Being born to RAF parents, Andy grew up in Lancashire, where he remained until he joined the Navy at the age of 18 as an artificer apprentice.

He started out on surface ships, took officer training at Dartmouth and completed an engineering degree at Manadon in Plymouth.

Andy served on surface ships in the Gulf War, before he “saw the light” and moved over to the Submarine Service as a Weapons Engineer.

In the latter half of his career Andy was involved with submarine design and trials, bringing new sonars into operation.

Describing the escape tower in Gosport as “the best fairground ride I’ve every been on,” Andy shares his extensive wealth of knowledge and experience during our two and a half hour conversation.