Ahoy Shipmate RNA Torbay Newsletter

Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

In this issue Editorial Editorial ...... 1 By Shipmate Norrie Millen Chairman’s Corner ...... 2 Hi! Shipmates, Stuffed Shirt Attitude ...... 2 RNA Welfare Seminar ...... 3 -4 I am completely fed up; as indeed I know you all Cooks to the galley ...... 5 are, with Torbay Councils decision not to China Fleet Club Part 3 ...... 6 -9 include or invite us to participate in the HM S/M Torbay - Freedom 10 -11 Freedom of Torbay granted to submarine crew President’s Patter ...... 11 of HM S/M Torbay. Given the fact, we are the Silke’s Story ...... 12 -14 only naval association in Torbay (unless you US Navy’s Laser Weapon ...... 15 include RNA Brixham) and our close liaison with the submarine begs the question “What Back and forth . . . . were they thinking?” or were they thinking at all! Back and forth . . . . Speaking to some of our members, I can fully understand the In and out . . . . frustration and anger this has caused and I personally do not intend to let the matter rest. My major shortcoming is I have low In and out . . . . diplomatic skills and prefer to call a spade a shovel. You might A little to the right. say I am one-faced! A little to the left . . . . The most important point though is that we have missed a She could feel the sweat on her massive golden opportunity to broadcast our presence and the forehead . . . . Down her chest. . chance for some free PR and recruiting advertising. Wouldn’t it have been nice to form up at the end of march with our Branch And, trickling down the small of her back . . . . She was getting Standard flying to welcome the submarine crew at same time near to the end. letting general public know of our presence? He was in ecstasy with a huge I am a strong believer in the pen is mightier than the sword and smile on his face as his wife often write a ‘shittygram’ to organisation CEO’s that have not moved . . . Forwards then given me a good service – it works believe me. Having said that, backwards. Forward then Shipmate John our Chairman has advised that one letter to backwards. Again and, again . . . Herald should suffice which he will write. Her heart was pounding now . . . . Changing subject completely, I was watching the memorial Her face was flushed . . . . She service for Lord Mountbatten in Ireland last week and in some moaned . . softly at first, then historical pictures of Mountbatten noticed he was sporting a set began to groan louder . . . . of Dolphins’ I checked his naval career history and he was a Finally . . . . totally exhausted . . . Signals or Communications specialist and at no time according to . she let out a piercing scream . . . sources I have checked served on submarines. Can any of you She shouted: "OK, OK, you smug (especially our submariners) throw any light on this? Often b*****d, I can't parallel park. You people sport something they are not entitled to wear. do it!" The way I see it anyway! Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

would visit Teignmouth every year for Chairman’s Corner the regatta, often accompanied by HM By Shipmate John Soanes S/M Solent. I am sure the recent The day arrived when Pellew was being withdrawn from service and ceremony to mark placed on the disposal list, leaving the Freedom of the Teignmouth without an adopted ship. Borough of Torbay to The town council wrote and asked for HMS Torbay will be another ship to adopt, but alas, there well covered on other pages, but I were no un-adopted ships available and would like to record how well the the MOD (N) informed local council of local Herald Express covered the this. They being a little narrow-minded event on their website with an and being rather silly threatened to invite the Russian Navy (Still Cold War excellent video clip and first class days), thinking that this would photographs. encourage MOD (N) to come up with a Our Torbay Branch of the Royal British ship. Naval Association was initially The best MOD (N) could do was to inaugurated on 26th September organise a Dutch minesweeper squadron along with their support ship 1945 as The "Royal Naval to fill the gap. As in all ships visits the Comrades Association". When the world over, cocktail parties, ship open Royal Naval Association was to visitors and children’s parties were initially formed by Royal Charter, arranged. The CO of the squadron the RNCA became one of the first to requested that local council come up join the Royal Naval Association, with some guest names including female guests for the official reception which means that our 70th and cocktail party. This was well in Anniversary will fall on 26th advance of the actual visit. September 2015. May I suggest Someone from local council (I that we should do something to cannot remember who after all these mark or celebrate this auspicious years) wrote to local paper a scathing occasion? article which basically indicated we (Town) were not a brothel service for Please think about it and visiting navies and no guests would be bring your suggestions attending official reception on ships to the June Branch arrival. meeting. Quick with the quill, I dashed off a letter stating that council had a ‘Stuffed

Shirt Attitude’. The ink was hardly dry ] ]]]]]] on the newspaper when around 0630 Stuff Shirt Attitude following morning,(luckily I had the By Norrie Millen Morning Watch LOL) there was loud banging at the front door. It being on a You may recall in last issue, I had lower level we were able to see who mentioned an amusing (to me) was banging from our balcony. There anecdote of an incident related to waving his medals and shouting Shipmate John Soanes Chairman’s abusively was a council member, who Corner. obviously took exception to my article. For many years, Teignmouth’s Told him to go away and behave adopted ship was HMS Pellew, which himself.

