Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service

The Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service provides chaplains to the Royal Navy. The chaplains are commissioned by the Sovereign but do not hold military rank other than that of "Chaplain Royal Navy". They are usually addressed as Padre, Reverend or more informally Bish. Chaplains are recruited from a number of Christian denominations.

The senior chaplain in the Royal Navy is currently Ian Wheatley. Wheatley, an Anglican priest, is also the Archdeacon for the Royal Navy. He took over from Scott Brown who retired after 22 years service.

Training
Chaplains undergo training at Britannia Royal Naval College alongside other Royal Navy officer cadets. After completing the course they may opt to earn their "Dolphins" and serve in the Submarine Service or the green beret (upon completion of the All Arms Commando Course) and serve with the Royal Marines.

Chaplains of the Fleet

 * The role of Chaplain of the Fleet, being Head of the Naval Chaplains, was established on 13 May 1859, and was originally attached to the role of Senior Chaplain at Greenwich Hospital and was also the Inspector of Naval Schools.




 * 1859–1865: Unknown
 * 1865–1871: William Guise-Tucker
 * 1871–1875: Unknown
 * 23 November 1876 – 1882 (retd): John Cawston
 * 1882–1888: John Harbord
 * 1888 – 17 January 1899 (retd): John Cox-Edwards
 * 1899 – 1 March 1901 (retd): John Berry
 * 1901 – 6 October 1906 (retd): Stuart Harris
 * 1906 – 1 December 1917 (retd): Hugh Wood
 * 1917–1924: Charles Ingles
 * 1924 – 29 January 1929 (retd): Robert McKew
 * 1929–1933: Walter Knight-Adkin
 * 1933–1935: Charles Peshall
 * 1935 – 4 October 1938 (retd): Arthur Gilbertson
 * 1938–1943: Thomas Crick
 * 1943–1947: John Wilson
 * 1947 – 15 May 1952: Leonard Coulshaw
 * 1952–1956: Noel Chamberlain
 * 1956–1960: Darrell Bunt
 * 1960 – 5 March 1963 (retd): John Armstrong
 * 15 May 1963 – 18 March 1966 (retd): Raymond Richardson
 * 18 March 1966 – 6 May 1969: Christopher Prior
 * 8 April 1969 – 9 June 1972 (retd): Ambrose Weekes
 * 14 April 1972 – 1975: Chandos Morgan
 * 4 December 1975 – 1980: Basil O'Ferrall
 * 28 March 1980 – 1984: Raymond Roberts
 * 11 June 1984 – 1989: Noël Jones
 * 1989–1994: Michael Henley
 * 1994–1997: Michael Bucks
 * 1997–1999: Simon Golding
 * 1999–2000: Charles Stewart
 * 2000–2002: Simon Golding
 * 2002–2006: Barry Hammett
 * 2006–2010: John Green
 * 2010–2014: Scott J Brown
 * 2014–present: Ian Wheatley