10/10/2025
📸 Welcoming Our Veterans Back to Dartmouth
Yesterday (9 Oct), we were honoured to welcome veterans affected by the 1967–2000 ban on LGBT personnel to Britannia Royal Naval College.
As part of the visit, veterans were invited on a historic tour of the College before joining current Officer Cadets for an evening supper. Guests also stepped into the shoes of future naval leaders testing their skills as Officers of the Watch, navigators, and ship controllers in our state-of-the-art simulators.
The day concluded with a powerful fireside discussion, where veterans shared their stories, reflected on the impact of the ban, and spoke about their experiences as Officer Cadets at Dartmouth. Their openness and resilience provided an inspiring reminder of the progress made and the continued importance of inclusion within the Royal Navy.
🗣 AB1 Liam Bell, Deputy Chair, said:
“Visits like these are important for both our veterans and serving community. Welcoming veterans back offers a chance to support them whilst also offering professional development for future leaders. This also presents an opportunity for our veterans to provide mentorship and be a visible role model to our personnel. Thank you to all those that spoke and attended.”
A huge thank you to Chris from our Outreach Team and the entire BRNC team for arranging this meaningful visit. We look forward to many more events that celebrate our shared history, strengthen our community, and honour those who paved the way.
Support for LGBT Veterans
If you or someone you know was affected by the ban, you can find information on support and restorative measures here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps