Submariner with close ties to Axminster invited to Buckingham Palace reception by Queen Consort Camilla

Luena Thomas, a Submariner in the Royal Navy with strong links to Axminster, was among guests at a recent reception hosted by the Queen Consort Camilla.

Luena, a Petty Officer Medical Assistant, is the daughter of Mrs Jacqueline Symes, who is married to former mayor Mervyn Symes.

 Luena Joined the Navy at 17 years of age and was drafted initially into the Warfare Division and based in Portsmouth.Her first draft to HMS Exeter, a Type 42 Destroyer, saw her take part in the Falklands 25th Anniversary in June 2007.  

Upon decommissioning of HMS Exeter in 2008, Luena was drafted to Type 45 Destroyer HMS Diamond and later HMS Daring.  

Now Leading Hand, whilst drafted to HMS Daring the ship embarked on a round the world tour in 2013, promoting the new state of the art Destroyer, and hosting dignitaries on board.  The tour of duty included Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Melbourne and Sydney Australia, Singapore, Tokyo, Vietnam, Maldives, and finally Gibraltar.

First humanitarian support vessel

It was whilst the ship was alongside at Singapore that the tsunami struck the Philippines.  HMS Daring was the first humanitarian support vessel to attend the scene, providing initial emergency provisions and gauging required support.  Their attendance was relieved by HMS Illustrious, allowing them to continue with their planned schedule.

During the following years Luena declined promotion, opting instead to train for a transfer for the RN Medical Branch.

In 2017, Luena trained as a Submariner and was drafted as a Medical Assistant to HMS Vigilant at Faslane Naval Base, Scotland.  Onboard a Vangard Class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, the role of MA is not only dealing with illness and injuries, but also involves atmospheric and nuclear reactor monitoring.  Deployments can be anything up to three to six months.  Top secret duties mean the boat must 'disappear' on patrol for weeks on end, and where there is no contact with family.  Whilst on deployment in 2020 Luena had to manage a large number of crew suffering Covid-19 and with no doctor on board at the time.

During this period Luena was instrumental in setting up a women's mentoring and support network for new female recruits, and where the group's first seminar was attended by HRH Princess Anne.

Most sophisticated submarine

In 2021, and now Petty Officer, Luena was drafted to HMS Artful,  an Astute-class boat; the largest, most advanced and powerful attack submarines operated.  Moving up a rank, Luena's duties now include driving the boat, and undertaking top secret duties whilst on patrol.

During their last deployment the crew of HMS Artful were singled out for their efforts to promote diversity on board, where judges at the annual Women in Defence Awards presented the boat with Inclusive Teamwork Award for its efforts.  

It was whilst on their last deployment that Luena received an invitation from the Queen Consort to attend a reception for Royal Navy Medics at Buckingham Palace.  She was ne of only seven submariners to receive an invitation out of the one 100 guests in attendance which included RN Doctors and upper echelon.

The only downside to being a Submariner is that you are not given medals to commemorate your tours of duty - as you were never there!

When Luena is home on leave and visiting her parents, she takes pride in taking part the Axminster Royal British Legion gatherings and Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service.