Oxford URNU Guy Hudson Annual Dinner

On 2 Nov 17 Midshipmen and Officer Cadets from the Oxford URNU hosted a number of senior Royal Navy and academic guests at the Unit's Annual Dinner in Exeter College, Oxford University.

The event commenced with the Hudson Lecture, this year given by Professor Andrew Lambert, Department of War Studies King's College London, who spoke on 'The Meaning of Sea Power'.

The thought provoking lecture was well received and after a short reception in the Exeter College Chapel the Unit members and guests were then called in for dinner in the Exeter Main Hall.

The dinner itself is co-hosted by the Oxford URNU and the Guy Hudson Memorial Trust and as such follows the conventions and traditions of a Royal Navy mess dinner.

Upon completion of dinner Vice Admiral Sir Simon Lister, as the military Guest of Honour, kindly handed out the annual Unit awards to Officer Cadet Emily Herbert (CO's Prize), Officer Cadet Josh Hatcher (The Green Trophy) and Midshipman Ben Clarke (The Hudson Trophy). He then gave a fantastic reply speech at the conclusion of the dinner before guests were invited to retire to the Wardroom at Falklands House.

The evening was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Lt Will Jones RN, Commanding Officer of the Oxford URNU said "The high profile nature of the event is a great opportunity for the Officer Cadets to interact with senior personalities both in the Royal Navy and the academic community."

The annual event is funded by the Guy Hudson Memorial Trust, with the Oxford URNU Commanding Officer's post serving as Secretary and Treasurer of Trust's Management Board.

The Guy Hudson Memorial Trust was founded in 1997 and exists to “Support the education, directly and indirectly, of Royal Navy and Royal Marines Officers at Oxford”, through the use of a generous bequest from the late Lieutenant R G O Hudson DSC RNVR.

In addition to generously supporting the Unit the Trust provides funding for the Hudson Fellow, an annual appointment of a senior officer who spends a year in Oxford on an extended research project.

This year's Hudson Fellow is Captain Chris O'Flaherty RN, a naval minewarfare specialist, which is also the focus area of his current research.