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RNA Welfare Seminar 2015. By Shipmate Norrie Millen Railways did not have train times to match the ones in my letter, I am sure I would have found the journey much easier! There was no signage in RNB or indeed outside or inside of mess as to location of seminar, the building was undergoing massive renovations and the mess porter (?) was situated in the basement billiard room. He did not seem to sure, where we were supposed to be either; I had See closing comments gained a group of several Branch Having received careful instructions in representatives following me like lost the form of Daily Orders on the Where sheep. He pointed us in direction of and When the Annual Welfare Seminar dining area and instructed to ask again. was to held I thought I would have no The large dining room, was divided by problems. folding wooden doors, which were closed, You ‘old salts’ will well remember how to and we established our meeting was on access RNB Portsmouth (HMS Victory for the other side, but we could not access it most of my time then Nelson) by simply by normal route, as it was a hardhat and walking or driving up/down Queen street safety boots area. Eventually one of the and into main gate. However, because of chefs led us through the servery to the a much higher security level these days side of the meeting. vehicular entry can only be made via HM 75 Shipmates attended the Annual RNA Naval Base Trafalgar gate (bottom of Welfare seminar and it was the biggest M275). turn-out to date. 56 Branches and areas I was instructed to forward: were well represented with more than one delegate for some Branches and a a) my licence plate few observers. b) full name) c) and have photo ID or I would It was a most interesting and informative be denied entry. day with several speakers dealing with However, on arrival at the gate, which different aspects of welfare. The seminar was staffed not by MOD Plod, but a started with a very interesting and security company, who were not in the indeed amusing talk and demonstration remotest bit interested in my name or by Graig McLellan and his “Dog for checking photo ID. I asked for directions Veterans” name of ‘Boo’. Graig was to RNB and the security person just victim of Post Traumatic Syndrome after vaguely waved his arms in general fighting in Iraq. On his medical discharge direction and said just follow the fence. from the forces, he found there was no So I did...and ended up in a dead end! direct help and support at the time so he started the organization "Dogs for Fortunately, there was a MOD Plod sitting Veterans”. These dogs are specially in a Pussers police car who kindly led me trained to the needs and moods of suffers to the WO & SR Mess in HMS Nelson. of PTS. Boo, his second dog will wake Digressing a bit, reminds me of the day I him in the morning with a tap of his paw, was summoned for my RN entrance if that does not get his master up he will medical at Bristol (many moons ago) lick his face and if all else fails literally precise instructions were delineated in drag him out of bed. Boo is trained to get the summons of train times, where to his masters daily drugs or switch on and change and find RN & RM recruiting off lights and ensures that his master office. It was such a pity that British washes and dresses. Overall, the dogs Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 3 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015 have a remarkable calming effect on the A: It consists of five separate modules owners. So Graig says if you see a each of 2 hours duration. person hugging a dog with a “Dogs for I could ramble on for hours, but think I Veterans” surcoat, you will better have covered some of the more understand what is going on. interesting points. Lunch, which we had He was followed by several speakers been warned would cost us £3.00, was including Cameron March from T4V, Phill paid by RNAHQ I guess a reward for such Shuttleworth MBE - Combat Stress, a large turn-out. The bar was open at Mrs Catherine Smith - Age UK, lunchtime but we were warned it was for Cmdre Peter Swann - Hosanna House, Senior rates not us – like waving a red Alick Brown – SSAFA, Mr Mike Bailey - flag at a bull, as the senior rates could Veterans UK, Rita Lock – NWA, Andy not get near the bar for RNA delegates. Christie - RNA Staff Commodore Peter Swann, a very Branches attending included: Branch/Area Branch/Area amusing and skilled orator talked about Area 6, ...... Delabole, Hosanna House, which had been custom Area 8, ...... Dorchester, built at Lourdes for Disabled Veterans Beccles, ...... Dublin, and other supportive groups. Each year Birmingham(C) ...... Folkestone Camberley ...... Frome a group of around 40 are taken by Chard ...... Gloucester chartered plane to Lourdes and attend all Chatham ...... Gloucester the ceremonies, which includes a Cheltenham ...... Havant Christchurch ...... Huddersfield veterans parade from many countries. CONA Ton Class ...... Isle of Wight Cost is £1000 per person but if one has Dorchester ...... Dagenham difficulty, raising funds there are ways to Dublin ...... Delabole Folkestone ...... Frome subsidize the trip. He said, they are often Gloucester ...... Plymouth accompanied by five nuns and one is in Havant ...... Portland the habit (excuse the pun) of taking Huddersfield ...... Portsmouth Isle of Wight ...... R L Spa empty bottles to fill with Holy Water from Lee and Stubbington ...... Reigate Lourdes. On one such trip, the nun was Letchworth ...... Rhonda being checked through Customs and was Lichfield ...... Rhondda Littlehampton ...... Royston asked what was in the bottles. “Holy Llandudno ...... Selsey Water” the nun replied, the disbelieving Margate ...... Spennymoor customs official pulled the cork on one Merthyr ...... St Neots Netley ...... Tenbury Wells and said, “This is gin” “Saints above” said Newport ...... Torbay the nun “Another miracle” Newton Abbot ...... Worthing Area 3 ...... Wymondham The T4V was primarily aimed at Royal Peterborough ...... York Marine Veterans but still very interesting. Eds Note: (?)In my time we had a duty mess The T4V Buddy Courses are a new way of president, never a porter. linking up with Royal Marines Veterans in One very useful item was entitled “Big your area, making a wider circle of White Wall”. This is so you can ‘bounce’ friends, discussing common issues and your problems of other like folk and just a getting an in-depth knowledge of general friendly service for service challenging psycho- social issues. These personnel and veterans see: Courses are a new strategy for Royal Web: www.bigwhitewall.com Marines Veterans, but the format has Email: [email protected] been successfully tried and tested at Phone: 0203 574 4561 Kings College. Perhaps the best way of "Big White Wall helped me get a fresh explaining how a ‘Buddy Course’ works is perspective on what was going on at work." to ask the respective questions that will “It’s good to know that other people clarify the nature of the course; How long understand how it feels to be depressed does the Buddy Course last for? and not coping."

