PERFIDIOUS ALBION

Taken from the `Argus' She's grey and old, her messdecks cold leave little room for mirth; Her life is spent, her flight-deck bent, She's had her time on earth. She's aged and rusty, dark and dusty, But when she's gone for scrap Don't call her `tub' or `a green rub' and never `pension trap'; When you're on draft and talking daft About `Singers' or the `Vill', The old Grey Ghost of the Java coast Will serve us matelots still.

41 AIR DEPARTMENT

Variety has been the keynote of this ships and 50 aircraft to signify our welcomed back 845 Squadron who had commission in respect of the Air Depart- withdrawal from the Bases. been with Bulwark. Exercise `STRONG ment. During the past 18 months we have Exercise `CURTAIN CALL' off the West EXPRESS' was a fitting culmination to a operated in the North Atlantic in winter, Malaysian Coast marked our ultimate commission that had already achieved

the Mediterranean in Spring and the departure from Eastern Waters, but we 10,000 deck landings and seen aircraft South China Sea in all its unchanging had little time for nostalgic reminiscences, ranging in size from the Sioux to the Sea

seasons. We have transitted the Indian for we were earmarked to cover the Stallion. We can look back with a sense of Ocean twice and flown helicopters off withdrawal from the . In the achievement, for behind this figure,

Malaysia, Japan, Australia and Hong event the ship did not enter the Gulf but which is impressive in itself, lies the hard

Kong. Detachments of aircraft have spent a pleasant time off Masirah, which work that has made it possible. We must operated in Kenya, Korea, Masirah, Gan was terminated rather hurriedly when the not overlook the important part carried and , and have flown over jungle, Indo/Pakistan war broke out. Sea Kings out by the non-aviation personnel, the desert, swamp and snow. Besides our ever from HMS Eagle were embarked and Ops Room and AOR teams, the Flight changing environment we have also had a Albion steamed towards Bangladesh to Deck Guides, the 'Tween Decks Guides variety of aircraft on our deck; to date no stand by to evacuate refugees. Before and the ASO's party, all of whom fewer than 16 types of aircraft have entering the Bay of Bengal it was learned contribute significantly to the smooth

successfully operated from the ship. the British nationals had been rescued so operation of the Flight Deck. Squadrons too, have been with us for we returned to the island of Gan where As for the Flight Deck itself, it has various lengths of time, we have been 40 Commando were disembarked and required a continuous process of `Mother' to 845 Sqdn and 848 Sqdn with subsequently flown home. husbandry to maintain the status quo their Wessex 5s and `Foster Mother' to Christmas Day was spent at sea in the despite the elements and the punishment 826 Sea King A/S Sqdn. Mozambique Channel but New Year's inflicted by 2,000 men using and abusing The beginning of the commission saw Eve found us in Capetown enjoying very its potential, for it has been all things to

845 as the resident Naval Air Commando cordial hospitality. Spirits were high for, all men. Who for instance would have Squadron but before the before the end of January, we knew HM thought of turning it into a golf course and deployment 848 Squadron took their Customs would welcome us to then using cubed pieces of wood for golf place. On arrival in Singapore 847 . balls? At times it has been a sports field, Squadron were re-absorbed by 848 and The Mediterranean deployment in where the Air Department has acquitted passage was taken by Dieppe and April to participate in two exacting itself well, having won the Hockey Commando Flights at various times. Exercises, `DOUBLE BASE' off Cyprus Championship three times and also the The Orient leg of the commission was and `DAWN PATROL' in the Aegean, knockout Olympiad once. very pleasant, a number of the ship's provided a welcome change of scenery. To sum up, the Air Department has company took advantage of indulgence Cross deck operations with USS Guadal- been right at the sharp end of things, we flights and brought their families to canal provided our pilots and deck crews have had to work hard but have also Singapore and Hong Kong and at least with useful experience in handling played hard. We are proud of our one member of the department married a American aircraft. In June we visited achievements and can rest assured that in local girl. The operational highlights of this Scapa Flow and carried out Exercise looking through Albion's last commission leg were provided by three exercises, the `STRENGTH TRIAL' which was in book in future years, perhaps we will first being Exercise `NEW LOOK 11' off preparation for the Autumn visit to remember with pleasure the halcyon days Brunei. Exercise `ROUND UP' took us to North Norway when we participated in we spent on board. the East Coast of Malaysia, whilst the the largest NATO Exercise scheduled for Editor's Note: My thanks to the Photo- culmination of our time in the Far East some years. For this exercise we embarked graphic Section for their invaluable help was the Naval steampast/flypast of 18 a detachment of 826 Sea Kings and in the production of this book .

