I do not wish to spend too long on this story as it will do nothing for my blood pressure if I dwell on the subject but suffice to say Royal Navy chiefs have come under fire for dropping plans to name a new attack submarine HMS Agincourt.
The seventh and final Astute-class submarine was to be called HMS Agincourt but it will now be named HMS Achilles, word has it this was done in an effort not to upset the French but one has to wonder when was the last time the French were in the slightest bit worried about upsetting us?
Apparently, this rather splendid Astute-class hunter-killer submarine cost £1.5 billion to build and I would have thought, for that sort of money we could have named the dam thing, Froggy McFrog’s legs if we’d have been so inclined.
Agincourt is recognised as one of England’s greatest military victories against vastly superior numbers of French troops and is well known in Shakespeare’s play Henry V for the ‘once more unto the breach’ speech.
Rear Admiral Chris Parry a retired Royal Naval officer summed up the matter rather succinctly when he said, ‘the decision was a case of craven political correctness and ideology gone mad.’
It may come as no surprise to learn that there is actually a committee, the Royal Navy Ships’ Names and Badging Committee who approves these names and then passes the names to the Navy Board which then presents its selection to the Defence Secretary for sign off, the names are then submitted to the monarch for royal approval and finally they get cold feet and change the name for fear of upsetting a few French people. Where would Government be without a committee or two to interfere with the smooth running of things?
The Royal Navy would not say why the name had been changed to HMS Achilles and Downing Street refused to be drawn on why the name Agincourt had been dropped.
I first saw news of this name change on an AOL news site and decided I would place the comment ‘pathetic’, which I thought summed up the rather woke attitude to the naming of this ship but lo and behold my suggestion was rejected as it might offend, although it wasn’t specified whether those offended would be French or some other nationality.
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Your title reminded me of that marvellous poem “Naming of Parts 1942” by Henry Reed. https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/naming-of-parts.
I’m sure he would have a good deal to say about this!
Splendid.