Please note that, effective immediately, our contact e mail address has changed to
hmscourageousassociation@gmail.com
Although HMS Courageous Association members all have a strong link to the submarine currently located in Devonport Naval Dockyard, Plymouth, Devon, we have no responsibility or authority with regard to the maintenance, upkeep or management of the boat as an exhibit.
We are unable to organise or request visits and we are therefore unable to help with such requests. All requests for visits to the boat should be directed to
The HMS Courageous Association has now been in existence since 2000 and continues to flourish. Members meet every two years for a full reunion weekend over three days and, generally, the members attend the venue chosen for the reunion in large numbers.
The Association was founded in 2000 as the result of a wish of a former crew member to try and meet with some of the very good friends made during his time on the boat from 1974 to 1978. A search for former crew members willing to meet, perhaps in a pub and have a beer rather got out of hand and instead of the 5 or 6 former crewmates, it soon became apparent that there were so many more men who wanted to meet old friends and crew mates. The search continued over approximately twelve months and the numbers increased. A reunion was arranged and, at the inaugural reunion at the Britannia Hotel, New Street in Birmingham, in 2002, 146 men shared a weekend of memories while doing their best, and but for about half a barrel, succeeding, in drinking the hotel dry.
Since then our Association has grown and we now have almost 250 members with others joining all
the time. Our reunions have continued and, for the last 8 years, it has been held every other year in Derby where we book an entire hotel for the weekend long function. Our most recent reunion, which took place over the weekend of the 7th to 10th March 2025 marked our 25th anniversary as an Association, an organisation that continues to bring friends and crewmates together. However, following a vote this was our final reunion at the Derby Mickleover Hotel and, as a result, the reunion organisers will be seeking an alternative venue. We would like to thank the Derby Mickleover Hotel for their help and support in facilitating numerous excellent reunions at that hotel. We wish the management and staff good luck for the future.
At the 2025 AGM, following the retirement of our then President, David Wixon, a new president was elected by a large majority and we are pleased to announce that Vladek Cirin has become the president of the HMS Courageous Association. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to David for his presidency and his unwavering support of the Association, and we wish him a peaceful retirement.
So, The Association began and, despite economic downturns, the scattering of ex crew members around the globe, and other more pressing commitments, the reunions go on, now every other year, and our members, accompanied in many cases by their wives and partners, continue to enjoy meeting each other at our weekend long get togethers. The last, in Derby in 2025 attracted over 100 people.
We are now, in line with Association members' wishes, seeking a new venue for our 2027 reunion so please keep an eye open for details. Bookings are nortmally opened approximately 12 months in advance and it is always best to book relatively early. Once details are known and prices negotiated with the new venue, on the Reunions page you will find full details of room options, menu choices and the cost of all the packages available. We really hope you will be able to join us and enjoy the company of those who served in our boat.
THE COURAGEOUS GRACE
At our 2020 reunion, The President, David Wixon, delivered grace before the reunion dinner and unveiled The Courageous Grace. It has now been adopted as the precursor to all our reunion dinners and many have asked for this to be made public: We are pleased to show it below for you.
God of atom, God of steel, God of spanners (in brackets wheel),
God who saves our long lived King, God who made our Submarine,
God who built the back end first manned by men with unquenchable thirst,
By then, God, feeling a wee bit vexed, thought he’d make the front end next.
From TSC, messdeck to mast, He came to make the galley last
To feed us all with HITS and BITS, with babies’ heads, gave us the *****(runs)
Which sounds like kidneys on a raft, GhandI’s revenge for the boys back aft.
Oh God who served up Spithead pheasant and harbour cotters not unpleasant.
Bless us with good food today that is not cooked the Navy way.
Amen
THE HMS COURAGEOUS ASSOCIATION BENCH AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
Some time ago, at the suggestion of our late treasurer, Roger Pescodd, the HMS Courageous Association Committee purchased a memorial bench to be placed within the National Memorial Arboretum. The decision was taken to purchase the bench as a permanent memorial to those of our crew mates who have crossed the bar. The bench includes a plaque which contains the ship’s crest and the inscription shown in the image here, which we felt was apt for those such as Ray Hutchins who was lost at sea, and, of course, for our predecessors who were lost in the sinking of the aircraft carrier:
The bench is fairly easy to find and only a few minutes walk from the main entrance. We also found that the Arboretum as a whole is a great place to visit and walk round and proved a fitting memorial to the many services it commemorates, including of course the memorial to the Submarine Service. Should you wish to visit the arboretum and make use of the bench the address of the arboretum is Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR. The bench is located in the Royal Naval Wood and overlooks the Armed Forces Memorial. The bench reference number which, if given to staff, will enable them to direct you is B - 550. Please note that, although you do not always need to book to go into the grounds of The Arboretum they do recommend booking as there may be limited spaces available on busy days. If you are travelling by car you will almost certainly need to book a parking space as these can be limited at busy times. The arboretum's website can be found at www.thenma.org.uk and latest information regarding visits and booking can be found on their website.
Have you ever wondered what is inside that sleek black hull that look so sinister?
The drawing below may give you some idea.
