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all THE COMMUNICATOR The Magazine of the Communications Branch, Royal llavy and the Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society

SUMMER 1969 VOL.19, No.5

CONTENTS page poge Drnrcron on N,qvlr StcNars 224 SHrp-Ssonr Nrws 235 Lrrtns ro rur Eorron 22s CouurssroNtNc Fonrcasr 252 Oun Mr.l tl rur Moo 228 GotNc rnr: RouNDs tN Mrncunv 2s3 Rrcnr Our or JorNr 229 Prx PoRtnarr-CRS Lrws 255 RroncaNrs,qrtou or 'O' SrcnoN 229 RN CouuuxtclrroNs Cnrrrs' Assocr,rrtox 258 LrNxro CovpnrssoR nNo Expeloon 231 WRNS Nrws 258 A Dav rN rnr Llrr op l Rloro RNR 262 Suprnvrson 231 He pelrtc Hr raouR 262

Bmcrwooo Fruo-GuN CouprrruoN 1969 232 Coul,ru..rtcrrtoNs Gazrrrr. . . 265 THr Oslsr MEN /-i 5 Dnrruxc 269 Suuvrn Cnosswono 234

Editor: Lieutenant-Commander J. H. Err-rs Treasurer: Lieutenant-Commander G. Fxouo Assistanl Editor: Sub-Lieutenant R. K. Davrs Sub-Editor: Second Officer D. Srrlrn Secretary and Typist: LRO M. J. Aoa.us

Business, Product ion ancl

Adver t i se me nt Manager : Mr. EDcAR Srncounr, 44 Abbots Ride, Farnham, Surrey.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Al t MSS, photographs and cartoons should be sent to the Editor. These will be returned to the sender only if asked for and responsibility for them cannot be accepted by the Editor. Contributions for the Winter 1969 edition must be in the Editor's hands by lst November and bulk orders by l0th November 1969, Subscription Rates are as follows'. For the whole year 116 post free For each issue .. 3l- post free BULK ORDERS (2 copies or more) from commands, ships or establishments,216 per copy, post free. The magazine is published at Easter, Summer and Christmas. Orders are normally posted during the lst week of April, August and December. The closing date for articles is the lst March, lst July and lst November. Cheques/Postal Orders should be made payable to and sent to: The Treasurer, THr CouuuxrcAToR, HMS Mercury, East Meon, near Petersfield, Hants. This address should also be used for placing orders. All other correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at the same address.

PUBLISHED AT HMS .,MERCURY''

223 THE COMMUNICATOR

The Magazine of the Communications Branch, Royal ftlavy and the Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society

SUMMER 1969 VOL.19, No, s CONTENTS page page Drnrcron or NnvlL SrcNlr-s 114 Snrp-SuonrNrws .. 235 Lrrrgns to tHr Eot'ron 225 CorutllrssroxrNc Fonrcesr 252 Oun MnN rN rne Moo 228 Gonc rnr RouNos rN Mrncunv 253 Rrcnr Our op JorNr 229 Prx Ponrurr-CRS Lrws 255 RponcnNrslrroN or'O' SscrroN 229 RN CoruvuNrc,rrroxs Csrrrs' AssocrauoN 258 LrNrlo Cor'.rpnlsson eNo ExpnNoon 231 WRNS NEws. 258 A DaY rN rnr Lrru or l Rroto RNR . .. 262 Suprnvtson 231 HrpeurrcHuuoun .. 262 Bnrcrwooo Frrro-GuN CouprrrrloN 1969 232 CovrrauNrcrrroNs Cnzrtrr 265 THr OnEsr MrN l5 5 DurnNc 269 Suuvpn Cnosswono 234

Editor: Lieutenant-Commander J. H. Enrs Treqsurer: Lieutenant-Commander G. Fnouo Assistant Editor: Sub-Lieutenant R. K. DAvIs Sub-Editor: Second Officer D. Srnrn Secretary and Typisl: LRO M. J. Aortras

Business, Product ion and

Advert i se me nt M anager : Mr. EDGAR Srncolrnr, 44 Abbots Ride, Farnham, Surrey.

CONTRIBUTIONS

All MSS, photographs and cartoons should be sent to the Editor. These will be returned to the sender only if asked for and responsibility lor them cannot be accepted by the Editor. Contributions for the Winter 1969 edition must be in the Editor's hands by lst November and bulk orders by 10th November 1969, Subscription Rates are as fitllows: For the whole year 716 post free For each issue .. .. 3l- post free BULK ORDERS (2 copies or more) from commands, ships or establishments, 2/6 per copy, post free. The magazine is published at Easter, Summer and Christmas. Orders are normally posted during the lst week of April, August and December. The closing date for articles is the lst March, lst July and lst November. ChequesiPostal Orders should be made payable to and sent to: The Treasurer, TUE CounuNICAToR, }{MS Mercury, East Meon, near Petersfield, Hants. This address should also be used for placing orders. All other correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at the same address.

PUBLISHED AT HMS ..MERCURY''

223 M CAPTAIN D. A. POYNTER, CVO, MBE, ROYAL NAVY DIRECTOR OF NAVAL SIGNALS

194G1947 Qualified in Signals. 1957-1959 SCO to CINCEASTLANT. 1941-1948 Signal Officer, Hli{S London. 1960 JSSC. 1948-1950 Flag Lieutenant and SCA to FO2 ilc FES 1960-1962 Executive Ofiicer, HMS lerror. 1950 Radio Adviser, RAE. 1962 Promoted Captain. 1950-1952 SCO to F6, HMS Lot:h lnsh. 1962-1963 Chief Signal Olicer to C-in-C FE. 1952-1954 SCO to FOMA. 1963-1966 Deput!' Director of Naval Signals. 1954-1955 O i/c coMCEN, Malta. 1966 SOWC. 1955 Promoted Commander. 1966--1969 -f)efence, Naval, Military and Air Attache 1955-1957 Commander (C), ASWE. Saniiagc'r (Chile) and Quito (Ecuador). 224 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CoucrN. Having said all that one cannot help noticing Gtsn.qL.ran. today how even the basic operating skills are dis- t)ear Sir. appearing. Operators unable to operate a morse The Communicators job these days like all other circuit at workable speeds, unable to teletype again at branches is becoming increasingll' more complex and rvorkable speeds, Wrens unablc to do straight forward although more automated still rcquires competent and crypto. These are the ver),'fundamental skills of a good skilled operators to cope n'ith the various aspects of operator but the standards are getting dangerously the job. One would have thought that as the job Itlw. increased in scope, training Iikewise would have been Have a .look at the present passing percentages pace broadened and increased to keep with the required in these subjects and remember these are changes. and the operalors of today should be even job usually the maxinrum the operator can obtain and better trained and equipped to do the than the rhis only for a short duration to pass the examination. old type of Communicator ever was. This. however. Put them on a circuit and watch speed/accuracy drop doesn't seem to be the case, and although I am for considerably. Watch the average typist's speed today change rvhen necessary, I thirrk we have reached the compared s,ith the speed of hisiher examination dangerous stage now where rve expect operators to results and you u,ill see what I mean. These basic be self-taught practically up ro the RS rate. The skills are not obsolete yet as a very large staffed ship policy departmental results of the training over the this comcen worked recently found out, when she years last few is even now being felt by most stafls could not put a good morse operator on the circuit, a and what I leel is even worse is that eventually when thing unheard oi a couple of years ago" (This mode the modern communicator becomes eligible for being her only means ol transmission at the time.) senior rates course we will again have to lou,er the To overcome this we have to accept that regardless of general standard of knowledge because we haven't. whatever speed we teach to, in practice the operator through adequate training, prepared him for what is a will revert to his/her own 'comfortable level' which very these stiff course, Are we really being fair to will always be less than the maximum they have been people and indeed to ourselves who expect even more taught to. At present the speed is 30 wpm typing but from them today? in practice it's probably nearer 15-20 wpm, so, if the The years betw'een JRO and LRO are ol course the training was to 50 wpm would not the operator's level vital ones fot training purposes and determine the be 30 wpm ? The same for morse, train them to 25 type of senior rares we will end up with eventually. wpm and the *orking level should increase and what br.rt all we offer the operator is a lO-week course is more important today, they should retain the skills. during this period. After initial training onwards These are just a few examples, ol course, but the (except for specialisat.ion course) the operator has to principles appl5' to the many other subjects taught. train himself and one is constarrtly reading in CTMs Crn the subject of Wrens training. anyone working that 'there is not enough time to cover a subject u.ith them lately will be aware of a definite lowering of properly at the signal schools', and here I think standards of knowledge and abilities due to the lies the with svstem. We should one of basic laults the prescnt policy. and in some cases subjects have been understand that: dropped completely from the course, but still they are (a) instructing is an art and, like teaclring in drafted to stafls where they are expected to work at schools. requires qualified people. We u'rongly these subjects. They are increasingly replacing their assume that all Petty Oticers can teach their male counterparts but are not being trained to do so subjects so the young operators knowledge and the whole system suffers. A Wren is equal at the suffers as a result; job ashore as a male if she is trained and my remarks (b) self-study to the extent necessary today'is very above are relevant to both sexes in their respective hard and coupled with (a) above, inrposes fields. To sum up. I would suggest: unnecessary restrictions on thc operators (s) give thc candidates for adrancement the benefit chances ofadvancement, and ifdespite this he is of courses. advanced. his standard of knowledge is not (b) teach to a higher level of knowledge than at compatible with his responsibilities; present! by qualified instructors" (c) this is probably more important under the (c) stop cramming subjects into too short a time, present policy:staffs don't have the time to after all, we set the pace, adequately train these people; Yours faithfully, we do alter all offer them a career in communications RS(G) P. Drv so they expeci the necessary courses. One solution is to hold fleet board type specialist examinalions, re- '1.** introduce the LRO course and lengthen the RS course. FoRr Blocrurousr. The answer to this may well be that is not enough Dear Editor. time to fit the course in. But why not? Thcre are even HMS Ambuslr has still, at the time of writing, a less ships-establishments these days and staff comple- 4-inch gun. The Flag Officer Submarines is, of course, ments on average get smaller all the time. Vice-Admiral M. P. Pollock, CB, IvtVO, DSC. 225 Certain Celestial Ratings were recently the victims of often are spared 1o, read practical erercises. Papal Reversion, having lailed to maintain com- but from erperience I have gained. not with- munication continuously over the centuries; amongst out frequent chasing from the rating in charge them St Barbara. The following signals resulted: of the department. and sometimes a little From SMI to FOSM info Ambuslt Excellent nausea. Very honest is the senior rating who Unclas. l PAPAL DECREES ARE BROADCAST sends everyone in the department in strict WITH EASE rotation. and how many ratings miss their IN THE DAYS OF WIRELESS AND turn because they are 'my brightest rating'? TELLY Indeed. is it fair to send a first class rate ST BARBARA'S DEMISE WE VIEW when juniors do not go ? Unpleasantness can WITH UNEASE and sometimes does occur within departments BUT AMBUSH HAS FIRE IN HER through some ratings being held back whilst BELLY others go round the buoy. 2. STEADY THE GUARD b It is possible under the present system, apart From FOSM to SMI Ambush Excellent from the point raised in a above, for many Unclas. 1. ST BARBARA'S DEMISE ratings to complete their naval engagement NOT A PLEASANT SURPRISE without doing a communal party stint, when NOW MAKES HER A GUNNERY .LOCAL' a permutation is made from age, advance- ment, draft to shore. foreign shore etc. SO AMBUSH'S BELLY c Every department at present attempts to shirk NEED NOT TURN TO JELLY its communal party responsibilities. Cries of FOR BARBARA'S DEATH IS NOT 'down on complement' are heard all too often TOTAL from officers and senior ratings. Those who 2. PAPAL DEFINITION OF 'LOCAL': QUOTE believe in such phrases as 'do him good' or TO BE VENERATED ONLY IN SELECTED 'send so-and-so again' should remember that AREAS UNQUOTE a rating's career is being played with. From HMS Excellent to SM1 info FOSM Ambush Unclas. l. THERE ARE THOSE I KNOW d Reliefs are sometimes required for Com- IN THE WORLD DOWN BELOW munal Party ratings proceeding on leave. This WFIO REGARD THE MARK 52 AS normally occurs when ship husbandry in a department is proceeding a fast pace a QUAINT at in BUT MANY WILL WISH DED, THEY HAD MORE THAN JUST FISH e How many man-hours are wasted at all levels WHEN YOUR GUNLAYERS FOLLOW deciding which department does what, where, OUR SAINT and when during a ship's commission? 2. THE WORSHIP OF SAINT I]ARBARA IS OF 2. A11 the above points are relevant to every de- COURSE ONLY OPTIONAL OUTSIDE partment within a ship, and not just to the Com- WHALE ISLAND munication Department alone. I propose that the Yours sincerely, following would please most people: R' L' CoPP a General Flotilla Communication Officer (1) At present many ratings are being refused entrance to the Royal Nalry because they ***** do not possess the necessary academic qualifications, and these are the people GCHQ. 1rvilh others so desiring) who could be Oerr-ev, Cselrrr.rtlau, Gloucrsrpn. recruited as General Purpose ratings. Dear Sir, Shouts from the iiberals of'slave labour' COMMUNAL DEPARTMENT RATING will have to be heard, so engagements of years 1. Having recently completed a commission say three or five could be offered. aboard Eaglc rvhere I was the Communications (2) The Navy would lose little if they do not Department Regulator, I am flrmly convinced that re-engage as they would require little a need for a Communal Department Rating exists. training, Shorter engagements could be The present system is unpopular amongst both used in an argument about less pay due senior and junior ratings for the following reasons: to Iower standard etc.. if so desired by a At present juniors are not allou'ed to do MOD. communal duties, and the employment of b Advancement Structure Ordinary rates is very much frowned upon. (1) Basic training. NBCD, Ship Husbandry This leads to the situation whereby a rating (to include paint application, glifting and having been fully trained, and therefore of gleeming etc), First Aid (as these ratings use to his particular department, has to go off could be used as First Aid Parties at and scrub or hump for a three month period. Action Stations), and basic maintenance R.atings in the Communal Party can. and of domestic machinery used onboard. 226 Advancement to Able Rate would be purely on a time in Ordinary Rate basis. (3) Leading Hands eramination apart from a higher standard in the subjects taken in training. could consist of questions set by Supply Department, eg, storage of pro- Makethe visions, naval stores, etc. (4) Petty Oflicer and Chief Petty Officer in the branch could be by further examina- tions, time basis. or recommendation, and a they would become CIPO of Messdecks/ mostof Dining Halls. (5) Should a rating prove to be wortl.ry of (SD) opportunity, this rating on promo- tion apart from becoming I st Lt assistant reatidea (Messdecks). could also take over many extraneous duties at present undertaken by Specialist Officers, eg. laundry officer, On land or sea-wherever you are a great idea. mail o{ficer, sports officer, SRE officer, etc. -saving is (6) Opportunities should also be ollered for It's a great idea for anyone who is these ratings to qualify as butchers. interested in marriage or making a typists and nonsub rates open to other home. branches such as Shallow Water Diver. Also perhaps. there may be a recluire- ment to train men as professional laundry *:@ ratings if Chinese laundry crews are with- get appreciation drawn in the future. 3d You'll far more 3. To conclude. I realise that there may be flaws from 'her' if you put a regular in mv proposals whicl-r are slightly far reaching, monthly sum into National Savings. but resentment of the present system is felt in Your money will be absolutely safe virtually every ship, and something should be and it will earn a steady rate of done to leave the trained rating free to do the job he is borne for and continue an uninterrupted interest. career. Finally, I would have been been loathe to do communal duties if they had been in operation -- when I was a Telegraphist. Yours faithfully, A. D. Bowex, (cRS(W)

