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Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 17:40
Rebecca Vincent, aged 42, was thrilled to receive a much-coveted commendation for outstanding service from Commander Steven Webber, the unit's Commanding Officer.
She was congratulated by Vice Admiral Trevor Soar, currently Chief of Material Fleet, who next year will be promoted Admiral as Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Allied Maritime Component Commander.
Rebecca, also a private music teacher, lives at Temple Cloud with husband Mark, a chartered surveyor, and children Josh, aged 14, James, who is 12, and seven-year-old Jessica.
As a youngster, she dreamed of going to sea, but in those days WRENs were barred from service on ships.
The much later idea of applying to join the Royal Naval Reserve occurred when she was to be in Plymouth on Navy Day.
"Passing the Navy fitness test was to prove a big challenge – I pounded the streets for six months to get my running up to speed," she said.
"But I was absolutely determined to make the grade and, ever since, I have had a whale of a time. I absolutely love it – the RNR has pushed me out of my comfort zone big time.
"I have done so many different things – for example, working on fishery protection in the North Sea, sailing to Gran Canaria on HMS Ocean during Apache helicopter trials and from Sicily to Romania on a mine hunter."
For more information about HMS Flying Fox, call 0117 966 8667 or click on www.hmsflyingfox.co.uk. To learn more about reserve service in the South West, contact Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets Association on 0800 220953 or log on to www.wessexrfca.co.uk.
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