HMS Collingwood Officers' Association

OA Sword – 2018

Lieutenant Lucy Robus Royal Navy – Citation

Lt Robus is an outstanding Officer with the ability to lead and inspire others. She delivers a consistent and impressive performance across all her areas of responsibility, guiding Young Officers through their fundamental training at a formative stage of their career. Joining the Maritime Warfare School in September 2017 from two highly successfully navigating officer assignments at sea she has displayed professionalism, coupled with unfailing enthusiasm and dedication.

The Course Manager and Lead Instructor for Initial Warfare Officers Course, she has been key to improving first time pass rates, which is testament to her exceptional knowledge and ability to mentor others. She has been fundamental to redesign of the course, expending it to include a greater degree of practical training and assessment. This is paying dividends for Officers joining front line warships. Additionally she led the redesign and refurbishment of 2 classrooms bringing them to the highest of standards for instruction.

Photo of Lt Lucy Robus being presented with the OA sword by HRH The Princess Royal at Divisions on 20 July 2018
Lt Lucy Robus is presented with the OA sword by HRH The Princess Royal at Divisions on 20 July 2018

Her infectious personal drive and passion attracts consistent praise from her students and positive feedback from the units they join. Engaging and personable, she genuinely cares for her students, interested equally in their personal welfare as well as their professional development. She is motivated to ensure they are as prepared as possible for their future careers and drives them to perform to their very best.

Outside of her core role, she is a qualified as a Trauma Risk Management advisor, providing  non-medical support to those exposed to trauma and is also a Victim Liaison Officer for the whole Establishment. In addition, she is always ready to undertake for additional responsibility, running the Bridge Simulator for Open Day and volunteering for Ceremonial Duties both within the Establishment (Guard Officer for Divisions) and representing the Royal Navy at national events, such as the November Ceremonies in London.

Lt Robus is a dedicated young Officer with a very bright future. She recently completed her Junior Command Qualification Board, well ahead of her peers; an experienced Royal Navy examiner described her performance as one of the best he had ever seen.  She is on the right track for future Warship Command.

An extremely loyal, trusted and capable Officer, Lt Robus represents the finest values and ethos of the service. She has my very strongest recommendation for award of the HMS COLLINGWOOD Officers’ Association Sword.

A Short History of the OA Sword 2018

The original owner of the HMS Collingwood Officers’ Association 2018 Sword was Henry Antony Simpson. He was born on 15th November 1893. The sword was made by Wilkinson’s in 1913 so it is highly likely he was the first owner. His name is engraved on the sword.

Photo of Lt Simpson with Sub Lt Nicholson on board HMS Swift
Lt Simpson RN is on the right with Sub Lt Nicholson RN on board HMS Swift; a Destroyer Leader

H A Simpson was a Lt during WW1 and served in HMS Swift and HMS Moth. He was awarded the DSC. Research has uncovered the following information.

 8 MAY 1917 – DOVER STRAITS ACTION

Honours for Service in the Action Between H.M. Ships “Swift” and “Broke” and German Destroyers on the night of the 20th to 21st of April, 1917.

….. award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the undermentioned Officers for their services during this action: 

Lieut. Henry Antony Simpson, R.N. Executive Officer and Gunnery Lieut. of H.M.S. “Swift.” He displayed great coolness and method in the control of fire which he had very ably organised and zealously drilled, and greatly assisted his commanding officer throughout the action. 

During WW2 there was a Captain H A Simpson DSC OBE serving at Port Said as Chief of Staff.

The sword has been kindly donated by Mrs Judith Turner, widow of the late Lt Cdr John Turner RN who owned this sword. A brief summary of John’s career is as below:

  • John Richard Lindsay Turner
  • Joined BRNC September 1962 with a Naval Scholarship. (Grenville Division)
  • 5 years on the General List before qualifying as a helicopter pilot.
  • Wasp conversion. Naval diver.
  • Captain of HMS Bossington, coastal minesweeper; awarded the MBE for mine clearance in the Suez Canal.
  • Senior pilot at Portland.
  • Staff course at RNC Greenwich.
  • Loan service to Qatar driving patrol boats.
  • Hovercraft pilot at HMS Daedalus
  • Hong Kong, driving hovercraft to stop illegal immigrants.
  • HMS Canberra, the Great White Whale, during the Falklands campaign.
Photo of the late Lieutenant Commander John Turner MBE RN on his return from the Falklands War
John Turner on his return from the Falklands War
Photo of Sub Lieutenant John Turner RN at BRNC in 1965 holding his sword
John Turner at BRNC in 1965 holding his sword

He retired in 1983 but continued to fly helicopters for a few years.

Judith is the sister of Linda Edmonds, who is the wife of Lt Cdr Mike Edmonds RN who kindly donated his sword last year (2017).

Grateful thanks to Captain John McGrath RN, a member of the OA who has kindly produced this summary of interest.