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22'7 OUR MAN IN THE MOD body who is an,v.'body pr-rts their remarks and signature on the circulating dockets and files. Although I'm still by CRS(W) Lowthe rvaiting for the commissionaire to throw his tnppence D.N.S. The initial letters which conjure up varying halfpenny' worth in, I'm keeping my tingers crossed. pictures, depending on how Iong you've been in the Because of this paper work, and penny-pinching civii Service. I mr"rst admit that whenever I've heard that an servants, ulrose fingers control the purse strings, is it officer had been appointed olt the Staff of the Director any rvonder that from the rime an idea to purchase Naval Signals, I used to think to myself, that B--'s neu'equipment goes on paper the time delay can be on a good loaL The 'Bowler'at' brigade. Mit briel anything fronr tuo to five years') Hence, by the time case and brolly. Somer.vhat similar to Macbeth's 1,.,ou have your lovely' rrew equipment fitted I t's witches, all round a cauldron of bubbling com- obsolete-Great !l I municators. When il'e hear the Navy estimates, we immediately Double double toil and trouble; think of a pay rise. These estinrates are of course the Fire burn and cauldron bubble, major factor dictating yea or nal/ to naval require- Ears of a sparker ache, ments. Depending on what priority a project has, will In the cauldron boil and bakc: determine ',vhich particular year's estimate will ac- Lights of a bunting, and semaphore flags, count for it. Signals lN is the cryplic title of my boss. Hide ol Chief. and confidential bags, Commander Jessop. (Depending on when this goes Sy'mbols of morse, and instructions for ode, to print-Captain Jessop.) His particular responsi- We of DNS can double the load. bility is point-to-point communications. This probably For a charm of powerlul trouble doesn't sound much, but, sit and think about it. Like a hell broth boil and bubble. Should this slation be n-rodernised, is it required post '71.72, One doesn't mind being rudely awakened, but, 73, ad infinitum. Can rve close that station'l when one's cherished dreams are completely shattered, What happens when we withdraw from east of Suez'l that's the limit. The main building of the Ministry of Will Mauritius be able to cope, when Singapore Defence is in Whitehall. It has trvo entrances, one in closes'l What shall ue do with the equipment in Richmond Terrace. the other in Horse Guards Singapore ? What is required wherr satellite communi- Avenue. Giving no more than a casual glance at the cations get into fuil swing') What permanent shore two giant misshapen nude statues above the entrances, facilities will be required for satellite working') one is more likely to believe they are entering the Run down Hongkong, what shall we do about Ministry of Pornography, as opposed to the hallowed Malta? Build up Hor-rgkong, modernise Malta? What halls containing the Gnomes of Defence. C)nce inside, is the government policy' abroacl'l the whole place seems to be a maze of passages, there 'Chief '. being no abundance of pubs and naval tailors from 'Yes sir'. r.r'hich to take my bearings, I still find it difficult to 'Fetch my crystal ball fronr the safe, and would you navigate round Britain's answer to the Pentagon. just sort out the telegraph landline schedule'. The present director, Captain Pope (now' a Rear 'Yes sir, can I leave the telegraph lines until to- Admiral) has his staff and olices the floor. on first morrow. lt's half past five'. Seventeen officers in all, each one rvith a special 'What responsibility, and they are backed b1'up a clerical do you want, a make-n-mend l' staff ol twelve. This seems a lot but. believe me. the1, Although my dreams have been shattered, I console are certainly kept busy. ml.sell with the thought that really nothing has In my first two weeks on the stalf, i began to see changed. Them B---.'s are still on a quiet number. that there is a lot more to running a Navy than I'd I'm still doing all the rvork. The only difference is, I ever reaiised. especially rrow that the Services are nick the boss's brolly', and practise swinging it round working in close liaison with each other under the and round. To date I'm still a novice. Briefcase, well. same roof. For instance, if the Navy wish to make that's easy. The -Bowler 'at is the snag. Malbe it's changes to a particular RNi'WT station. the Army and because I've worn ear phones for too long. Outside of RAF have to get in on the act. They can either make stretching my arkers, or devising a special gadget, I it easy or difficult. The Headquarters Defence Com- just can't seem to manage one. I always end up in the munication Network have to be consulted then, in dark. Stilll a bowlegged cricket is worse off than me. some cases, NATO. As most communication between I volunteered for the job. olfices is done on paper. you can start to imagine the work entailed, or can you'l I couldn't at first. Next, the Director General of Dockyards and Maintenance has to give his approval. The people who do the cost- ing, want in, then the man who holds the purse string. Meeting after meeting, more papcr work, dockets and BELT AND BRACES files begin to mount up. It still haffies me how anyone Extract irom a Reseulement Bulletin seeking staff can tie a great mountain of paper together and say for the MOD Defence Communication Centre. with conviction that the project in question has been "Whilst this system is 1\lly automatic, it cannot carried through to a successful completion. Every- operate entirely' on its own , . .' 228 RIGHT OUT OF JOINT 'Just not cost-effective enough, old boy,' exclaimed Major Largeboot. 'You can get 931,123 greatcoats io a by 'Racoon' C5A. Land on a football field. Twenty-eight landing The Major cleared his throat, stroked his luxuriant wheels, you know.' moustache and spoke. 'Look,' said Lieutenant-Commander Anchorage 'Good morning, gentlemen. As Chairman it is my sharply. 'I'm not interested in your technicalities when pleasure to welcome you two representatives from the my soldiers are cold and hungry. You joint Blue Jobs are Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to this all the same. No doubt the first thing you'll want to do planning conference for Operation SOAK AWAY. when you land is crawl into your bunks and rest for My name is Major Largeboot and perhaps I may be 19 hours.' permitted to say at this point that, although a Brown 'You're adopting a very single-Service viewpoint Job, I did atter.rd the Royal Air Force Staff College, so on this, old boy,' said Major Largeboot. 'Typical I have a keen inter-Service outlook.' of the Army. All gummed up with tradition and 'Well, that is rather strange, in fact,' said the Lieut- gaiters. I suppose you'll be wanting the Mess Silver enant-Commander. 'My name is Anchorage, but I flown in next. You're a disgrace to the colour of your too have external connections, so to speak, since I did uniform.' in fact attend the Staff College at Camberley.' Lieutenant-Commander Anchorage fl ushed, picked 'Shiver my timbers !' exclaimed the Squadron up his papers and moved towards the door. Leader, shifting a quid of tobacco from one side of 'I shall deem it my duty to report your non-co- his mouth to the other. 'Strange indeed. My name is operative attitude to my General-Rear-Admiral Wingspan and though, ofcourse, you have no way of Gannett,' he said, and walked out of the room. guessing it, I attended the Staff Course at Greenwich.' There was a moment's silence. 'Well, there's a 'Bang on!'said Largeboot. 'I'm sure it will make the thing!' said the Squadron Leader. 'Terrible how joint world of difference to our work here today. Now blinkered some chaps can get. Suppose we'd better to business. Operation SOAK AWAY.' adjourn, Largeboot. How about a rum below decks?' 'l think it might save a lot of time, in fact,' said Anchorage, briskly, 'if I tell you chaps now that I have in fact already worked out the problem. It's REORGANISATION OF quite simple, actually. Two up, bags of smoke, regula- .O' SECTION tion pause oftwo three and hit them for six right in the FDLs. Then neutralise, harass and destroy them Years ago radio-organisation/GCl and crypto were with the 105s and finish up by dominating no man's taught as separate subjects in two sections, headed by land.' officers known as Wl and C1. C1 was swallowed up in 'Belay there!' said Squadron Leader Wingspan. the rush to move into Dreadnought Block some four 'Don't you feel that is perhaps a bit excessive? I years ago, and an enormous 'O' section emerged. rather favoured a landing party from HMS Docft- Since then the processes of evolution, especially with l|orl/r/. Nothing quite like twenty pairs of bell- the advances in automatic message routeing, and on- bottoms to quieten the place down. Pick-helves, of line cryptography, have proved that 'O' section is the course, and then if that doesn't work, a platoon of better for deflning more clearly its responsibilities for Royals with a string band, followed by a football Radio Organisation, AT (meaning all forms of AT, match against the locals in the afternoon.' whether by covered or uncovered radio or landline 'Wizard, old chap!' said Major Largeboot. 'But circuits) and Crypto. both of you have forgotten the ground support. Now From June 30, 01 will be responsible for the I was thinking in terms of a squadron of Hunters teaching of all RN, NATO and Joint Communica- Mark 6, 12U.E., with Decant Nav-Attack Head-Up tion Radio Organisation, and their practical applica- Displays to do the trick. With a bit of top cover and tion (eg, Joint Communication Exercises), whilst 02 flak suppression thrown in, I reckon that, using assumes the title of ATl with responsibility for the SNEB from 1,200 feet, there's a 17i4 probability teaching of all RN, NATO and joint procedures, of causing 50 ){ casualties to a platoon of infantry dug whether on-line or off-line, and for on-line keying in with 0il overhead cover.' systems and offJine cryptosystems. (The technical Wingspan looked interested. 'Really?' he said. instruction of on-line equipments remains the respon- 'Never knew that.' sibility of T section.) 'Let's cut out the frills and get down to detail,' said In summary this reorganisation places into a Anchorage impatiently. 'First of all, morale must be separate section subjects which are required to be high and admin. good. There's no point in our dis- known by all three sub specialisations. The two halves cussing high-flown mathematics if Private Snooks on of 'O' Section are as follows, with the o1d titles shown his flat feet hasn't got his blankets and overcoats. How in brackets: are they going to be brought up?' Ol I RN,NATO and Joint 'LPD, of course,' said Squadron Leader Wings- 02 (O5) | Communications Radio pan. 'It so happens that I've got the charts here with 03 (06) .J Organisations. me-we can get to within 5 miles of the coast when ATI (o2.) I RN, NATO and Joint AT the monsoon is from the Nor-Nor-West and chopper AT2 (O4) | Procedures, On-line keying them in.' AT3 (O3) J systems and oflJine cryptosystems. a)o Lincorypex eliminates singing problems

No, not you Brunnhilde, sit down.

STC LINCOMPEX eliminates singing usable circuit time. suppressors in long distance H F radio A full range of ancillary items can be telephone Iinks-plus all the problems supplied, such as echo suppressors. band that go with them. displacers, control shelves. etc. Optrmum transmitter loading is made Furthermore, a special feature allows possible and a high signalto noise ratio remote switching of privacy systems with brings even warbling Wagnerians over automatic delay compensation. loud and clear (so help us). A previously For brochure giving fulltechnical details. unattainable circuit qualrty is provided write. phone or telex: Standard for ship to ship and ship to shore com- Telephones and Cables Limited, munication, with increased intelligibility, 190 Strand. London W.C.2. the minimum of interference, an extended Telephone: 01 -836 B055.Telex: 22385 I 6.