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"Anonymity keeps me safe, so I’m able to tell the world how I’m feeling, and not be a Cooks to the Galley burden to those close to me." Big White Wall helps to relieve my isolation, Pot Mess Norrie’s Nosh by allowing me to connect with people in a safe and anonymous way." Recipes

I will have a more comprehensive report, which I will attach to e-members newsletter As I received no response to my request for recipes and hard copy for those that are not and being snowed under with some personal problems, I extracted this from RNA Newsletter. computer friendly Naval Scran from Shipmate Martin Raine Excerpt from RNA Circular: features a Pussers Classic - Its Pot Mess - an Action Messing favourite. The Seminar was without doubt an outstanding success with Shipmates The origins of ‘Pot Mess’ goes back to the thoroughly enjoying the event. Feedback days before Centralised Messing (eating in revealed that they found the Seminar designated dining halls). At the end of each enlightening with the speakers targeting month before allocation of the coming specific areas that impact upon RNA months Victualling Allowance, mess deck branches and their members’ issues on a cooks would clear the cupboards of all edible daily basis. food mainly tinned rations and mix it all together in a large ‘Fanny’ (Cooking pot). On On completion, the Welfare Officers had similar lines the infamous engine room acquired a great increase in their ‘Middle Watch Pot Mess’.....was knocked up knowledge from which the RNA will by the middle watch Stokers, again with the benefit substantially. They are already ingredients being mixed together in a large making enquiries as to when the next fanny which would often be a bucket! And Seminar is! then cooked using a steam hose or on top of an evap. Shipmate Rita Lock MBE organised the event and attracted a ‘top drawer’ set of Pussers Pot Mess speakers especially ‘Boo’ the Labrador, Serves 4? (Big Eaters!) who did a star turn wandering around the 2 x 411g ... Tins of Stewed Steak audience showing off how clever she 2 x 300g ... Tins of Potatoes was! 1 x 300g ... Tin of Peas 1 x 300g ... Tin of Carrots 1 x 300g ... Tin of Arries (Tinned Tomatoes) 1 x 300g ... Tin of BITS (Beans) Method Add all the ingredients together in to a large Fanny and heat thoroughly; serve with good wedge of freshly baked bread. Stoker’s method not recommended due to Food Safety regulations and lack of steam ships.

Graig McLellan Choc Lab ‘Fudge’ & ‘Boo’

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China Fleet Club - Post War Years Thanks to Ken Jones (HMS Tenby Association) & with permission from Russ Graystone (RAN www.gunplot.net) COMMANDER C.S.B. HICKMAN, purpose, but regretted that they the former Secretary and could not provide financial Treasurer of the Club, who assistance since it was the policy in wartime for had been a prisoner-of- N.A.A.F.I. to run Service war, had volunteered to clubs. stay on in Hong Kong to assist with the Following that reorganisation of the news the sub- base and advise on the committee issued a future of the Club. He felt report on Saturday 13th October saying: that the N.A.A.F.I. with their greater resources should "If the Admiralty will do run the Club for a year The China Fleet Club in the 1950's the same for the Fleet Club while it was getting back on as they will do for N.A.A.F.I., its feet. and the Commander-in-Chief will give shipping space for the Club, similar to that given to This feeling was not generally supported N.A.A.F.l., it seems practicable for the Fleet to and a meeting of representatives of all the run the Club". With this report adopted, a ships present was held in the Club on Saturday General Committee was formed, and the Club 6th October 1945. The Flag Officer, Western was back in action. Area, opened the Meeting personally, and explained the position of the Club before the The N.A.A.F.l. had started selling beer in war. He particularly stressed the importance of mid-September, although that was rationed to any decision made by Officers and Men 11000 bottles a day. Tickets were allocated to present at the meeting. Their decisions would each ship and beer sold to the lucky ticket affect not only the welfare of their ships then in holders. harbour, but the whole future of the China Fleet The kitchen and restaurants were the Club. Admiral Fisher then turned the meeting first to receive attention by the "volunteer force" over to Commodore D.H. Everett, C.B.E., and started serving meals at the beginning of D.S.O. The Chairman explained the duties of November. Towards the end of November local the Committee which had assembled at Flag beer came on the market and sales increased Officer Western Area's direction. by leaps and bounds, though spirits were not (a) That the Committee should be available until Christmas the following the Port Canteen Committee year. and deal with the China The China Fleet Club Fleet Club in addition to was back in business! its other duties. The following years (b) That the saw a marked Committee should improvement in the merely be the financial state of the emergency Committee Club and redecoration, of the China Fleet Club. refurbishing and These proposals modernisation were the were voted on and the order of the day. It had second was carried on the casting been feared in 1948, that a vote of the Chairman. Junior Rates Restaurant reduction of income would come After further meetings and with the reduction of the Fleet, discussion it was unanimously felt that the Club and Singapore becoming the Far East Naval should be run as pre-war: "by the Fleet for the Headquarters. But then the "Korean situation" Fleet". It was hoped that voluntary work would blew up at the beginning of the ‘fifties, and the be done by ships' companies and that Canteen Club found itself looking after large numbers of Committees would vote funds to help naval (including allied) personnel. rehabilitate the Club. Admiralty was then In 1952 the land between the Club and approached for a loan of £10,000 for this the Missions to Seamen was purchased for Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 6 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

