HMS Cambria (shore establishment)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Cambria |
| Commissioned | July 1947 |
| Status | Active |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Stone frigate |
HMS Cambria is the lead Royal Naval Reserve unit in Wales. It is based in the docks of the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
History
HMS Cambria was established as the Royal Naval Reserve unit for South Wales in July 1947 and originally occupied buildings in Cardiff Docks. Cambria remained in Cardiff until 1980, when the redevelopment of the docks there precipitated a move to the former service married couples' accommodation at Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, and was granted freedom of that county in 2012. Cambria returned to a purpose built home in Cardiff Docks in 2020.
Over the years Cambria, like many other RNR units, operated a number of seagoing ships; a motor minesweeper – the unit's first tender – was replaced in 1954 by the wooden-hulled minesweeper Brereton, which gave way in turn to Crichton (1961–76); all of these were rechristened HMS St David. In 1978 the unit acquired a converted trawler, which was again renamed St David. The ship's final vessel, acquired in 1984, was the new minesweeper Waveney, which was not renamed. Waveney remained with HMS Cambria until 1994, when a reorganisation of the RNR led to the abandonment of seagoing tenders.[1]
Cambria is one of only three RNR units to have a satellite unit. The Tawe Division, based at
HMS Cambria was granted Freedom of the City of Swansea in 2018,[3] and Freedom of the City of Cardiff in 2023.[4]
Units
- HMS Cambria, Royal Naval Reserve[5]
- University Royal Naval Unit Wales (URNU)[6]
- Cardiff Detachment, Royal Marines Reserve Bristol[7]
- Satellite unit, the Tawe Division, at Swansea.[2]
References
- ISBN 0752470132.
- ^ a b "Tawe Division | Royal Navy". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "HMS Cambria navy crew awarded freedom of Swansea". BBC News. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Men and women from HMS Cambria march through Cardiff city centre for the first time". www.forcesnews.com. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "HMS Cambria: Cardiff's new 'crown jewel' in the defence estate". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "URNU Wales | Royal Navy". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Outstanding Naval role models recognised in New Year's Honours – Fleet Air Arm Officers Association". fleetairarmoa.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
External links
- HMS Cambria Royal Navy Website
51°23′55″N 3°14′27″W / 51.3985°N 03.2408°W
