Captain Henry Duffy
Captain Henry Duffy of the BRNC
New Britannia Royal Naval College Captain Henry Duffy is the first man in his family to join the Royal Navy.
“My family has a long history of joining the merchant mariners,” he tells me whilst we sit in his beautiful office overlooking the Britannia Royal Naval College’s Parade ground. “And the sea has always fascinated me – I always thought I would like to join the military and so was the first to cross to the Royal Navy. I always had a sense of adventure and when you combine that with a love of the sea I was never going to do anything else!”
Capt Duffy is a very genial and affable host – we chat easily about everything from his love of football to his appreciation of Dartmouth and the opportunities it will give him to go paddle boarding.
I ask if he enjoys his job. His eyes light up.
“Ever since I joined the Navy 27 years ago I’ve enjoyed a very varied career path and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I’ve had some amazing experiences: hunted Soviet Subs in the north at the end of the Cold War, taken charge of an Army platoon, trained to become a Green Beret, commanded HMS Liverpool – named after my home town and a great honour – and I’ve sailed all round the world.”
Capt. Duffy said he took great pride in commanding HMS Liverpool.
“I was delighted to command her – and I also got the chance to take her into Liverpool itself three times. The first time I had the chance to do that was a hugely proud moment for me. Sailing up the Mersey is a beautiful journey – a bit like coming into the Dart actually – and of course you sail past so many iconic landmarks along the route. The city has a wonderful relationship with the ship and we were made very welcome – as a Liverpool boy it was very emotional. And the crew all enjoyed a very good run ashore!”
Capt Duffy said his memories of his early Navy years continued to inspire him as he has moved higher up the Naval hierarchy.
“I’m passionate in my belief that if you join the Navy it has to be a vocation,” he said. “If you want to get the most out of the experience you have to commit yourself to it heart and soul. This is not a 9-5 way of life. It is a family - and a great family at that. It offers wonderful adventure and a chance to see the world for young people - and I have seen such amazing young people in my position of command. I’m a great believer that the Navy can help young people make the best of themselves – it certainly allowed me the chance to grow, learn and achieve a lot in 27 years!”
Capt Duffy is delighted when I ask about his family – he has been married to Lisa for many years and the couple have two teenage sons, Henry and Finn.
“I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful wife who is my best friend and supports me in the way she does,” he said. “Our two sons are great boys and both are looking forward to coming down to Dartmouth because of the opportunities to get out and be active on the river and beyond!”
When Capt Duffy heard he was to become Captain at BRNC, he said it took him back to his very first visit to Dartmouth when he was a young cadet in January 1987.
“It was a cold day when I arrived – it was actually snowing – we were met at Totnes station and brought here by bus, and as we turned in I had my first sight of the college on top of the hill. Well, I have to say I was awestruck by its beauty and the sense of history. That moment stays with you – you immediately realise that this is a very, very special place. I loved my time here and it really did give me all I needed to go out into the Navy and succeed. It is also one of the most beautiful places in the country, if not the world.
“When I heard the news that I was coming to BRNC to be its Captain, I felt the weight of history on my shoulders. I feel fortunate to have been selected to fulfill this role; there is no better job for a Captain in the Royal Navy. It is so important that we give these cadets the training that allows them to be the courageous leaders we need to fight and win to protect Britain’s interests.”
Capt Duffy reveals he is passionate about the quality of cadets at the College.
“The cadets here are an inspiration for me,” he said. “They are infectious in their enthusiasm - there is much made of the state of the youth of our nation in the press, but my experience is they are equally as able as any in the past. The young men and women I see here and have seen ever since I first took command are hugely proud to be in the Royal Navy and wonderfully committed to their roles.”
Capt Duffy said he had been delighted by the welcome he had received since he came to Dartmouth.
“The town has been so welcoming to my family and I,” he said. “We’ve been bowled over. It’s been clear in both my stints at BRNC that the people of Devon are nothing if not friendly and accommodating. I’ve told my family that we are going to make the most of every opportunity to enjoy the town of Dartmouth and the beautiful countryside around it.
“The people of Dartmouth love BRNC and it’s easy to see why – I meet men whose grandfathers worked here and we still employ 200 local people. They feel a great ownership of the College, are very proud of it and I want to maintain that. BRNC could not exist without the town of Dartmouth.
“I am very strong in my desire to maintain and develop the links between the College and the town – those community links are so important and I want to reinforce those connections.”
Interview by Phil Scoble - first published By The Dart May 2014