HK$230,250, and the building erected there Commanding, Hong Kong. Sir Michael Turner, became known as the Coronation Annex. It Chief Manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghai was opened on the 5th April 1954 by Rear Bank, and a Trustee of the Club was present Admiral G.V. Gladstone, C.B. The total cost of together with the Honourable Hugh Barton, the annex was $861.068, which involved a Managing Director of Jardine Matheson, and considerable overdraft at the bank. But with also a Trustee of the Club. The Commissioner typical farsightedness, good business soon of Police Mr A.C. Maxwell attended and cleared the overdraft. Commodore G.D.A. Gregory, Commodore-in- The ground floor of the Annex was a Charge, Hong Kong and its Senior Trustee. large godown, which was initially rented to San Commanding Officers of all H.M. Ships in Port, Miguel Brewery. It served as their Hong Kong Ratings from those Ships, the General depot for seven years until 1961, when San Committee and others connected with the Club Miguel had to move to the New Territories were there to help celebrate. when the Club was forced to terminate the During the installation of air conditioning lease due to reclamation of the land in front of in 1964 a live shell was found two feet below the Club. It was too difficult to transport beer the Reception Room on the Ground Floor. The across the harbour once the junks no longer shell, Japanese, weighing 83 lbs and 3’ 2” long, had direct access to the godown. was removed by the Police Ballistics division. On the first floor a four-lane bowling alley Doubtless it had landed in the Club during the was installed and was immensely popular. The battle for Hong Kong back in 1941. 2nd floor contained the Club’s shopping arcade By the mid-sixties the balconies on the and the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors, Chinese Staff first and second floors had been glassed in, Living Quarters. The 6th floor contained the and together with air-conditioning of all the laundry. lounges and bars this added a considerable It was in 1954, too, that the United States amount of space in the Club. Around that time Navy Purchasing Branch approached the Club the theatre, which was also used as a cinema, with the idea of opening a Purchasing Branch was closed down and completely gutted. A new for American personnel visiting Hong Kong for floor was built, and an eight-lane bowling alley recreation. Eventually the third floor of the main was installed on the ground floor and an air- building was leased exclusively to them. The conditioned dance-cum-tombola hall on the floor had previously contained dormitories, but upper floor. Two new automatic lifts replaced with the reduction in the size of the British Fleet the old manually operated ones. That project in the Far East, it was rarely used cost the magnificent sum of HK$1,300.000. to capacity. The extra It was opened by H.E. The income was just what Governor, Sir David Trench on was needed at that 21st September 1965. point in time. THE VIETNAM WAR, 1955 saw that however tragic, meant well known San virtually a decade of Miguel Brewery neon "boom" years for the advertising sign go up Club. American and Allied on the roof, at that time, personnel used Hong Kong the largest in Hong Kong. exclusively for "Rest and "Long John" Whisky added Recreation", and the Club, on their neon sign in 1960 -more Fleet Club Theatre the edge of ever-popular Wanchai, income for the Club! prospered. And with prosperity came Renovation and redecoration continued plans for a new Club. yearly. In 1961 the exterior of the Club got a During 1970 the General Committee new coat of paint and colours - Desert Sand decided that the present Club accommodation with Terracotta Bands and the 25th Anniversary was becoming outdated and expensive to run of the opening, on 21st March 1959 was and maintain. celebrated at a cocktail party in the presence of Meetings were held with, sometimes, Sir Robert Black, the Governor of Hong Kong, monotonous regularity. But as recession reared Admiral Sir G Gladstone, Commander-in-Chief, its ugly head, and Defence Cuts came into Far East Station, Lt. Gen. Sir E Bastyan, force it was finally decided in early 1976 to Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong and remain in the old building. Air Commodore T Holder, Air Officer

