Nick Chrumka and Tobias Williams, Class of 2013

A decade after leaving Trinity in 2013, two Trinity alumni reunited when they deployed together in the Royal Navy’s Flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, on operation Firedrake.

Nick Chrumka and Tobias Williams first met in 2006 in 1N, Ms Beaumont’s form. The following years crafted a friendship based around the CCF, awful banter and a firm enthusiasm for the mechanical. All entities that likely led to their joining the Royal Navy.

Nick commissioned as a Marine Engineer Officer in 2019 following a career as a Design and Production Engineer in the Automotive Industry. During FIREDRAKE he found himself second-in-command of the aircraft carrier’s Marine Engineering department deputising for the vessels Chief Engineer. The department is responsible for all aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering onboard the 65,000 tonne Aircraft Carrier and comprises over 200 sailors. A high voltage ship, the power plant onboard generates 110 Mega Watts of power (enough to power Swindon) and is the largest and most complex piece of equipment the UK has ever produced.

Toby, who joined as a naval aviator in 2017, was posted to 820 Naval Air Squadron at the time. With a crew of 4 in a Merlin Mk2 helicopter, his job was to dissuade any unfriendly submarines considering approaching the task group. A Merlin achieves this using an array of different sonars, RADAR, electro-magnetic receivers, magnetic sensors and an infrared camera. Other tasks included reconnaissance, search and rescue, and resupply.

The two have enjoyed some splendid highlights over their careers. In 2022, Nick was honoured to receive a commendation from HM Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor in recognition of his work on additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping as a deployed capability. He also remembers his time on Type 45 destroyer HMS DEFENDER very fondly. He not only sailed the world on OP FORTIS but was also part of the ship’s company during the ‘Black Sea Incident’ in 2021.

Toby’s proudest moment was his ‘wings’ parade, on completion of training, in which he won all available awards. However, he’ll never forget the privilege of flying over London as part of HM’s Trooping the Colour fly-past. Not least, waving at his best friend’s family in their back garden and seeing Trinity itself.

A victim of his own success, Nick has been pulled from engineering to take a new role as Flag Lieutenant (Flags) to Rear Admiral Jude Terry, who is Director of People and Training for the Royal Navy and the RNs first female Admiral.

Toby is intermittently deployed on operations in the North Atlantic with 814NAS; keeping tabs on a certain nation’s underwater activity. Unfortunately, therefore, it may be some time until they get to work together again.