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Peter Coates
Biography
By way of introduction my name is Peter Coates, I am 57, nearly 58 with four children. My eldest son has been in the army now for 16 years, my next eldest is the assistant manager of a downhill mountain biking centre in North Wales. My eldest daughter who is now 20 is still looking to find her way in life and hasn't decided on a career path; and that just leaves my little boy, who is 7 and he keeps both my wife Cheryl and me on our toes. I hope he also keeps us young at heart too. To complete our family, we two Patterdale cross terriers.
I joined the Royal Navy at 16 and served just over 14 years, employed as a weapons engineer and then a Mine Clearance Diver. After leaving the regulars I remained as an active member of the Royal Naval Reserve specialising in mine warfare before finally decommissioning in 2007.
After leaving the Royal Navy (regular service) I joined Greater Manchester Police, where I served in a number of different roles and ranks, with my final posting being as a Response Inspector within the busy borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester.
I retired from the police in 2024 to focus on my family and interests. I am a SCUBA diving Instructor within a local club; I also collect and restore Harley Davidson motorcycles.
A big part of our life at the moment is we are in the process of moving from Irlam in Salford to the Orkney Islands off Scotland’s North coast. My wife who is a nurse with the NHS is transferring to the island’s hospital, so a big adventure for all of us.
Academically I have nothing, I have no formal qualifications from school and only professional qualifications obtained from both the military and the police during my time with them. I have always had an interest in history and have been very lucky to visit many historical sites around the world. To this, and with the newly found time on my hands, I have decided to throw myself into studies and fingers crossed achieve a degree. I am looking forward to the challenge and I know this is taking myself completely out of my comfort zone.
Unfortunately, in 2018 I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD from exposure to multi layered trauma over decades of uniformed service. I don't see this as a disability or a barrier anymore but as a reminder of my commitment to do the right thing and to have hopefully helped people along the way through some very tragic events.
I have no more career aspirations at my age, or in fact the need of a degree for personal advancement, this I am doing purely for me, and I am very excited to get started.
