Office of the Commander-in-Chief
Naval Home Command
PORTSMOUTH PO1 3LR

The volunteer has always had an important part to play in our country.

This book is a record of a small but important crew of such volunteers, men and women, who devote their spare time to support the Royal Navy. HMS Wildfire is one of the 29 Units situated around the United Kingdom, generally in areas where there is no regular Navy presence.

At Chatham and in the Medway area, with its long naval traditions, it is especially encouraging to see the good relationship which exists between the Royal Naval Reserve and the local authorities. This peacetime association is an important link with the community. In times of trouble it would be the ability of the volunteer to meet his or her war task which will be vital to the security of the nation.

I congratulate WILDFIRE on their Silver Jubilee and on the production of this commemorative book which I commend to all its readers.

September 1989.
Jeremy Black,
Admiral
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NAVAL HOME COMMAND.