Former Sheffield school boy inspired to join The Royal Navy after the sinking of HMS Sheffield

A former Sheffield school boy who was inspired to join The Royal Navy after the sinking of HMS Sheffield has shared his memories of working on submarines.
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Mark Ellwood, 49, attended Shortbrook Primary and Westfield Comprehensive school and the day after leaving he went down to the Careers information Office at The Castle Market to enlist in The Royal Navy.

Mark said he was motivated by the Falklands War in 1982.

His father was, at the time, a member of the Parachute Regiment and although not involved, he had friends fighting in the conflict.

Mark Ellwood Royal NavyMark Ellwood Royal Navy
Mark Ellwood Royal Navy
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As an 11-year-old, Mark was allowed to run a school bulletin board to keep up with events at the time.

Mark vividly remembers when HMS Sheffield was sunk by an exocet missile fired from a Argentine fighter bomber Super Etendard and the incident inspired Mark to join the Navy.

He said: “From then on The Falklands was ingrained into me. I joined The Royal Navy in 1988.”

After completing basic training at HMS Raleigh in Plymouth, Mark went on to complete his Trade Training as a Weapons Engineer, excelling on the course.

Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.
Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.
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All trainees who came in the top ten, were put forward to become Submariners and train on submarines.

Mark was posted to HMS Dolphin in Portsmouth, to complete his training.

His first choice posting at the time was HMS Sheffield, however the Navy chose Mark to become a Submariner.

Mark served on HMS Torbay,which is a Trafalgar class nuclear powered Hunter Killer Sub.

Mark Ellwood Back row Fourth from leftMark Ellwood Back row Fourth from left
Mark Ellwood Back row Fourth from left
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He said: “On board it was cramped, not claustrophobic. Social space was not great. The Bunk space was roughly six feet long with about a foot above your face. You shared a bed with one other guy, known as “hot bunking” because when you jump into the chap’s bed space after you’ve done your watch, it was still warm.”

Some did suffer from a condition called ‘Coffin Syndrome’ due to the tight bed space.

Mark served on HMS Turbulent for two years.

There main duty was to patrol a route, to and from the UK to Gibraltar.

He said he only ever felt scared or apprehensive on a submarine on two occasions. First, when he was diverted onto a live operation “chasing Russian Subs around the English Channel” and the other after a refit, carrying out sea trials when they carried out a ‘deep dive’.

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“I can’t tell you how deep we went as it was classified at the time but when you’re going down deep, you can hear creaking and banging.You go to close the door to the mess room for example and the frame is warped so you can’t close the door. That’s pretty scary.”

Mark left the Navy in 1992. He returned to Sheffield and joined the Territorial Army for whom he served another four years of military service.

Mark has kept close ties with the Armed Forces through various associations.

He currently the social secretary and standard Bearer for The Submariners Association Sheffield Branch and the chairman of the Veterans Mess which looks out for the welfare of veterans

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Mark is also a council delegate for Sheffield and District Council for ex Servicemen.

They have responsibility for organising Remembrance Sunday and other military events.

He said: “Being a member of the Armed Forces has shaped my life, from day one. I’ll never regret being a member of the Armed Forces. It’s made me the person I am.

“My parents are also proud of me and the man I’ve become.”

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