Mission Accomplished! Updated see below

High everybody, Just a quick thank you to all those who are still donating. We have just received another £100 pounds from the Lee Family, a £40 Pound Donation from the lads presently on course (we couldn't find a winner for our game of Killer Pool), and an Amazing Donation of £750 from Father Carmichael, the Roman Catholic Priest in HMS Drake's Chaplaincy. Remember the donations are going to close at the end of the year so if you would still like to contribute you will have to be quick. Thanks again to you all.


Well its done. We reached our target of £3000 today thanks to a wonderful donation from Jennie Duce, one of the many brilliantly supportive people we met in London at the weekend. And what a weekend it was! From the moment we arrived at the finish line on Friday afternoon everyone we met was incredibly supportive.

After an evening out at Haringey Sea Cadets and a donation from John Fillingham and TS Wizard, we were up early Saturday morning to enjoy the superb weather with a stroll across Hyde Park. Then it was on to the memorial Service at Westminster Abbey and a big thank you to Ian Tyson & Bob Nunn for setting it all up. It was an educational and emotional experience for us all and seeing the grave stone of the Unknown Soldier put a lump in everyone's throat and many of the students commented on how much it seemed to put the little we were doing into perspective.



















On completion it was our first real chance to relax and we conducted a slow stroll back through London seeing some wonderful sights and visiting some great pubs. All the time getting a warm response from the public. The highlight for some(and me especially) was being allowed into Downing street for a photo outside Number 10!


On Sunday it was up early and off to the Embankment for the Remembrance service. For some strange reason we seem to have lost the photos of that ceromony, so if any of you have any of the SMQ platoon we would love to see them.i thought i would take this oppurtunity to say thanks for all the donations still coming in with a special mention to the Submarine Associations of Medway, London, Coventry, Derbyshire, Gosport, Manchester and the Submarine Coxswains Association. If you haven't had your thank you letters yet, trust me, its in the post. What happens now you might ask? Well we intend to keep the list open until Xmas and then we will have a formal presentation to a representative of the SW Childrens Heart Circle, of course we will as ever keep you informed.

Friday - The Arrival into London

After four days of hard work from the boys, it was time to make our final journey from Hounslow, into London itself. The team as usual split into two, with the 'not running' group doing some final charity work and making final arrangements. 'The Runners' on the other hand set off with perfect weather and permitting traffic, where running went smoothly for the whole 16 miles into Trafalgar Square. After an hour of final charity work we set off running down to the Embankment for the final stint at the Submariners memorial, met by Commodore W J Keegan, the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh.

After Tea and Medals we disappeared up to our hotel

next to the Marble Arch for a well deserved shower and a nice warm bed. With a service at Westminster Abbey the following day, we checked in to prepare the weekend's events.

More Reports and photos to follow.

A Word from the OIC.

Having just finished Day 3 I feel it’s time for a quick summary of events so far.
On Monday after a fine send off from the CDR Dunn OC Submarine School we enjoyed fine weather as we climbed out of Plymouth and on to Yelverton. Inspired and suitable nourished thanks to Crownhill Community Centre making a fine tray of bacon and sausage sandwiches to help us on our way, we made good time to Yelverton . Crossing over Dartmoor was a picturesque delight as the sun forced its way through the morning mist. All runners at this stage were full of enthusiasm and chomping at the bit to get out and do their stint. After a morning interview on radio Devon we noticed the public were taking more interest in us and responding by offering plenty of donations This was followed by interviews for local press and radio Gemini and Plymouth Sound.
Meanwhile down in Exeter the recruiting boys from Exeter Careers office were setting up shop in goldsmiths square ably assisted by Po Cogley and CH Guthrie who whilst spinning lengthy submarine stories (dits) collected a mound of donations. A big thanks to Mervin and his boys for their help.
We arrived at Exeter to a warm reception ahead of schedule and in good spirits
On Tuesday we set off from Exeter sea cadets at 0800 and found the morning rush hour difficult but managed to ease our way out to Honiton via the airport. Once passed Honiton we attempted to go across country to Chard only to find the chosen route unsuitable for the support wagon although great for the runners. We re-assessed and headed back to Kilmington and then up to Crewkerne adding some seven miles to the run yet still making Yeovil ahead of time.
Again our recruiting team had been doing fine work in the Quedam shopping centre and a big thank you to Graham and his team.
As your probably aware our stay in Yeovilton was a night to remember and very successful in raising funds.
On Wednesday we set off somewhat less enthusiastically as the aches and pains were starting to tell. Having the longest day ahead of us we made good time as we crossed Somerset and Wiltshire. Another interview with Somerset sound had obviously been well received as cars approached our support wagon to pass over donations.
Outside the guildhall in Andover Graeme Davison from Southampton careers office had set up their recruiting stall and again with our support had a fine day and raised lots of interest in the army Town.
Well that’s it for now: more tomorrow.

