Commander Brian Jones OBE Royal Navy

Brian Jones was my course officer at Chatham in 1974 where he had the difficult task of herding several irresponsible drunks in a firm though friendly manner.  He is remembered with great affection by all all my course mates.

Subsequently he became my boss as Secretary to FOF1 in 1977 where he was part of a very refreshing regime change.  He went on to become FOSM’s Secretary at Northwood, Cdr(S) at Culdrose in about 1984 and Naval Attache in Istanbul in 1990; there were of course other appointments both before and in between.  On retirement he served as an RO1 within the legal section in Victory Building and, in the final stages, rejoined the RN on FTRS to enable him to continue after age 65 whilst a replacement was recruited.

I relieved him about 6 years ago as Treasurer & Governor of the King William IV Naval Foundation which manages the almshouses at Southwick.  Brian had been treasurer for 20 years and continued as a governor until his death.

My enduring memory of Brian is of a friendly, down to earth and pragmatic officer who was a fine mentor to his young and unruly charges.  He also had a good aim, managing to hit me on the head with a board rubber when chalking my name on the Gedge Medal board at Chatham – some Pusser’s award I was never likely to be awarded otherwise!