A Eritish

rff wortd-wide tetecommunications and erectronics STC 69i7G 230 LINKED COMPRESSOR AND circuit with considerable fading. The GPO have found that rather than the improved circuit conditions with EXPANDOR (LTNCOMPEX) LINCOMPEX enabling business to be concluded more quickly, the subscribers have found speech so by CRS Fuller easy and have become so relaxed that the average length of calls has increased. In Britannia, it is true to Commercial HF radio telephone is used extensively say that several successful calls were made using by merchant ships, but not, on the whole, by HM LINCOMPEX over circuits which otherwise would ships. An exception to this is the Royal Yacht, which have made coherent conversation impossible. is often called upon provide instant telephone to The LINCOMPEX, which is all transistorised connection from anywhere anywhere, and to but most requires virtually no adjustment after initial frequently from sea to the United Kingdom. In setting up, was used with a Marconi NT 201 transmitter, planning the recent royal tour to South America the commercial forerunner of the Type 640, which considerable care was devoted to this subject for was eminently satisfactory. The snags come on the several reasons. Firstly, there is no local radio tele- receive side, where a very high degree of frequency phone service in Brazil; secondly, the internal tele- accuracy and stability is required, since only two phone system of Brazil leaves much to be desired. cycles off tune causes a signal reduction 1 dB. and calls outside Brazil (i.e. to UK) are often unsatis- of Britannia used a CJK with a RA 121 sideband factory. Thirdly, the east coast of South America is adaptor in lieu of the RA 218 adaptor, since the well known as difficult area for radio communica- RA a l2I incorporates an automatic frequency tions. control. However, the stability of the CJK was insufficient It was decided, in the event correctly, that the most to maintain a rveak variable signal within the limits reliable method of achieving telephone calls the of to the A.F.C. and some difficulty was experienced. UK would be by the normal HF SSB service direct LINCOMPEX is already used on several point to ftom Britannia to the GPO HF Radio Telephone point GPO circuits, and has been fitted in several Terminal at Baldock, in Hertfordshire, using the merchant ships, includine the and it is reported Cable and Wireless station at Barbados as an alter- QE2 that the South African Navy may be fitting in native. However, it was considered doubtful that this it their ships. It is unlikely to be fitted in the as is would, under varying propagation conditions, always RN it incompatible with the speech secrecy equipment, provide the quality and reliability required, and so the and is too expensive to install for commercial tele- GPO loaned Britannia a device they have developed phone calls only, but try it on your next called LINCOMPEX. trip in the QE2 t! Recent developments in long distance communica- tion such as satellites, have overshadowed the requirement for HF. However, the GPO regard HF A DAY IN THE LIFB OF A competitive with cable and satellite services. Very broadly, the requirement is to improve the quality RADIO SUPERVISOR of the HF circuit by reducing the effects ol noise and Reproduced by kind permission of the Editor of HMS fading the point where the subscriber does not to Eagle's underground journal 'Weigh Out' know if he is connected by lirre or radio. LIN- COMPEX goes far towards achieving this objective. What a beautiful day-the sun is dancing on the LINCOMPEX operates as follows. The speech is wavelets, cascading into a million diamond droplets; compressed to a sensibly-constant amplitude, the the sea so blue it could also be Mediterranean. Is that compressors acting at almost the syllabic rate of Lossie yonder nestling under snow capped mountains ? speech. The compressor control current modulates a Ah, the freshness, the quiet simple beauty of it all. separate control signal, which is conrbined with the 'Git out the bleedin' way-we want to wash down'. compressed speech and transmitted over a nominal 3 So much for my post-breakfast drop of ireshers. But kHz bandwidth channel. At the receiver, the control another day au,aits and there is work to do. signal is separated from the speech signal and both Down to the office below-dramatic entrance. are amplified to a constant level. The control signal Ditch the watchkeeper's copy of Tnr Tlmr.s, touch up is then used to set the expander gain, thus restoring a few Receivers that may or may not have been off the original variations of speech signal amplitude. tune. Make a switch or two on the control desk that Because the speech output level at the receiver depends experience has taught me will not disrupt com- solely on the frequency of the control signal, which is munications. Pick the office up for a scrub out, directly related to the input level at the transmitter, organise a mini Operation Thimblehunt to find the the overall system loss or gain can be maintained at a greenie whose screwdriver I nicked last week. constant value. The effect to the subscriber is of a cir- (Transpires that he hasn't missed it yet, so hide it cuit almost unnaturally free ofinterference and fading, away again.) Give him stick for being a greenie and and at worst a slight artificiality of the speech, though go down the mess to pull a packet of fags prior to not enough to prevent voices being easily recognised. going up top. Salute Chiefy baby, give him half a As long as the control signal is free of interference dozen fags, give the RSOW stick then see ifI can con. LINCOMPEX will make a 'commercial' circuit out the Chief Yeoman out of his tot. Having wasted of what would, without it, be a very poor and noisy fifteen minutes thus, and having picked up the 231 buntings for being thick, remember that I have of getting his secondary armament of 4.7 inch guns forgotten to knuckle the OD. Sparkers who would ashore. The dockyard lurned ollt gun carriages to his think that something was seriously arniss if over- design in a fortnight, shipped them to Durban. un- looked. Remedred. Go up to see Sir, whimpering and Ioaded two 4.7 inch guns and a batch ol quick-firing snivelling appropriately. When asked why such and medium range 12 pounders and boarded the train such is not speaking, issue forthwith a very long which reached Ladysmith at noon. A 4.7 inch gun was sentence including as many expressions like; Freqsep, unloaded and brought to bear with effect in one hour, Radhaz, double knock, offset, propagation, inconl- the third round knocked out the long range Boer gun patibility, push-pull, filter curve, greenies fault, etc.. menacing the town. The siege lasted I 19 days and by and ending with 'Well Sir, what can you expect with skillully conserving ammunition, enough remained ARMY/RAF/WAAFOOS/RFAs/ANOTHER SHIP for a fusillade of shots to pepper the departing Boers at the other endll' as they withdrew before General Buller's relieving Extinguish the flames that I have been shot down force. in, and go out onto the funnel deck. Make sure that After the relief, and two telegrams Generals the Morning watchmen have washed down thoroughly, to White and Buller, Victoria singled out the thus ensuring a good earth. Feed the goofers rice for Queen Naval Brigade for a special congratulatory getting sterile under or next to the aerials. (It's not telegram. The naval brigade of 750 ratings and Royal Marines that I really r-nind them sterilising themselves at our fought with distinction in several parts of the country expense, but I do take exception when the transmitted with 4.7 inch guns lrom HM Ships PowerJul, Terrible power from the aerial dissipates into their idle bodies and others. On return the crew of Powerful ran a 4.'7 instead of into the Ionosphere.) Give the Golly shop inch gun through the arena at the Agricultural Hall a miss as it's coming up for longweekenders and they at Islington in the 1900 Royal Tournament and was just might lose my ticket if I sharpen them up. greeted with wild enthusiasm by the public. They ran Standeasy already ? Down to the mess: No cups left the gun through the streets of London to Waterloo again. Kick the greenies to death for put(ing the snatch Station on their vvay back to Portsmouth. In 1907 on the cups and for still being greenies. Drip all over the Captain of HMS Excellent instituted the Brick- the Fairies because there is no mail again today. Ignore woods Field Gun Competition and the Brickwood their plaintive pleas for clemency because they belong Brewery donated the splendid trophy. to a fixed wing squadron. Shake the Yeoman, tell the seaman that there is a RAS scheduled for 0100 The 1969 competition found the Mercury teams in tomorrow morning, tell everyone else that the ship a very good position and they trained with high will now return to Cuzz and not Pompey as planned. spirits. On Monday June 30, the rrvo teams, formed Wait till the bubbly comes up, then lash the messmen from nerv entry and ships' company volunteers, ably up to the Pres's tot. See it off Wings. Ask Florrie trained by RS Sleight and CPO(GI) Broadhurst, and what the GL on his badge stands for, then dash down accompanied by some 120 supporters arrived at HMS to the dining hall to see ifyou can get an early lunch. Excellent. The new entry team, or 'B' crew as it had As the doorway is jammed solid with gash daymen become known, ran first. Although they didn't win and NAAFI staff, forget it. Ask them tough if I can their heat, they returned a satisfacrory time of one see their cruise tickets and enquire whether they have minute forty-six seconds, third to HMS Collingwood's the afternoon watch or not. This is guaranteed to one minute thirty-nine seconds. Mercury 'A' team produce an instant reaction. Lunchtime eventually, I were drau,n to run in the third heat, and they ran remove the cotton wool from my ears-making sure second to Collingttood's first team, *,ith a time of one that I sit next to a GI so that I can enjoy a stimulating minute forty point two seconds. This was a commend- discussion on surrealist art forms whilst I eat. able time and fast enough to qualify them for the If the author survives this will be continued . . . final as one of the five fastest times returned in the heats. The opposition was formidable. Both Colling- wood '1.' and 'B' teams had qualified, as also had Daedalus 2nd team. The lourth team was Dryad who BRICKWOOD with Mercury were the outsiders. The final was started FIELD.GUN COMPETITION 1969 by the Royal Marine bugler sounding the advance and the liring of a thunderflash. All five teams raced away, and slowly but surely the Mercury team pulled This year is the 70th anniversary of the siege of away from the others. The team were well ahead in the Ladysmith. What on earth has this to do with the final action, and only flfty yards from home, when Brickwood Field-gun competition, held annually at once again, for the second year running, misfortune }Jl|rdS Excellent, Whale Island? It is long and a overtook them. A cartridge was mishandled causing interesting story, that you may like to hear. a delay of some seconds, and allowing Collingvtood's During the South African war in the latter part of number one team to romp home in the fastest time of the l9th century, the British fell back on the towns the evening. whilst the Boer Commandos ruled the countryside, invested the towns, and brought some big guns to Once again Mercury has let the elusive Brickwood bear to the discomfort of the besieged. The Captain Trophy slip through their fingers. It wasn't the fault of HMS Powerful in Simonstown conceived the idea of bad training. A big vote of thanks must be given 232 to RS Sleight for all the effort and spare tlme that he so freely gave to the training of the teams, and to CPO Broadhurst for his valuable assistance to both the teams, and so our thoughts must turn to the perfection of each crewman's actions. However, if the enthusiasm of the members of HMS Mercury continues to produce such staunch teams, then it can t{lBM:'i only be a matter of time before we can expect to see that magnificent trophy being carried into the establishment on the shoulders of a successful team.

THE OBESE MEN

by Sub-Lieut J, T. Hudson

Not since the grand days of the Roman orgies has there been so much food eaten by the privileged few. lf we could exchange all our excess lbs for currency pounds then we would certainly have no balance of His savings are piling up payments crisis. It is estimated (by the writer) that over 60 percent of the Royal Navy is overweight. -are yours? (This decision was arrived at by taking a good look at a cross section of the people around him, and then Provident Life progressive savings scheme and Life Assurance quick against what their offers you, at age of 18, a cash payment of {969 when you a estimate of their weight lerve the Navy ifter 22 years'service, plus life cover Ior the correct weight should be.) It is agreed that this family. For onfy {3 per month-or a pension ol tl95ll2l' a year at and security. method is not foolproof, but then what methods are ? 65-saving A quick look at your own figure and weight against height should be evidence that I do not speak with a Period I Monthly Family cover I Pension forked tongue. Once it was fashionable to be fat, in of I allotment or in the I on civil service I banker's order service I retirement certain parts of the world fatness is a sign of beauty, t_ but our witch-doctors now inform us that we shorten I 22 y ears I {3 per month t969 rrrsTtzp.a. our lives if we carry too much surplus. This if course | must be true, a man would be a fool if he carried a +A sack of bricks around with him day and night, but is With Profit Endowment Policy is the best hedge against inflation. A reversionary bonus of 70s. 0d. per cent, plus an this not the case of the overweight person? additional bonus on claims during 1968 has iust been declared How can we justify this carrying of all these surplus and details will gladly be sent on application. lbs, what answer can we give the poor old heart when it asks 'How much longer are you going to make me work like this ?' The answer is simple-'As from the time I read this article I intend to reduce your work load'. The heart will then reply, 'Good I will allow you to live another ten years'. Having decided that PRO\rIDElTT fatness is not fitness, what is the best way of losing I,IFD those extra lbs? There is only one sure method of ASSOCIATION OF LONDON LIMITED Founded lSTT losing weight and that is to cut down on the amount ' of high calorie food which you eat. Exercise is no help, The high calorie foods are beer, potatoes, nutty, Fill in this coupon now-and send it off biscuits, bread, etc. It's easy, all you have to do is to stop eating and drinking these items, that's not diffi- --I-EIIIIITo Provident Life Association of London, Limited cult is it? 246 Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2. Aim to lose about two lbs per week, and only I you Please send me details of the Progressive Savings weigh yourself once a week. I am certain if Scheme endeavour to lose weight and succeed you will not I only feel fitter, but will almost certainly look better, Name and furthermore think of all that extra pension you I Addregs...... will collect by living that extra ten years. I APOLOGY I To Lieut J. M. Gawley for once again hoiding his article on 'Hockey Umpiring' over because ol ! ag. N"=t 8irthday...... - -- r, i pressure on space. L--r------=i 2t3 SUMMER CROSSWORD All entries should be addressed to The Editor, to arrive not later than November l. A prize of ONE GUINEA will be awarded for the first correct solution found.

