HMS Collingwood Officers' Association

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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!

We’re really happy to take feedback – so do let our Webmaster know if something’s not right or could be improved!

For all the latest on what’s going on in the Establishment, check out the Royal Navy’s website:
HMS Collingwood

  • WARDROOM/OA Social Events 2025

    WED 19th MARCH 2025 CHARITY HORSE RACING NIGHT, Wardroom Main Bar

    Lt Pete Macaulay is Running a Marathon for Alabaré. 

    As such he will be hosting a Charity Horse Racing Night in the WR Main Bar on 19 Mar.  

    • Tasteful Fancy Dress encouraged (Tweed, a day at the races)  
    • Further details to follow!  

    WED 26th MARCH 2025 WO&SR MESS EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA QUIZ NIGHT 

    • 19:15 Start
    • £1 Entry
    • Teams of 6

    TUE 1st APRIL 2025 WO&SR MESS COMEDY NIGHT RETURNS

    • 18:45 for 19:30
    • Free Entry

    SAT 3rd MAY 2025 ARMY NAVY RUGBY at TWICKENHAM 

    • £65 for Mess Members, £70 for Guests
    • Bucks Fizz + Bacon Sandwich Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Coach Travel & Top Tier Tickets
    • Sign up HERE

    THU 5th JUNE 2025 – GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE MESS DINNER

    RAdm Iain Lower, Deputy Master of Trinity House (Former Dir StratPol) 

    SAT 26th JULY 2025 SUMMER HOLIDAY WARDROOM SUMMER BALL 

    • Ticket Prices: £75 for Mess Members, £75 for first guest and £80 thereafter.  
    • Food, Music and Fairground Rides. 
    • FREE BAR/Dessert Room/Fish and Chips (Survivors Meal)  
    • SUMMER BALL SIGN UP HERE 

    PROVISIONAL DATE – FRI 31st OCTOBER OA LADIES TRAFALGAR NIGHT

    Christmas Raffle Sign Up – CHRISTMAS! RAFFLE! ALREADY?  

  • Informal Lunch

    Sadly due to lack of numbers the informal lunch on Friday 21st February 2025 is CANCELLED.

  • Wardroom Burns Night

    A group of us were privileged to enjoy the Wardroom Burns Night this year on Thursday 23rd January. It was an excellent evening attended by Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Rates of the Royal Navy, Royal Airforce, Army, their guests and of course Members of the Officers Association – some 150 in all.

    Exceptional Haggis (+Neaps & Tatties), Steaks and Cranachan, coupled with stirring Pipes & Drums, a great Ceilidh Band and lively, energetic Scottish Dancing!

  • Remembrance Ceremonies

    Remembrance Parade, HMS Collingwood

    Monday 11th November was an overcast morning threatening rain at HMS COLLINGWOOD; nevertheless over two hundred Officers, Staff, Trainees and Civilians mustered at 1030 at the Falklands Memorial for the Remembrance Day Parade.

    An ecumenical service led by the Establishment Chaplain included prayers and a reflection, culminating in the last post and the two minutes silence.

    A roll call of those in Naval Service who had died during the previous twelve months was read out and wreaths were laid by Captain Tim Davey on behalf of the Establishment and by Captain Jim Palmer on behalf of the Officers’ Association.

  • 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

    This year’s OA Annual General Meeting was held in the HMS COLLINGWOOD Wardroom on Friday 7th June 2024. Minutes of the meeting will be published on the Committee Minutes page when available. Many thanks to those members who attended.

Joining

If you would like to know more about the Association, or would like to join, please contact our Membership and Social Secretary, Lt Cdr Martin Carr, Email: social@hmscoa.org.