Day 3...Halloween. (A Scary day instore)

The day that is traditionally is reserved for ghouls and spooks to rise from the dead, accurately describes how the team looked this morning. The excess of the previous nights exertions are beginning to catch up with everyone, as "Paddy" Mac complained constantly of his bad back from his previous nights dancing escapades!




Today had been a tough test with a total of 63 miles covered by the team and thankfully the weather has been good for the three days, which is more than can be said of PO "Terry" Coggley`s "Dits" and "Robbie" Roberts map reading!


The public of Shaftsbury where extremely generous, donating over £150 in just 2 hours outside Tesco`s.

AB "Rushie" Rush leads the way into Andover.

The Lads are beginning to feel the strain of the run today. Even "Crazy Wiggy" Bennett, who recently ran over 200km through the Amazon rain forest, is feeling the strain.


"My legs are stiffening up, it wasn`t this bad in the jungle!"


The squad arrived on schedule at Andover and after a quick shower and food at Trenchant Lines military base the majority of the team had an early night, as legs and feet struggled to cope with the grueling punishment they have received so far.

Above; the squad pictured in Andover after completing day 3, with recruitment team.

Day 2... and the legs are stating to ache

After the success of the first days effort we settled down in Exeter and and took up an invitation at "The White Ensign Club" for a few refreshing pints. Some of the younger lads discoverd the delights of line dancing and enjoyed the female companionship this brought even if some of the women where older than their Grand Parents!

We owe all the patrons of the "White Ensign Club" a great thanks for their donation to chaity and their hospitality.

Day Two began with a beautiful clear and crisp morning to greet the first runner. We made good progress and arrived in Yeovilton on time, despite the runner and support wagon losing their way for an hour! We received a few curious looks from farmers as a runner, in fluescent training top and mini bus, with fashing amber light slowly passed their farm yards.

The bus had to make a few unschedued stops for members of the team who where, "caught short" and in need of releif

The team spent Tuesday night at RNAS Yeovilton and a big thank you must go to the Leading Hands and Corpral`s mess who organised a halloween party for us, with all proceeds going to the South West Children`s Heart Circle. The bar really got into the swing of things with some fantastic fancy dress. The winner of the scaryist costume award must go to CPO "Mac" Bayliss whose "civies" looked like somthing out of a 70`s horror movie!

With females in the bar, the young lads could only watch in awe as "Paddy" Mac strutted his stuff and got close and personnel with "cat woman" and a "sexy nun."

A big thank you to the Mess president, Keith Armitage and vice president Hayley Smith and their staff, for taking the time and effort to organise the party for us.

With sore heads and aching limbs it is on to day 3.....

We are under way!

Day 1 over and so far, so good. We arrived at Exeter well ahead of schedule and without picking up any injuries! The weather has been fantastic and the support we have received from the public has been encouraging.

The squad set off on time from HMS Raleigh at 08:00 and covered the 42 miles to Exeter at a faster then expected pace. The whole squad covered at least 5 miles of rough terrain over Dartmoor.

Our accommodation for Monday night is at Exeter Sea Cadets, and food was served piping hot by two of our senior runners by PO "Franky Fat Legs" Harris, and CPO "Tan in-a-Can" Woods.

So no aching legs, no heart attacks and moral is high entering day 2. But for now it`s off to the British Legion for some "Team Building".

Good luck to the team tomorrow.

The SMQ (South) Running & Support Team Squad

Final preparations are now being made for SMQ (south)'s challenging relay run from HMS Raleigh in Cornwall to Westminster Abbey. At 08:00 on Monday 29 October, WO(COXN)SM Robbie Roberts, who conceived the idea of the run, after suffering a heart attack last year, will set off on the first leg. The Runners will be sent on there way by CDR Rob Dunn, OCRNSMS.

