WELCOME TO WIGAN ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION
Welcome to the Wigan RNA Web-Site. We are an organisation formed over ten years ago .
We currently meet at the Whelley Ex-Servicemen's Club on the first and third Thursday of each month at 2000 hrs.
The next meeting of Wigan RNA is on Thursday 17th April 2008 at 2000 hrs.
If you are interested in knowing more about Wigan RNA please e-mail me.
At present we have around 35 members this includes associate members. The idea behind this site is to inform members of "what’s on" and to inform non-members of our existence. We are always looking for new members or even visitors to our social events. So if your ex- Navy, Royal Marine ,Wren or Quarnn. come along to our meetings and see what we are about.
Background of the RNA
The Royal Naval Association was formed in 1950. Before that year a number of naval clubs and associations had sprung up from the spontaneous wish of naval people to carry on the special comradeship that is a feature of life in the Royal Navy. In particular there were a number of Branches of the Royal Naval Old Comrades Association dating back to before the Second World War. In forming The Royal Naval Association as the principal naval association recognised by the Admiralty Board, the aim was to attract all existing naval associations to join it so that there would be a single association maintaining and representing the high standard and reputation of the Royal Navy. It was also designed to provide comradeship and assistance in need for all naval people throughout the United Kingdom and indeed in any place in the world where people who had served in the Royal Navy came together. A significant change was the inclusion of serving as well as ex-service members so that there should be a close liaison between the active Royal Navy and those who had earlier served in it. Furthermore the intention has been that it should include all ranks, ratings, other ranks and all Branches and specialisation's of the RN, RM, QARNNS, WRNS, and the Reserves so that we should be "all of one company". An early innovation was the adoption of the term "Shipmate" to be used as a form of address between members of whatever rank on Association occasions.
CLUB OFFICIALS
Vice-chairman S/M Roy Wolstenholme
Social Secretary S/M Madeline Kelly
Standard Bearer S/M Norman Brown
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