The eleventh HMS Vanguard of the Royal Navy is the lead boat of her class of Trident ballistic missile-armed submarines. The submarine is based at Faslane, HMNB Clyde, Argyll, Scotland.
Our affiliation with the submarine started back in 1992 when she was being built and she was commissioned on the 14th August 1993. Her first ever commanding officer was Captain David Russell, he was involved in the build and took her to sea for her first commission. Captain Russell was a Leeds lad and his father Bill was a member of our association.
We believe this is where our affiliation with HMS Vanguard started. Over the years our members have visited submarine on many occasions. Our last visit to the submarine was in May 2014 when the Faslane flotilla welcomed all their affiliates. We were lucky to look around the submarine and the minehunter HMS Grimsby. We also attended the Flotilla Dinner which was held in the wardroom at HMS Neptune.
Since that occasion spent the following year at sea prior to starting he Deep Maintenance period otherwise known as a refit this is due to last 4 years. She will be refurbished and refuelled which will provide the Royal Navy with front line support until the new class of Dreadnaught submarines are brought into service.
In 2016 we were extremely lucky to be able to welcome the present Captain Commander Gill to our associations Trafalgar Night Dinner where he was guest of honour. Commander Steven Waller took over the command of HMS Vanguard in October 2018.
