2024 Battle of Trafalgar Dinner

Since the early 19th century, Trafalgar Night has been celebrated each October to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.  On the evening of 24th October, the VSC continued this time-honoured tradition with our annual black-tie dinner.

The Trafalgar Night Dinner, rich with tradition, is celebrated in Royal Navy Mess Decks and Wardrooms across the nation and aboard Royal Navy vessels stationed overseas. The evening follows a meticulously observed set of customs, which the VSC aims to replicate as closely as possible to the traditional Royal Navy Ward Room/Mess format.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Colonel Colin Francis CBE, VSC Club Secretary, who served as the “Mess President” for the event. Chaplain (RN) Douglas Perkins graciously delivered Nelson’s Grace before the meal commenced.

The Regimental Service of Port and Madeira

After the meal, Port and Madeira were placed on the table, with gentlemen observing the custom of passing the port clockwise and serving ladies first. The President proposed the Loyal Toast to the evening’s Vice President, Mr Mark Field, VSC General Manager, who led the toast to HM The King.

The guest speaker, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Paul Bennett CB OBE, joined the Royal Navy in 1985 and has had an illustrious sea-going career, with command experience at every rank. His speech concluded with a toast to “The Immortal Memory.”

Guest Speaker Bio – Vice Admiral (Rtd) Paul Bennett CB OBE

Admiral Bennett joined the Royal Navy in September 1985 and has enjoyed an extensive sea-going career. He has commanded at every rank: HMS BITER, the patrol vessel of the Manchester Universities Royal Naval Unit (1991-1992); the Minehunter, HMS ATHERSTONE (1998-1999); and the destroyer HMS EXETER, including a return to the Gulf (1999-2000). As a captain, he was the first commanding officer of HMS DARING, the first T45 Destroyer (2008-2009). Following promotion to Commodore, he commanded the Amphibious Task Group operating in the Indian Ocean, Norwegian Arctic, and on the West coast of the USA (2009-2011). Finally, as a Rear Admiral, he commanded the UK Maritime Battlestaff (2017-2018).

Interspersed between sea going appointments, he has served ashore as the Fleet Operations Officer, the Maritime Desk Officer to the Director of Operational Capability in the MOD, and as capability manager in Navy Command for Above Water Capability and Maritime Security, for which he was honoured as an OBE. He also served for 6 months in Baghdad as the Advisor to the senior Iraqi hierarchy in their Joint Headquarters. From 2011-2013, he was the Commodore Naval Personnel Strategy, responsible for reshaping the Naval Service in the aftermath of SDSR 10. Promoted to rear admiral in February 2013, he was appointed as Director of the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre, Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Command, ACNS(Cap) and Chief of Staff Navy Command HQ. He most recently served as Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships. Her Majesty The Queen appointed him as a Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the Birthday Honours 2016. He served as the Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia from 2018-2021 from where he retired from regular service and took up a role as a NATO Senior Mentor.

Vice Admiral Bennett is an alumnus of Higher Command and Staff Course (2007) and the Windsor Leadership Trust, a Younger Brother of Trinity House, a Liveryman of the Carpenters’ Company and a grandfather. He maintains ‘enthusiastic amateur status’ in his sporting interests of road and mountain-biking, sailing, and rowing.

The evening was a tremendous success, thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Below are photographs from the evening, which we hope Members will enjoy, encouraging many to join future events.