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It was another three years before the The Club continued its previous role of possibility of rebuilding was raised again, in playing host to visiting warships of NATO 1979. When the future of the Services in Hong friendly Nations, and over the following years Kong had been confirmed, the Trustees met to thousands of sailors from all over the world discuss the Club's future. It was felt that the made it their first port of call in Hong Kong. Club was well patronised by the Navy and their Thanks to the foresight of the architects families and also by visiting RN and and the project management team, the Club Commonwealth ships and that its facilities were was able to be a little more ambitious with undoubtedly very popular with everyone. regard to the production of shows in the The New Club 1980 - 1992 Auditorium. Consequently, besides the EARLY 1980 BROUGHT the next step perennial Mollie’s Music Hall and plays by local towards redeveloping the Club and it was drama groups the Club now attracted decided to go to Tender for a new Club on its performers from around the world. Among present site, the winning Tender to provide those to appear were The Drifters, Max Boyce, temporary accommodation for a period of 3.5 Billy Connolly, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The years. Four companies tendered, with Sun Searchers, Cannon & Ball, Jim Davidson, The Hung Kai coming out the winner. Although Sun Supremes, Danny La Rue, Shep Woolley, The Hung Kai later withdrew their tender, they Stylistics and The Barron Knights. The list went allowed the offer of temporary accommodation on and on and the shows invariably played to to stand. Hong Kong Land then offered to take packed houses. on the redevelopment, and this was The China Fleet Club was accepted. functioning as it was always The temporary Club, situated intended, to provide a service and in Sun Hung Kai Centre was entertainment to the Men of very successful, if with the Fleet. somewhat reduced facilities, The ever-popular for members. Nevertheless, Tombola sessions long-standing favou rites like continued twice a week, Tombola, Folk Shows, and of attracting members of all course Mollie’s Music Hall, denominations, many of continued to make their whom had come along appearance. regularly since the end of the The new Club was opened by war. Some almost certainly still H.E. Sir Edward Youde G.C.M.G., seeking their first house M.B.E., the then Governor of Hong The Fleet Club 1980's snowball! Kong, on 31st May 1985 and Membership was occupied the first nine floors of Fleet House, a extended to include a wider selection of the 25 storey building in Wanchai, on exactly the local community and at one point stood at same site as its predecessor. some 2,500 Associate Members. This meant The Club contained a magnificent array of that the restaurant and bars were invariably facilities and was fitted out at a final cost of filled to capacity and business was brisk some $43,000,000. The facilities included (from indeed. the ground floor up), a Reception area for hotel In early 1987 came the dramatic news from bedrooms, a multi-purpose Auditorium, London that it was intended to withdraw the RN Jewellery, Naval Tailor and Gift shops, three from Hong Kong by 1992. It was at this point bars, a splendid restaurant with seating for that the Trustees began considering the future approximately 200 people two squash courts, a of the Club, taking into account the certainty Bowling Alley and Snooker room and two floors that, in any event, it could no longer operate of accommodation totalling 38 en-suite after 1997. After much discussion at many bedrooms. Also provided were a Ladies and meetings it was decided that there was little Gents Hairdresser, a Video library/souvenir choice but to investigate possible sale of the shop and two floors of 50 shops leased to the building. This was done, first with the Hong United States Navy Contracting Department. Kong Land Company, the building developers, No expense had been spared during the and later by Tender to all interested property fitting out period. From the elegant marble groups in Hong Kong. When the tenders were floors of the foyer to the real leather arm-chairs opened later in the year an offer of in the Kelly Bar, everywhere was evidence of HK$160,000,000 with 5 years rent free sheer luxury. occupation of the Club floors of the building Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 8 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015 was on the table, and after much deliberation And so to the last day. That well worn cliche by the Trustees, was accepted. The effective "end of an era" was never more appropriate date of the sale and lease back was 28th than in these circumstances. The China Fleet December 1987. Club, which had been a national landmark in The China Fleet Club now had some Hong Kong for nearly 60 years, had closed its £11,000,000 in the coffers. The next big doors for the last time...... question was what to spend it on. Eds Note: When I was based in HK on HMS Loch Killisport, my run ashore oppo would use the Tombola Throughout the whole of 1988 the like we use a bank machine today. He had such luck subject was discussed around the committee that on checking his wallet and being short of funds he table and gradually a plan to build another would say “ I am a bit short, better go for a game of China Fleet Club in the U.K. began to take Tombola at the China Fleet Club” He always won, luck shape. Location was the biggest problem but of the devil. eventually a suitable site was found in Saltash One night a Matelot takes his girlfriend home. As in Cornwall, just across the Tamar Bridge from they are about to kiss each other goodnight at Plymouth. Architects and project planners were engaged to present their ideas and work began the front door, Jack starts feeling a little frisky. with the ground breaking ceremony on 14th With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand April 1989. against the wall and smiling, he says to her, It became clear to those of us who had "Honey, will you have sex with me?" known the Club in Hong Kong for so long that Horrified, she replies, "Are you mad? My parents the name CHINA FLEET CLUB would live on. will see us!" " Meanwhile back in Hong Kong there was Oh come on! Who's goner see us at this hour?" still much to be done. The Club continued its he asks, grinning at her. business of providing a friendly haven for the "No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?" sailors and their families from H.M.S. Tamar "Oh come on! There's nobody around, they're all and the patrol craft and also to the many sleeping!" visitors from around the world. "No way. It's just too risky!" Gradually time slipped away however, and in late 1991 and the early months of 1992 "Oh please, please, I love you so much!" the Trustee’s investigated ways of saving the "No, no, and no. I love you too, but I just can't!" Club in Hong Kong. Many options were "Oh, yes you can. Please?" explored and one by one were rejected, until it "No, no. I just can't" became apparent that without the support of a "I'm begging you." wealthy benefactor there was no hope of keeping the Club open. If the Club was to Out of the blue, the light on the stairs goes on, remain after 27th December 1992 it would have and the girl's older sister shows up in her to pay floor rental charges equivalent to pyjamas, hair dishevelled, and in a sleepy voice, something in the region of HK$4,000,000 per she says: "Dad says to go ahead and have sex with him, or I can do it... or if need be Mum says month. This sum was simply beyond the she will come down herself and do it. But for financial resources available and could not be God’s sake, tell him to take his hand off the door recouped from the day-to-day business of the bell!" Club. It was therefore decided on 24th June 1992 that the Club would close, in accordance with a previously arranged contingency plan, on Presently, I am trying to make friends outside 30th November 1992. of Facebook while applying the same The death knell had been sounded. A principles. magnificent chapter in the history of the navy in Therefore every day, I go down on the street Hong Kong was coming to an end. and tell the passer-by what I have eaten, how I As many thousands of Sailors will testify, feel, what I have done the night before, and Tombola at the China Fleet Club was what I will do after, I give them pictures of my synonymous with a run ashore in Hong Kong. It family, my dog and me gardening and was perhaps fitting then that the last spending time in my pool. programmed event to be held in the auditorium I also listen to their conversations and I tell was a Grand Tombola evening on Sunday 29th them I love them. November It was 'empty the coffers' time of the It works: I already have 3 persons following snowball fund which had been built up over the me: 2 police officers and psychiatrist. years by the regular players. Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 9 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