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r

by ANN JEWEL Down: Across:

1. Flight to swop 200 for 90 in 20 dn. (6) 'Or sad beside lakes where are reflected l. - 2. Sheep show no such elan at being shorn! (6) Making fires of leaves, your high hopes fallen:' (C. (4-6) 3. Ern, traipsing along, loses 20 dn. and makes full D. Lewis) speed. (6) 8. The foreign king will point out an example to 4, I'm apt to lose a letter at all the best places. (6) us. (5) 5. Love with half repeated to unravel a clue. (6) 9. Note 20 dn. is twisted for the production. (10) 6. Tastes cow there. (4, 5) get (5) 7. Re-adjust towards the east lor the elder. (5,4) 10. Try as I may I lost when I 12 ac. 13. Saved at ten from 18 ac. only to leave a failure I l. Play baccarat and poker a'l: school and get the to react. (5) cane ! (5) 14, A samovar, and tea in it, shows a creature in 12. 'Alas, what danger will it be to us, hidine. (5) Maids as we are, to - - so lar!' 15. The little slate must be the smallest. (5) (As You Like It). (6, 5) 16. 22 dn. o! me! o! my! what a muddle at this 18. Steer it round the dog and 14 dn. (7, 8) stage. (9)- 19. Re-repeating l2 ac.? (ll) 1'l . To nurse us back to health may be 21 dn. (9) 20. Regain working order. (2,4) 25. Melt this for 16 dn. (5) 21. The cave it lives in makes it 17 dn. (6) 26. Fat is the best outer covering. (5) 22. Presumably you did. (6) ?7. The fairy we linli with the creeping plant. (10) 23. It sounds as if you select it, and receive a stake. (6) 28. But then, nuisance value disguises boredom. (5) 24. Suitable inscription for a foot? (6) 29. Go east at Edinburgh and get into position. (10) 234 SHIP.SHORE NEWS

HMS ANDROMEDA Grass will be taking the department for a run ashore. From Gibraltar we go to Simonstown to celebrate by RO2(T) M. K. Williams LRO Tomlinson's birthday on September 23 (absent friends please note) before starting our Beira Patrol. Once more the Gods have decreed it is time for me Once this is completed . . who knows? to write an article for Tur CoulruNrcnron, so here I am putting pen to paper with my brain ticking over at a steady old plod. Since our last article we have HMS AR.K ROYAL had some changes to the staff, JRO Connor and JRO Taylor leaving ts for Glamorgan and gaining JRO by LRO(T) Davidson and ROI(T) Pierre Sandford. Work-up started at the beginning of April Yes friends the buzz is-the dockies have started with a harbour week. The this soul first highJight of to make things hum around here, and 10 Dock has destroying six week period was RO2 Ferry Mason's never been such a hive of activity (or since it was stag run which took in most Weymouth. This run ol emptied last year and the dockies had a 'FISH-IN'). tended to sort out men would the from the animals. I At the moment the MSO is situated in the Operations like to take this opportunity in congratulating Mrs. Office, having failed to make a takeover bid for the Mason on gaining new pet. most a It took of the staff Commander's Office and Map Store. You see we the rest of the harbour week to recover. The harbour have a space problem owing to completion of com- week completed, was get it time for the work-up to partments and security requirements. But when more into full swing with most of the department in two share holders arrive, no doubt we will move to those watches. There was a sigh of relief from all on mystic places high above called Flagdeck, Bridge, reaching second week A.M.P. our harbour for an MCO etc, etc. Runs ashore (what are they) and all-nights-in. One Although a good commission is lined vp for the Ark period, night during this when setting up a shore no one is missing anything by not being onboard at signal station, RO2 Fowler, who was in the seaboat, perhaps you great the moment, except for some of who, experienced dimculty in establishing com- like us, have never had a carrier before and didn't munications with his be the ship on 635. It should know so many windy hammers, drills and buffers noted by those you who have your glorious rest of could be operated in unison around one. At present period portables at Portland still to come, that work the comms staff only us two, LRO(T) you consists of much better if, before using them, ensure that George Davidson (SBHMC and MP) (Daily Express they are fitted with batteries. Crossy January 14, 1969) and ROI(T) Louis Pierre Heard on the bridge between serials: Signalman (Daily Mirror Crossy) (FAILED)-(THE UN- exchange identities with Resource. It was a great CRACKABLES), but we would like to extend a surprise to the signalman concerned when he received warm welcome to Lt-Cdr Timpson, Lt Clinton, CCY the reply-de Resource-(we must keep the men on Kennedy, CRS Clark and every one whom CND (in their toes). One of our juniors gained everlasting fame its vast wisdom) has decided to draft to the Ark. joining being mentioned in FOSTs post-inspection speech. If any of you who are have ever been on the During the inspection it was necessary for the bridge Ark before, then the coming commission should be to receive a direct hit and all bridge personnel to be even better than all the ones before, as all the accom- killed (brief respite for bridge personnel). When the modation has been improved and of course we can serial was completed, the Portland staff brought them boast of having Phantoms and Sea King choppers, back to life, all that is except JRO Kinnear who to all the like of which has never been beheld before. We're intents and purposes was still dead. lt was then sure in the next 'ISH' we'll have something more realised that dead men don't snore, and time to interesting to write about, so we'll try to 'Keep a witness a real Portland miracle. Re-incarnation with a Grip' and see you then. size 10 boot. The work-up completed it was now time to return HMS BACCHANTE give to Pompey to extended weekends to each watch By RS J. Rogers and to give CCY Clayton chance to show appreciation of a switched on, tip top, VS department by treating Staff: CY Egan, RS(G) Rogers, LRO(G) Crowe, them to a run ashore. That about brings us up to the ROI(W) Burman, RO2(T) MacDiarmid, and RO2(G) present time. We are at the moment on our way to a McCready (with the buzz that Sub-Lieut Snow will fortnight in the Baltic, calling first at Gothenburg join as the SCO). and then Copenhagen, returning to UK via the Kiel In an effort to save Their Lordships the trouble of Canal. On our return we are due to lose yet another having to rename the ship the HMS WHO ? ? (for the of our staff, RO2(W) Melvin who is being sent to the purpose of telephone conversations at least) we greener pastures of Mercury. We sail for the Far East thought an appearanc€ in Tsr Couuurlrcrron might in August calling at Gibraltar for l0 days, where CRS go a long way towards enlightening those with whom 235 GOLTYER SMITH & CO., LTD. ,NCORPORATED I.IFE ASSURANCE EROKERS ,NCORPORAIED INSURANCE BROKERS MORTGAGE BROKERS (Members of Services lnsurance Brokers' Association) 219 West Street, Fareham, Hants

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236 we desire to conrmunicate in the near tuture" First. the name-correct pronunciation--BACK ANTI. Absolutely incorrect -BAC SHANTY (plus vari- ants ! ). HMS Bacfrigates, two a corvette and a cruiser have borne it earth to do a job ol some description. In His note ivith dignity. nrost recent Bac(hanrc was fact The in book in His back pocket He had me earmarked to the Station Hotel in Aberdeen which uas requisitioned 1c'tin Beaglc and run the communications. Mind you, in 1939 and kept in commission as a local n.aval HQ our communicatiolls are al$'ays Reduced SOPs orr for the duration of World War ll. broadcast or CCNs so who can grumble. Beagle is a Exhar"rslive rescarch has been carried out into all sort of go betrvecn a luxurious 1'acht, with every available records and documents relating to previous modcon inclr.rdirrg a lully automatic launderette . . . Bacchantes but no trace can be lor"rnd clf a ship's and a uarship. A WARSHIPIIl:who ever heard of a motto. We would welcome information and ideas n'arship being white and with no armament unless lrom any wor.rld-be historians on this subject. (See you class Sterlings. pistols, and a line-throwing rifle, editorial note at the end of this article.) At the time of as armament l I al*'ay's dreanred crl a dashing grey writing we are enjoy'ing a brief sojourn in dr1.' dock 1o ghost firing ear shattering rounds frorn a .15-inch gun effect some minor repairs. This has p'rloved fortuitous directed at a far distant enemy. But here ] am and here to the ship's company because our dry dock affords a I stay, I hope. to help in my o\vn little way (Tide first class view of the ESSO Northtnthria. the first Readings). 10 survey areas in the North Sea. 250,000-ton ship to be built in the UK, and which Once out at sea the cry arises 'Standby for lining will be launched uhilst we are still in dry dock. C)rr up "HIFlX". 'HIFtx"l Am I dreanring'l Whose is it ?, successful completion of contractors'sea trials we will rnine'1, Chief's'1, the Chief'sl, no, it belongs to the spend about four nronths having the finat touches sllrve!'ors. But *hat is it? Onl1, a survcying sparker put to the ship and then, after a fond fareu'ell to the can tell. But if I own-ed it I would make a mint by sell- flesh-pots of Whitley Bay and Ne*castle, \,,'e steam ing it to MECCA tbr a Fandangled Bingo Machinel south to Pompey lor testirlg and luning to about That is all it is. A nrachine that reels off figures after mid-October. figures after figures. But aI least T can steer the ship. The ship is due to commission in November lbr a But rvhat's that I hear?'Set to automatic 294'. Oh, no, HomeiWest Indies GSC. There is a buzz that we are is there nothing I can do here? Wait! there is, where's earmarked to uphold the traditions of the RN as the mv morse key, signat pad and transmitter'l Ahl British representa(ive in STANAVFORLANT prior seclusion,'Hague this is Beagle, have 1ou go( a HIFIX to our stint anrongst the waving palnr trees of the or Automatic Pilot?' . So come all ye budding Caribbean. Those of a fainl-hearted disposition on surveying sparkers get yoLlr request fornrs in, remem- the staff at Portland are hereby warnetl that we expect ber there are lour ol us, Beagle, Bulldog, Fox and to be dorvn there early in the Nov Year, so you have Fantt. lt CND's crystal ball is your way you may be plenty of time to organise your getawa),. The stalu,arts lucky if not . . . there is always the Bi-s 'E'. r,vho remain will have the dubious pleasure of putting _ F69 through her paces, a prospect ri'e view with HMS BLAKE emotions approaching controlled parricll The depart- THE UGLY DUCKLING ment extend a Bocchonte greeting to our SCO Sub- By RS Warner Lieut Snow and assure him that all is rvell and look Belated greetings, fellow Comnrunicators, from lorward to hinr joining in August. HMS B/aAe. Which, we are delighted to tell you, is at (Editor's Note: The BacA Anti hd.t lot .t:et got o last free ol dockyard personnel and rarin' to go. Alter ship's trtotto but it is utderstood that her Captaitr is a quiet commissioning ceremony we pllt to sea in our looking ittto this rrmtler. T'here ara still o .few, ship.t new guise', for our tinal trials. and are at present at *'itlrcut ntottos. Attt sure readcr.s will bc interc.rted to Portland undergoing our 'shakedou'n'. We are krllt t,hot is linolly* decided for t'lil'tS 'Bucchante'.'.1 indeed most gratefill to the FOST communications 237 01{ TERMIilAt LEAUEP I ! I

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238 stail, who have kept us thirly busy with a variety of exercises; thereby giving us a premonition of what to expect later this year, when we return for our 'Work-up'. Blake has been in the news quite a lot in the past few weeks and most of you will have become used to her being called a variety of names. But, appearances are very deceptive and we can assure you that although she is the Jirst of her kind, and although we have a variety of communications equipment on board (some of which is nondescript), everything is progressing smoolhly and no major snags communications-wise have as yet occurred. Sometime in summer we hope to continue trials in the Medilerranearl, this will give our juniors (all l6 of them) their first look of what's to follow in future years. Being somewhat presunrptuous, we are inclined to think that many such jollies will be coming our rvay during this commission. These, we are sure will physicist and Cameraman, and Major Ken Hedges- (Physiology help to minimise and nullily the exercises, etc., in Doctor and Psychology), took with them which we shall be taking part. We are looking forward 40 huskies and four loaded sledges when they set ou1 to the Far Eastern leg of the commission, not only on their 3,500 mile walk across the top of the world. because it is a marvellous run ashore; but, by then, Pinning their faith in 2 Redifon GR345 battery' we should be fully on-line in and out, completely operated portables with a rated output of 15 watts worked up in communications and at last fully PEP, plus hand generator, they kept daily skeds with integrated within the Fleet: with a set programme, Squadron Leader F. W. (F'reddie) Church who was which u,e are sure we will be able to comply with stationed on the drifting American ice base T3. without undue lvorry. Our Staff seems quite adept at Reaching the North Pole on April 5, 1969, the party games, cricket being the 'in' game at the moment, so continued their long polar trek making their landfall if any ship cares lor a game of anything, kindly let us on the island ol Vesle Tavleoya, one ol the Seven know. This, our first communication, may be quite lslands ofl the north coast of Spitzbergen ar 1900 on May 29,1969. The historic message boring to some ol 1,ou. We hope to liven our articles GMT of this as the commission progresses, thereby appealing to landfall after 464 days' travelling was relayed via the variety of readers which THr CovuuNrcnron has. Endurance who had taken over a communication link So. from Blake, to all Communicalors, smooth ship for the expedition" Having achieved their aim, sailing. they started on possibly the most frustrating part of their journey: to close the 100 mile gap between them and the ship. The going was tough, ice conditions HMS ENDURANCE difficult, and time slowly running out. They pushed on, and with helicopter recces helping them find a Returning to Portsmouth on April 24 after her first, way, marched for 12 hours a day until on the l3th and very successful Antarctic patrol, HMS Endurance day,177 days and 3,720 route miles out from Point stayed only long enough to give 10 days'leave to each Barrow, they sighted the brick red, stout hearted watch before sailing on May 20 for the Arctic-her cockleshell called. Endurance, a sighting that meant a mission to penetrate the Polar ice and recover the hot shower, good food, a rvarm bed, and transporta- British Trans-Arctic Expedition (BTAE). At a rendez- tion back home to a heroes'reception in Po:tsmouth. vous olT Bergen with FPB Laks, Commander Jesper- Finally, aller handling Lord Chalfont, his party sen our Norwegian Liaison officer was embarked. He and press; the Twr'n C)tter rescue; the BTAE, press brought with him a Swan 350 SSB Transceiver and and BBC; and being afforded the status of high spent many hours on the air spreading the name of capacity ship by the GPO radiotelephone service, we- Entlurance and news of the erpedition to all corners CRS, LRO and 2 RO2(G)-wonder if maybe some of the rvorld, using callsign LA5IDiG Maritime ships are a little over complemented!! We welcome Mobile while onboard. RS Bramle,v, LRO Waterhouse and RO2 Pounds and Endurance penetrated the hostile Arctic ice to 80 leave you with the comforting thought that RO2 degrees north, possibly the farthert north any HM Graham knows all the answers. surface ship has been in recent memory, but was finally halted by thick pressure ice and forced to wait for the expedition. The BTAE, four British explorers HMS FEARLESS attempting to make Ihe first ever surface crossing of by the SCO the Arctic Ocean, had set out from Point Barrow, Alaska, on February 21,1968. The four men: W. W. Mr. Wilson. Gibraltar. Mr. Wilson. Lagos. Com- (Wally) Herbert-Leader, Radio operator, Photo- munications. Headlines in the Drny TEr-rcupH: 'The grapher and Navigator, Dr. R. M. (Fritz) Koerner- message to Colonel Ojukwu was passed through the Glaciologist and Meteorologist, Allan Gill--Geo- communications facilities of the commando carrier 239 Marconi complete naval communications

