The Semaphore Circular No 688 the Beating Heart of the RNA April 2019
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The Semaphore Circular No 688 The Beating Heart of the RNA April 2019 Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender (D36) alongside South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Naval Base in the spring sunshine preparing to go to sea. This edition is the on-line version of the Semaphore Circular, unless you have registered with Central Office, it will only be available on the RNA website in the ‘Members Area’ under ‘downloads’ at www.royal-naval-association.co.uk and will be emailed to the branch contact, usually the Hon Sec 1 Daily Orders (follow each link) Orders [follow each link] 1. Condolence Letter – RNA Christchurch 2. Central Office Open Days 3. RNVC Series – PO Thomas William Gould 4. CASD 50 Celebrations 5. Guess Where? 6. Unsung Naval Victory at Norway 7. Joke Time – French Church Sign Glossary of terms NCM National Council Member NC National Council AMC Association Management Committee FAC Finance Administration Committee NCh National Chairman NVCh National Vice Chairman NP National President DNP Deputy National President GS General Secretary DGS Deputy General Secretary AGS Assistant General Secretary CONA Conference of Naval Associations NCBA National Charter, Rules and Byelaws Advisor Throughout indicates a new or substantially changed entry Contacts Financial Controller 023 9272 3823 [email protected] Digital Communications [email protected] Manager Deputy General Secretary 023 9272 0782 [email protected] Assistant General Secretary 023 9272 3747 [email protected] (Membership & Slops) S&O Administrator 023 9272 0782 [email protected] General Secretary 023 9272 2983 [email protected] Admin 023 92 72 3747 [email protected] Project Semaphore Manager [email protected] Project Semaphore Deputy [email protected] Branch Support Officer (North) 07964 721849 [email protected] National Branch Retention 07713 876846 [email protected] and Recruiting Advisor Apparently, Chrissie is pleased that Wales won at Egg Ball! A Grand Slamed sorry Slam! And finally, General Secretary Bill’s blood pressure is starting to reduce after Scotland’s brilliant attempt for ‘Freedom’ Find Semaphore Circular On-line Snail Trail Mail - Postal Address http://bit.ly/RNADownloads RNA Central Office, or Room 209, PP70, RNA Website / Members Area / Downloads / Semaphore Tower, Circulars / Code (shipmate) HM Naval Base, Portsmouth Hants PO1 3LT Dear Shipmates, Welcome to April’s Semaphore Circular which is a little early this month not because I’m any keener but rather my trusty DGS, Andy, has had enough of the March weather and is off to sun himself in Barbados and I need to exploit his publishing skills before the off. For the same reason, your Semaphore Circular is a little thinner than usual this month but that only means it’ll be a bumper edition next month. It’s been an interesting month. Last week saw the Conference of Naval Associations meeting which was privileged to be addressed by Captain Nick Cooke-Priest, the current CO of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. He tells a powerful story of this new capability the Navy is starting to understand and exploit and made us all feel very proud of where the Navy is going. After the Iraq and Afghanistan adventures which marked the immediate aftermath of 9/11, it is clear that the current Secretary of State, and indeed his predecessor, now understand the maritime narrative and are totally supportive of the naval case. They also understand the political power and respect a capability like the QEC wields. On the tactical side, we’re now informed that QUEEN ELIZABETH is planned to sail from Portsmouth in early April but you’ll understand I’d be a fool to say when exactly. And then, a few days later, she arrives in the Firth of Forth to face all the challenges of docking her down back in the place of her birth at Rosyth. It’s like a navigator’s Trade Test getting her low enough to creep under the Rail Bridge and then high enough to get over the bar, and that’s before squeezing through the lock into the basin with only 43cm clearance on each side. Oh, and that’s backwards but that’s no problem because you can’t see the waterline from the bridge anyway!! Good luck Navs! Saturday 16 March saw another Sir Donald Gosling funded project coming to fruition; the planting of the Jutland Wood at Langley Vale near Epsom. This was the culmination of several planting events arranged by the Woodland Trust who have managed a fantastic programme to plant four woods – one each in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the one at Langley Vale to commemorate all the British and Commonwealth personnel who fell