HM SM Torbay – Freedom of Torbay Extracted from Herald & Express by Norrie Millen with kind permission of the newspaper HMS TORBAY has been granted friends and family. the Freedom of the "Those working conditions Borough. More than 100 are made all the more sailors from the tolerable by the submarine marched knowledge that we have through Torquay town the support of both our centre this morning as families, and the wider part of the ceremony. community we serve. Commander Dan Knight, HMS "Today is important because it is Torbay, received the honorary Freedom of a clear demonstration of our commitment to the Borough of Torbay at the traditional you, and your commitment to the people that ceremony. serve you." It began outside the HMS Torbay was officially recognised as an town hall by a affiliate of the Borough of Torbay in 1989. parade of the crew Since then, the submarine has maintained from the town strong links with many associations including hall with sea cadets and RNA Torbay. The crew also ceremonial take part in Torbay remembrance ceremonies guard, platoons and work with charities and schools. and the Royal Marines' Band. Mayor Gordon Oliver presented Commander The sailors Knight with the Freedom of the Borough of marched from the Torbay scroll at the ceremony. town hall, down He said: "I am delighted that Commander through Union Street and Knight and his crew have found time in their Fleet Street, along the Strand before circling busy schedule to come here today, visiting around the clock tower. The event finished schools and charities with a salute returned by the council outside across the Bay. the war memorial. "It is therefore a Commanding Officer - Commander Knight great honour to said: "Our ship's company and I, and our present this predecessors over the past 28 years, are honorary immensely grateful to the Torbay community Freedom of the for the support shown. Borough of "Not only to HM S/M Torbay, but to the Torbay to Royal Navy as a whole throughout this great Commander Knight borough's history. Today is a wonderful on behalf of HMS Torbay. You celebration of that support." risk your lives to protect us so we sleep at night knowing we are safe. "As submariners, we routinely "On behalf of the people of Torbay, from the spend long bottom of our hearts, we say thank you." periods away from home, at If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? sea, conducting Don’t take yourself seriously, No one tasks that we else does can't readily discuss, isolated from our Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 10 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

Chief Petty At 10:15 the Parade marched off down Officer Jim Union Street and we had a lift to the Tozer, Cenotaph in Princess Gardens. It was serves there at about 10:45 that the Parade on arrived and the salute was taken by board Jane Barnby, Chairman of Torbay HMS Council. Torbay Another lift to Livermead House Hotel, and lives in ahead of the crowd Torquay. He from the said: "Having been in the Royal Navy for 16 years it is a special occasion for me to be able to parade through my home town. Events like today are becoming rarer and it will stand out in the memories of everyone involved as an exceptional event." Chief Petty Officer Neil Abraham, also of parade and Torquay, said: "I am proud to be representing we gathered in the bar the Royal Navy in my home town and it is area for a refresher and many yarns of extra special to me that my family can come past and present in the Service! and watch the parade through the streets." At 12 noon all were mustered in the The Freedom of the Borough historically ballroom area (approximately 150) and gives the crew the right to bear arms in the a Buffet Lunch was served to a never borough ending queue! But it all went so well before some of the Crew were off to visit some of the schools in Torbay, not before the Chairman had given her vote of thanks to all who served in HMS Torbay and the CO replied with his President’s Patter thanks to Torbay Council and presented Freedom of Torbay cheques to Torbay Sea by Peter Brown Cadets and another Charity.

On arrival at Town Online funnies Hall, Torquay, we “I did not see HM S/M Torbay in the bay” gathered upstairs with others and met “No because it is a submarine!” up with Captain RN, CO of HM Submarines, Devonport, CPO Coxswain “Why did the submarine not come to of HMS Torbay, Commander CO, HMS Torbay?” Torbay, and others from the Council “Because Gordon Oliver has installed including the Mayor, Gordon Oliver. We underwater parking meters!” went out beside the saluting base for the arrival of the RM Band heading the parade of the boat's crew with their armed escort (complete with fixed bayonets!). Wouldn't it be great if we could put They all turned to face the dais and the ourselves in the dryer for ten Mayor gave his address, followed by minutes and come out wrinkle-free the CO of HMS Torbay and a brief and three sizes smaller! service by an HM Padre'.