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The [\4arconi Company Limited, Radio Communications Division, Chelmsford, Essex LrD/H66, 240 Back onboard again, the Royal Marines were practi- sing for guard duties: Colour Sergeant: 'Royal Marines. Royal Marines. Number.' Guard: 'One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight.' Colour Sergeant: 'Buck up Number Eight. You were last.' From the Mediterranean rve sailed for Lagos, and from Lagos we sailed home. Contary to popular belief, we did not scatter signed photographs of the Prime Minister overboard 'to see if he can walk on water'. (By the Editor-The pluttograph shows Mr. Wilson signing a copy of s song sung ot'er the SRE. THE SONG! Well I'm sad to say Fearless is sailing away and won't be back for many a da. Instead ol Northwood bound we are roaming around Our nen Chief Yeoman takes a message. and going to meet Harold Wils -.p in the Lagos town. (extreme right, Lieut. Comdr. Gallagher, now SORT, Chorus HMS NTERCLIRY) Singing-Oggier oggie, oggie we'll never get home Oggie. oggie, oggie on the seas we will roam Fearless, bounced off an unidentified satellite, joked The Government says we should never drip the Prime Minister'. So now we both we know how but please Haslemere get me off this ship. did it. No mentiorl. however. in the DArLy TELL- cr.,lpn our other important circuits, suctr as of Oh Harold Wilson has been heard to say Biafran Secondary, Jungle Drum Primary (which can is putting in for separation pay be jammed), or Cleft Stick Secondary (which cannot Been 22 days on a ship of the Line be jammed, although sometinles the carrier may get so now he's shouting roll on my time. suppressed en route.) Slight diflrculty was experienced tuning drunrs .lungle Primary, in the for Drum Chorus: particularly when used rvith the Triple Drive technique. Perhaps ASWE can advise on this'l Oh Splicers for G. members, Limers for UAs In between visits from the Prime Minister (we now That's all rve get for the Wilson stays knorv why our pennants are No. l0) we acted as the They are using this ship like a Wilson den Royal Navy's increased contribution to NATO in the and even on the side is painted Number 10 Medilerranean. With trained killers liom 45 Com- mando, helicopters from 845 Squadron, and scout Chorus: cars manned by Lifeguards we entered the Mediter- ranean in January. (Much to our surprise, the Rus- From the dghaisa man where we learnt lhe buzz sians did not immediately evacuate Czechoslovakia.) that he knew we weren't sailing back to Guzz 'Flanring Matelot', said one of our embarked force Confirmed by the BBC Radio man beibre sailing, 'l give him ten bob for this tobacco that we are being used for the Conference again. coupon, and when I hand it in at the canteen, the NAAFI man hands it back saying it's a 5d stamp! Chorus: 'Wait till I catch the ------.' La(er in the month, the padre left us by chopper. 'Where's he going?' one sailor asked another as the helicopter rose. 'Off to see his D.O.', came the reply. HMS F'OREST MOOR Meanwhile, the Royal Marines were busy assaulting by LRO(G) C. Lister Sardinia. Towards the end of the exercise, the follow- Staff ing conversation was recorded: Complement.-RS Linskill, ROI(G) Plau, RO2(G)S Royal Marine Officer: 'Colour Sergeant. Give the Landells, Clarkson, Easthope, Gorman, Cooper, men some tea'. Midwood, Peters, Cartledge, Butters, Colour Sergeant: 'Yessir. But we have no water sir'. Supernumerary.-LRO(G) Lister, LRO(T) Wood- give Royal Marine Officer: 'Oh very well. Then wark, RO2(G) Cooling, RO2(T) Gleadow them some limers.' If you ever want a foreign (less odd currencies, 241 SIB W LLL\lil HARDY F sher Y Besearch

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The Decca Navigator Company Limited 9 Albert Embankment London SE1 lingos, etc.), then RN W/T Station Forest Moor is thunder flashes lobbed in to his boat from the flag the place for you, although your chances would be deck (a mistake they cried), another lesson learned. pretty slim with only 10 sparkers borne. Blue Nose At the half-way stage of the work-up each watch certificates were definitely the order of the day during was given a week's leave, good from our point of February and March due to the mile trudge to the view, but it tends to lose continuity from the Dis- Commcen from the accommodation site for the watch- ciples. Slightly refreshed from our Pompey visit keepers (Barracks stanchions take note), through (GUZZ natives unrestful), back to the arena for one Force 10s, blizzards, ice, you mention it we had it, week of harbour exercises, the Captain being very leaving us 15 aerials or so down and in a sorry state. lucky in getting a personal bodyguard in the shape of The Commcen is run on a five-watch system, with the CCY. Then after a hectic sea week we were off a sprinkling of daymen. Each watch consists of a CRE, on a three day exercise off the Lizard (Guzz natives LREM plus REM and 2 RO2(G)s, the ROs being em- again restless) with HMNLS Friesland, Andromeda, ployed thus: one manning the engineering liaison TPs Black Ranger and Resource and joined later by the to out-stations and dealing with all signal traffic, the Italian training ships Andrea Dorea and Alpino. other monitors the UK RATT ship-shore checking Back for fun and games, namely our final inspection, all transmissions for distortion, Baud speed and any the CRS keeping all the required circuits GO, GO, the other discrepancies, and drafting the odd control CCY was just GO, GO, and all the lads like Mercury report. All other services are manned by the radio with a new set of wings, we got throughltl lt's over electrical branch. now, a lot was learnt (THANKS to the Disciples, a Our main job on RATT ship-shore is to get tramc worth while work-up). Well this guinea pig ship is through to Whitehall. We do our best using CHG back at Pompey again (Gtzz natives are now savage) receivers remoted to whitehall. Incidentally, White- starting a DAMP before we sail for our home port hall have remote control of the aerials for these (SINGAPORE) to take over duties as Capt(D) lst receivers. We make sure they are on the right fre- Div. So we will be around for a while yet. We may quency and the TTVFs are on the right shift. Could break and do a follow up of this letter next term. ships please try to make sure they have their TTVFs PS All Old FR/ENDS drop in some time? ? ? ? ? ? and transmitters on the correct frequency and shift? We also monitor all frequencies in use on RACALs plus the FAB on all frequencies. HMS Plenty of social activities are at hand. Junior rates GANGES run their own bar, with such things as cheese and wine by Lieut D. Jackson parties and other socials, our great (departed) orga- Summer Term. The hectic days rvhen the niser being Lofty Oldham (ex RO2(G)) and on draft 'Juniors' outside display are busy appearing at county to Excellent in his new capacity as Patrolman (Be- teams and local shows all over East Anglia, 'Mast Manning' ware), must be mentioned in despatches. Rig runs to day and 'Parents' day, the gteat Ganges occasions of Blackpool and other hot spots of the North are now in the yeal creep closer and closer. The signal school staff the making, so if you see any matelots wandering are kept busy constructing static displays, providing aimlessly around the Golden Mile you must know public address facilities, training the ceremonial sunset where they belong. party etc. LRO(T)'Smudge' Smith has become adept If ever you are up in our part of the world why not in the construction of plastic models for the display drop in and we rvill show you around, especially ifyou which demonstrates the circuits kept by a Task Force are going to a similar draft. Don't forget we are a at sea, and LRO(T) Donaghue is awaiting his award receiving station only and have only one T/P for the 'Draughtsman's Silver Bongo' for his excellent traffic and that goes through Pitreavie. of aerial drawing of HMS Ganges lor the SHoTLEY MAGAzr.rE. The SCO's office appears more like a city HMS GALATEA desk and is the meeting place of the Editor, Assistant Mainstays of the stafl: Editor, Sub-Editor and a host of other sub officials CRS Buchanan, CCY BarUett and RS(W) Rose connected with the magazine. However, despite all Surprisel Surprise! A letter from Galatea. Not these distractions we do manage to fulfil our primary surprising really as we have only been in commission job and occasionally send off a batch of budding since the end of January. We took over from the old communicators lo Mercury. commission as Capt(D) LDS, and once the Iads had Recently LRO's (T) Stanbury and Lemar took a settled in we started out one day trials off Pompey. trip into the past with the Army at the Aldershot T at- Suddenly'KAPOWEE' (unfortunately w it h warning) too. They were disguised as early 19th century PORTLAND. First we shifted the load of Capt(D) gunners and LRO Lemar had the distinction of being lo Phoebe (laughing like a Chief Stoker, her work-up the only 'hairy faced soldier' on parade. HMS was nearly over). Then we were in the hands of FOST Flintham and HMS Dittisham our inshore mine- and his Disciples (Bets were 7-2 against us). The lads sweepers have not been much in evidence here of late. settled down well and soon got used to the different What with a trip up the Rhine to Switzerland and exercise and setting up shore HQs in the middle of the 'Round Britain' cruises certain members of the staff night. Everyone learnt something, one RO who forgot have been heard to mutter 'It's alright for somel' to identify his boat during Operation Awkward had There has been a reorganisation of the sipal school u3 in fronron clll fronls

