Death of Lt Cdr Michael Brown Wignall PhD RN
Lt Cdr Michael Brown Wignall PhD RN
18 Aug 2023 - MCDOA member Jon Riches has drawn my attention to this death notice in today’s Telegraph announcing that fellow MCDOA member Mike Wignall crossed the bar on 13 August and was laid to rest in Suffolk on 14 September..
Mike joined the Royal Navy as a cadet at BRNC Dartmouth on 19 September 1965. He then served in the Type 81 Tribal class frigate HMS TARTAR (1967), the aircraft carrier repair ship HMS TRIUMPH (1968/69) and the survey vessel HMS VIDAL before qualifying on the 1970 Long Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officers’ Course at HMS VERNON. He then served in the Ton class minehunter HMS BRERETON (1971/73) before joining the staff at HMS VERNON (1974/77).
In 1978, Mike took Command of the Ton class minesweeper HMS LEWISTON, followed by the minehunter HMS BRONINGTON (1979) before being appointed as IMW/MWTO (Mine Warfare Training Officer, formerlay IMW and later SO(MW)) at HMS VERNON (1979). Following this, he became OIC of the MWTG (Minewarfare Tactical Development Group, later absorbed by the Operational Evaluation Group) working for CINCFLEET (1980/85) followed by a job in London at the Ministry of Defence. He rounded off his naval career as the Minewarfare Naval Applicator at AUWE (later DGUW(N)) Southwell on Portland (1986/88).
During his final years in the RN, Mike acquired a PhD. On leaving the Service, he became involved in narrow boats and helping to run the annual Thames Sailing Barge races. He and his wife were patrons of the Thames Sailing Barge Match right up to his death.
On a personal note, Mike was briefly my boss as MWTO in VERNON in 1979 before he went off to lead the MWTG before going to AUWE Southwell where he was the proud owner of one of the first laptop computers.
Mike’s father, Sid Wignall, was known as an eccentric with an obsession for finding the Loch Ness monster. I remember him trying to raise funds for a powered hang-glider to help him in his quest.
http://lochnessmystery.blogspot.com/2021/11/analysis-of-1981-loch-morar-film.html
I am sure all members of our community will join me in extending our sincere condolences to Mike’s wife Annie and their relatives and close friends.
By MCDOA member Tim Paul MBE (One of Mike’s LMCDO ‘70 course mates):
Thanks Rob
Yes sad news. A good addition to our long course with dry sense of humour and a different take on logic from the rest of us.
All the best
Tim
By MCDOA member Jon Riches:
Dear Rob,
How sad. Mike always thought rather differently from us! I met his father a few times in Vernon - an interesting man!
Best wishes,
Jon