Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 237
SOF | WITH THE SERVICES: ROYAL NAVY
Royal Navy
ROBERT BELLFIELD
When I last wrote to the ‘With the
Our most exciting news is that we have
Services’ postbag, I was out in Bahrain
returned home to the County of Suffolk!
commanding Coalition Task Force
Zoë did a great job managing our barn
Sentinel, deterring the Iranians from
conversion project last year and we
interfering with international shipping
moved in last December – just at the
flows and preparing myself for the
height of the wettest winter in Suffolk in
inevitable second career. I had just
living memory! It is great to be back after
returned home when I received the
spending the majority of our married lives
welcome news that I had been selected
moving back and forth across the south
to be the Naval Regional Commander
coast of England. Jemima, the yacht, is
for Eastern England (NRCEE), based at
now up in Levington on the Orwell and
HMS PRESIDENT in London. This is a FTRS
we have a few dinghies at Waldringfield
(Full Commitment) role that leads with
on the Deben. Interior decorating is
the RN’s engagement activity in a region
progressing slowly and the garden is
that stretches from the Isle of Wight to
now green rather than brown. Most
Derbyshire and everything east, including
importantly, the boat shed / workshop is
London. The job could be described
now up and I have somewhere to hide!
as a ‘domestic’ Defence Attaché but,
Just to reinforce the return to our roots,
really, I am the ‘boots on the ground’
Zoë is now working at the College in
in the eastern half of England, liaising
the Admissions Department! It is such a
with the counties, local government,
delight to be back in Suffolk and catching
business, industry (in particular, maritime
up with many friends and family – and the
and marine related) and supporting
occasional OF. I was chatting to a fellow
cadets, recruiting, and reserves’ and
Dallinghoo resident across the fence
veterans’ activities! While my main role
a few months ago, only to discover he
is the delivery of strategic messaging
was Patrick Edmundson of my vintage at
and explaining why we have a navy in
the College. I’m sure there will be many
the context of the challenges of the 21st
more ‘small worlds’. I also keep in touch
Century, I also have the opportunity to
with several ex-Kerrison OFs via our
meet and get to know so many fascinating
WhatsApp Group such as Jenkin Leung,
people and hopefully broaden the
George Wright, Dave Ibeson, Jules
understanding of why the RN is such an
Arthur, Henry Simpson etc. It is also great
important player in the maritime sector.
to hear from Bigit Giri from Nepal and
My weekly battle rhythm is a mix of
Adeoye Sonuga from Nigeria.
working in London, at home and travelling
around the region.
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