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/utun. k t ire.;." ll7.t,pl sraff and the posts of regulating chief and chief instruc- tor have been merged into one. with the grand sound- ing title Chief of the Signal School, a post now filled by CCY Howard. Two CYs (Howe and Carson) and six LROs make up the remainder of the staff. Various positions of greal power outside the signal school are held by Communicators. The chair in the training office is polished by CCY 'Jan' Pearcel the school office is being taken over by CCY Highton, and the New Entry Annexe is in the process of being renamed Mercury 111. At last Sunday's new entry divisions the duty instructors were CCY O'Brien. CRS(G) Love and CRS(W) Tuffs. These three can olten be seen stonrping round the NE parade gror,rnd giving excel- lent impressions of Gls. In addition there are 6 C)'s (Barry, Bruce, Ivol, Sangan, Williams and Wells) and 8 RSs (Adams. Gair, Greensides, Craig, Hodgson, McConnochie, Goodman and Sanderson) as domestic instructors, so the Communication Branch is well represented. Anyone who receives a drai't to this tip of Suffolk u,ill be warmly welcomed by the staff, if not by the weather, and a billet found somewhere. Don't forget to bring your football boots, cricket bat. boating hat, etc, and with luck you will leave fitter than when yor,r arrived-physically if not mentally. HMS HAMPSHIRE .An unusual picture of FIag Officer Flotillas Western by ROI(G) Horlick Fleet, Vice Admiral A. M. Lewis, CB, taken when he Many months have passed since we last managed was requested to raise the Union Flag at a wreath to break out of two watches and find time to make a Iaying ceremony which he attended in Rio de Janeiro contribution to this magazine, but everything comes on April 8, 1969. to he who waits, as at last the flag has departed for three whole weeks, consequently signal traffic reduced giving us a gentle cruise back to UK after a very ex- Communicatiorls, the 'T' world struck one or two pensive but very enlightening 'showing the flag' trip snags during exercises with the South American around South America. Enlightening in both runs Navies on the voice ccts, eg, a test lransmission ashore and communications. consisting of One, Two, Three, Quarto. Cinqo, etc., Grippo's (obviously) were the 'in thing', which very follou'ed very shortly by 'Standback, Standback, soon led to an encounter with Pisco Sour (a locally Execute. Over'. The 'G' world read (or rather tried to home-made sort of something), the nalional drink of read) HNR for the whole trip. but the RS after a the west coast of South America, which, naturally rveek ol'Morning Pots, orrly 150 down', opted for enough, led to other sorts of encoltnters, but, as a steam broadcast whilst transitting Cape Horn. [nci- token of respecl for the Spar-rish-speaking maidens, dentally, do they still teach morse at Mercury? Judging rhe details shall remain unsaid to protect the not-so- from the very limited capabilities of our own ODs, innocent. Perhaps the greatest achievement was that scepticism is creeping in. Nevertheless. our grateful of RO2(T) 'Sn'riley' Wiley in 'escortirg' MISS CHILE rhanks to Foresr Moor, Whitehall and Inskip for 1968 around the ship and ashore. Not so much an their efforts on our behalL achievement, but more of a coincidence was the Outgoing. once again steanl came into its own, over arrival in Buenos Aires of a posh looking taxi at the 1,000 messages in 2 months is pretty good, even for officers gangway, where the admiral u,as waiting to those of us who can remember the pre-RATT ship- welcome C-in-C Argentine Navy. Our very alert shore era. Halifax took the pounding this time, and at 'Bootsie' leapt to attention, chopped one off, and one stage 12,528 virtually became a C.W. fixed-service swung back the door to reveal one nameless, dishevel- for 48 hours. Accordingly, all of you who have the led, flaked-out Communicator sprau'led across the misfortune to be ship-borne, are advised that if you back seat. No more need be said. ever get QRY2 and we are No. 1, try elsewhere. We For the benefit of the boffins at HMS Cambridge only call with batches of 20. All in all for a DLG our 10 days SMP at Buenos Aires proved conclusively with a con-rplement of 3 leading rates and 3 (even the that tl-re average Communicator can survive on 12 latest TMS says we should have 4;8 qualified Gs) hours' sleep per man per week, providing the right we have not done too badly, though our DO on refreshment is available at all times. With regard to discovering there was to be a Fleet Board, immediately 24s booked two places for 2 RO2(G)s, ouly to discover on the fateful day he only had one onboard. At one stage we were so short staffed we had to call on the Admiral lor colour party, and I think he appreciated the fact we didn't give him our favourite ensign. (See the photograph above.) We are still managing to work our way through an ever increasing amount of leaders. Lt-Cdr Watson (J. J. to his friends) is our present and 3rd SCO since commissioning, CRS Sandy Sanders the 2nd MT CRS(W), CRS Danny Boon the 2nd CRS(G), the tYlJi 2nd CCY being Pete Royal who has already conceded r,w.) defeat and leaves us in May. Once again our commis- -:i:l' ;;-^r .: ll..-.-. sion has been extended, and for a 6-year-old ship that {1:'t has never had a major refit we are beginning to think = we will never get one. If we do we'll probably never The staff have been hard at it and have even been come out anyway, so we'll just plod on until the whole actively employed in sur-veys. Last summer RS lot cracks up. Sanderson spent a 'quiet fortnight' in Port Ellen, Extract from CCN log: Islay tide watching (amongst other things) and this GHFX de MTN ZBO K year LRO Fergusson hopes to spend a month tide GHFX de MTN ZBt K watching (amongst other things) on Tiree in the MTN de GHFX K Western Isles. RO Croft has also streamed a LHOW-Why didn't you ansrver him the first time'l bathythermograph completely unsupervised, and OD on cct-Because I didn't hear him. unattached, but that's another story. So don't look Survey Navy. LHOW-Well, how do you kno'uv he called you twice ? now, there is toom for YOU in the OD-Because I heard him the second time- What a switched on team. what??!! The draft chits have not started to appear yet but the happy team finally disperses by the end of the year, and the LRO(G) 'Dumpy' Cannings will step out ol his salt encrusted eights in March, 1970, and climb into his HMS HECLA new pin striped suit . . . and the best of British. Best wishes to THE CoMMUNICAToR and all Communicators. Sraf. RS 'Randy' Sanderson. LRO(G) 'Dumpy' Cannings, LRO(T)'Scotty' Fergusson, ROi(G)'Rosy' Penrose, ROZ(G) 'Binky' Langstaff and RO2 'Paddy' HMS JUFAIR Croft. by One Mess Although we have steamed something like 50,000 Jufair Chief t Bahrain I No. not me, must have got the miles since our last report, we are still in the same wrong bloke. Can't send me out there, I've just got place give or take a few miles. However, there have tied up and fancy a martied accompanied with the been some impressive additions to our list of runs Mrs. Ohl only senior rates. Alas a few months and the saga starts in Stavanger, Norway, in later, you will take a long last look at Brize Norton September, 1968. Being a Guzz ship u,e were in no belore taking a seat in the VCl0, and so to paradise. way put out by the incessant rain which plagued our On arrival in Jufair a smiling face will greet you and week's visit and the local 'ornithology' was to be proclaim 'You are my relief' and so the Ace of Clubs clearly seen in between showers and thunderstorms. is the next stop. A few wets and handshakes later he It was also the first time we had been let off the lead will announce'Must go, I've got a Vickyten to catch, this commish, in a foreign port that is, so nobody see you in 395 days' time.' Six to a mess, tot great for decided to go native, even though they were friendly. inducing sleep-if you are UA you will sleep well After Stavanger, it was back in the groove and anyway. We are all watchkeepers of course, the weekends in Stornoway punctuated the survey time buntings do a normal 48 hours about in the Joint spent to the north of the Butt of Lewis (of Harris Message Centre with a great bunch of lads known as tweed fame), and there was also a final fling in the Royal Signals. They do a l4-hour night shift but Greenock before settling on to the chocks in Guzz for it's worth it to them, they can then have three nights the winter lie up. This year we have been rvorking to recover. The sparkers they are different, they out for 'the best run West of Suez'-Derry, and so keep a 48 hours about system which only the RAF far haven't been sorted out by water cannon or baton could have invented in Commcen Bahrain, Forenoon charges. The highlight to date has been Rockall, and and First, then Afternoon and all night on. Sttll it we found the beer in the Fleet Canteen a bit flat and keeps them out of the Ace for two nights out of four. flshy, otherwise it was good news. (Hmmm). Our Of course they say it's a joint Comrncen but the RAF summer visit is to be Bordeaux, which gives every claim otherwise, we let them get on with it. sign of knocking Rockall for six, and talking of six, Social lifel you must be joking, apart from the more than six people will be able to go ashore at NAAFI canteens and three hotels this is a dry once which is more than can be said for Rockall. island. Trappingl no chance Jack, course there is 246 always chiefie's daughter. What do we do then! Simonstown it promised to be a good run, with plentl' Well there's the Ace of Clubs (Jufair and gtests of'grippos' all round. ln fact, for the lads anyway, only) and the fleet canteen across the road for after they were very few and far between, but the majority tot time and at nights for non-club members. Then seemed to enjoy themselves. Quite a few went up to there is sunbathing, swimming and nearly all the Capetown and visited places such as the 'Navigator's usual sports. We've got a great clubswinger, you may Den', 'Spr.rrs' and the 'Mini Club'. These clubs, if you know him from Mercury, the only thing he can't do is could class them as such, were open until Jack had produce grass pitches. Everything is played on sand either no money or no drink left, whichever came except fot hockey and volleyball which is on tarmac. first. Despite the attraction of these 'places' in the What else! we play all the usual mess deck games evening, a few of us managed to get up Table Moun- and have got a'Tele'in the mess. Afraid we haven't tain, and obtain the wondrous view it displayed. got BBC 2, only Dahran Saudi Arabia, two movie Just to sum up our run ashore in Simonstown, I houses in the garrison, Is 9d a night so we have got must confess it wasn't too bad at all and seeing Jack no drips. Tombola on Thursdays and Fridays. returning onboard the next morning caused quite a Leavel Oh yes you'll ger that don't worry. Three laugh to the chaps who were not ashore the previous weeks in UK with a free flight home and back be- evening, re, coming back minus a cap, and in remote tween your third and tenth months out here. We all cases a suit. Even our ex-RA members (some go, no messing about, it's eagerly awaited. Did you anyway) cracked up and went. We are due to arrive bring a Drrly Mrnnon or Prayeoy, oh well never on the Far East Station on May 24, u'here we will be mind, gotta get me head down forenoon in the morn- staying until the end of the year, and we hope to get ing. some visits in such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan PS. Heard in the Commcen 'Standby for a time and even a run in the Philippines is on the cards. check'. For Army personnel it is 08.00 hours, for Until the next issue of your favourite magazine. Navy personnel it is eight bells and for the RAF you chaps at Mercury and all the other cushy shore personnel the big hand is on I2 and the little hand on billets keep the seats warr.n for us, for it's our turn 8. next and then we can all laugh at you when you write PPS. ln case you haven't guessed, we in the shape up. (Our first phase will want reliefs soon .?) of RO 2's Dave Dubell, Pete Mock, Tiger Rushman, Finally for you Sparkers, Bunting Tossers and even Dave Swinford and last but not least RO 2 (T) Mick the Gollies, if you've lost one of your best pals over Arnold are all due for repat later this year (Dave the years have a glance at our staff and see if he's Swinford a bit later than the rest) and we are all among the list. hoping that you are our relief,s. . . days to go.

HMS LONDON 3rd Commission COMMCEN MAURITIUS by RO2(G) -J. D. Hamnett Much has been already mentioned about Mauritius in previous editions of Tnr Couuuxrcaron, but Staff despite being just a drop ir-r the Indian Ocean, the Gs.-CRS Ashcroft, RS Moonlight, LROs Timming- Island of Rainbows still provides a variety of subjects ton, Smee, Higson, Gilbert; RO2s Hamnett, Parkin- on which one could write if one possessed the neces- son, Brown, Strike; RO3s Ashby, Wicks. Fowler, sary literary ability. The Commcen continues to tun Lyseight. Featherstone, Piesse. on a steady average of 7,000 signals per day, majoritl Ts.-CCY Standing, LROs Clarke, Smith, Axton: of which are relayed through TARE to their des- ROls James, Simmons; RO2s Anthony, Bremner, tinations, thus boredom is predominant at various Nourse, Botten, Gadsdon, Hatchard; RO3s Coffin, times of the day, according to the number of 'contact' Walker. services running schedules at the time. Also mid-July' Ws.-CRS Robinson, LRO Ford, RO2s Anderson, should see Mauritius coveted Ratt Ship Shore in Beach, Hammond, Power, Castle; RO2U Faulkner; operation. RO3s Newman, Lloyd, Loveday, Shepherd. With the withdrawal of Australia from the Area We left Portsn-routh for Gibraltar on April 14 and Scheme on October 1 an increased Commercial load were privileged to have Admiral of the Fleet Sir is anticipated. To this end the CW broadcast bay has Varyl Begg and Lady Begg who were on their way to been redesigned to allow for smoother change over Gibraltar for Sir Varyl to take up his new and arduous of schedules and off the air monitor of transmissions. task of Governor of the Rock. After a couple ol days Changes are not only confined to new equipment, at Gibraltar we sailed for Freetown (Sierra Leone), each Monday's flight from London brings new faces. By now we had some nice weather and Buntings To name a future few, Lieut D. Sayce is to relieve Smith, Anthony and Co. were putting in their longest Lieut Burling in August, thus allowing our Acting stint on the flag deck this commission. DOlC/Movements Officer, Lieut Pike, to book his We arrived at Freetown but had only sport leave in own flight home. In September, Lieut-Cdr Copp which I am pleased to say the Comms. team thrashed arrives to relieve Lieut-Cdr Boys-Stones as SCO the senior rates by a convincing 3-0 win. Sailing in the and CRS Julian to relieve CRS Cokes. evening for Simonstown we reached our destination Recent visitors to Mauritius include the Cardiff on Thursday, May 1. From what we had heard of City football team, who, though staying in the south of a/1 the lsland at Le Morne, rnanaged to find their way Service' (rvhich to quote the Nlvv Nrrvs is: (ail UK up to HMS nearly every night, much to everyone's shore billets plus the Rapid and Manxrnan') so this delight. The high-light of the q'eek came when thel way one can have one's sea time classed as shoretime. played a practlce match with the HMS team. During This is literally true as we spend our time day-run- Iheir stay goalkeeper Fred Davies'wife presented hinr ning in and out of Rosyth, slipping at 0830 and return- with a child--this event was celebrated in the naval ing at 1630 daily. It's an ideal draft for RAs as the fashion. The second visit of the year by an RN ship furthest we travel is the occasional trip to such was made by HMS Diantond. This proved to be romantic sounding places as Scapa Florv or Inver- rather an eventful three-day visit, and is still dis- gordon-orr Monday to Thursday per term-and we cussed with fervour. have one jolly per term, our next one being to New- We now look forward to the visit of HMS Albion, castle in July as this is less than 300 miles from at the beginning of July. Doubts exist as to whether Rosyth (our limit), and doesn't take us out of sight Mauritius is large enough to hold the expected of land (such au,ful rulesl!!). Consequently all number coming ashore each night. Forty-eight olT foreign runs are out: Personally, we always thought activities continue a-pace, and a trip to climb one of that Scotland was an LFS draft anyway; especially the mountains is now being carefully planned, and the Pompey and Guzz ratings amongst us. should go ahead despite the risk of the heavy shorvers We are claiming the records for exercising the most that are usual at this time of the year. Mauritius Man Overboards and Steering Cear breakdowns in contains many interesting sights in its 727 square the Western Fleet. Our signal traffic averages about nriles. many of which are still to be discovered, so the 3 in and t olrt per day. not including weekends, NGMs search continues for the rare shell, or the rare bird WZs or NAVEAMs. Basically Rapid is a quiet num- that might just make one of us famous. ber for ratings who have 12 months or less to com- plete their time, ours being LRO(T) Hunt and HMS RAPID RO2(G) Holland. It's not a very good draft for ratings rvith a lot of time remaining as lraining facilities are by LRO(G) Davies and LRO(T) Hunt mostly self-study, unless we can get the time to go over to MHQ Pitreavie. So we leave you here till Staff next time??:), in the middle of leave and AMP and LRO(T) Hunt, RO2(T)s Meldrum and Thornhill hope you think of us shoretime ratings at sea. LRO(G) Davies, RO2(G)s Holland and Booth Yes we are still in commission!! Having noticed RN COMMUNICATIONS that there hasn't been an article from Rosyth's Sea Going stone frigate for the last few editions (possibly CENTRE, SINGAPORE since we were built in AD 1942) we think now is the by ROI R. B. Mick time to remedy thrs. Rapid is an. ERA Apprentice's training ship where they can play to their heart's There have been few changes in this neck of the content, eg, Flash up. Flash dorvn. Flash back, before u'oods except, perhaps. in the way of personalities. being turned loose on the fleet. The draft is 'Port With a staffof over 140 they are, of course, continually

