Lt Fred Stokes RN

Fred enlisted in the Royal Marines Band Service aged 17 where he spent a busy five years both in the UK and as far afield as Arkangelsk, Russia and the Falkland Islands.

Following time onboard RFA ARGUS as a casualty handler, he joined Britannia Royal Naval College in 2017 as a Logistics Officer. He deployed immediately on commissioning to HMS DUNCAN during her turbulent time as flagship Standing Nato Maritime Group in 2018, including Black Sea operations and strikes on Syrian chemical weapon manufacturers.

He was then assigned to Defence Equipment and Support as the Military Advisor to SHIPS HQ, followed by six months as acting Chief of Staff for the Integrated Logistics Support Cell.  In Sep 2020 he transferred to the Submarine Service to begin training.

Fred joined the submarine HMS VIGILANT as the Logistics Officer, deploying immediately on OP RELENTLESS to provide the UK nuclear deterrent. On his return he served as acting SO2 Logistics for V-Class Platform Support within the SDA and in Jan 2022 deployed to Alaska and the Beaufort Sea as Deputy Operations Manager for US ICEX22. In May 2022 he re-joined HMS VIGILANT to assist regeneration for a further deployment.

He deployed to Op KIPION in May 2023 as the LO Personnel Support for UK Naval Support Facility during a challenging time for Middle Eastern security following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Immediately on return to the UK in Nov 23, Fred attached to 24 Cdo RE for training prior to completing the All-Arms Commando Course. 

On completion he joined Headquarters UK Commando Forces as the Deputy Group Logistics Commander. Early deployments in the Commando Force included Op HIGHTIDE in the Indo-Pacific and Op ARENGA in the Eastern Mediterranean. He later deployed on various multinational exercises including CATAMARAN and TARASSIS.

In December 2025 Fred departs the Commando Force to become the team leader for the Earthstrider expedition.