42 AIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

A large proportion of the complement of Our next spell at sea was for exercises who soon showed us he could wield a AED have been in the ship since the latter before a visit to Hong Kong, calling at mighty stick on the hockey pitch. We end of 1970. It was then that a snow Olongapo on our way. This produced one returned to Portsmouth to a wonderful plough was produced by 3D Workshops or two laughs, including the episode of welcome by our families and friends and a and winterisation mods embodied in all Bass Chamberlain returning on board good spell of leave. the ground equipment by the merry men with three live ducklings under his hat. During the DAMP at Portsmouth, of HES in conditions colder than the cold On arrival at Hong Kong Commander CAA Tizard was relieved by CAM weather trials themselves. Despite Denholm took over the reins as AEO Chinnock, complete with his accordian. qualifying for our blue nose certificate from Commander Paul. It was not long The ship and department also benefited on 5 February 1971, we soon found before our new boss showed his expertise from the arrival of REAL Ackerman, the that snow is not always plentiful in the on the volley ball pitch in several matches Combined Services and Navy rugby Arctic. played between the old and bold and the player. On arriving back in Portsmouth there younger elements of the department. Then followed deployment in the was a lot of activity taking leave and By the time that the ship steamed out of Mediterranean which was interesting making final preparations for the Far Singapore for the last time in the Far from an operational point of view in that East leg. East, all available space in the department the AED were called upon to look after At this time we changed squadrons, was overflowing with countless rabbits. visiting USMC helicopters, including Sea from 845 to 848 and an amicable and Much to the DAEO's delight, both HES Knights, Sea Stallions and Cobras. There close working liaison was soon achieved, and AOS boasted very healthy looking was little opportunity for shore activity, helped along by `fireside chats' between aquaria, the latter under the expert eye of but everybody took advantage of the two Mr Thring and Mr Goodwill. Willie Wyness. Because 4Q58 Mess was stops at Gibraltar to buy still more After a passage which included calls at always so sparkling, the lads had to forage rabbits. Durban and Bombay, we berthed at farther afield for the cockroaches that An exercise in the Orkneys followed,

Singapore dockyard in June. We their tame praying mantis relished. again with little opportunity for shore

supported 848 Squadron at Simbang and At Mombasa Lieutenant Asquith leave, but it did give a chance to save our managed to cope with the wide range of (AAEO) was relieved by Lieutenant money for the visits to Rotterdam, jobs that arose. In sport - we made our Jones, the latter in time for the Gulf Greenock and where once again presence felt in the various activities. Deployment. This proved to be an anti- Lieutenant Jones in the ship's sailing team Although unsuccessful in claiming any climax operationally, but once again all proved that the sea shall not have him.

laurels, AED regularly supplied three sorts of varied activities were devised to Dover was also a new experience for ship's rugby players, one hockey player relieve boredom, including a village fete in many in the department as due to bad and a soccer player for the double header which Willie Monaghan and Taff Gelder weather, a night had to be spent ashore in

at Terror. really excelled in their fancy dress. Bob the Royal Marine barracks at Deal. Then Long Weekend at Erasers Hill in the Jepson and his crew built a box kite back to Portsmouth for leave, Navy Days Camerons was enjoyed by many of the which the Captain flew in competition and a very damped down DAMP. department as were our next visits to against Eagle. Regrettably, Eagle won! The department is now looking forward Japan and Australia before our next long After a visit to Cape Town, we were on to the visit to Canada and to see what the stay in Singapore and this time indulgence our way home and saying goodbye to future has in store in the form of Draft flights were arranged to fly wives out or Lieutenant Commander Wheeler (DAEO) Orders and dates of joining new ships or husbands home. who was relieved by Lieutenant Whitfield, establishments.

43 Susannah Wheeler. Baptisms are essenti- THE CHURCH IN ALBION ally a family occasion and it is always good to welcome individual families into both the family of the ship and the worshipping family of the Christians in the Chapel. There have been two ship's Chaplains during the Commission, the Revd John Tyrell, who left to work at the Cathedral in Hong Kong and the Revd Michael Bucks. They have not spent the whole time as the only `friends and advisors of all onboard' as a Chaplain is described in QRRN. Marine Chaplains have come and gone with their Units: The Revds John Beach, Bill Weldon, and Nigel Pond. The Revds Ken King, Ian Hulse, Mike Jones, Frank and Gerry Hurst have all spent varying lengths of time onboard as RC Chaplains.

