Col Simon Westlake Royal Marines

A final return from India to Plymouth, it’s Saturday and @EFL day means a trip to @Argyle - goal-line clearances, crossbar strike, missed chances, bumper crowd, and a brilliant 1-0 victory at the final whistle - great to be back! @jonah_one @kevnance @erinnblackk

Poignant & other memorable moments too - Remembrance in Delhi, Mumbai & Chandigarh. A fine farewell dining out at the High Commissioner’s Residence - great picture with the brilliant @DefenceinUk Team & finally, there was always my alter ego with the #VelveteenRabbitDisco

And a little bit more…

Well, it’s a wrap on our time in India. Short time in UK, chance for @Argyle on Sat, before I head off again! Incredible experiences: 1st ever #IAF at Ex COBRA WARRIOR; #LRGSouth maintenance visit, OPVs & #CSG25 with @indiannavy & @RoyalNavy carriers together for 1st time ever!

Honoured to represent @UKDefenceIndia at poignant #Remembrance Services at the historic #AfghanChurch in #Mumbai on Sun & with the @UKinChandigarh team today, marking the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month - the Westlake’s final Remembrance Day in #India. @RoyalNavy

@CScottFCDO And nearly 3 years since I finished my time as DA to Anguilla, and the remainder of the Caribbean OTs and Island states!

Today’s the eighth anniversary of my finishing being Governor of Anguilla, the world’s most beautiful small island (and no, there’s no point trying to persuade me otherwise) But golly: where do the years just go?!

And a little clip of our strong finish!

Home in the UK on leave, but brilliant to trek the @RoyalMarines #30Miler with my grandson - the third generation to cover that route! Weather was typically Dartmoor, ground as tough as ever, but new memories to add to the old & glad that these ol’ legs can still get me round!

If I were in the UK, I would definitely be attending this event to hear from the first hand experiences of an incredible, inspirational and determined individual - and fellow Plymouthian! Best of luck @MarkOrmrod @erinnblackk @kevnance @Milts25 @johnacres48

I need say no more…

Proud to mark 36 yrs served in @RoyalMarines - passed out fm #CTCRM with the great #571Tp - still in comms with the boys! Time at 40 Cdo, 42 Cdo, Cdo Logs, 29 Cdo, RM POOLE, COMAW, CAF, EU, USMC, NCHQ & DA Ghana, DA Jamaica & NA India, all with Angie alongside - fm Mne to Col!

Wow wow wow - the beauty of the #FACup - an incredible performance and near unbelievable result for the boys in Green!! Well done @kevnance and the rest of the club for a brilliant performance!

Building up to the big match in New Delhi! Followed the last meeting in 2017 fm Ghana; now the #DelhiPilgrims are tuned in fm India - wishing @kevnance #mironmuslic & everyone else @Argyle the best of luck today! Love the #FACup! @erinnblackk @Milts25 @ArgyleTv @jonah_one #COYG

So very happy to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary today - what a journey, from hopeful youngsters to the people we are now. Reflection also, as we mark the 1st anniversary of the loss of my father, Norman - guitarist, electrician, fireman, Dad…a glass raised tonight…

@harryvx Great news Harriet, it was a pleasure working with you in the Caribbean - best of luck for your future role!

I am incredibly honoured to be taking up the position of Governor of Montserrat in April - GOV.UK gov.uk/government/new…

Well, that’s the last sunset of 2024 here in #India as we look towards 2025. To all #RoyalMarines & those in the UK Global Defence Network wherever you are in the world tonight, I wish you a very happy #New Year & every good fortune for 2025! @MickSmeathUK #India @RoyalMarines

@chandruiyer @UKinIndia Thank you Chandru, very kind of you.

@Swestred Happy Birthday Simon. It is an honour to be your colleague in the @UKinIndia network.

Well, turned 55 today; should have retired yesterday, but still cracking on - tkyou RM! So a🧵 on this ol’ life; most years spent in the great #RoyalMarines & with my wonderful wife Angela! Started in 1969 in Hartland, N Devon with my folks Rose & Norman…& then my brother Matt…

Welcome to the UK #INSTUSHIL - great to see you in the #UK - following the #INSTABAR visit earlier this year & visits by @RoyalNavy OPVs & @RFAArgus & @RFALymeBay to India - with the #RN EEZ Programme in India also in early Dec, the RN/IN collaboration gets stronger every year!

But, whatever my journey has brought - it must all lead back to my family - more important than every other experience…wife, daughter, son and grandson…more proud of them than anything else in my life…only wish I’d had more time with them all…but that’s life in the Corps…

UK jobs, global deployments, Ops, Staff College & MSc with the brilliant @USMC - Belize, NI, FRY, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Afghanistan, Counter Piracy led me to Defence Engagement - and so to @UKinGhana @UKinCaribbean & now @UKDefenceIndia - what a journey…will it continue? Hope so!