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248 charrging. Young nrcn and uorren, easili, recognisable HMS SIRIUS as being fresh from thc Ur-ritccl Kingdom by the colour of their skin, arrive almost daily to replace the STAR OF TI{E FLEET bronzed and healthy specimens are due to returr.t "vho bv ROI(G) Hardcastle and LRO(T) Hunt to mums, dads, girlfriends and boylriends at home. Departures this sunrmer hal'e been a little more We joined the ship irr Pompey on January 9, this notable than usr.ial. Lieut Collins. the Traffic Oflrcer. !'ear. A right old shower ol shorebase stalwarts ancl has left us unerpectedly. We rr ish him a speedy barrack stanchiolls, plus the select few, who survived leco..'ery to frill health. The Corrmcen CCY, 'Taif' the last commission. We are a ship very' y'or.rng in the 'boss' Davies, and our wcll-knoirn Reguiating CRS, Dar,id communication uorld led by our Sub-Lieut l. RS Foote, have also returned l-ror-ne: Ihe former to chase Jarrold, the SCO. Head of the 'G' department is Jim Cook (my Iags don't like the light). Fol the Midshipmei-r up and dou'n the hills of Dartmouth, the buntings, they have ail the delights ol CY 'lvlack' to pension- Iatter seek a new career on ctn-rpleting his (alright) McKay. Up in the'Golly Shop'. RS Tony able service. Success to them both. Having lost our Cooper (you never see my fags) looks after the lads. as 'key' men, we are on the poiut of losir-rg our 'key' -third rvell as his dr.rties of divisional PO. There is also a women, Ollicer Roddis, the Radio Oliicer, and buzz that he has made a takeover bid for thc duties of Norah Spencer. the Chiel Wren RS. tt is hoped that MAA. The remainder of the Branch consists of: Signal Olicers ar-rd CRS's f ronr tl.re fleet will be just LRO(G) Barney'. ROI Hardcastle, RCll's Mzrck. as keen Io come and discuss their radio problems uith Matthews, RO3's Baker, Bulmer, Evans and \\/ood- Miss Roddis's male relief. lVe promise that the all. LRO(T) Hur.rt. ROI Richford, RO2 Berkelev and coffee will taste the same. The last change to mention RO3 White. LRO(W)'s Hill and Legg, ROI Nicolle. is thal of our cloorman. Comurissions of Ccnrmur-ri- ILO2's Fisher, Milne. Watson, King, Stepheus, cators \\,ill be scrry to learn that FIuss::in bin Dolmat Withyrlian, R03's Rideout and Barrorv. very pleasant personality died sudder,ly in N,iay. Hi: Having joined, and scttled in at Pomney, wc \\crc will be sadly missed. laced rvith lhc heartrvariring prospect of six glorioLrs On the scrcial front balyans and c'rpeds do not rieeks by the Dorset cozrst. Portland to be eract. Ncr one seenred alroLrt visit seaside. seenl to have lost their 1,.opularii1, irr spite of the overkeen tlre to the recent troublcs. Perhal-,5 tile nrosl popuiar exped. or but we took all six u,eeks in our strid,-. a Llreak in shouid it be calleC Ser-ped, trccurreC uhei-r F-O'2FEF's Letween for a short leave. Ti-rc comn-is ii-r particular conrrnunications stafi disappeareri in an MFV flr l:ad a very successful time both at sea and in the four rvhcle days r,r,ith alt equal nurnber of OUR Victoria bars. Even dtrring and since workup, r.r,e have Wrens, 'We just crllised around th: island.' they said. still managed to do a great nunrber of successful R.NR. We look fonvard to l-iearing from you oir R.att Ship- exercises, with the Brighton arrd Southampton divisions. Having cornpleted Portland. we pa.id our Shore. Please use us. Ai)d wlren 1t-ru get alon5side, do comc and see us. respects to Avonmouth and Bristol" uliere r.,e ['ere rrarmly received, and dicl clur best to n-raintain all the

;,;ililr , ' :. ' ', I ''i lilr . . ..,+ ':-.'.1:',: .. ", HMS 'Sirius' Comms Staff" 1969 1/tr 'Andreq,s' best custonrs. A r.isit to a Cortrage Brewery We have seen quite a fcr,r trips around Europc ivith was organiscd (well it sas rvhen ue left the ship), and satellite and differer-rt communication equipment trials once again the departntent had a first, showing their and have had somc good runs including places like interests in wild life (take that whichever way you Rotterdam, Gothenburg, Brussels, Malmo, Caen, want to) and paid a visit to Brisiol Zoo. Here one of Madeira, Gibraltar. Copenhagen, Bergen and a feu, our mess members had a miuor disagreement with a other places that weren't so good. camel, about a hat, which he later retrieved himsell During the last l2 to l5 months ol tl-re commission from the middle of the camel compound. Later, on we have seen a feu' changes in lhe communications the same day, he was apprehended ashor:e by the division itself, the stali ending up as it is now, who MAA, and asked why he was wearing a crabby hat. will all remain onboard r.rntil the ship finally pays off, Upon telling the truth. he was promptly requested to the staff being (hard working and keen as they are): report to the MAA the nert day for 'trying to be RS M. Puttick (now CRS), A/LRO(G) P. Wilkinson lunny'. (now confirmed), RO2(G) A. R. Jones, RO2(G) A. At the moment thar this article is being processed, Girvan, LRO(T) J. Casemore, RO2(T) C. Rossi, we have jusr left Reykjavik, after the first twoweeksof RO2(U) D. Gilmore and RO2(U) D. Lavery, all of a six weeks' tour of the fishing ports of Iceland. Mosl whom have survived the 'hardships of mostly day of the department is ol the opinion that a f'eq running'. elementary lessons on voice procedure wor-rld not be As our last important role in the Ro1'al Navy we go out of place amongst the trawler nren. particularly up to the Clyde areas for exercises with the 'dorvn the portion which refers to 'indecenl or profane unders'(suhs). returning for scrap on 14 July. language'. Except for a couple of games of iate night (early morning) soccer and water polo, the run ashore is virtually non-existent. Only the ship's group (of COMMCEN WHITEHALL u'hich ROI Hardcastle is a member) has tasted success, nraking a great big hit at the American Naltr MESSAGE FILE AND base, where in one night. they made almost as much RETRIEVAL SYSTEM _ MFRS as an SCO ivould in a week. On completion ol this Iuxurious, 'all in' package tour. all on board will be by Lieut(SDXC) J. M. Ganley ready lor the short visit planned for Southend-on- The is Sea. Alter rhe Roy:al Flect Review. and a visit to MFRS a small-sized, random-access compu- Bournenroulh, the ship rvill have her llrst retit in ter which is connected to all the outgoing lines of TARE 1o record messages. is by Portsmouth, then lle go foreign. The West Indies and all outgoing It built Ihe United States of America being our: main targets the Standard Telephones and Cable Company. and for destruction. has recently been accepted ir.rto service by the Royal Navy Whitehall, been The departnrent has. during the comntission, been at Commcen where it has on proving trials months. Messages the presented *ith its own'lrained killer' in the person of for several in Marine Slgnalman Corbitige. However, the 'booties' MFRS are stored on ivide magnetic tape at the normal got their ou,n back and trapped two of the comms TARE operating speed of 50 kilobaLrds; four tapes departmerrt for detachment sparkers. for their are operated at any one time on the computer, and suflicient tape is kept tor approximately 48 hours' landings; an invaluable experience in all respects, use. Stations reruns especially the art of karate on the cockies on the requiring of traflic from Comnr- dining hall bulkheads. Sports wise rhe departmeni cen Whiteha'll are lherefore warned against asking more 48 hours only represents the ship at soccer and uckers. The for reruns than old. lt is significanl first eleven. beaten for the first time in ten games in that MFRS recording is absolutely faithful; if a garbled Reykjavik, are well represented in the person of ROI message is on entry into TARE, but is clean Nicolle. ROI Hardcastle. LRO Hunt and RO2 enough to be routed correctly. the TARE will roure garbled version, Milne (knou'n :rffectionally' as Hands Harry to all the and this will be recorded by the is point, underlines referees). Here due to lack of ideas, we must sign off. MFRS. This an important and the point para. but our synrpathies and u,ishes of'Bon Chance' for made in RNSO 536167 3d, that requests lor mutilaled or incomplete messages must be directed all comnrunicators rvho have Portland to conre. See provide yor.r in Miami. to the calling station; the MFRS can only for ZFX action. Operation of the MFRS is fairly simple, and is achieved in Whitehall by petty officer wrens HMS WAKEFUL who form part of the TARE team. The computer is set - up and programmed from its own special teleprinter LAST COMMISSION mounled alongside, but all normal signal transactions place by A. R. Jones take on teleprinter equipmenr of the normal type sited at the TARE console. The actions required Wl-rat can be determined as the last colnmission, u'e of an opetator are feri': starting the computer, setting can't be too sure of, is about the last l5 to l8 months, up tapes as others are filled, allocating tapes, loggjng as most of the ship's company have been onboard for the contents of tapes, requesting repetitions ol mes- approximateiy l8 months and have seen t!\'o commis- sages from the MFRS and finally'arranging for trans- sions. the last one having begun in June Iast year. mission of the tape produced from the request. 250 perforator and page copy. The nraximum waiting time for a message is 90 seconds, unless the operalor has to change tapes, when it may extend to about five minutes. It is worth reiteration that the MFRS can. only print what is led into it tiom TARE, be it a garbled message or an incomplete one which has been terminated in TARE for some reason, eg, a delay of 40 or more seconds occurring during transmission of a message into TARE, or the TARE itself having ter- minated a message to allow transmission of a Flash message on the oulgoing linc. After some teething troubles, the MFRS has become a very reliable instrument. It does halt from time to time, however, usually due to faulty tapes or to the operator's having missed a request for a tape change. Restarling takes only a matter of minutes, but the computer is unable to record whilst it is off, of course. The photograph shows PO Wren Pauline Rummery using the programme keys to re-start the computer after one such halt.

A WORD IN YOUR EAR, PLEASB

The computer is maintained by the same civilian Portishead Radio is very well known to the Navy technicians who maintain the TARE; its start pro- (in fact, the station should be more properly known gramme, however, is carried out by the operator. as Burnham Radio for that is where the receivers Starting involves the operator setting up a special and staff are. whilst the transmitters are at Portishead, tape, and then, by means ol digital control keys, some 20 miles away). It has a total staff of 119 and selecting the infornratiolr contained on the tape to handles about 44,000 messages per month, rising to condition the ferrite cores which form the permanent 77.000 in December. 'memory' of the computer and allow the operator Recently, it has come to notice that some Navy to check the settings. Once the computer is correctly Communicators have been expressing dissatisfaction programmed, its lape decks are loaded with for.rr with the service they have been getting. Complaints tapes, and the first one to be trsed is allocaled by the of 'cloth ears' for HM ships but 'loud and clear' if operator liom lhe Iocal teleprinter; all lurther tape you have commercial traffic. However, despite RN allocations are made liom the machine in TARE. Signal Order S2i69, such complaints only reach the When a tape is nearly full, the MFRS wilt request a head offlce by word of mouth. Perhaps the following lurther allocation and at this point, the operator then points will assist you to realise that difficulties do allocates a new tape. When it is full, MFRS uill print exist (what rs perf'ect in this world) but the operators out a report showing the contents of the tape by at Burnham are as keen as ever to maintain their message serial numbers. When the MFRS is set up, traditionally excellent service-whoever calls them : the operator tells the computer which rrumbered day (a) The RN calling band is always at the end of the of the week it is, since the instrument is designed to band. work over a 7-day period. The day number is printed (b) There is only one working frequency in each in parentheses alongside the message serial numbers band, as against two or three for cach mer- which appear in the tape report 1o dill'erentiate chant ship. This will cause delays if there is between similar numbers of difl'erent days. To recover ah:eady a ship working on that particular a message of which a rerun has been requested, the band. operator literally asks the computer for it, by typing (c) Delays are often caused by ships tuning to the the message serial number (and day number) fbl- wrong frequency band. This should be over- lowed by a question mark. lf the message is not on come if proper use of 57 is made, or by copying one of the tapes actually set on, the computer will the Optimum Frequency Guide which is world- indicate that it is 'not within range' and the operator wide. (See details below). then puts on the right tape, having consulted her log (d) A frequent source of non-contact after a ship to find out on which tape the message is recorded. has called and has been given a QRY number, She then asks again, in the same form, for the message. is that the ship waits until it is ready to be When the message is conlained in a tape which is on worked before changing to the working the computer, the instrument looks for the message frequency. Once an operator at Burnham has position on the tape which it finds in an index at the been given a ship to work he expects the ship to end of the tape; having found the position, the com- come up on the working frequency, and if puter tells the operator "OK', positions the tape, and nothing is heard, he will immediately revert extracts, the message at 75 bauds directly on to a re- back to his normal duty. It is felt that if only 251 ships r.r,ill pay' regarcl to this point, much delay 1200i1400 and l6C0il800 stop Lettcr X inclicates u,ill be saved. OTF r-Lot available. (e) Do not be pr:t off by thc QRY number you Montreal New York 6 6 612 12 12 BT Bermuda receive. There ma1, be six or more operators 6 6 6 16 16 12 BT Accra Dakar South and East at thc shcre cncl br-rsy lvhittling clowrr that list. Africa 8 816 22. 16 12 BT Barbados Panarra 8 6 8 An interestir-rg srdelight on all this is that since thc 16 16 12 BT VAL RIO BA 8 B l2 16 l6 12 BT Aden reduction cf naval operators at Burnharr fronr 26 to 5, Bahrein Suez B 8 16 16 16 8 BT Bombay Colombo and despite the increasing use of RATT ship-shore Singapore B 8 16 16 12 8 BT Manila Hong Kong thc naval tralllc so far irandled in 1969 is twice that 8 X 16 16 B 6 B1' Japan X X 16 12 8 X BT Perth handled in 1068. X X 16 16 12I BT Sydney X 616 12 12 6 AR.. Legend: And finally, to dispel a big bogey. Therc is no extra OTF Optin-run-r trallc frequency pay awarcled to the operators fc.r the amount of com- VAL Valparaiso nrcrcial traffic handled. They ge,- standard pay what- RIO Rio de Janeiro ever the type of nressage received. they are there to BA Buenos Aires give service to all. SPRING CROSSWORD Tailpiece: The winner of the Spring crossword competition For those lvishing to takc aclvantage of rhe optimLrnl was Lieut D. C. Mitchell RN. The correct solution frequency reports, here are the details: was: Iherv arc bloaelcast each SunCay prior to thc 0100, Across: T. Srveetwort, 8. Cheap, 10. Trembled, l l. 1500 and 0900 Gl\4T traflic-lists. and a typical 'frends, 12. Idle, 13. Crystals. 15. Alcohol, 17. cxample is as follou's: Chanter, 20. Dru-dgery, 22. Lean, 25. Shiner, 26. Follou'ing OT F gtiide for N'!arch fbr ships rvorking Lammiger, 27. tslurt, 28. Annotated. Fortishead-Radio direct stop OTF is given irr Mcs for Do*n: l. Aware, 2. Teemccl, 3. Twelvemo, 4. Prerl.ict, 0000 0100 0800 1200 16C0 2000 GMT stop Ships are 5. Threaten, 6. Bandoleer, 9. Stay, 14. Gloryhole, reminded possihility ol next highcr band being suit- 16. Ordinary. 18. Haltn.ioon, 19. Hyaline, 21. Earn, able parti