The sounds of talking, singing, pop of the singing with small congregations on groups, films, the scratching of pens and a wind and rain lashed Quarterdeck to grinding of brains, strains from the organ one of more than eight hundred singing and notes from the choir, the depth of Carols on Christmas Eve in the Indian prayer and the concentration of reading Ocean. -all can be found on four deck in the Half the Chapel during the week has middle of the ship in the Chapel of St been curtained off to form a small, but Christopher. comfortable, `Rec Space'. Padre's Hours, The sounds and stirrings are those of Film Shows, Study Groups, information many onboard who have found the value about countries to be visited, lists for of a place set apart both for worship and 'Bus Tours (one of the Padre's other for quiet. occupations) are found here - not to The Ship, Squadron and Commando mention a Harmonium and Electric crests hang high on the light oak panels, a Organ for those who are musically constant reminder of the men and their minded. families who are prayed for every day at Hanging on the panels are photographs the service held in the Chapel. showing the various aspects of the The service of Holy Communion has Chaplain's work; all aspects have been been held regularly during the week and covered by the Chaplains who have on Sundays and during the Commission, served in the ship. These range from two and a half thousand people received taking the services, baptisms and deaths Communion and more than four thousand as well as Holy Communion, Morning and attended worship. Evening Prayer, visiting other ships at sea The Chapel holds forty in reasonable by Helicopter, boat (or on foot!), visiting comfort and so on occasions services have the sick, pushing out points of view, talks, been held on the Quarterdeck, the Lift epilogues and music on the SRE in such Wells, the Hangar and the Flight Deck. programmes as `Mic Vic's Musical There are, in the Chapel and Vestry, Medley', or `Pop goes the Padre'; some striking reminders of the message of visiting the Messdecks, being available for the Christian Faith created by men who all at any time and much more besides. have served in the ship: a strong and All these aspects provide the Chaplain starkly modern crucifix was made by a with an interesting, varied and busy time. Chief whose name is not recorded, The ship's Bell in the Chapel is a Marine Peter Howarth has done a painting reminder of another part of the Chaplain's of The Last Supper and a painting of the work - Baptising - not only babies but Crucifixion was done by POMA W. adults as well. Names are inscribed on the Davies. The Patron Saint of the Chapel, side of all those who have been baptised St Christopher, is depicted in a picture by onboard. Vance Calladine, Melanie the door of the Chapel, painted by Cook Coates, Heather and Andrew Dougan, J. Talmage. Annette Goram, Scott Knee-Robinson,

Talent from the ship has not only Fiona Rutland, Edward Lees, David helped decorate the Chapel but in the Massey, Paul Thompson, and Samantha form of a Choir led by Lt H. Straw and Twigg are names already inscribed during IN MEMORIAM

Cdr M. Jones has added a sparkle and previous Commissions. Those added quality to the singing during the services during this Commission include James Ldg. Stwd. Mak Fung Cheong which has been well worth while and Herbert, Julie Peopall, Catherine Molloy, 31st December 1971 welcome. It has ranged from a small group Sophie Lovejoy, Roderick Lovejoy, of half a dozen or so to a multi-part choir Sidney Reeves, Harry Waldemar Brown, CAPETOWN

