Warship: Life in the Royal Navy sets sail with a series premiere on Channel 5, airing Tuesday, 13 August 2024, at 9:00 pm. In this debut episode, presenters Julia Bradbury and JJ Chalmers are granted exclusive access to the inner workings of the Royal Navy, offering viewers a unique perspective on this esteemed military branch.
Julia Bradbury steps aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, the largest and most formidable aircraft carrier in the fleet. With a crew of 1400, this ship is currently spearheading the biggest naval exercise since the Cold War. Bradbury explores the flight deck, witnessing the formidable F-35 jets up close and personal. She also ventures below decks to the galley, where a hearty Sunday roast is prepared for the sailors.
Meanwhile, JJ Chalmers revisits his roots, returning to the Marine Commando Training Centre in Devon. Here, he observes civilian recruits undergoing the rigorous training required to become elite commandos. It’s been 18 years since Chalmers earned his green beret, and the intensity of the training remains unchanged.
Chalmers then travels to Portsmouth, delving into a controversial episode in the Navy’s history. He meets a veteran who served aboard the HMS Conqueror during the Falklands Conflict, when it engaged and sank the Argentinian Light Cruiser, the General Belgrano.
Back in Portsmouth, Bradbury trades her naval uniform for a rifle and bayonet, tackling drill marching, a fundamental aspect of naval recruit training. Can she maintain her composure and precision under the watchful eyes of the training instructors?
The episode concludes with Chalmers visiting Dartmouth’s Britannia Royal Naval College, an institution steeped in naval history and royal connections. It’s here, on the croquet lawns, that royal romances blossomed, and both King Charles and Prince William underwent their officer training, leaving their unique marks on the wardroom ceiling.
Warship: Life in the Royal Navy Series Premiere airs Tuesday, 13 August 2024, at 9:00 pm on Channel 5.
