38 “It’s the families who serve as


much as we do,” he says. “I owe an incredible amount to my family, who’ve always been my ultimate support.” With Simon now living at the


college, Sarah travels back and forth while Joseph, 17, completes his A-Levels. Emily, 18, is a regular visitor to Dartmouth as she prepares to go to university. At 47, Simon has plenty of


career ahead of him, but he is in no hurry to decide what comes next. A Captain of BRNC will generally spend two or three years in the role. “Tere are some big shoes to fill,”


he admits. But for now, his focus is very


much on Dartmouth. “I’d like to stay here for as long as I


can, then who knows?” It is an answer that neatly sums up


what he enjoys about naval life. “One of my favourite parts of the


Navy is you’re never quite sure what the next opportunity is. Every single one has been fantastic.”


When he does get time away


from the college, Simon is happiest outdoors. He enjoys getting out on the water, paddleboarding, sailing, and kayaking, exploring the countryside with his family and dogs, and, when time permits, playing golf. Aſter nearly 25 years spent trav-


elling the world, commanding ships and experiencing the Royal Navy at its most challenging and rewarding, he has now returned to the place where his naval career began. Te view may be spectacular, but


it is the people, the purpose and the relationship with Dartmouth that


seem to matter most to him. For the moment, Simon is


exactly where he wants to be: back in the West Country, part of a community he clearly admires, and helping prepare the next generation of naval leaders. And if the office window


happens to look out over one of the most beautiful stretches of water in Britain, then that’s a pretty good bonus. As Simon puts it: “I like to


think BRNC has the best view not just in the Navy, but in defence.” He may have a point.•


Beautiful curtains & blinds, made by hand


Discover beautifully made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds in the heart of Dartmouth.


Curtains by Max Buston


7-9 Higher St, Dartmouth, TQ6 9RB | 01803 446045 15 Richmond Hill, Richmond, TW10 6RE | 020 7971 1313


www.curtainsbymaxbuston.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100