Death of former WO(D) Peter Frank Still
Your humble Vice Chairman & Webmaster with Peter Still at his home last October
15 Mar 2026 - I have been informed by Rear Admiral Roy Clare that Peter Still crossed the bar at 0808 this morning with his son Chris and nephew by his side. He was 81.
Peter was born in Edinburgh in 1944 and attended the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook near Ipswich from where he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman at HMS ST VINCENT in Gosport at the age of 15 and a half. Initially trained as a sonar operator, he qualified as a shallow water diver, the precursor of the ships’ diver, at HMS DRAKE in Plymouth in 1963.
After serving in the Type 14 frigate HMS RUSSELL and the aircraft carrier HMS EAGLE, he qualified as a clearance diver at HMS VERNON in Portsmouth in 1969 and then served in the HMS VERNON-based AEDU (Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit) and HMS RECLAIM.
After completing his CD1’s course, Peter joined the Rosyth-based HMS BRONINGTON as the Coxswain in 1974. The First Lt was the late MCD Officer Bob Pilling but he was later relieved by Roy Clare. The Navigating Officer was James Rapp. Both Roy Clare and James Rapp left the Royal Navy as Rear Admirals.
HM King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, took Command of BRONINGTON nine months after Peter joined the ship.
Only three nights ago, I spent a riveting couple of hours listening to Peter Still recount his life and times as a Royal Navy clearance diver.
It was also good to meet Peter’s son Chris and see my fellow ‘bubblehead’ veterans Willie Owen, Rick McCabe and Grahame Murr at the same event.
An active Mason, Peter described his close relationship with HM King Charles III since serving as his coxswain in HMS BRONINGTON fifty years ago. He and his late wife Sandra, who died only last year, enjoyed many visits to Buckingham Palace, Highgrove and Clarence House. He was due to have tea with the King at the Palace on Monday in company with Roy Clare, his First Lt in HMS BRONINGTON.
Peter was quite candid about being diagnosed with terminal cancer and it was a privilege to see him on this occasion. He did well to talk for two hours even though his poor health made speech exhausting and he had to remain seated throughout.
Much more of Peter’s life is chonicled in Ginge Fullen’s book ‘Still Waters Run Deep’ including his award of the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for his participation in the recovery operation following the capsize of the car ferry 'Herald of Free Enterprise at Zeebrugge in 1987, his service in HMS CHALLENGER and his time as Coxswain of the Huntclass minehunter HMS DULVERTON.
I will publish funeral arrangements as they brcome available. In the meantime, I am sure all members of our community will join me in extending our sincere condolencs to Peter’s surviving family.