in WW1. The Battle of Jutland was chosen as the focus for the 44,000 naval and merchant marine deaths during the War and the planting on Saturday saw an avenue of 14 oaks; each one representing a ship that was lost during the Battle and over 6,000 saplings to represent the men who were lost. The National President, Admiral John McAnally, was invited to plant the oak representing INVINCIBLE while the National Chairman, Keith Ridley, planted the QUEEN MARY’s both ships going down with over 1000 souls. There was a good RNA turnout and, supported by the Sea Cadet Corps, it meant that all generations were represented. It was good to see Sir David Steel, the former 2nd Sea Lord, who was instrumental in connecting the RNA with the Woodland Trust on this project and, as our National President recognised in his vote of thanks, this will be a permanent living memorial on the land for those lost at sea and will be able to be enjoyed by generations to come. It was somewhat poignant to look back across the hillside and rolling fields beyond to see the many thousands of protective green plastic sleeves and realise that each one represented a personal sacrifice. BZ to all those who turned out. Meanwhile, planning continues for the Annual National Conference at St Neots and it promises to be a marvelous weekend. Application forms are attached. Sign up! Also, this year marks 50 years of Continuous At Sea Deterrent and, to mark the occasion, there will be a service in Westminster Abbey on Friday 03 May 2019. Veterans who have a connection are very welcome to attend and application forms can be found at the end of this edition. I have the honour of representing the RNA but with all those submariners crushed into the Abbey, I’ll be having a good scrub when I get home! Open Days are starting to fill up. It includes a harbour tour of Portsmouth Naval Base to see all the works which have been done in the Base for the Queen Elizabeth Class. If you’re lucky, you may even see the carrier herself. The dates are: 17 May, 21 Jun, 26 Jul, 30 Aug and 11 Oct. Please book with Nigel on 02392723747 or Andy on 02392720782. As well as the Annual Conference in St Neots, please do try and come to the Biennial Parade in Whitehall on 08 September. The RNA has this very great privilege to pay our respects to fallen comrades in a separate march on the Cenotaph and it is important that we exercise our right to do so. Clearly, we’ll be mustering on completion to raise a glass too. Finally, a huge thank you to No4 Area for the kind invitation to their Area Reunion in Bideford, 1-3 Mar. What a cracking weekend and great to meet such a lovely group of people who clearly know how to enjoy life. Best wishes from the Central Office Team , Bill Stop Press: Sad news from No 12 Area; Shipmate Ivan Hunter BEM has crossed the bar eventually losing his battle with cancer. Ivan was a Life Vice President of the RNA, a stalwart NCM for many years and latterly Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee. Our sympathies are with Sandra and his family at this difficult time. An obituary will be posted next month. 1. Condolences Letter from RNA Christchurch Branch I am sure Shipmates would empathise with the deepest sentiments of the letter below. S/M Rick Squibb Chairman of RNA Christchurch Branch wrote on behalf of his branch to pass heartfelt condolences to the President of Christchurch RSA NZ for the tragic events at the Mosque where so many innocent people died. By Gen Sec: BZ Christchurch Branch, what a lovely thing to do. Dear President Christchurch RSA NZ The Members of the Royal Naval Association of Christchurch & District Branch UK offer our condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the people of Christchurch NZ, especially to our ex- service colleagues who may have been affected by the recent terrorist atrocities. As we are ‘twinned’ with Christchurch NZ. We have an affinity with all our fellow citizens and towns folk. I know our Mayor has sent a message of condolence to your Mayor. However, we feel we want our ex-service ‘mates’ to know our thoughts are with you. We have an AGM on Thursday and will direct our minute silence in memory of Christchurch NZ victims I have personal close family ties with Christchurch and have visited several times over recent years. My wife’s Brother lives in Christchurch, he is ex Royal Navy and my wife is ex WRNS, again it makes our close Military ties even more personal. Therefore, my message is both personal to you all on a family basis and from all ‘Shipmates’ of the Royal Naval Association. With all good Wishes to you all Rick Squibb MSM Chairman Christchurch & District RNA 2. Central Office Open Days Central Office are holding a number of Open Days over 2019, please dates below.