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Silkie’s Story Escape from Behind the Iron Curtain "You are never strong enough that you don't need help.” -Cέsar Chávez Submitted by Shipmate Steve Jackson our American shipmate The miscalculation had a fortuitous I had promised Part II of Silkie’s result-that night the moon was full. It story, but I think the to be continued would have allowed the border referred to other stories at the patrol to spot us easily. Sadder but hospital, so instead here is Silkie’s wiser, we headed home to East own story. Germany. I was born long after the We tried again two days later, wall known as the Iron but it was impossible to get in the Curtain was built, splitting water without being shot at by the Germany into East and West. shore patrol. We understood we As an East German, I lived wouldn't escape that year. It was under an oppressive regime. I hard living in East Germany after grew up thinking I would never that, having almost tasted freedom. be free to speak my mind or travel. We continued planning our escape. We We could not visit relatives in West trained to swim the Danube’s cold three Germany because the Communist kilometers. We studied the almanac to plan Government knew we might defect. our vacation by a new moon. Lucky for us we Officially the wall was built to keep the had our cabin at the lake, which meant we ‘enemies’ out, but everyone knew it was to could take our fins and swim for hours keep East Germans captive. without anyone suspecting. When it got cold, Many people tried to escape. Some were we swam in our local public pool. successful, but many were killed in the Our time finally arrived. We behaved as attempt. Never in my wildest imagination normally as possible around friends and did I think that my parents would risk family before leaving for our supposed attempting to leave. Why did they want to vacation. By the end of summer, we would be start a new life at forty? The answer was free! With hearts pounding we drove away. simple – Freedom. My uncle met us in Orsova, and we Our first escape attempt began discretely. camped close to the Danube. Some fellow In the summer of 1978, we prepared for our campers joined us, and mentioned the vacation as usual. We travelled along the border patrol shot at people and left them Danube in Romania until we reached a in the water to break for shore-if they campground. I had been asleep for several managed to survive the bullets! I was hours when soft voice woke me. I realized my scared to death. uncle was there. Eager to see him I almost jumped out of bed when what I heard froze On the night of July 19th, my uncle my veins. My parents were planning an drove us to a bay. He continued on to a escape from East Germany! I lay still afraid to hotel where his room faced the bay, an breath. The next morning, my mother said, important detail since he'd signal us when “Silke look who came to visit us” I acted it was safe to start. We sat for hours surprised and even more so when they told waiting for darkness and our signal which me what I already knew. would be Uncle Dietmar standing on the balcony with his arms outstretched. We observed the river for a few days looking for a spot to swim safely across to I was delegated the task of crawling up what was then Yugoslavia. This was no small the bank to check for his signal. This was a feat, but eventually found what we thought huge responsibility for a fourteen-year-old. was the perfect place. Later when we decided, It was life or death for my family, and the it was time to go I was so afraid that my uncle gravity of it was palpable. My guardian gave me medicine to calm me. The dose was angel led me to the correct window. too much for my young body. I became so Crawling back to my parents, I told them groggy that our p l a n had to be aborted. we could leave. Even in July, the Danube is Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 12 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015 frigid, so my mother rubbed thick skin The police chief decided my mother and cream on everyone's arms to shield us from I should stay at a hotel. We were assigned a the cold. Entering the water, we set out for third floor room because the chief said if freedom. I had no fear; in fact, I had no we were crazy enough to swim the Danube, feelings at all. I felt like we were in a trance, we were crazy enough to jump out the first running on pure adrenaline. We swam floor window. A movie theater across the smoothly, making few waves, my mother way helped us tell time. We figured the to my left and my father to my right. It was evening show started at 8 pm. Every now quiet, eerie, and unreal. and then, the police chief brought my We had fresh clothing tied to our backs father to see us and to shave and shower. with important documents wrapped in Sometimes the chief even took my plastic. As we swam, our clothing got mother and me to lunch or for a walk. heavier and heavier. This wasn't our only No one seemed to know what to do with problem. At the halfway point, a Romanian us, but I strongly believe the police chief's patrol boat appeared with its searchlight getting to know us worked in our favor. probing. Reflexively, I whispered, “Dive!" One day a man dressed in a black suit When we surfaced, the searchlight came came to our room. He took us to the around again, so we dove a second time. police station to meet my father and board The patrol boat moved on. We were too a bus to Belgrade, Yugoslavia's capital. close for its beam to target us. My mother and I thought it was a set-up Just when we thought we were home to make us to do something stupid and get free, we spotted lights moving in front of sent back to East Germany. With great us. A ship! Had our timing been different reluctance, we went with the man in black. by mere minutes, we would likely have We met my father at the station, and been caught in its propeller. Thanking God, the chief took us on the bus to Belgrade. I swam on, praying my legs would hold Aboard the tacky, overheated bus, we sat out. My mother must have noticed my in uncomfortable seats for a miserable exhaustion, because she dragged me the twelve-hour ride with dozens of stops. last few meters to shore. My mother noticed the gun in the chief's We made it! We were alive and free! pants, but she never mentioned it Our newfound freedom didn't last long. because she knew I'd be terrified. A barking border patrol dog and its We finally reached Belgrade. The chief handler came out of the brush. The took us to a hotel for refugees. Expenses guards ordered us in Russian not to were paid by the country-granting move. I can still hear my mother begging asylum, West Germany. We said good-bye to them not to shoot us. They bound our the chief, who was partly responsible for hands with heavy cords, then pushed us guiding us to freedom. I will never forget through the brush toward the road, to him. begin walking, soaking wet, to the We were unsure of what to do next. The nearest detention station. attendant told us someone from the At the station, the guards offered us dry United Nations would contact us. About clothes, hot tea, and aspirin. Soon, we had an hour later, a young, blonde, warmed up enough for the captain to handsome man came to our door. The interrogate us. He kept us up all night with UN, he said, was handling our case now. questions and sent some officers to the He gave us directions to the West German river to check for accomplices. My uncle Embassy and money for food. That night was questioned regarding his identity, but my parents were so excited, they could no one asked my mother her maiden hardly sleep. name, a connection that linked them. When we reached the embassies our The next day we went to the city station hearts raced when we spotted an East for further questioning. Another station. German guard. We walked boldly past More questions. They were going to him to the West German embassy next separate us. Our captors thought we were door. Of course, the guard couldn't know strangers until after almost a day's worth we'd recently escaped his country. We felt of discussion, they under• stood we were like we had escapee written all over us. We a family. Finally, they placed us in one triple-checked our surroundings to be cell. At least we were together. certain we were at the West German Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 13 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015 embassy. Its flag left little doubt; still, my About the Author mother asked the guard if we were in the Silke Nied lives in Gig Harbor, right place. When we assured her we were, Washington. She has two sons, 26 and 18, my parents began to cry. We were free! and a six-year-old grandson. She lived in Inside, one of the embassy staff worked East Germany until she was 14 and then in to get us passports. I will never forget her West Germany until she turned 27. She name: Mrs. Pempelforth. She told us we and her five-year old son came to would be taking the train to Giessen co Washington in 1992 after she married a register at an office of the West Germany military man. She had planned to stay for government. two years, yet has remained in the U.S., We had not time to buy food before for 22 years. Her parents still live in boarding the train for a twenty-four hour Germany and so does Uncle Dietmar. ride. Well into our journey, we reached the "Never in my dreams would I have Yugoslavian/Austrian border. While we imagined living here. It's an awesome rode, my uncle drove from Romania back feeling to know that you can do anything to West Germany. With no sign of us, he'd you put your mind to and are never too old given us up for dead and burnt our fake to do it." -Silke passports. He later said it felt like he was destroying us as he set fire to them. For two more weeks, he kept watch for us Florida woman stops alligator anyway before returning home. attack with a small Beretta pistol. Meanwhile, we continued our journey to Giessen. Upon arrival, we discovered we This is a story of self-control and were free to go as long as we returned on marksmanship by a brave, cool- Monday. My mother phoned my aunt and headed woman with a small pistol told her. My aunt said, "Okay, we'll come against a fierce predator. What is the visit you tomorrow." Still in a daze, she smallest calibre that you would trust to hadn't comprehended what my mother protect yourself? A Beretta Jet-Fire said. But Uncle Dietmar did. 'I’m going up testimonial. Here is her story in her there right now to get them!" he practically own words: leapt into his car with my aunt’s husband. We waited for him in the train station "While out walking along the edge of a parking lot. Suddenly, we spotted his car bayou just outside of Fort Lauderdale tearing around the corner. Jumping from in alligator alley with my soon to be it, he ran to us and hugged and kissed us. ex-husband, discussing property "Silke," he said, choked up, "I can't settlement and other divorce issues, believe you made it." we were surprised by a huge 12-ft. A huge audience had gathered at our alligator which suddenly emerged from parking lot reunion. I glanced down at the murky water and began charging my uncle's feet and burst out laughing. us with its large jaws wide open. She He wore only socks. He was so excited must have been protecting her nest he'd forgotten to put his shoes on! because she was extremely This is my story. I've shared it for the aggressive. If I had not had my little sake of my children in the hope that Beretta Jetfire .25 calibre pistol with they'll never take freedom for granted, me, I would not be here today! because where I grew up, it could be taken away in an instant. Today, when I Just one shot to my estranged reflect that my children and I live in the husband's kneecap was all it took.... freest country in the world, I'm filled The 'gator got him easily and I was with gratitude for my parents who had able to escape by just walking away at the courage and unwavering strength to a brisk pace. It is one of the best risk their lives and mine for this pistols in my collection! Plus the opportunity. amount I saved in lawyer's fees was really incredible."