of over twenty coping well in the leading Andrew Kidd, Kirsty Barrett and

44 ALBION'S COMMS WORLD

It was a dull January day when most of us us in a hurry, certainly not whilst the By now the Pakistan emergency had arrived in Portsmouth to join the ship. Parrot in the Australia Hotel is still alive. come and gone and we were on our way The first few weeks were spent in settling On our return to Singapore our Barbecue home but forced to celebrate Christmas at down and proved to be quite amusing. at the Dockyard Pool was quite a rave sea. This wasn't an ideal situation but we One of our younger staff (who shall even if the rain did put a bit of a damper managed to improvise fairly well. We remain nameless) spent many a fruitless on it. After a short while in Hong Kong it made our presence felt at the Carol hour searching for the Billiard Room- was back to Singapore for the last time. It concert; as were our hockey sticks in the the key of which was provided with was an impressive sight to see the ships match the following day. It was said later admirable alacrity by HQ 1. steam out of `Singers' but perhaps it will that we `marked' the opposing Heads of Our trip to the Arctic provided us with be better remembered as the start of our Departments team very well! It was a foretaste of the task ahead. It then only trip home. however felt inadvisable for our team to remained for us to prepare ourselves for Christmas was close now and it was take their wounds to the PMO's domain. the warmer climes of the Far East Station felt by all that perhaps we could do Some days before, the Christmas with a here we come `Singers' party held something for the children in Hospital at Childrens' collection had been counted for at Twiggy's (R02 Defroand) place. The this time. With due speed the plans were the last time, and it boasted a total of star of this occasion was our wayward formulated and executed, Bagsy's (R02 £75.75p which was promptly despatched Irish DJ Prince George Armstrong who Baker) local Hospital being selected from to the Sister of the Childrens' Ward of the was a credit to the Guinness Brewery. This the hat by the SCO. With only two Ipswich Hospital. social allowed us to get to know each other months to go collecting was in full swing. As we prepared for our arrival in properly and paved the way to the forma- At this time we were cruising off the Portsmouth, Gerry Repetto transferred to tion of our sports teams for our grand Persian Gulf and we were in evidence in Argonaut for passage to Tristan Da tour of the Far East. The few runs ashore most of the sporting events arranged to Cunha, to have a reunion, after six years, prior to Singapore allowed us to keep us all sane. In the Horse Racing the with his family. acclimatise Comms wise and socially to punters amongst us formed a syndicate Our stay in Portsmouth was soon over life in Asia. with a view to breaking the bank. With and soon we were on our way to the Med. The time in Singapore was taken up by the purchase of Yellow Peril out of Spite The work was hard and little time station leave, sport and the occasional by the Gunnery Officer and with our available for recreation but we made the trip to Aggie Weston's. On the whole we intrepid jockey, Amos Burke, they were most of what little we had. Kevin Carr and gave a pretty good account of ourselves in all set. In the race he was only just beaten Ray Leadbetter gave a good account of and around Terror's playing fields with into second place but, due to expense, it themselves in the Gibraltar `Top of the our Football and Rugby teams playing as was decided to put the winnings on Rock' race, Kev coming second to a many ships and establishments as time another nag, which went down at the first Marine. allowed. We were also well represented in fence. Oh, well! The `Meet the Navy' cruise around the ship's teams with five members in the In the Boxing championships it is Scotland culminated in the all too short 1st and 2nd Rugby teams and mentions in rumoured that our entry Kevin (Cassius) trip to Rotterdam with its easy access to the Hockey and Football. Our A/SCO Carr fought his way to the Semi-finals Canal Street and various forms of Lieutenant Straw was a king of the Golf without landing a punch, only to be literature. In these few weeks left before course and could do a good impression of knocked down by a 10 foot Marine. we sail North again and eventually `do' Arnold Palmer. Our contender for the Miss Persian Canada we are thinking of last voyages After a short jolly in Kobe, it was Gulf title had a little more success as together and of Drafts. It has been a `Down Under' for us. 1 doubt if the (HE) managed to scratch his way into good commission and perhaps we will people of Fremantle and Perth will forget second place. sail together again in the future.

45 It was pleasant to be able to meet our We were disappointed that we could

40 COMMANDO friends and colleagues in Albion again not get ashore in the Gulf but this was and within days of you arriving at more than made up by the news that ROYAL MARINES Singapore we were aboard for exercises we were to fly home for Christmas. in Brunei and Malaya. Perhaps the Believe it or not, this was greeted with keynote of these deployments was the mixed feelings; many people genuinely friendliness on the part of everyone wanted to visit South Africa (especially and we in the Commando really did after hearing of your `runs ashore' on feel part of the ship - not simply the the way out) but it was nice to get `embarked force' as often happens. home for the festive season - even if it But of course our main purpose was freezing! It would certainly have after leaving Singapore was the been nice to have sailed into Plymouth covering of the British withdrawal Sound as a complete entity, ship and from the Persian Gulf and most of us embarked force together, but it was have the warmest memories of our not to be. As it turns out you have had time aboard. Mombasa, of course, the last laugh because since our F.S.L. would require a book to mention all and a training period we have been that happened, but suffice it to say that employed on an operational tour in it provided a good `break'. We still Ulster. This has kept us very busy and

wonder how Albion managed to hold the four-month tour is due to finish in us all; apart from your ship's company October '72. And the future - who there were 600 of us in four knows? Probably another deployment Companies: A, B, C, HQ & S; 7 in the New Year in a Commando (Sphinx) Bty R.A., 1 troop of 59 Field Carrier in our true role of amphibious Squadron R.E., Dieppe Flight and the ops. But regardless of the future I am Commando Brigade FAC Team and sure that 1 speak for all the Commando S.B.S. detachment! I believe l speak Group when I say how much we For the last twenty-five years 40 for everyone when I say how welcome enjoyed our time with you in 1971 and Commando, Royal Marines was based you made us feel. Your hospitality was how much we appreciated your efforts outside UK but on 1 November 1971 much appreciated, especially in view to help us integrate with the ship. we said good-bye to the Far East in of the fact that conditions must have general and Singapore in particular. been far more cramped than usual. by JACKBOOT