Some of the squad are looking forward to the challenge, AB "Bruce" Lee said, "I am looking forward to it, my family are from London so it is going to be good to get back, as i really miss my mum.(lol)"

The team consists of; Runners: WO Robbie Roberts, CPO Woody Woods, CPO Mac Bayliss, PO Harry Harris, LWEA Bennett, MA Fred Perry, AB Ricky D'arcy, AB Bruce Lee, AB Ratty Rowland, AB Rushy Rush, AB Jamie Birse, AB Fraser Bricknell and logistical support: WO Paddy McElroy, CPO Pete Chapell, PO Terry Cogley, LET Marcus Sloan, CH Guthrie.

Route and times for Run: Obviously all times are approximate.
Day 1:
The recruiting stand and some of our team members will be in attendance behind M&S from 1100.
—0800 RNSMS HMS Raleigh
—0845 Torpoint Ferry
—0900 Stoke
—0950 Roborough
—1100 Yelverton
—1215 Princetown
—1400 Moretonhamstead
—1630 Exeter Shopping Mall/Behind Marks & Spencer's
—Total mileage 55 miles
—Drinks in Exeter British Legion from 1930.

Day 2: Tues 30 Oct. 2007
Recruiting stand in Quedam Shopping Mall from 1100
—0800 Exeter Sea Cadets
—0900 Exeter Airport
—1030 Honiton
—1200 Chard
—1330 Crewkerne
—1500 Yeovil (Quedam Shopping Mall)
—1630 RNAS Yeovilton
—Total mileage 59
—Drinks In RNAS Yeovilton L/hands and Corporals mess from 1930

Day 3: Wed 31 Oct 07
Recruiting stand outside Guildhall on High street from 1200.
—0800 RNAS Yeovilton
—0900 Sherbourne
—1100 Shaftsbury
—1400 Salisbury
—1500 Lopcombe Corner
—1630 Andover (Outside Guildhall)
—Total Mileage 61
—Drinks in Andover British Legion from 1930(tbc)

Day 4: Thurs 1 Nov 07
—0830 Andover
—0930 Whitchurch
—1100 Basingstoke
—1200 Hook
—1300 Camberley
—1400 Suningdale
—1500 Staines
—1630 Hounslow (& Feltham) Sea Cadets
—Total mileage 59
—Drinks Venue tbc

Day 5: Fri 2 Nov 07
—0900 Hounslow Sea Cadets
—1100 Hyde park corner
—1200 Trafalgar square
—1300 The Mall
—1400 The Embankment
—1415 Submariners Memorial embankment
Met By Commodore HMS Raleigh, Commodore Keegan, & London Reception Committee.
Drinks on HMS President from 1430-1530. All are welcome.

Submariners London Run

On October 29th, 5 instructors and five students from SMQ (south), intend to run from HMS Raleigh in Cornwall to Westminster over a period of five days, arriving at the Submariners Memorial on the Embankment at 1415 on Friday 2 November 2007. The team will attend a Service at Westminster Abbey at 1300 on Saturday 3rd November and take part in the Memorial Parade on the embankment on Sunday 4th Nov at 1100




The instructors and students have been training hard throughout the summer, in order to complete this mammoth task.

All participants have been following a rigorous training programme consisting of weight training, CV work and of course long distance runs. One of the instructors PO Harris has been pleased with his preparation, "The training has been tough, but I am sure I will be grateful come the week of the run."

The students taking part in the run are all currently under instruction to qualify as submariners. One of the instructors, CPO Bayiss, (pictured below with some of the students) said, "They are a great bunch of lads and are doing well on their course. I will be happy to serve with any of them on a submarine."

The students pictured are; AB(TSM) Lee Rowland, AB (CISSM) Jamie Birse, AB (WESM) Joe Rush and AB (TSM) Ricky D`Arcy who said, "I am looking forward to the run, its for a great cause and it should be a lot of fun."

Please support the submariners doing the run and the South West Children`s Heart Circle by sending as much money as you can to:

SMQ SOUTHEXMOUTH BLOCK
HMS DRAKE
PLYMOUTH
PL2 2BG

For further information or donate directly visit: www.justgiving.co.uk/submarinerslondonrun or telephone 01752 555396.

Welcome to SMQ South.

Welcome to the SMQ South blog site. This site has been set up to inform you of news and upcoming events at SMQ South.

