recollections of period commanding HMS Amazon in Far East, GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and North Atlantic, 1986-1988: taking command of frigate, 1986; attending commanding officer's course prior to taking command; uniform worn on arrival on board ship in Singapore; berth in Singapore and navigating out in sea mist. REEL 28 Continues: getting to know crew and ship; making passage through Indonesian Archipelago; reporting system on ship's crew; personal style of command and management of ship's crew; rewarding nature of working with people; attitude towards command; exercising with Royal New Zealand Navy; story of port visit to Darwin, Australia; story of responding to distress call off Queensland, Australia; week spent in Sydney, Australia; visit to United States Navy battleship USS Missouri in Sydney, Australia; holding breakfast party on board HMS Amazon. REEL 29 Continues: exercising with Royal Australian Navy; attending Grand Prix in Adelaide, Australia; story of water skiing behind ship across equator in Indian Ocean; route taken back to GB; story of reaction to receiving negative staff sea check prior to operational sea training and outcome of failing inspection; operating with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation naval force in Mediterranean; question of difficulties experienced during North Atlantic Treaty Organisation war exercises off Norway. REEL 30 Continues: story of near collision with trawler whilst conducting Principle Warfare Officer Course gunnery firing exercises off Gibraltar; machinery problems aboard frigate and problems encountered berthing in Portimao, Portugal; role of frigate as contingency ship and training navigators; question of keeping older ships going in service. Aspects of period as student on Joint Service Defence Course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, GB, 1988: nature to course and suffering from back injury; effect of talk given by Soviet ambassador; encouragement to view events more strategically; reaction to lecture by double agent Oleg Gordievsky; types of visits made. REEL 31 Continues: improvement with back problem; promotion to captain and wife Jenny Lippiett's reaction to appointment. Recollections of period as Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord, Chief of Naval Staff in Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 1989-1990: duties working for First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir William Staverley; organisation of First Sea Lord, Chief of Naval Staff's office; division of work between Secretary and Naval Assistant staff captains; description of role and duties; nature of First Sea Lord's visits; reasons for Royal Navy's manpower; effects of end of Cold War on military budgets; First Sea Lord's oversea visit commitment. REEL 32 Continues: account of visit with First Sea Lord Sir William Staverley to People's Republic of China accompanied by wives; impressions of Chief of Naval Staff of Soviet Navy on visit to GB; infighting in Ministry of Defence over service budgets; visit to Royal Canadian Navy in Canada; arrival of new First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Julian Oswald; preparation of Admiral Sir Julian Oswald for talk to Joint Services Defence Course; nature of visit to United States Navy in United States of America; relations between Royal Navy and United States Navy. REEL 33 Continues: role in changing Admiral Sir Julian Oswald attitude towards prospect of women serving with Royal Navy at sea; providing information to Admiral Sir Julian Oswald in opposing Royal Air Force's nuclear strike missile development; role acting as eyes and ears for First Sea Lord; account of five day visit to Poland; reaction of Admiral Sir Julian Oswald to Americans shooting down of civilian airliner; visit to Pakistan; attitude towards role as Naval Assistant to First Sea Lord. REEL 34 Continues: character of Admiral Sir Julian Oswald; Admiral Sir Julian Oswald's visit to Royal Marines Depot Deal in aftermath of Provisional Irish Republic Army bombing, 22/9/1989; nature of service infighting in Ministry of Defence; visit to United States Central Command in Tampa, United States of America, followed by visit to Caribbean islands; nature of visit to Columbia; duties followings Iraq's invasion to Kuwait, 8/1990; nature of refocusing of world order, 1990. Recollections of period commanding HMS Norfolk and 9th Frigate Sqdn in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Far East, 1990-1992: background to development and design of Type 23 Frigate Class; revised character of Type 23 Frigate Class design from operational lessons learnt in Falklands War. REEL 35 Continues: introduction of stealth technology; role of Type 22 Frigate Class in Falklands War; importance of quiet running of ship's engines; introduction of integrated command system on board; rumours relating to ship's capabilities; characteristics of Type 23 Frigate Class; duel role commanding HMS Norfolk and 9th Frigate Sqdn; naming of ship as Duke Class rather than County Class; description of ship's manning; style of command; question of Royal Navy ships gaining a reputation; joining ship during missile trials; behaviour of ship during Operational Sea Training in North Atlantic; reaction to outcome of Operational Sea Training. REEL 36 Continues: attending Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) at HMNB Portland; damaged control aboard HMS Norfolk; visit by Secretary of State Tom King; outcome of Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) inspections; story of ship's voyage to London up River Thames in fog; mooring alongside HMS Belfast and visit by Prince Charles; providing example of demanning; amusing story of visit by Duke of Norfolk; other Very Important Persons (VIPs) visits to ship in London; anti-submarine exercise during Joint Maritime Exercise in North Atlantic, 1/1992. REEL 37 Continues: outcome of anti-submarine exercise; 9th Frigate Sqdn's deployment with 92 Orient Group Deployment to Far East, 1992; worries about ship's company going ashore in Subic Bay, Philippines; question of behaviour of service personnel aboard in 1990s; crossing Indian Ocean; advantages