Spotting HMS Vanguard sailing into Gare Loch when he was a teenager, secured in Ron’s mind that a career in the Royal Navy was for him. Although with eight O-Levels he could have gone through officer training, the financial cost of mess life meant he opted instead to join as a Mechanician Apprentice.

He served on surface fleet for six years before volunteering for the Submarine Service, where he completed his Part Three training in half the usual time. After many years on patrol with diesel and nuclear submarines, Ron transferred to SETT in Gosport where he began training other submariners.

During this period, Ron was also part of the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group (SPAG), completing 20 missions over the years. He went on to work at the Submarine School at HMS Dolphin before leaving the service after more than 30 years.

Gain a better insight into life as a Submariner by listening to Ron’s many fascinating stories below.