One family from Bournemouth had a double reason to celebrate recently as two brothers received their promotions at HMS Collingwood on the same day.
Neil and Nathaniel Nelson both received their promotions from Commander Jonathan Pearce during the termly presentation at the Base near Fareham in Hampshire.
Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Neil “H” Nelson, 31, has been in the Royal Navy since July 2003, serving on HMS Invincible, HMS Exeter, HMS York and HMS Iron Duke visiting areas as diverse as the Middle East, the Falklands, the United States and the Baltic.
He cites the NATO Baltic Ops in 2017 as his best deployment, sampling so many of the countries and cultures there.
Younger brother Engineering Technician Weapons Engineer (ETWE) Nathaniel “Nelly” Nelson, 24, enjoyed his time on HMS Portland for the same reasons, although he has also served on HMS Montrose and HMS Northumberland.
Both brothers are currently based at HMS Collingwood where Nathaniel is on a Weapons Engineers Careers Course and Neil is on a Petty Officers Engineering Careers Course.
The brothers partake of a range of hobbies in their spare time, with ex-Bournemouth Grammar School pupil Neil enjoying cycling, rowing and dancing and his brother Nathaniel, who studied at Winton Arts and Media College, favouring football, fishing and squash.
Speaking after the presentation, Nathaniel said, “It only seemed like I joined a year ago, these few years have flown by with so many great experiences! Now just to look forward to the future and hopefully achieve my next promotion as quick as possible.”
The sailors’ proud parents, Joanne and Nigel Nelson, now have a double celebration to organise!
