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Change and tradition at HMS Sherwood
14 November 2024
The Nottingham-based Royal Naval Reserve unit has welcomed a new commanding officer and played a key part in the city’s marking of Remembrance Sunday.
On Tuesday, November 5th, HMS Sherwood welcomed a new commanding officer at a ceremony at its home in Foresters House, Chilwell.
In front of the assembled ship’s company With the traditional four-word order “You have the ship”, Commander Kathryn Jacques passed command of the Royal Naval Reserve unit for the East Midlands to Commander Sacha Brooks. Other naval traditions were observed – Sherwood’s ship’s crest was handed over and both the outgoing and incoming commanding officer signed the ship’s log to mark the handover.
This marked the closing chapter in Commander Jacques’ long association with HMS Sherwood, where she joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 2004. Since then she has held various roles at the unit between other assignments in the RNR before being appointed as commanding officer in 2022. Commander Jacques departed the unit atop a gun carriage pulled by members of Long Eaton Sea Cadets, where she herself first donned naval uniform as a Sea Cadet.
Commander Jacques said: “It has been a privilege to serve as commanding officer at HMS Sherwood, where I joined the RNR 20 years ago, and to celebrate the unit’s 40th anniversary of commissioning last month with team members past and present along with friends and family. I wish the Ship’s Company and my relief, Commander Brooks, all the best and hope to see Sherwood continue to go from strength to strength continuing to support the Royal Navy at sea and ashore."
Taking command of HMS Sherwood in the same week as Remembrance Sunday is deeply meaningful to me. Coming so soon after our 40th anniversary, I’m reminded of the strength of our bond with Nottingham and the legacy of those who served before us.
For Commander Brooks, HMS Sherwood is the latest part of an RNR career that started while studying at the University of Leeds. Her time in the RNR’s Media Operations Specialisation has included two deployments to operational theatres and serving as a media advisor with the Carrier Strike Group.
Within a week of taking command, Commander Brooks and HMS Sherwood’s ship’s company played their part in an important fixture in the civic life of Nottingham – the annual Remembrance service at the City War Memorial on the Victoria Embankment on Sunday, November 10th. HMS Sherwood had the honour of leading the parade, representing not only their unit and the RNR but the Royal Navy as Nottingham remembered the fallen of past conflicts and observed the two-minute silence. Commander Brooks laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy.
Reflecting after the service and parade, Commander Brooks said: "Taking command of HMS Sherwood in the same week as Remembrance Sunday is deeply meaningful to me. Coming so soon after our 40th anniversary, I’m reminded of the strength of our bond with Nottingham and the legacy of those who served before us.
“To carry our mission forward for the next 40 years, we welcome those ready to serve. I invite anyone with the commitment and drive to join us, becoming part of HMS Sherwood’s enduring legacy within our community and for our country.”