We hope you find this site informative and enjoyable, please leave any comments you might have, to help us improve this service.

WOCOXN Dermot Roberts
SMQ(south) Training Officer

Meet the Instructors

WO(COXN) DERMOT ROBERTS.

Warrant Officer Coxn Roberts joined the Royal Navy aged 17 at HMS Raleigh an Ordinance Engineering Mechanic. On Completion of his professional course at HMS Collingwood he immediately joined HMS Dolphin for submarine training eventually receiving his Dolphins in September 1977 on board HMS Opossum. He spent the next 13 years on Oberon Class submarines and reached the rank of Petty Officer Weapons Engineering Mechanic. In 1990 he was selected for Coxswain`s course and in January 1991 took up the post of Coxswain of HMS Turbulent. In 1993 he was drafted to the SETT where he qualified as a Swim-boy and a member of Submarine Parachute Assistance Group. In 1995 he returned to Trafalgar Class Submarines and had spells as Coxn on Torbay, Tirless, Trenchent and Trafalgar as well as serving as Coxn SM2. In 2003 he was promoted to Warrant Officer First Class and was appointed to HMS Vanguard. Warrant Officer Roberts is serving now as the Training Officer at SMQ (South).

WO Coxn Roberts lives in Ivybridge, Devon with wife Deborah and his three teenage daughters. A keen sportsman Roberts enjoys; football, cricket, rugby and golf, but most of all he dedicated to his beloved Southampton Football Club.



WO2MEA "PADDY" McELROY

Warrant Officer 2 "Paddy" McElroy is the SMQ (south) Senior Instructor. WO2 McElroy joined the Royal Navy aged 20 at HMS Fisguard. During his time as an Artificer Apprentice he served on HMS Fearless before passing out at HMS Caledonia as a Leading Marine Engineering Artificer (LMEA). After a short period on HMS Turbulent he was promoted to a Petty Officer and then proceeded on Nuclear Propulsion Operations Course (NPOC) at HMS Sultan in November 1988. On completion he rejoined HMS Turbulent and qualified as a Category B nuclear watch keeper (Cat B) and then was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1989. Having served a a Wrecker on HMS Unicorn and then as a Cat B on HMS Valiant he joined SMQ in early 1995 as the Training Officer. He then joined HMS Triumph and was promoted to Charger Chief in 1997 before a short shore draft and then back to HMS Turbulent in 2002. Whilst serving on HMS Turbulent he saw action during TLAM operations in the second Gulf War.


CPOWEA (OC) PETE CHAPPEL


CPOWEA Chappell is SMQ (South) Administration Officer. CPO Chappell joined the Royal Navy aged 16 as a junior Weapons Engineer Mechanic (JWEM). Within a year he had passed initial WEM and submarine training and joined HMS Resolution as a WEM(O). Within a short time and on completion of Leading Hand Qualifying Course he joined HMS Renown as a LWEM(O) in early 1991. On selection to Artificer he completed the course and was promoted to Petty Officer in May 1995. He was drafted to HMS Torbay in 1997 as one of the Ordnance Artificers (OA), responsible for weapons discharge system. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer in February 1998 he joined HMS Turbulent for which he has now served on twice. The second time as OA1 where he formed part of the War Patrols of Afghanistan and more recently conducted successful TLAM operations in the second Gulf War.

CPOWEA MAC BAYLISS

Chief Petty Officer "Mac" Bayliss joined the Navy as a Junior Control Electrical Mechanic at HMS Ganges. Qualifying as a CEM1 during a loan draft to HMS Gurka before joining the Submarine Service. He received his Dolphin`s om HMS Opportune as a motor room watch keeper, becoming one of the first W.E. ratings to join the Warfare Department. As a POWEA in 1985, he joined HMS Trafalgar conducting RNSH firings in Florida. He qualified as Chief Petty Office on HMS Torbay in 1989. 1993 was spent re-qualifying Arctic Warfare in Norway with 3 Commando Brigade as well as a six month exchange with the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service. In 1997 "Mac" supported NATO in Bosnia on HMS Turbulent and then spent 2 years working at Abbey Wood in Bristol before a draft on HMS Spartan which took him to the Gulf. CPO Bayliss joined SMQ South in December 2006 as a instructor.

