A Brief History

The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has a long history in the North West of England dating back to 1904 when the Mersey Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was established in Liverpool. Over the years other units have been located at Birkenhead, Manchester, Preston, Southport and Warrington, but since 1994, HMS EAGLET has been the only Reserve Training Centre (RTC) in the North West.

Mersey Division was originally established at the Old Custom House, Liverpool and moved to HMS EAGLE, a 74-gun frigate, in 1911. In 1919 she was renamed HMS EAGLET. During the First World War, personnel served in HM Ships and in the RN Division ashore. The Division reformed in 1922, and in 1926 HMS SIR BEVIS replaced the old wooden frigate and was renamed HMS EAGLET. Over 1000 Officers and Ratings were mobilised in 1939, of which 120 lost their lives during the war. HMS EAGLET became the flagship of Commander in Chief Western Approaches, the only reserve establishment to have flown the flag of a Commander in Chief. In 1946 the Division reformed and concentrated on its seagoing role in providing crews for its own, dedicated minesweepers. Various minesweepers were allocated to the division over the years and until 1976 bore the traditional name, HMS MERSEY.

In 1972 the Division moved ashore to Princes Dock, Liverpool. HMS EAGLET was granted the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 1993. In the same year HMS EAGLET hosted the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1994, as part of a reduced and reorganised RNR, HMS EAGLET became a Reserve Training Centre (RTC), and is no longer referred to as Mersey Division RNR. The role of the RNR changed dramatically with a much greater emphasis on sea training in RN ships. In 1998 HMS EAGLET moved to a purpose built headquarters alongside Brunswick Dock. This multi million pound project provides a joint headquarters for HMS EAGLET, the Merseyside Royal Marines Reserve, the Naval Regional Officer, and the North West Area Sea Cadet Force, alongside berths are provided for the First Patrol Boat Squadron vessels of the RN University Units.