The Association of Royal Navy Officers

23/08/2026

The Official China Fleet Country Club Trust has received a £79,440 grant from Greenwich Hospital to deliver a new Submarine Service Wellbeing and Family Resilience Support Pilot, providing dedicated support to serving members of the Submarine Service community and their families.

The18-month pilot programme is designed to address the unique welfare challenges experienced by serving members of the Royal Navy Submarine Service and their families, and aims to;

Alleviate loneliness and isolation.
Maintain and strengthen family relationships.
Improve and sustain good mental health and wellbeing.

The pilot will support:

Personnel affected by displaced maintenance periods in Devonport, Faslane and Barrow-in-Furness.
Families experiencing prolonged separation due to deployments and patrol commitments.
Personnel returning from demanding submarine patrols.
Single submariners affected by isolation and separation from their support networks.
Command Teams seeking to recognise exceptional commitment and reward personnel for sustained operational effort.
Eligible personnel and families will be able to access funded wellbeing breaks at the China Fleet Country Club, including:

A three-night bed and breakfast stay for families or individual personnel.
Complimentary access to the Club's Aqua Spa, swimming pool, gym, racquet sports and other health and wellbeing facilities.
Travel assistance of up to £200 together with Devonport taxi support costs.
Command-led reward and recognition opportunities.
Additional welfare interventions where individual or family need is identified.

Eligible personnel or those seeking further information are encouraged to contact the Trust Fund team: [email protected]

19/08/2026

We will remember them

Twenty-one ‘Wrens’ of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and one Naval Nursing Sister lost their lives when British steam passenger liner SS Aguila was sunk by enemy action in the North Atlantic in 1941.

Aguila left Liverpool bound for Gibraltar as part of a convoy of 23 ships on 13 August carrying at least 86 Royal Navy personnel – including 21 Wrens – and six civilian passengers.

On 19 August the Aguila was hit by a torpedo. She was part of the first convoy to be attacked by a German U-boat 'wolfpack' and sank in under two minutes.

There were only 16 survivors: ten were picked up by HMS Wallflower and six, including the surviving Wrens, were picked up by the Empire Oak, a 484-ton steam tug.

Three days later, on 22 August, the Empire Oak was also torpedoed and sunk.

In all, eight ships from the original convoy were sunk and none of the 21 Wrens survived.

The Aguila Memorial commemorates the 21 Wrens of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and one Naval Nursing Sister who lost their lives following the attack on SS Aguila.

The memorial, featuring a beautifully carved wooden wren, is in the heart of the Women’s Royal Naval Service Memorial Garden, which has been designed to encourage birds, insects and butterflies. The pathways are laid in the shape of an anchor around rose beds planted with ‘Wren’ roses.

19/08/2026

Are you pension aware?

Free live webinar: Understanding Your Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Your Armed Forces Pension is one of the most valuable benefits of service, but how well do you understand yours?

As part of the MOD's Pension Awareness Week 2026, (The WEA) is hosting a free live webinar for serving personnel, reservists and veterans, covering AFPS 75, 05 and 15, plus Early Departure Payments.

WEA Armed Forces Pension experts David Scholey and Marty Small, themselves Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans, will explain the schemes, what they mean for their members and answer questions throughout the live session.

Wednesday 16 September 2026, 13:00–14:30 | Online via MS Teams.
Register to attend: 317d7a71-f9e3-48e1-a572-119a56acfd70@9e902c46-439c-4b5d-b4ae-572ded6ed2b9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/317d7a71-f9e3-48e1-a572-119a56acfd70@9e902c46-439c-4b5d-b4ae-572ded6ed2b9

Know your scheme. Know your entitlements. Know your choices. Be pension aware.

19/08/2026

11/08/2026

Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. We are at the heart of supporting our Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families, past, present and future. If you would like to contribute to a world in which our sailors, marines,...

11/08/2026

Great to see the Amazon team in Gateshead supporting such a worthwhile local project at the museum.

It’s particularly pleasing to see one of our own members James playing a part in the team’s efforts.

A great example of the contribution our members make across their professional, naval and local communities. Well done to everyone involved! 👏

A tourist attraction has strengthened ties with a major distribution centre.

10/08/2026

🌸 Field of Remembrance - Plant a Tribute

The ARNO is one of 5 new associations and organisations to have a plot in the 98th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

We are very pleased to offer the opportunity for members to buy crosses or other tributes and have them ‘planted’ by the ARNO Team ahead of the private Royal opening and dedication service which takes place on 5 November 2026.

If you are not a member of The ARNO but would like to dedicate a tribute, you can join here: https://www.arno.org.uk/join/

07/08/2026

#🏳️‍⚧️⚓🏳️‍🌈Maritime UK, Pride in Maritime at Southampton Pride 2026, takes place over the weekend of 29–30 August 2026.

This year promises to be a fantastic celebration of diversity, inclusion and community, and Maritime UK, Pride in Maritime are proud to be representing the UK maritime sector.
Pride in Maritime will be marching in the parade and hosting an information stand throughout the event, and they would love to have as many colleagues, friends and supporters from across the industry with them as possible.

Whether you would like to:

• March alongside them in the parade;
• Volunteer for a few hours at the Pride in Maritime stand; or
• Simply go along to show your support,

your involvement would be greatly appreciated.

This year's attendance has been made possible through the incredible support of The Seafarers' Charity, with Warsash Maritime School joining them as a valued partner. They are also extremely grateful to Carnival UK, who have very kindly invited Pride in Maritime to march alongside their team during the parade.

Pride is an opportunity to demonstrate that the maritime industry is one where everyone can feel welcome, respected and able to thrive. Your presence will help send a powerful message of support to LGBTQ+ colleagues across the sector.
If you would like to attend, march with them or volunteer on the stand, please contact Lee at: lcmaritime

04/08/2026

Who do you know worthy of nomination?

The Plymouth Community Awards celebrate the achievements of people in the community who inspire through their feats against adversity and their tireless dedication to creating change.

This year, for the first time, and proudly sponsored by the China Fleet Country Club, there will be a Military Award. The award recognises an individual whose dedicated military service has reflected honour, courage and commitment to the country, while making a positive and lasting impact within the community.

Does this sound like someone you know? Nominate them here: https://www.ymcaplymouth.org.uk/plymouth-community-awards/

This year’s awards will take place on Friday 13th November 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth.

29/07/2026

Looking for promotion?

The AFPRB reported that last year “We heard that some personnel were choosing not to pursue promotion, believing that the additional pay did not adequately reflect the increased responsibilities, the level of commitment and stress associated with more senior roles” What do you think? Have your say in our Pay Questionnaire, this is your opportunity to shape your pay and allowances: https://buff.ly/yyzwkrJ