Royal Naval Reserve
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The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom.
Contents |
[edit] History
The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958, following the 1957 Defence White Paper, merging the former Royal Naval Reserve, founded in 1859 as a reserve of professional seamen, and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), a reserve of volunteers founded in 1903. During World War II the RNVR was an officer only force. The RNR is often called the "Wavy Navy" after the zig zag sleeve stripes of officers in the RNVR and RNR during World War II. These have since been replaced by the straight rank lacing used in the full-time RN, with the addition of a small 'R' in the centre of the executive curl (although RNR (SCC) officers of both the Sea Cadet Corps and the RNR (CCF) officers of the Combined Cadet Force retain the use of old stripes). There are plans in motion now to remove this R, as the RNR is further integrated with the regular Royal Navy.
From 1938 until 1957 the RNVR provided aircrew personnel in the form of their own Air Branch. After the war in 1947 their contribution was cut to anti-submarine and fighter units only. By 1957 it was considered that the training required to operate modern equipment was beyond that expected of reservists and the Air branch squadrons were disbanded.
Following the disbandment of the associated Royal Naval Auxiliary Service in 1994, the Maritime Volunteer Service was formed as a national maritime training organisation with charitable status. It has taken over and expanded many RNXS roles.
[edit] RNR Units
The modern RNR has fourteen Royal Naval Reserve Units (with 6 satellite units). These are:
- HMS Scotia (Rosyth)
- Tay Division (Dundee)
- HMS Cambria (Sully, Wales)
- Tawe Division (Swansea)
- HMS Dalriada (Greenock)
- Govan Division
- HMS Flying Fox (Bristol)
- HMS Calliope (Gateshead)
- HMS President (London)
- HMS Eaglet (Liverpool)
- Menai Division (Llandudno)
- HMS Vivid (Devonport)
- HMS Sherwood (Nottingham)
- HMS King Alfred (Portsmouth)
- HMS Forward (Birmingham)
- HMS Caroline (Belfast)
- HMS Wildfire (Northwood)
- HMS Ferret (Chicksands)
The University Royal Naval Units, although under the jurisdiction of BRNC Dartmouth, are also a part of the Royal Naval Reserve, with students holding the title "Midshipman RNR".
[edit] Famous Members of the RNVR
Many notable people have served in the RNVR including:-
- Sir Laurence Olivier, served as a Fleet Air Arm pilot during World War II, reached the rank of Lieutenant
- Ralph Richardson, served during World War II, reached the rank of Lieutenant-Commander
- Ian Fleming, James Bond author/creator, served in Naval Intelligence during World War II, reached the rank of Commander
- James Bond, the fictional character served in the RNVR, reaching the rank of Commander
[edit] Commonwealth Naval Reserve Forces
There are also naval reserve forces operated by other Commonwealth of Nations navies, e.g. the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR), the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), Canadian Naval Reserve, etc. Previously there were also colonial RNVR units, e.g. the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSRNVR), Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (HKRNVR) and the South African Division of the RNVR.
[edit] See also
- Royal Navy
- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
- Maritime Volunteer Service
- Reserve Decoration
