Anthony Mervyn Poulter (60-65), a retired Captain in the Royal Navy who was awarded
the OBE, died peacefully in hospital in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk on 10th March 2023 aged
77. He left a widow Anne. His funeral will be held at 12 noon on 12th April at St. John the
Evangelist Church in the village of Rushford near Thetford IP24 2SE.

Diagnosed with leukaemia more than 30 years ago, Tony’s was a remarkable medical survival
story. Despite his severe illness, he continued to undertake responsible and stressful jobs,
both in the Royal Navy until his retirement in 2001 and subsequently in a number of civilian
leadership roles. “A life of service to the country, the community and the church. His sense of
fun and laughter will leave a void in the lives of many” stated a death notice in The Daily
Telegraph.

At the NCP Tony was in Macquarie Division. In 1965 he was appointed Chief of Port
Jackson Division. He gained ‘A’ levels in Mathematics and Physics, received a Royal Life
Saving Society Award of Merit, captained the Swimming team in 1965 and represented the
College at Shooting for four years. Rough shooting remained a hobby throughout his life as
did sailing and swimming.

Joining Dartmouth in 1965, he served mostly in submarines including as commanding officer
of three vessels – HMS Opossum, Tireless and Resolution. Awarded the OBE in 1991
following his command of Resolution (the first RN ballistic missile submarines), he was
promoted Captain in June 1992. His Service career ended in 1999-2000 with a posting as
Chief Manpower to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe in Mons, Belgium.

On being placed on the RN Retired List in 2001, Tony joined the Norfolk Constabulary as the
force’s Business Manager. In this role, he spent time on national policing issues both with the
Home Office and ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) as part of a drive to increase
public satisfaction and confidence in the police. He retired from this role in 2008.
Having been admitted to the Worshipful Company of Fletchers (arrow-making/archery) in
1993, he was elected to the Court in 2004, became Master for the 2009-10 year and was a
Freeman of the City of London. In Norfolk he chaired his parish council and also sat on a
board charged with regenerating Thetford.