of having aircraft carrier with tactical group; purpose of visits to Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Brunei; visit to Hong Kong; orders to paint ship off Muscat, Oman; relations with admiral; calling in at Haifa, Israel; request to return via South Africa; opinion of Type 23 Frigate Class and their later sales; further details of relations with admiral. REEL 38 Continues: problem of ship's officers sending computer messages rather than face to face; memories of Chinese laundryman on board; question of delays in using computer messages and belief in value of managing by walking about; kitting out of Type 23 Frigate Class ships for future mixed gender operations; reasons for Royal Navy custom of ship's captain having a bath in his cabin and it's removal in the Type 23 Frigate Class; visit by Chief of Defence Staff. Aspects of period as student at Royal College of Defence Studies, London, GB, 1993: nature of Royal College of Defence Studies course; opinion of how course was conducted; character of debating groups; presence of foreign students on the course. REEL 39 Continues: writing paper on Merchant Navy; value of the course to country of having foreign students; description of overseas tour of India, Pakistan and Nepal; discussions on state of Kashmir on return to London; question of appointment to Ministry of Defence at end of course. Recollections of period as Chief of Staff to Flag Officer Surface Flotilla at HMNB Portsmouth, GB, 1994-1995: promotion to commodore; background to organisation and composition of Royal Navy's Surface Flotilla; description of headquarters, accommodation and personal staff. REEL 40 Continues: headquarters and fleet engineering staff on site; memories of Rear Admiral Michael Boyce; measures taken to improve morale and team build; nature of fleet tasks and number of ships in command; attempts to get stability into Surface Flotilla; pattern of ship maintenance; question of damaging ships in service; legal department and types of problems that occurred; problems occurring from female personnel going to sea; emphasis on delegation; making numerous visits; role as link between Rear Admiral Michael Boyce, commanding officers and naval personnel; necessity of getting a 'feel' for a ship. REEL 41 Continues: balancing chain of command between strategic measures and Surface Flotilla; measures taken to balance budget to maintain operational surface fleet; hosting small lunch parties; attempt to visit all the Surface Flotilla offices; incident of HMS Brazen running aground off Chile and subsequent court martial of captain; question of captain having responsibility for ship; later incident of HMS Nottingham running aground in Pacific; question of loneliness of command and effects of court martials on career; opinion of Rear Admiral Michael Boyce's style of command; managing ship's spares. REEL 42 Continues: leaving role; story of visit to elderly HMS Fearless in English Channel; attitude towards challenging nature of the role. Recollections of period commanding HMS Dryad at Southwick, GB, 1995-1997: history of site; nature and size of establishment; story of being shouted at by ceremonial duties warrant officer in first week; accommodation on site; nature of changes taking place on arrival; construction of Type 23 Frigate Class bridge simulator on site; links with surrounding training establishment and chain of command; need to cut costs; dealing with civilian employees. REEL 43 Continues: introduction of civilian accreditation system; dealing with removal of staff for sea service; personal method used to manage staff; decision to present medal recipients with parade at HMS Dyrad; First Sea Lord Sir Jock Slater's decision to hold senior officer conference at site; question of selection of officers for senior promotion; importance and emphasis on training; nature of officer personal reports. REEL 44 Continues: story of visit from diversity specialist from Ministry of Defence, looking at personal reports; entertaining large selection of naval personnel, civilians and foreign dignitaries; visit by Argentine Navy officer; use of simulator when guests visit; speaking to and entertaining members of Commanding Officer Designate Course; opening of Ramsey Building; designing of Junior Ratings Block; filming of section of film 'Tomorrow Never Dies' (1997) at HMS Dryad; reaction to promotion to rear admiral, 1997. REEL 45 Continues: Recollections of period as Flag Officer Sea Training at HMNB Devonport in GB, 1997-1999: effects of recent move of sea training from HMNB Portland to HMNB Devonport; reasons for use of diesel submarines for foreign navies for training; budgeting and offering operational sea training to foreign navies; nature of flags flown and responsibilities; accommodation; fostering links with region; responsibilities for disciplinary matters in region and for English Channel; visits to ships involved in training anchored in Plymouth Sound; circle of training and it's management; nature of 'Thursday War' and subsequent reporting day on Friday; character of inspection visits; developing new ethos amongst inspection staff. REEL 46 Continues: personal attitude towards inspections and role of ships' captains; instigation of all arms mobile inspection teams; story of inspection of Italian Navy ship and aftermath; opinion of Portuguese Navy; inspection of French Navy warship; liaison with Turkish Navy; opinion of German Navy; use of physical contact to reassure floundering captains; preference for atmosphere aboard mixed crewed vessels; use of disaster training village at HMNB Devonport; routine worked. REEL 47 Continues: weekly routine worked and role of wife; personal staff and driver; nature of Very Important Persons (VIPs) visits, including holding dinner parties at accommodation at HMNB Devonport and their viewing of ‘Thursday War’; account of visit from Admiral Vladimir Yegorov, commander of Baltic Fleet, Russian Navy and which coincided with visit from People’s Chinese Navy in same week. REEL 48 Continues: relationship built with Admiral Vladimir Yegorov; visit to Russian Navy warship; memories of Admiral Vladimir Yegorov; background to later visit to Russian Embassy in