Royal Navy sailor from Storrington awarded

Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) Tim Bowers was presented with the Clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct medal by Captain Henry Duffy, the Commanding Officer of Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), in Dartmouth.

Capt Duffy said: “The award of the Long Service and Good Conduct Clasp is something that deserves recognition.

“I get a real sense of pride when I consider WO1 Bowers’s 30 years of service to the Royal Navy, and I consider myself lucky to have his continued commitment to training Officer Cadets here at Britannia Royal Naval College”.

WO1 Bowers joined the Royal Navy in 1984. He said: “Receiving the Clasp to my Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, has, in the first instance left me feeling an enormous sense of pride, set against what the award is in recognition of, and secondly, a feeling of extreme gratitude towards everyone who has had an ‘affect’ on my career.

“This gratitude extends not only to the professional influences that have played their part, but just as importantly, to my family who have offered nothing but encouragement and support along the way.

“ The Royal Navy has provided me with a length of career opportunity that many would relish.

“The key to success for me has been the breadth of employment experience that has been made available, and the reward that each stage throughout the journey has delivered.”

Originally from Steyning, WO1 Bowers attended Steyning Grammar School. Since joining the Royal Navy as a junior Radar Operator he has served on four warships, including three assignments to the Type 22 frigate HMS Campbeltown.

He has also served at the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth and is currently employed at the Royal Naval Leadership Academy (RNLA), at BRNC, where he is responsible for delivering leadership and management training to middle managers and holds the role of unit HR manager.

WO1 Bowers was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2013

He said: “After 30 years service, as you might expect, there have been numerous highlights along the way and far too many to acknowledge them all.

“If I were to pick out the four most memorable job assignments, based on job satisfaction and personal reward, it would be my Chief Petty Officer (Above-Water Warfare Tactical) role in HMS Campbeltown, which for a ‘Radar Operator’ has to be the jewel in the crown; managing the operations room in a warship. Moving away from my source trade, the Executive Warrant Officer role in HMS Manchester was hugely challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable which led me on to the RNLA.

“I enjoyed my first tour at the RNLA immensely, and I am now on my second tour, where I am scheduled to remain until the end of my career in 2016.

“ However, and without doubt, the pinnacle of my career was being selected for the role of Command Warrant Officer to the Surface Fleet between 2010 and 2012, an opportunity that I feel both honoured and privileged to have been given.

“ The award and presentation of the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of my service to the Royal Navy, in the presence of my family, onboard HMS Victory will remain one of the proudest moments of my life.”

WO1 Bowers is the son of Peter and Wendy Bowers of North Lancing.

He is married to Lynette and the couple have two children, Ellie, aged 19, and Sam, aged 16. WO1 Bowers is a committee member and long-term supporter of Loxwood Football club.

He also serves as a school governor at Storrington First School and is the serving member Vice President of the Royal Naval Association.

Report and picture contributed by HMS RALEIGH / BRNC.