HMS Biter

Military experience

Louis was born in Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland in 1980 and educated at Grangefield School before studying Marine Biology at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, during which time he was a member of Northumbrian URNU. He joined the Royal Navy in January 2002 as a Warfare Officer (Submarines).

Fleet time was spent in the Type 22 Frigate HMS Campbeltown in support of Operation Veritas, the initial stages of the conflict in Afghanistan, the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Newcastle and HMS Leeds Castle, the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel.

Eight months in the South Atlantic resulted in a number of visits to South America and Antarctica. On completion of Junior Warfare Officer’s Course in 2004 and Basic Submarine Training, Lieutenant Commander Gardner’s first complement appointment was to the Trafalgar Class SSN HMS Turbulent as Casing Officer.

Two busy years onboard saw support to multi-national exercises in the Arctic and Mediterranean, the submarine hosting the Submarine Command Course and the completion of numerous Operational Patrols.

Following successful completion of the Fleet Navigating Officers’ Course and the Submarine Intermediate Warfare Course in 2007, he returned to Turbulent as the Navigating Officer for two further Operational Patrols.

Attendance on the inaugural Principal Warfare Officer (Submarines) Course followed and in 2009 he joined HMS Trafalgar as Tactics and Sonar Officer for her final running period in support of the Submarine Command Course.

After a short period instructing the Preliminary Navigating Officers’ Course at HMS Collingwood, he joined the Vanguard Class SSBN HMS Vanguard as the Tactical Systems Officer where he completed two Nuclear Deterrent Patrols.

Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in October 2011, Louis assumed Command of HMS Biter and Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit in March 2012.

He lives in Newquay, Cornwall and when not surfing, sailing or scuba diving, his time is split between his love of military and naval history and his beloved motorbike.