Dates: 1903 -
HMS Flying Fox is a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve unit located in Bristol training over 100 reservists from Avon, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
There has been a naval volunteer force associated with Bristol since the formation of the Sea Fencibles Services in 1798 when companies of volunteers were enrolled: ’for protection of the coast on shore or afloat; comprising all fishermen and other persons occupied in the ports and on the coast.’
Subsequent volunteer forces included the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers formed in 1853, and the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, formed in 1873. The RNAV conducted drills onboard HMS Daedalus, a 20 gun frigate of some 1082 tons, which had arrived in the Floating Harbour in June 1861 as a training ship.
On the formation of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in June 1903, five Divisions were established (Bristol, London, Tyne, Mersey and Scottish). Local parades continued onboard HMS Daedalus until her departure in 1909 when the Division moved to a shore headquarters in Jamaica Street. At the outbreak of the First World War the Division was mobilised. Most of the signalmen and artisans drafted straight to sea with the remainder drafted to Walmer where they formed part of the 1st RN Brigade.
On cessation of hostilities the Division reformed in 1919 and a new drill ship, a Fleet Sweeping Vessel (Sloop). She had been named after the Duke of Westminster’s horse, which won the Derby in 1899. HMS Flying Fox - was berthed at Bristol in 1924. Renamed Severn Division after World War II, HMS Flying Fox was moored at Hotwells until the early 1970’s, the RNVR unit, to which it had given its name, moved ashore to its present HQ in 1972.
