A Worldwide Career in Service

Oliver Rupert (Ollie) has had a fascinating career in the Royal Navy. His journey in the Armed Forces was inspired from his school days, where he first became attracted to the idea of service, particularly to serving his country.

On joining Bloxham, Ollie was awarded a Chapel Centenary Scholarship and he enjoyed life to the full, getting involved in many societies and activities. After school, he started at the University of Glasgow but soon realised that university was not for him and via the Universities Royal Naval Unit, he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. Today, he continues to work for the Royal Navy, he is married to Georgina and is also a proud member of the School’s legacy association, The Egerton Society.

Tell us about your time at Bloxham

Bloxham instilled in me the drive and determination to aim for excellence; be that professional, academic or personal. I learnt the importance of community, understanding, and tradition carefully held. Bloxham, with the friends and mentors I gained there, showed me what I could do, the potential I could achieve, while teaching me of morality, friendship and duty.

 

What activities did you enjoy?

Bloxham felt unique as it allowed me the opportunity to get involved in many different sports and activities, all while being pushed to my full academic potential. I am proud to have held the positions of School Sacristan, House Prefect and Cadet Sergent Major during my final year at Bloxham. I was in the CCF and enjoyed it immensely, it was most certainly formative in my drive to serve in the Royal Navy. I was also a keen debater and eventually, the Chairman of that society. I enjoyed sport as well, captaining sailing for two years and was involved in other sports including fives, swimming and rugby. Drama is a significant passion of mine: I was involved in many productions and gained several LAMDA qualifications whilst at school.

 

Which subjects were the most useful for your career?

A true combination of my three A Levels: I was enormously inspired by Simon Batten and Ian Hatton, who taught me History; Thomas Tuthill broadened my mind into the complexities of government and politics and thirdly, my study of Theology was of great personal interest. Helping me to understand my own faith and have a greater understanding of the culture and faiths of others came in especially useful when on operations. Furthermore, the strategies and support I was given by the specialist dyslexia department run, by Alison McLellan and the late Hugh Alexander, will stay with me forever.

Tell us about your career path

I found it difficult to choose between the Navy and the Army but my final decision came down to my love for adventure and travel and in 2015, I was commissioned into the Royal Navy as a warfare officer. From Britannia Royal Naval College, I joined the fleet, serving in HM Ships Diamond, Daring and Enterprise while studying for my professional qualifications. During this time, I had the honour of working closely with the US Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, various NATO navies and partner nations worldwide. Following this, I was selected to serve with the supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. It was a dynamic and rewarding two years in bring the largest vessel ever built or operated by the Royal Navy into service, along with the developmental testing of her flight of F35B Joint Strike Fighters.

In 2020, I was appointed at First Lieutenant of HMS Medway, another newly commissioned vessel and newly assigned West Indies Guardship. On completion of my Executive Officer’s course, I joined Medway in the Caribbean, conducting humanitarian, counter illicit trafficking and diplomatic operations. I was heavily involved with the prevention of narcotics, arms and people smuggling through the region and supporting a range of Caribbean nations during the hurricane season.

What were the most challenging aspects of being out at sea?

Fortunately, I have a great love of the sea and being out there, miles from land, the things one sees are at times beyond description in both beauty and enormity. But no matter how comfortable you think you are, there will also be that one day of seasickness or the realisation of the separation from home and loved ones, and you must push on regardless. At times like this your friends, your Shipmates, are an invaluable source of strength and support.

 

What has been the most exciting moment of your career?

Bringing the supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into service and deploying with her to North America in 2018 and 2019. Especially exciting were the first landings and trials of the F35 Joint Strike Fighters on her flight deck.

 

And what has been the most rewarding?

It was a true honour to help lead the ceremonial duties for the Her Late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Platinum Jubilee Pageant and Beating the Retreat with the Band of HM Royal Marines. Truly the greatest of honours was carrying the Queen’s Colours of the Royal Navy for their final time and assisting in leading the Guard of Honour during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

What is your greatest professional achievement so far?

It was an enormous privilege to be appointed as Second-in-Command of HMS Medway, the West Indies Guardship. But it is an even greater privilege now to be Commanding Officer of the University Royal Naval Unit at Manchester. Our aim is to deliver military training and experience, in the maritime sphere, to young people while at university, without a liability to be called-up.

 

What advice would you give to your past self?

University is a choice and not always the right one. It is an amazing opportunity for many, but not always the right decision. I was lucky enough to find a way to follow my passion. Whatever you do in life, ensure you carefully research your chosen path. The Armed Forces are an amazing opportunity and have a brilliant community, but they do require a large amount of sacrifice and hard work.

 

What is your fondest memory of Bloxham?

The spirit of family and community are more truly seen at Bloxham than any other school I know. The friendships and mentorships I have known and still have are more than any person could wish for, I feel very fortunate to have been a Bloxhamist and to still feel part of that great community even now.

 

Through the Egerton Society, the school aims to provide a Bloxham education to those from all backgrounds, why was it important for you to leave a legacy to benefit future generations of young Bloxhamists?

Being a student at Bloxham was a pivotal moment in my life, my subsequent success and achievements are inextricably linked to two things; my parents love and upbringing, and my education, in all senses of the word, at Bloxham. Without the funding I received via a scholarship, my family would have struggled to afford the education which Bloxham gave me. I hope that by being a member of the Egerton Society I might leave a way for other young people, like me, to receive the best education possible and realise their potential, no matter what that may be.

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