Lieutenant Commander Clive Hewins RNR

LtCDR Hewins

I first joined the RNR at 16 as JRO(3) in Grimsby whilst still at school.  Left in order to train in the Merchant Navy and then rejoined the RNR as a Sub Lieutenant Seaman Officer in 1980.  After completing basic RN training courses I enjoyed several periods as a watchkeeping officer on Ton class minesweepers and offshore patrol vessels doing Fishery Protection duties.

I transferred to the Naval Control of Shipping branch for a time during the Cold War period and took part in Convoy Exercises both ashore, as a boarding officer, and afloat on Convoy Commodores staff.  Exercises afloat took me to Norway and France as we practiced zig zagging and anti submarine manoeuvers in convoy all in preparation for Red Storm Rising.

With the end of the Cold War I transferred to the Amphibious Warfare Branch. I now go away to sea most years working as a Watchkeeper within the Assault Squadrons on the Navy’s newest ships Albion and Bulwark.  Recent exercises have taken me to Norway and the Arctic in winter, Sierra Leone and the Baltic.

Twenty nine years in so far and still having fun.