More than 100 members of the Weapon Engineering Submarine community gathered in the WO & SRs Mess, HMS Neptune, for the 8th Ian Molyneux WESM Dinner on Wednesday 9 September 2026. Held as part of celebrations marking 125 years of the Submarine Service, the evening brought together serving personnel, veterans, honoured guests and supporters in a fitting celebration of remembrance, friendship and the enduring spirit of the submarine community.
The dinner continued to carry Ian’s name with pride, with Mrs Gill Molyneux once again attending as an honoured guest. Her continued support means a great deal to the WESM community and provides an important link between Ian’s legacy, the event and the wider submarine family.
Thanks were offered to all those who made the evening possible, including Capt Fergus Walker, who stepped in at short notice as the senior WESM Officer; Mark and Sarah; the ESS front-of-house team and chefs; WO1 Chris Randall and the HMS Neptune Volunteer Band; and WO1 Keith ‘Red’ McEwen, BWO and Mess President. Thanks, were also extended to WO1 Mac McLoughlin for organising and hosting the event. Their planning, service, music and support helped deliver a first-class dinner with the sense of occasion and tradition expected of a WESM gathering.
The Mercury Trophy recognised the HMS ANSON Communications Department for their professionalism, resilience and skill during recent operations, including Operation HIGHFIN, where they managed complex communications in demanding conditions and upheld the highest standards of teamwork and operational effectiveness.
Captain Fergus Walker Presenting the 2026 Mercury Trophy to PO CIS Eldon Hughes and Lt Cdr Tom Steadman WEO HMS Anson
Charity remained central to the evening, with attendees supporting a raffle in aid of We Remember Submariners and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The RNRMC also kindly donated a four-ball at Cameron House, brought along by Natalie ‘Nats’ Lewis, which was auctioned on the night and added further fun and fundraising to the occasion.
The printed dinner programme also helped set the tone, with artwork and print support provided by the Clyde Graphic Design team. It reflected the formal nature of the event while recognising 125 years of the Submarine Service, the WESM branch and the people who continue to sustain its traditions.
Special mention must also go to the CAF and Bobby Rennie, whose support with the table gifts took the evening to another level. Their thought, quality and presentation gave the tables a distinctive finish, provided guests with a memorable keepsake and even prompted some unique gift swapping.
The atmosphere was lifted further by live music from the Volunteer Band and additional entertainment that gave the dinner its distinctive character. From welcome drinks and shared dits to speeches, port donations, raffle prizes and the auction — including a unique violin that really needs to be seen to be explained; the evening balanced formal remembrance with good-humoured WESM camaraderie.
On behalf of the WESM community, thank you to everyone who attended, supported the charities, donated prizes, helped behind the scenes or added to the atmosphere in the room. The Ian Molyneux WESM Dinner remains an important branch tradition: a chance to remember absent friends, celebrate those serving today and keep alive the strong bonds of the WESM and wider submarine community. Thanks to the generosity of those present, more than £1,250 was raised for charity on the night.
End of Run – Good Run
