By Adrian Hughes
Orkney Armed Forces’ and Veterans’ Breakfast Club – Saturday 25th November 2023
It was breakfast time again, last Saturday, for Orkney’s ex-service men and women. The Veterans’ Breakfast Club is an informal group that meets once a month and does exactly what it says on the tin; eats breakfast. This month they were at the Albert Hotel’s Neuk bar, in Kirkwall.
Catriona Matheson, who has been going to the breakfasts since 2020, joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a Wren in October 1970, initially serving as a Radar Plotter at HMS DRYAD, near Portsmouth, before becoming an Officer in 1972:
“My mother was determined that I would get a commission, and I had been asked several times if I was interested, but kept saying no as I was happy doing what I was doing. I changed my mind when my mother stopped nagging at me. “
Image credit: Adrian Hughes
“ I then felt it was my decision as I wasn’t going to do what she told me. I did two-and-a-half years as a Wren and then decided, yes, I wanted to be commissioned.”
After officer training at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich and communications training at HMS MERCURY, in Hampshire, Catriona was sent to Northwood, the then operational HQ of the Royal Navy.
“I didn’t have a particular job there until I was a collared by a submariner who was setting up a new department. He said, What’s that girl doing, she doesn’t seem to be very busy; I can use her. So, I worked in a task force office for 18 months; I was general dogsbody, basically, but there was communications and cryptography involved, planning exercises and operations; I loved the job”.
Born in Fintry, Stirlingshire, but brought up in Warwickshire, Cat finally made Orkney her home in 2005:
“In 1971, whilst on leave from Dryad, I used a travel warrant to go to Thurso, as that was the furthest I could go by train.
“I booked myself into a B&B for about five days, which was run by a lovely couple, and at breakfast, he asked if I was going to Orkney. When I said I wasn’t, he said, Oh yes you are; you can’t come all this way and not go to Orkney. When I returned in the evening, they’d arranged for me to stay with a friend of theirs for a couple of nights, so I went; and I absolutely loved it.
“I came back whenever I could for the next thirty-odd years; I just kept coming back. When I was younger, I always thought I’d really love to live here, but there were things for me to do in the world. But when It came to a time that I thought I really needed to buy a house, there really was only one place that I wanted to be and I’ve been here ever since”.
Life in Orkney is very busy for Catriona. If she isn’t tutoring adult literacy or computer skills at the Learning Link in Kirkwall, she is one of three statutory, “Appropriate Adults” in the county, providing, communication support to vulnerable victims, witnesses, suspects and accused persons, aged 16 and over, during police investigations:
“You’re not on anyone’s side; you’re purely independent; you’re there to make sure the people being interviewed are able to understand what is being said to them”.
Away from these two very significant roles in the community, Cat also maintains links to her naval past; she’s is part of the management team at the local Sea Cadet unit, is a member of the Royal Naval Association and of course, is a stalwart of the Veterans’ Breakfast Club, where the ex-navy contingent continues to grow:
“I enjoy the friendship and the camaraderie and a good breakfast; it’s my excuse to have a fry-up, once a month. It’s good friendly fun, with like-minded people”.
The Orkney Armed Forces’ & Veterans’ Breakfast Club meets once a month at various cafes, restaurants and hotels around Orkney to eat, enjoy each other’s company. There’s no admin or membership fees, the only thing you pay for is your food and drinks.
Breakfasts run from 0930 – 1100 (ish). If you are a forces veteran, or their immediate family, you’re welcome to join us. We also welcome current members of the armed forces, Regulars and Reserves, as well of those who serve or served any other country.
If you’re the boss of a business that could possibly host the veterans for breakfast, one Saturday morning, please get in touch. This month we had 29 attendees.
More details are available via the group’s Facebook page, or you can call or email Simon, the group’s co-ordinator, on: 07909 640884. orkneyveteransbreakfastclub@outlook.com.
Breakfasts are usually on the last Saturday of the month but, because of the holiday period, December’s will be earlier than usual and is scheduled for 0930 Saturday 16th. We’ll be at the St Magnus Café, opposite the Cathedral; come along and join us.
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