Meet the Team

The Minewarfare Association was founded in 2008 by an inaugural committee of volunteers. 

The Association has been formed to build upon the success of the re-union held annually, as a means for members to remain in contact with each other, arrange additional gatherings and exchange information.

The aim of the Association is:

  • To organize a gathering for members once a year.
  • To support regional events
  • To promote links and maintain comradeship between members and to keep the Minewarfare 'Spirit' alive
  • To develop identity based Association merchandise

 

Scroll down the page to meet the team:

MWA Chairman

Chairman: Wayne (Pony) Moore

Born in a small town called Much Wenlock where I still live today, Married to Gill for 25 years and have 3 beautiful daughters, Taryn, Robyn and Kirstyn. I re- joined the RN in 1981 and joined the elite MW branch, served on Upton, Bronnington, Bossington and Nurton from AB up to PO(MW). I served on two HUNT's Quorn and Ledbury ( In which I served during Op Granby - Gulf war 1)and 1 Sandown, HMS Grimbsy plus a P2000 HMS Exploit. I became MCM1 Squadron Chief and was promoted to WO(MW) in 2002. I am in my final three years of service and my last appointment is FOSTMWTOC ( MW School). My hobbies include DIY, painting in water colours and running.

Minewarfare membership rep

Vice Chairman: Taff Reader

Taff joined the Navy in 1971 initially as a UW prior to becoming a founder member of the Minewarfare branch on its formation in 1975. Realising after nearly 38 years that the navy is not the life for him, he is due to call it a day in March 08. He will however continue to be a purveyor of Minewarfare Specialists to the fleet, as a civilian in the role of Minewarfare Manager at the training school. A position he has held on and off on occasions over recent years.

Pete Whitehead

Treasurer: Pete Whitehead

Dorian Simmonds

South West England Rep: Dorian (Simmo) Simmonds

Ex CPO(MW)(O). Left in March 2000 after the full 22. Wooton, Soberton, Walkerton, Atherstone & Hurworth with breaks at Vernon, AUWE, Dryad, FOST(MPV) & Caledonia.

Now working for the Probation Service in Somerset, supervising Offenders in the Community, so nothing changes really!!

Minewarfare Associations N England & Foreign Rep

North England & Foreign Rep: Paul (Polly) Porter

Paul (Polly) served in the Minewarfare branch for 16 years leaving as a PO(MW)(O) in January 1995.  He is the Honorary Secretary of his local Royal Naval Association. He is a Health & Safety Manager for an Electrical Contracting company based on the Sellafield Nuclear Site in Cumbria.

Ships Rep: CPO (MW) Robert (Taff) Crandon

Born and brought up in the south wales valleys, Taff joined th RNR in 1990 serving on Waveny, Itchen and Carron. In 1996 he joined the Ledbury for a taste of the real navy for a year and decided to stay, transfering to the RN in 1997. He then went on to sreve on Brocklesby,Middleton and Hurworth before being cap badged to MCM2 crew 5 where he is currently serving as the ORS on HMS Cattistock. Hobbies include Landrovers, Motorbikes and lying under a classic MG getting coverd in rust.

Webmaster: Wayne (Ronnie) Barker

Ronnie joined the RN in 1977 as a WE Seaman serving on frigates and MCMVs as well as the 'Scabby AB' . Several shoreside jobs inc. various AUWE postings and RNR Shoreham.

Leaving the RN in 2001, Ronnie has worked in the logistic support disciplines, working for both MoD and industry, and currently works as a Cost Engineer in Barrow in Furness.

Gained a BSc degree and is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). living in the Midlands with his wife and three sons (in a small village with four pubs!)