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Hunters serve together on hunter-killer
27 December 2023
A sailor has followed in his father’s footsteps, literally, by deploying with him in the same submarine.
Engineering Technician George Hunter – who joined the Royal Navy in 2021 aged 17 – sailed with his father, veteran submariner Warrant Officer 2 Graham Hunter on patrol in an Astute-class submarine.
Both Hunters made the decision to join the navy in their teenage years with Graham signing up aged 16 in 1997. While his choice was on a whim, it was hearing stories of Graham’s time as a submariner that made George want to also join the Silent Service.
From an early age, it became a goal of his and he was encouraged by his dad’s career and was endeared by the lifestyle choice.
Their time spent on board the A-boat – for security reasons we cannot disclose which one – was George’s first sea draft and it is likely to be Graham’s last.
WO2 Hunter said: “It seems strange to see our George on-board. It doesn’t seem that long ago that he was just a young child running around at home.
“In fact, I have steaming bats [shoes] and T-shirts older than him.”
The pair, from Hartlepool but who have lived in Plymouth, Portsmouth and Faslane, have been surrounded by the Royal Navy and its traditions, something George said helped influence his decision.
He completed basic training at HMS Raleigh in February 2022 and it was a proud moment for his family and friends.
It’s nice to be on board with my dad, I finally understand all the stories he has been spinning all these years.
ET Hunter added: “It’s nice to be on board with my dad, I finally understand all the stories he has been spinning all these years.
“After doing the rounds and morning colours at home for years I thought I may as well join up and get paid for it.”
And if being on the submarine at the same time wasn’t enough, both share the same nickname ‘Tab Hunter’ (after a 1950s Hollywood heartthrob) although dad is known as ‘Big Tab’ and George ‘Little Tab’.
The pair said although ending up on the same A-boat was a happy coincidence, they are both enjoying it and are proud of what they’re doing.