Bob Hawkins earns Blue Peter badge as first CO of recommissioned HMS CALEDONIA

6 Apr 2023 - HMS CALEDONIA at Rosyth was recommissioned on 1 April with the base's main purpose as 'Naval Support Activity (NSA) Rosyth', aligned to Naval shipbuilding in Rosyth (T31- Babcock) and Glasgow (T26 - BAE); QEC carrier regular docking (Lloyd's); Fleet, NATO and Allied support; host to many lodger units - and, strategically - providing the RN's stake in the burgeoning Forth Green Freeport initiative.

Even more excitingly, MCDOA Committee member Bob Hawkins MBE has been appointed as the newly recommissioned establishment's first CO. Bob is not only an MCDOA Committee member but is also the Chairman of the Ton Class Association. I superseded fellow MCDOA member Geoff Goodwin as his LMCDO Course officer in 1982.

One of Bob’s first tasks was to host the regular Friday 'Old Codgers' lunch (yes, he’s one of them!) in the wardroom. Here he is with one of his oldest friends and early mentor, fellow MCDOA member Alan Bayliss a.k.a. ‘Uncle Alan’.

Today, the children’s TV programme ‘Blue Peter’ came to film at HMS CALEDONIA with presenter Joel Mawhinney temporarily joining the Royal Marines Band in Scotland in the lead-up to the Coronation. The lad did well and Bob even managed to earn a coveted Blue Peter badge! The episode is due to air on Friday 5 May.