London at time of Kosovo War, 1999; continued meetings with Admiral Vladimir Yegorov; attitude towards role as Flag Officer Sea Training. Recollections of period as chief of staff with Headquarters, Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Naples, Italy, 1999-2002: appointment to command; history of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Mediterranean; character of headquarters. REEL 49 Continues: nature of change in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Southern Europe, including location of various headquarters and chain of command; problem of various nationalities working together in Allied Forces Southern Europe; situation on arrival at headquarters; headquarters office and staff; problems of various nationalities working together at headquarters; concerns of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) involvement in Kosovo War; Partnerships for Peace with newer members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); background to naval exercise off Georgia; question of millennium bug. REEL 50 Continues: frustrations of political aspects of work at headquarters; responsibilities for British interests and personnel in region; character of accommodation and personal staff; effect on morale of frustrations of living in environment; effects of national causes on military effectiveness of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and frustrations of situation; problems of dealing with Italian Navy admiral superior. REEL 51 Continues: question of historic relations with Italians; methods employed to foster relations with Italians; story of visit by House of Commons parliamentary defence committee; story of visit from Defence Minister Geoff Hoon; visit to commemorative services at Monte Cassino; attitude to service in Naples, Italy. REEL 52 Continues: question of movement of headquarters into new joint headquarters; liaison with Royal Navy contingent in Verona; morale in headquarters; effect of attacks on Twin Towers in New York, United States of America on change of command ceremony, 11/9/2001; amusing story of Italian attitude towards health and safety; background to appointment as Commandant of Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, GB; leaving role, 2/2002. Recollections of period as Commandant of Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, GB, 2002-2003: background to formation and construction of college; accommodation in commandant’s house; command setup at college and personal staff; courses run at college. REEL 53 Continues: amusing story of visit by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott; dealing with Very Important Persons (VIPs) visits; nature of Advanced Staff Course and those who attended it; methods employed to improve family social life and morale of those attending courses; relations with and edicts introduced by new Commandant of Defence Academy; usefulness of presence of international students. REEL 54 Continues: attempts to impress personal ethos to college students; symposium held on Falklands War; attitude towards potential war with Iraq, 9/2002; background to decision to take early retirement from Royal Navy, 10/2002; leaving college, 2/2003; obtaining role with Mary Rose Trust; belief in illegality of Iraq War and outcome; question of reasons for military interventions by Western nations; question of British Government’s approach to threat of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. REEL 55 Continues: ceremony on leaving Commandant of Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, GB, 3/2003; attitude to service with Royal Navy. [Short Reel] REEL 56 Continues: Recollections of period as Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth, GB, 2003-2015: question of challenging nature of role; description of heritage present of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard; arrival at Mary Rose Trust and initial presentation of future plans; state of trust on arrival; backlog of artefacts to converse and awaiting display; decision to audit collection; history of discovery and recovery of artefacts of Mary Rose; problems with publication; other vessels dealt with by trust; state of finance and improvements; initial attempt to forge team spirit and state of morale. REEL 57 Continues: dive expedition to find remains of Mary Rose in The Solent; character of the board of trustees; story of attending first meeting of board of trustees; attempts to merge elements of trust with Royal Naval Museum; state of wreck of Mary Rose on arrival and need to provide funding for conversation of it; formulating the future design for museum; budgeting for trust; second dive on remains of ship in The Solent; emphasising education on site; fund raising. REEL 58 Continues: receiving funding from Heritage Lottery Fund; setting up of museum committee; question of new museum’s design; nature of winning design; question of cost of new museum and funding raising; dealing with Heritage Lottery Fund; reasons for failing of Heritage Lottery Fund bid; auditing and reviewing of failed bid to Heritage Lottery Fund; renewed approach to future Heritage Lottery Fund bid; discovery of keys to interpret collection; decision to display human remains in museum. REEL 59 Continues: background to recruitment of deputy chief executive; background to production of publication; decision not to have an replicas in museum; bidding for construction phase of museum; background to fund raising for museum; demolishing of old museum and construction of new museum; effects of recession; tendering for construction of museum; procurement of steel for project. REEL 60 Continues: method of funding construction process; funding cash short fall; background to setting up curatorial advisory committee; curatorial input to final museum; volunteers; initial reaction to progress of construction; introduction of new technology to keep the ship and artefacts air conditions; visit by Prince Harry; conservation of artefacts and their movement into new museum; end of ship spraying and start of drying process; opening of Mary Rose Museum, 31/5/2013; decision to leave Mary Rose Museum, 2015 and attitude towards role as chief executive.