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.
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]
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]
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]
52°28′38″N 1°51′58″W / 52.4773°N 1.8660°W