The Duke of Edinburgh has joined sailors, veterans, and families in Portsmouth to mark the 120th anniversary of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the Royal Navy’s civilian-manned support service.
As Commodore-in-Chief of the RFA, His Royal Highness was guest of honour yesterday (1 October) at commemorations which reflected on the service’s history, recognised its personnel and families, and looked ahead to new vessels that will shape its future.
The day began with a service at St Barbara’s Church on Whale Island, followed by a reception at HMS Excellent attended by around 200 guests, including serving and retired RFA personnel, senior officers, defence industry partners, and charities.
Commodore Sam Shattock, head of the RFA, praised the generations of sailors who have provided vital support to Royal Navy operations. He described the force as “the beating heart behind Royal Navy operations,” highlighting its role in conflicts from Jutland and the Falklands to today’s global deployments.
“Our people have sailed side by side with the Royal Navy in the face of danger, and done so with courage, from Arctic convoys to modern conflicts, often unheralded, but always essential,” he said.
Commodore Shattock noted the service’s record of innovation, from pioneering at-sea refuelling in 1905 to the acquisition of RFA Proteus, which now monitors undersea infrastructure. Looking to the future, construction begins in December on the first of three £1.6bn Fleet Solid Support ships, built by the Team Resolute consortium, which will carry everything from fighter jet engines to ammunition and supplies for the Navy’s carrier strike group.
The RFA employs around 1,700 UK merchant sailors, making it the country’s largest employer of civilian seafarers. Its vessels routinely operate worldwide, supporting Royal Navy ships on operations ranging from counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean to humanitarian relief.
Current missions include tanker RFA Tidespring supplying the UK-led Carrier Strike Group centred on HMS Prince of Wales, while RFA Lyme Bay is working inside the Arctic Circle alongside Royal Marines and Norwegian forces.
Serving personnel at the event shared their experiences with the Duke. Able Seaman Matthew Walton, 31, from Gateshead, described joining the RFA as “the next best thing” after being unable to enter the Armed Forces. “I’ve taken part in the Coronation, the Remembrance parade at the Cenotaph in London, and then today, here, I’m meeting royalty,” he said. “These are events which will stand out for the rest of my life.”
First Officer Paul Fears said royal recognition was “very much appreciated” by a service that often works out of the spotlight. “You get the best of both worlds – you are a civilian but with military training,” he added. “You provide humanitarian relief, help out with charity projects and at schools, take part in engagement events representing the country because of our ties with defence.”
Veterans also reflected on the RFA’s importance. Commodore Jamie Miller, who survived the sinking of HMS Coventry in the Falklands and later commanded RFA ships during the 2003 Iraq War, said: “The RFA sailors showed great empathy and care – and bravery for they were in harm’s way too. They remain absolutely essential to the Navy today – but they are rarely recognised.”
Chief Petty Officer Mark Amato, who transferred from the Royal Navy to the RFA in 1998, recalled missions ranging from Ebola response in West Africa to peacekeeping in the Gulf. But his most personal memory came sailing into Malta on RFA Mounts Bay: “I could see my dad, parked up with his Land Rover, and my mum as well. Very emotional.”
As part of the anniversary, all serving RFA personnel will receive a commemorative coin funded by the RFA Central Benevolent Fund and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
Main image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