PO(WSM) "HARRY" HARRIS

PO "Harry" Harris joined the Royal Navy aged 17 as a junior Weapons Engineering Mechanic (JWEM). Within a year he had passed initial WEM training and volunteered to become a submariner. He joined his first submarine, HMS Trenchent in early 1992 and within a short time successfully passed his promotion board for Leading Hand. After leaving this draft in 1995 he was a member of the Royal Naval Display team. January 1996 he joined HMS Trafalgar, which circumnavigated the globe as part of "Ocean Wave 97". 1999 saw him drafted at short notice to join HMS Splendid was the first submarine to fire TLAM in anger during NATO operations in the former Yugoslavia. Returning to the UK late 1999 he joined Turbulent and remained on board until being drafted to his present position. During his time on HMS Turbulent he was promoted from OM(WSM) to LOM(WSM) and onto PO(WSM) in May 2003. He left HMS Turbulent as the Torpedo Instructor (TI), responsible for a team of 8 operating the Weapons Discharge System.

On leaving HMS Turbulent in September 2005 he joined SMQ(South) as an Instructor.

PO(WSM) ANDREW CLARKE


Petty Officer "Nobby" Clarke joined the Royal Navy aged 23 as Weapons Engineer Mechanic (WEM). Within a year he had passed initial WEM training and volunteered to become a submariner . Joining his first submarine, HMS Renown in late 1988 he formed part of the "Forends Team" responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Weapons Discharge System. Drafted to HMS Resolution in 1993 he quickly qualified as a Leading Hand and promotion followed before leaving to join HMS Dolphin in 1994. With newly launched HMS Vigilant saw him join this Trident Class submarine as a Missile Section Leading hand, now responsible for the UK`s nuclear deterrent. In 2000 he was posted to Talisman in HMS Drake, were he assisted in the maintenance of the Submarine Trainer used for training fire control and Advanced Warfare courses. Returning to sea on HMS Torbay in 2002 he returned to the Weapons Discharge Team, were he was selected for promotion to Petty Officer.

On leaving HMS Torbay in April 2006 he joined SMQ(South) as an instructor.

CPOMEA "STEVE" McGOWAN

Chief Petty Officer "Steve" McGowan joined the Royal Navy aged 29 at HMS Raleigh. During his time as an Artificer he served on HMS Intrepid before passing out at HMS Raleigh asa Leading Marine Engineering Artificer (LMEA). After a short period on HMS Tirless he was promoted to Petty Officer and then proceeded on Nuclear Propulsion Operators Course (NPOC) at HMS Sultan in November 1992. On cmpletion he rejoined HMS Tireless and qualified as a Category B nuclear watch keeper (Cat B) and then was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1993. A draft to HMS Tirless as a cat B followed. Completing "Wreckers course" he has since seen drafts on HMS Tireless, HMS Trafalgar and HMS Trenchant as the wrecker.

Now with just two years until leaving he has joined SMQ south as an Instructor.

POMEM TERRY COGLEY

Petty Officer Cogley joined the Royal Navy aged 18 as a Marine Engineer Mechanic (MEM). On completion of mechanics course he volunteered to join the submarine service. After submarine training he joned HMS Churchill, which was in refit in Chatham, he volunteered to join a sea going boat HMS Conqueror in 1981. He served in Conqueror till 1988 where he qualified for Leading Hand. He joined HMS Sultan for Leading Hands course followed by leadership course and was drafted to Devonport, where he worked in the hydraulic workshop in HMS defiance. He was drafted to HMS Tirless in 1989 and visited the North Pole in 1991. On completion of this draft he worked as a member of the air purification shop in HMS Defiance. In 1993 he joined HMS Talent till 1996 and was promoted to Petty Officer. From then he has sinced on HMS Trenchent and HMS Trafalgar. Petty Officer Cogley who is a keen rugby player first came to SMQ in April 2002 for a short period before joining HMS Tireless later that year. Serving for 3 years on HMS Tireless he returned to SMQ as an Instructor once again.

Petty Officer Cogley lives in Plymouth area with his wife and has two children.

SMQ South`s London Run.

GUZ to Westminster Run:

In November, to tie in with the Submariners Memorial Service in London, five instructors and five students intend to run from Devonport Dockyard to Westminster Bridge, in aid of "The South West Children`s Heart Circle."

We need your support! If you wish to sponsor this epic voyage please either contact SMQ(S) on 01752 555396 (MT 9375 65396) or click the link in the right hand corner. EVERY BIT COUNTS.