20/09/2026
It is with real sadness that we pass on the news that Lt Patricia ‘Pat’ Hardman has passed away. Lt Hardman was a volunteer with Portland Unit for many years having first got involved in the 1970s when her sons, Daren and Paul, joined as Sea Cadets. In typical Pat style she thought she’d go along and help out, which was initially with helping with the Cadet’s NAAFI break (now more commonly known as ‘Stand Easy’!).
Always up for an adventure, Pat then progressed in to uniform as a Petty Officer with the Girls Nautical Training Contingent (G.N.T.C.). She later became a 3rd Officer and took on the role of Officer-in-Charge G.N.T.C. at Portland Unit. She would go on to lead the Unit through the transition period as the organisation was absorbed into the main Sea Cadet Corps, and held the rank of Lieutenant (SCC).
Over the years, Pat supported so many Cadet activities and absolutely loved teaching Cadets and inspiring us to take on new challenges! She gave young people such great life experiences and skills, however she had two subjects that she particularly enjoyed – she loved her sailing and got many of us out on the water learning to sail, including on week-long courses at the South West Area Boat Station (SWABS) in Weymouth. She was also a keen target r***e shooter who taught many the skill of .22 r***e shooting with Lee-Enfield r***es throughout the winter months in the very cold indoor range at the (old) Sea Cadet centre in Weymouth!
As an indication of Pat’s drive for adventure, she led a group of 4 Officers and 16 G.N.T.C. cadets on a 10 day trip to Datteln, West Germany, where they were hosted by the German Sea Cadets and stayed on a shore-based minesweeper. Pat’s husband, Lt Cdr (SCC) Nigel Hardman, became the Commanding Officer of Portland Sea Cadets, and they jointly also led two trips to H.M.S. ROOKE in Gibraltar where the Instructors and Cadets had a packed programme exploring the ‘Rock’.
Pat and Nigel both stepped back from Sea Cadets in July 1992, but still to this day had maintained contact with many from their time with the Unit.
Lt Hardman was a fantastic Instructor, highly respected by all. Pat will be forever remembered with much warmth and fondness, having had a real effect on so many young people. We wish her fair winds and following seas. Our thoughts are with Nigel and his family at this difficult time. With much love from the Committee, Staff and Cadets of T.S. PENN, both past and present.