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT After several moves, and some con- siderable subversive activity, the Schoolroom finally found a permanent home on the port side of the After Dining Hall (that's for the benefit of those who have been waiting there for the last nine months trying to get stamps!). The Resettlement Office soon followed in to the space aft of this and we thought we'd won. No so! Some bright spark then decided to scrap the big `A'. The present location is, of course, ideal, being right in the heart of the ship. However a hazard has. recently developed due to the large number of NAMET! Who's kidding who? Westerns we've had on board in that the entrance to the Schoolroom has will be taken on board will occur foreign embellishments to the normal been permanently blocked every whilst we are in mid-Atlantic so let's day-to-day chat have been heard morning with dead Indians - or at least hope it's calm. coming from 5C, particularly after a their beer cans! The Resettlement side of the house RAS. Despite the obstacles and exercises has also had its successes, Coxswain Finally a thank you to our we've had a successful commission Ted Heath obtaining a PRVT in Librarians during the commission, both with NAMET and GCE classes. Cabinet Making and Communicator CPOs Brennan and Farmery for their Our visit to Hong Kong coincided with Enoch Powell taking a Civilian Attach- regular service and to Ed O's assistants, the `O' levels exam and these were ment in Uganda. AB Harris, Marine Wilson and taken in the comfort of HMS Tamar. Language study, using the Lingua- POMEM Petty for their invaluable Unfortunately the last exams which phone sets, was popular and frequently help.

46 ROYAL MARINE DETACHMENT

The Detachment formed up at Eastney Barracks on the parade ground on 22 September 1970. After drawing kit, fitting tropical uniforms and carrying out drill and weapon training, it moved to ATURM for landing craft pre- embarkation training. It was an eventful time with plenty of hard work, and exhausting runs ashore. The Detachment finally joined HMS Albion on 8 December 1970. The ship left for `CLOCKWORK 71', and gave the LCVPs the chance to do an INDEX up the River Dart, nearly getting stuck at Totnes. On returning LIMA 1 carried away the falls, which meant returning to Dartmouth for a drink whilst the Bosun and his party fixed them. Not a very popular start to the commission! Guard Inspection - Consul General, Capetown For `CLOCKWORK 71' the boats were despatched to Harstad for cold weather trials, and so the Detachment from Singapore, mourned chiefly by us By the end of the Summer DAMP were the only ones to get a run ashore and the Tiger Brewery shareholders. the majority of the Hermes Detach- -not even now will they divulge the With 40 Commando on board, lying ment had replaced the original details. to a buoy in Mombasa proved a busy detachment. The new faces fitted in The next run was in Ascension time for all the Detachment. For many well, and it looks as though the Albion Island where the LCVP crews first it was also a first experience with spirit will get Hermes off to a good learnt about liberty boats and all that Jungle Bunnies - for the older hands a start in her first commission as an is entailed in running them. Durban reminder of the old days in cruisers. LPH. saw our first quarterdeck guard, and 40 Commando chickened out before not for the last time the OCRM nearly Christmas, and left us to hold up the electrocuting himself by sticking his Royal Marines mantle - this was done sword into the lantern. The Sergeant by winning the volleyball (again) and Major met his merchant navy brother a New Year visit to Capetown. On there, and they nearly drank the place return to UK many of the Detachment dry between them. Our departure was trickled away to other units, and we not too soon! On the way up, the started the build up for the Hermes Detachment provided the policemen Detachment. for Neptune, and made an excellent The most notable effort during our job of chasing people onto the flight West of Suez lap was running liberty deck and presenting the new boys to boats nearly everywhere we went, His Majesty. which always provided an interesting On reaching the Far East Station we time on duty. By the end of the picked up 40 Commando, our soul commission each boat had run in the mates to be for the rest of the year, and region of 500 hours - which is a record. went to Brunei for an exercise. The Up forward, the Assault Stores depart- LCVPs were detached up the ment continued to pamper the Temburong River and had a whale of embarked force and keep them a time - their harbour area being supplied with all their needs - it is opposite the local girls' dhobey area. even rumoured that fresh honey could The first task on our arrival in Singa- be produced if required. pore was a visit to Tiger Breweries - With 100 % Scottish Sergeants' Mess arranged before even leaving UK. our runs up North were most popular, Exercises alternated with some excel- and several mums saw the wilder side lent visits and runs ashore, culminating of their sons, and met their so called in our presence for the final withdrawal friends as well. Beach ahoy - Malaysia

47