HMS President

04/10/2026

Last week HMS President held a memorial ceremony to mark 50 years since the tragic loss of HMS FITTLETON which saw the loss of twelve lives. Survivors of the disaster stood alongside the families of those lost and the Ship's Company, and we were honoured to be joined by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Commodore-in-Chief, Maritime Reserves.

The deeply moving ceremony included readings from a survivor, who shared his account of the disaster in his own words, and from the brother of one of the men lost, himself an RNVR veteran. Wreaths were laid, among them by our Commanding Officer, Cdr Bingham.

The names of all twelve men were read aloud once more, followed by the Last Post and a minute's silence.

Fifty years on, they are still remembered.

30/09/2026

Great to see some of HMS President Ship’s Company in the annual Royal Naval Reserve Sailing Exercise, working alongside reservists from across the country.

A fantastic weekend for all involved, whether stepping aboard a yacht for the first time, or those more experienced sharing their knowledge with fellow sailors!

29/09/2026

HMS FITTLETON Remembered 50 Years On

The Commanding Officer of HMS President, Cdr Bingham, laid a wreath at a poignant memorial service held at All Saints Church, Fittleton, to remember the tragic sinking of HMS FITTLETON on 20 September 1976.

Held exactly 50 years after the tragedy, the service brought together a full congregation of those connected with the ship, her crew and their families. Together, they gathered in remembrance and reflection to honour the twelve men who lost their lives, with each of their names read aloud by Cdr Bingham.

Half a century may have passed, but the courage, sacrifice and memory of those lost have not been forgotten.

28/09/2026

Remembering Arthur Tisdall VC

A few weeks on from the Great River Race, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the man whose name was carried up the Thames by our crew.

Our Thames cutter is named in honour of Sub Lieutenant Arthur Walderne St Clair Tisdall VC, a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officer whose extraordinary courage during the Gallipoli campaign earned him the Victoria Cross.

On 25 April 1915, during the landing at V Beach from the SS River Clyde, Tisdall heard wounded men calling for help from the shore. Under heavy and accurate enemy fire, he jumped into the water and pushed a boat towards the beach. With the help of other Naval personnel, he made four or five trips between the ship and the shore, helping to rescue wounded men.

It was an act of remarkable courage and selflessness.
Just 11 days later, Tisdall was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged only 24. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in recognition of his gallantry.

There is also a particularly special connection to HMS President. Tisdall had enlisted at HMS President, then the home of the London Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and his VC and other medals were later presented to the London Division RNR at HMS President in 1970.

So, as our crew took to the Thames for the Great River Race in the boat that bears his name, we were proud to carry forward the memory of a remarkable sailor and the values of courage, service and selflessness that he embodied.

21/09/2026

HMS President's Medway Division and HMS Wildfire proudly attended the annual HMS Wildfire III memorial service on Sunday 20th September. The HMS Wildfire III memorial in Queenborough Park was dedicated in 1996 to commemorate those who served at the Second World War Royal Navy base.

Thousands of personnel of the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve lived, trained, and sailed from bases like HMS Wildfire III, sweeping local waters for deadly mines, and keeping allied shipping routes open.

The name HMS Wildfire still exists today as the Royal Naval Reserve unit at Northwood, North London. The Royal Naval Reserve retains a presence in Kent through Medway Division, HMS President in Rochester.

21/09/2026

Thanks to all those who came along to our Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation (IMRP) earlier this month, it was great to see so many interested faces!⚓️

Can you see yourself in the Royal Naval Reserve?

If you are considering whether joining the reserves might be the next move for you, coming along to one of our IMRPs is a great way to find out more. On a weekday evening we take you through what to expect from joining up and how the process works, as well as giving you the chance to see a bit of HMS President and ask any questions you may have.

To come along sign up at one of our links below:
6 Oct 2026 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/initial-maritime-reserves-presentation-hms-president-6th-october-2026-tickets-1984183782105
3 Nov 2026 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/initial-maritime-reserves-presentation-hms-president-3rd-november-2026-tickets-1984183855324

A chance to learn more about the different opportunities that could be available to you as a member of the Royal Naval Reserve.

14/09/2026

HMS President was proud to provide the Guard of Honour at this year’s National Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service at Trinity Square Gardens, Tower Hill.

is an important opportunity to remember the men and women of the Merchant Navy who have served our nation, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice during times of conflict.

As part of the commemorations, the Commanding Officer of HMS President laid a wreath at the Merchant Navy Memorial, which bears the names of more than 36,000 merchant seafarers who lost their lives through enemy action during the World Wars and the Falklands campaign. Their courage and sacrifice helped keep Britain supplied and connected, often in the face of extraordinary danger.
It was an honour for HMS President to pay tribute.

13/09/2026

⚓ HMS President took to the water for London's Great River Race, crewing our very own Thames Cutter Arthur Tisdall VC! 🚣

A traditional 6-person, 34-foot, fixed-seat Thames Cutter, she's built for exactly this kind of challenge. After a few summer training sessions, the team gathered for the iconic 21.6-mile row down the River Thames, passing under London's famous bridges along the way.

First held in 1988, the Great River Race has grown into London's River Marathon, now drawing around 300 crews from as far afield as Australia. To take our place among them was a real privilege, and a brilliant test of teamwork, endurance and no small amount of grit.

Life in the Royal Naval Reserve is about more than the day job. From rowing to athletics and everything in between, there's the chance to take on new challenges, push yourself and be part of a team. Interested in what it could offer you? Get in touch using the link in our bio to find out more. ⚓

12/09/2026

HMS PRESIDENT TAKES ON THE GREAT RIVER RACE!

This afternoon, a crew from HMS President will take to the Thames for the Great River Race aboard our Thames Cutter, Arthur Tisdall VC.

The Great River Race is one of London’s best maritime events, bringing together hundreds of traditional boats and crews for a 21.6 mile race along the Thames.

For our Ship’s Company, it’s a fantastic opportunity to put teamwork, determination and seamanship into practice on the river we call home.

Our Cutter proudly carries the name of Arthur Tisdall VC, a Royal Naval Division officer awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary gallantry at Gallipoli in 1915.

We’ll be proud to fly the White Ensign on the Thames and represent HMS President and the Royal Naval Reserve.

Good luck to the crew – see you on the river!

11/09/2026

Over the Summer, HMS President’s Thames Cutter Arthur Tisdall VC took to the water at Richmond for an excellent training session on the river, ahead of London's Great River Race.

The crew included a mix of experienced rowers alongside members taking their first strokes in a cutter. These sessions are a great reminder that rowing is about far more than physical effort, developing leadership, teamwork, communication and trust. Experienced crew shared their knowledge and encouragement, enabling the newer rowers to quickly build confidence and become an effective part of the crew.

With the Great River Race just around the corner, the crew are looking forward to taking on the challenge and putting their training to the test on the Thames. For HMS President, it is also a great opportunity to showcase the teamwork, determination and camaraderie that make cutter rowing such a special part of Royal Navy tradition.

BZ to all involved!