HMS Forward (1984 shore establishment)
 The guard of HMS Forward parading at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, on Armed Forces Day 2010.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Forward |
| Commissioned | 1 October 1984 as Birmingham Communications Training Centre[1] |
| Reclassified |
|
| Status | Active |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Stone frigate |
HMS Forward is a Royal Naval Reserve unit located in Birmingham, England, close to St. Andrews football stadium. It has a crew of nearly 100 naval and marine reservists, in addition to a handful of full-time staff. The Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit, the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme 'Taurus Squadron' and a detachment of the Royal Marine Reserves Merseyside are also located on the site.[2] The ship is particularly unusual in that it is situated 80 miles from the sea.
History
[edit]
The base originated on a different site during the Second World War, and was originally known as the regional Naval Communications Training Centre.[1] On 1 October 1984, the centre became a commissioned ship - a stone frigate - known as HMS Forward.[1] In early 1985, the unit moved to a former industrial unit on Sampson Rd North which, on 28 January 1986, was officially opened by The Princess Royal. The unit once again moved in April 1999, this time to a new purpose-built building. Once again the official opening was performed by The Princess Royal.[2] The ship acquired its name from the motto of the City of Birmingham - Forward.[2] The unit is affiliated with HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer currently in service with the Royal Navy.[3]
Awards and noted events
[edit]In 2000, the ship won the Richards Trophy, a national seamanship competition, at HMS Raleigh (shore establishment).[4]
In 2004, the ship was granted the Freedom of the City of Birmingham, from John Alden, Lord Mayor of Birmingham.[5]
In 2007, a team from the ship, led by new recruit Jules Morgan, rescued a man with hypothermia from Snowdon in driving hail.[6]
The ship became more famous in recent years when it produced a winner of The Sun Military Awards, Able Seaman Grandison, who won the national award for 'Best Reservist'. Grandison is a taxi-driver in Sandwell, but left his work and contracts to deploy to the Indian Ocean as part of a team to provide armed protection against piracy to RFA Wave Knight. He was later promoted to Leading Hand.[7][8]
Current tasks
[edit]Being the only large naval presence in the West Midlands, Forward is called upon to act in ceremonial duties and parades, and recently supplied contingents for the Birmingham Trafalgar Day,[9][10][11] Remembrance Day,[12] and Armed Forces Day parades.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Warlow, Ben (2000). Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy. Maritime Books. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-907771-74-6.
- ^ a b c d "HMS Forward (Birmingham)". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Bradley, Paul (9 November 2007). "Birmingham's new warship is state-of-the-art HMS Daring". Birmingham Mail. Birmingham, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Worrall, Boris (9 November 2000). "Seamen on the crest of a wave". Birmingham Evening Mail. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ Tyler, Jane (31 May 2004). "Freedom of Brum for hero sailors". Birmingham Evening Mail. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ Oliphant, Will (27 July 2007). "Brum team Forward to the rescue! CLIMBING: Navy reservists save man on mountain". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "Outstanding Kate's a Millie as well as MC". Navy News. 21 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Royal Navy reservist's award pride". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ "Units mark Trafalgar victory across the country". Navy News. United Kingdom. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Roberts, Trevor (26 October 2009). "Trafalgar Day parade". Birmingham Post. Birmingham, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Oliphant, William (26 October 2009). "Parade marks 200th anniversary of unveiling of Birmingham's Lord Nelson statue". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Quinton, Darren (9 November 2009). "Day of National Remembrance in Centenary Square". Birmingham Post. Birmingham, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ Bradley, Paul (27 June 2009). "Birmingham to show support for Armed Forces". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
External links
[edit]52°28′38″N 1°51′58″W / 52.4773°N 1.8660°W
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