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This Web Site aims to make it easier to find out about the Officers’ Association and what we’re doing, whether you’re a member or new to the site. Do have a look round!




  • Wardroom Burns Night

    You and 1 Guest are invited to join in the Wardroom Burns Night on Thursday 23rd January 2025.
    Booking details via the QR code below.
    Poetry from Scotland’s National Poet, Pipe Band, Ceilidh Band
    1845 for 1930 – £42 per person

  • Wardroom Christmas Lunch

    The Book is now closed for this event, you can still book through the wardroom system but please annotate the OA table if you wish to sit with us.

    You can still purchase Raffle Draw tickets using the link previously emailed out to members, tickets are £1ea and will be charged to your OA account and recovered by the mess on your DDI. If you need further details please contact the Social Sec at social@hmscoa.org.

  • Informal Lunch

    Sadly the take up for the informal lunch planned for Friday 22nd November is not sufficient to make the event viable.

    We will be holding another informal lunch in the COLLINGWOOD room on Friday 21st February 2025. This will be a relaxed 2 course meal and a glass of port (wine and other drinks can be purchased from the bar (Card Only)) No speeches, just a chance to get together; Spouse/Partners/Guests most welcome. Our last lunch was a round £19 per head. Closing date Wednesday 12th February 2025. Dirlauth with the Social Sec at social@hmscoa.org or 07534290546. If you do not have a valid COLLINGWOOD pass please also provide vehicle details.

  • Fish & Chip Lunches

    We’ve decided to start a regular monthly OA Friday Fish & Chip Lunch. This will be a very informal ‘Fish and Chip’ lunch in the main dining room using the standard lunchtime menu and on a serve yourself basis. Cost is around £5 per head and will be CARD ONLY charged at the end of the servery. A chance to catch up at a relatively low cost, the bar will open at 11:45 and we need to be in the dining room for 12:30. The next Lunch is:

    Friday 17th January 2025 – Fish & Chip Lunch. Closing date for booking will be Friday 8th January 2025

  • OA Sword 2024

    Photo of Admiral Connell inspecting the Guard
    Rear Admiral Connell inspects the Guard

    On the 3rd May this year, the OA Sword was presented at Ceremonial Divisions at HMS COLLINGWOOD by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Martin Connell CBE. We were treated to an arms display by the Guard, as well as three rifle volleys and a march past by the whole parade.

    The OA Sword had previously belonged to Lt Cdr Ted Wood, born in 1921 who joined the Royal Navy in 1937 as an Engine Room Artificer Apprentice and served throughout the war, including in battleship HMS NELSON (1941-1943) during the Siege of Malta and later HMS JAVELIN (1943-1946). He retired as a Lieutenant Commander in around 1971. A huge thank you to his son, Mr Richard Wood, who very kindly donated the sword.

    Photo of Admiral Connell presenting the OA Sword
    Admiral Connell present Lt Cdr Lowe with the OA Sword for Lt Jones

    A beautiful slightly curved model, the sword was purchased second hand from Daufman’s Tailors of Queen Street, Portsea in the 1950s but was thought to have originally been sold in around 1900 from Matthews & Co Naval Tailors of Wickham Road, Portsea.

    The Sword was awarded to Lieutenant Will Jones, for his work in the career management for all junior Warfare Officers. Many congratulations to Lt Jones for this award and we wish him well in his future career. Unfortunately, in true Naval style, Will was deployed 24 hours before the ceremony, so the sword was accepted on his behalf by Lt Cdr Gav Lowe. We hope to arrange a small ceremony when Will returns to the UK.

  • Annual General Meeting

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