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U.S. Navy’s New Laser Weapon in Action

The U.S. Navy has targets mounted aboard a achieved a historic speeding oncoming milestone with a small boat, shot a Scan cutting-edge new laser Eagle unmanned weapon system that aerial vehicle (UAV) can destroy targets for out of the sky, and less than $1 per shot. destroyed other The Navy made the moving targets at sea. announcement Tuesday that The LaWS weapon is also for the first time ever the new laser being praised for its cost-effectiveness, weapon system, known as LaWS, was as well as the inherent increase in successfully deployed and operated safety for ships and crews because aboard a Navy ship in in the Arabian lasers are not dependent on the Gulf. traditional propellant and gunpowder- The weapon, which uses a form of based ordnance found on ships. They concentrated directed-energy to also cost less to build, install and fire destroy a target, has been under than traditional kinetic weapons - for development by the Office of example a multimillion-dollar Naval Research for missile. "At less than a several years. "Laser dollar per shot, there's weapons are powerful, no question about the affordable and will play value LaWS provides," a vital role in the future said Klunder. "With of naval combat affordability a serious operations," said Rear Adm. concern for our defence Matthew L. Klunder, chief of naval budgets, this will more effectively research. "We ran this particular manage resources to ensure our weapon, a prototype, through some Sailors and Marines are never in a fair extremely tough paces, and it locked fight." on and destroyed the targets we In the future, factors from the designated with near-instantaneous successful deployment and lethality." The demonstrations of the demonstration aboard the USS Ponce new weapon took place from will help guide the development of September to November aboard weapons under ONR's the USS Ponce while Solid-State Laser- deployed in the Arabian Technology Gulf. Maturation The at sea tests are program. According being described as to the U.S. Navy, "historic" because not combat-ready laser only did they show a laser prototypes that could weapon working aboard a be installed on vessels deployed U.S. Navy ship, but also such as guided-missile because the LaWS actually worked destroyers and the Littoral Combat seamlessly with existing weapon Ship in the early 2020’s. systems. During the tests, LaWS hit Ahoy Shipmate Torbay Page - 15 Volume 4 Issue 3 May 2015

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