Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2011 | Page 72

on the water

Island Life - February/March 2011

Jonathan pictured working with local
communities is an important part of
the Royal Navy’s commitment to its
community. Johathan is pictured at
a Primary school in Torpoint where
our sailors have helped create a play
ground for the children.

At a Passing Out Parade at HMS
Raleigh presenting the Owen Cup
to the top recruit of the passing
out class.

the Island for holidays and leave whenever
possible, and his parents and brother still
live here. He married in 1985, and he and his
wife Joanna have two children; Alexandra
who is 19 and destined to become a fourth
generation engineer, and 17-year-old Thomas
who is at Havant College.
The family has been based at Rowlands
Castle near Portsmouth for more than
20 years, during which time Commodore
Woodcock has sailed to all continents with
the exception of Australia. He says: “Every
job I have done has been fantastic. Because
I joined the Navy 30-odd years ago I am
often asked if it gets a bit boring. But of
course every two years you change job,
and it is almost totally different. They have
all been great, but working on the Royal
Yacht Britannia for nearly three years was a
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wonderful experience.
“Every summer we would be moored at
Cowes for Cowes Week, so it enabled me to
come back to the Island, which was perfect.
I was sad to see the yacht go, but eventually
they all do. Working in Canada on Vancouver
Island was also a wonderful time.
“Being on HMS Ark Royal as a Commanding
Engineer was fantastic, and we took the
ship to the last Gulf War. I suppose the
culmination of a military career is making
sure you can prepare a ship for whatever it
needs to do, so that was very memorable and
fulfilling. Now of course Ark Royal is going
as well.”
On promotion to Captain in March 2005,
he was appointed to command the Royal
Naval School of Marine Engineering at HMS
Sultan in Gosport, and was awarded an OBE
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