Under Pressure: Life on a Submarine. Richard Humphreys

I was basically in charge of the external security of the submarine, making sure anyone coming onto the submarine had the correct pass, including members of the ship’s company. Security was so tight that serving submariners from the 3rd Submarine Squadron – also based in Faslane – were not even allowed on the jetty where Resolution was docked. I checked visitor lists against who was expected, whether the captain had any guests arriving or if the MEO had any thespian types up from London. His wife had something to do with the theatre and so we’d receive visitors from time to time. And, since I would be the first person visiting dignitaries would meet on their arrival, it was important not to look like a sack of shit.

My favourite visitor was the Oscar-winning actor Sir John Mills, with whom I shared a pint down in the mess. He was immaculately dressed in a gold-buttoned navy blazer, shirt, cravat, grey slacks, pink Lacoste socks and brogues. We talked at length about the final scene in Ice Cold in Alex