THE CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.S' MESS The sn-rall arms shooting competition on March 3l and April I and 2 ir Mercury ano at Longmoor. by CRS D. L. Alderson produced a fine result for the Chiels team, headecl The President: D. L. Alderson. CRS by Chief Shipwright Eccles. The team: Chief Ship- Vicc-Presiclent: J. V. M. Sn-rart, CCY wright Eccles, CRS Jordon, CRS Rar.rdall. CCY Mess Cornmittee: Bowden and CCY Izzard, won the Mercury gun J. E. Eilbeck, CRS, R. G. Smith, CRS(W) trophy, the pistoI competition and the SLR tile Ett ter / ai nntent s Co mntit t e e : shooting competition. The Chief Shipwright v"'as also D. L. Palmer, CRS(W), R. P. Robinson, CH C EL the small arms winner and the individual SLR wir-rner. We(are Rcpresentotite: R. F. Yeo, CRS -lhe Mercury gun lrophy logether with the team. the By the time this edition of Tus Covl,tuNtcrron is 'Sea Dads Trophy' also together wrth the team, r'e]'e published, rve shall once again be at top victr"ralled duly presented to the mess, both vcs-sels \\'ere topped strength with the comirlgs and goings of NATO up with a celebration drink ancl passeC round the classes and RNR refresher courses. We shall have victors ! seen the departure of the seven-week Royal Nether- The month of May sarv us busy again, but this lands Navy EW course, the arrival and departure of time with the NATO fleet review. We were host the NATO B (EW) course comprising French, establishnrent to HMS D1do, USS Vesole, Thc Federal German Navy, ltalian, Belgian and Greek Netherlands ships lzan Ne,r and Evertsort, the FCN members, plus the Sea Cadet Corps Chiels and ship BraLrnscltu'e ig and the Portuguese ship Alntirante numerous PCT and managementclasses:it has provided Pereira Da SiLv'a: all of whom comprised the Standing a most varied membership throughout the rerm. It Naval Force Atlantic. On May 8 the mess enteriained also provides a most unique spectacle to see the about 30 Chiefs from the ships, plus a number of victualled members teaching ltalian and Dutch private lunctions at horne. Or-r May l3, 25 Chief and members how to play killer snookeri Petty Officers and their wives fiom Mercury were As an experiment, we decided to hold a dinner rnvited to a cocktail party onboard the ships in dance in Mercurl, and to invite an outside catering Portsmouth clockyard. The success ol thls venture company to come in lo decorate the iables, prepare can be measured from lhe fact that 'plan Bravo' had and serve the dinner. Together with the valiant to be brought into force to ge1 us home, also that on efforts of the Secretary (table plans) and the Buffer departing, some menrbers \\ere seen u'ith their wives (table pushing!), CRS(W) Collins who arranged a who had lost handbags, r,,"'hilst others \\,ere seen carr)- plan for the Mercury Club and a few other ing handbags through thc dockl'ard, without their seating -ll'e mess members who were pressed into service, the wives! third party night occurred on May 15 event was a huge success, marred or-rly by the poor when the Chief and Petty Officers messes combined results of the photographs that were taken. However, to give a NATO dance for about 60 Chiel and Pett-v with the lessons learnt in one way or another, I anr Officers. Almost 300 people atteneled this dance and sure that rve can improve on April 1 1 and produce both messes were well packed. ln addition, the an cven bel1er one next time. Mercr.rry Club had their NATC clance at the same tinte

We Give. . . TheyGive... Lease l,end I I 25.1 NATO NIGHT and the resultant cacophony of sound produced a and more cricket matches to come, we are hoping high ratio of decibels lar too high for the normal for better things. Our next major social event is the person to cope with! Bar-B-Q on July 18. iollowed by the Chief Com- municators Reunion on Saturday, September 13. We have had two very interesting meetings in the The return match in the 'Sea Dads Trophy' event will lounge, at which the Captain has covered a wide be on October 8, rvhich rve hope to retain the variety of subjects from the role of the Royal Navy at to the missile gap, and from recruiting problems to cup. naval charities. These have taken the lorm ol a Regarding the reunion and for ihose rnembers and fhctual address from the Captain, followed by general ex-nrembers rvho atterrded the last one: considerable discussion. These have proved very popular and progress has been macle in the lornrulation of the although they are not designed to provide all the Association and an article will be ibund in this section answers, they do promote a gieat deal of interest of the magazine, urilten bl Mr Bill Bugg. who. as and enlarge ones thoughts on the many problems Hon Secretarl'. has done a tremendous amoun( of involved. work in co-ordinating the nrany' aspects invohed in forming the Association. Also in this section can be The Mercury sports day and garden fete, although seen the latest irr our series of'Pen Portraits' for the prodLlcing required athletic not the number of term. The next term's portrait will be by CREA members, did produce number sideshows to a of Ceorge Whittaker, an ex-Conrrnunicattrr. help raise funds for the King George's Fund for Sailors. The valiant efforts of members and their Finally' our congratulations go to CRS Bignell on rvives was most appreciated and it was a most useful his arvard of the B.E.M. exercise which showed up various items which can be The Nervcomers The Exodus improved upon next time. The sane fund was also CCY Stevens CRS Bignall-Antrim used as a basis for a comic cricket match, which CRS Kesteven CCY Spencer-Glarnorgan although starting out to be a friendly knock about. CRS(W) Lill CRS(W) Perkins--Glamorgan developed into a major fund raising evenl. The CRS(W) Parker CCY Bell-Charybdis Mercury Marauders played and beat the OIde CCY Whitlock CRS Simpson-Charybdis Clanfield Yokels by 85 runs to 79. CCY Duncan CCY lzzard-Release As to the more serious sporting activities, ,,ve have CCY Dennis CCY Whitlock--Scylla up to now only played one knock out cricket match, CCY Fotrracre CRE Tucker-Rclease at which we beat Kempenfelt by 5 wickets. Our CRS Harder CERA Calder-'Hermes etl'orts at lolleyball were unfortunately dashed into CPO Wtr a first game defeat. However, tvith a swimming gala Hcmmings CPO WTR Bradsha,'r,- -Blakc 254 CRS Turner CRS(W) Wise-Hermes his first real contact with naval wireless equipnrent, CH MECH Robinson CCY Gilbert-Hermes when. with a Type 53 on his back, he conrpered in a CRS(W)Blackwell CCYTillett-Caroline lorm of obstacle whaler race which was olicially CRE Pearson CCY Brickell-Release known as the W/T efficiency competirion. I n the spring CCY Evans CRS(W) Adams-Release of 1939, as a Boy Telegraphist, hejoined rhe gunnery CRS Collinson CRS Edwards-Brawdy' training ship HMS lron Duke at Portsnlouth for a CRS Houston CRS(W) Jackson-Charybdis spell of sea training and fo; rvhat someone lbndly CRS Coombes CCY Ellis- -Release clescribed as'C untire Acclimatisarion CRS Smullen CCY Rust-Release The troopship Dilyuru provicled passage to the CCY MacLeod CRS Melton-St Angelo China Station in June ol that year, rvhcre he joined CRS(W) Turlel' CRS Matthews-FO2FES the aircraft carrier HMS EagL,. She was fitted uith CRS Bavington CCY Tyrer-FO2FES transmitter T1,pe 36 (with spark attachmenl) and CRS Shuker CRS Saunders-Whitehall transmitter Type 37. Her principal receirer oulfirs CCY Howell CCY Smalt-Hampshire CIiCJ obtained both FIT and LT supplies frorr lead- CRS Maddran--Terror acid batteries. Apan flom nine single 6-inch guns, her main armament consisted ol the Swordfish aircrafr of PEN PORTRAIT 8 I 3 and 824 squadrons. The early days ol rhe war were spent in operations in the Indian Ocean and South cRS (RCl) G. LAWS Atlantic, but prior to the entry into the war of Iraly FROM SPARK TO SATCON{S in 1940, Eaglehadj<.rined the Eastern Medirerranean IN 3I YEARLY LE,SSONS Fleet at Alexandria" She rvas at that tinre. the only carrier available to lhe Commander-in-Chief (Admiral On February T. 1938, Boy 2nd class Gordon Laws Cunningham in l|'arspitc\. During the actions \rhich slung his first hamn-rock onboard the ex-German lollowed in the Metliterranean she received the liner hloje.stic. which was then functioning as the constant attention of the ltalian air fcrrces. A shorr boys' training ship HMS Caledonia at Rosyth. His refit in the UK in l94l resulted in such significant weekly rate of pay was 513d of u,hich J/- was drawn changes as the fitting of Transmitter Types 88, 52 ERT as pocket money. while the remainder was credited and 4T. Her first superhet receiver, the B50 which rvas on the ledger against the purchase ol slops and to part of the Outfit CAB. $,ent into the 2nd ollice. The provide a saving to be obtained in cash on reaching newly fitted aircraft radio beacon Type 72X became age 18. It uas q'hile serving in Cqlcdotria that he made the particular responsibilit!' of Leading Telegraphist

m t *

As it rras in the beginning . . . . rs now

25--s Laws. and Eogie was now. at last, to operate fighters Ciaptain's sea cabrn 1br its neu, role as the RCO and so it \\'as that the Swordfish gave \.\ay to the (Remote Control Oftrce), the wi f department was Hurricane. Eagle u'ns soon. back in the 'middle sea'. reported as 'read;-' for sea'. The surrender of Japan this time operating with Force H fiorn Gibraltar. meant the retunl to UK u'herc Altarcroruhic reduced Operations in earll' 1942 included 'club runs'where to reserve. she launched lancl-based RAF spitlires with one way After about a year ir-r UK, Malta beckoned again. tickets to beleaguered Malta. In August 1942. Eagit, and 19,17 to 1949 r\as spent on the staff of the Com- -ioinc'd Forcc F lor operation 'Pedestal' ivhich, had mander^in-Cl-tieL Me'diterranean (FCO-Commander it lailed, would have meant the capitulation of Malta Stannard, FCO 2 - Lieut-Comdr Richardson) where and a great victory' for Ronrmel. 'Pedestal' was in his main task was nursing F.ixed Sen,ice 34 on inter- fact the most important Malta convoy ever mounted rupted carrier keying RATT, reverting at inlervals to and the name of one ship, \he Ohio. is significant in the high speed morse undulator u'orkir-rg. There follo*'ed salvation ol Malta. Force F consisted of fourteen a further year in the Mediterranean on the staff of merchartt ships in convoy, two battleships, three aii- Captain(D) 3. (Captain Durlacher in Command and craft carriers (providing about seventy fighter aircraft). the SCO was Lieutenani (now Captain) A. S. Morton) seven cruisers, tlvent!'-five destroy'ers and eight sub- irr HIVIS Trortbridga (Type TBI-) and HMS Sar'rrr<,s marines. A fourth aircraft carrier, the Ilo'ioas, carried (Type 89Q). Visits to ltaly *ere, by then, a much more or"rt a 'club rr.rn' u'ith Spitfires to coincide with 'Ped- agreeable allair I On retr-rrning to UK in I 950 he became: estal'. On Ar.rgust 14, 1942, the German U73 lound the sole AT Instructor in MercLrry under a SWS officer her nrark u'ith a salvo of four torpedoes and in about (Mr. Brou'n; until he took the qualilying course lor seven minLrtes the Eagle had sunk with the loss of Wireless Instructor in 1952, togerher with Lieut-Conrdr some two hundrecl and sixty nren. Leading Telegra- (SD) (C) Thorpe and CRS Jackie Fisher'. He sub- phist Laws was picked up by HMS Lookout, trans- sequently joir-red 'T' Sectiorr and initially taught lerred at sea to HMS Venontous, then eventually at transmitters Type 57 DMR,59D,60D and the Gibraltar to the old carrier HMS Argus lor return to associated CWS (Centralised Wireless Sysrem ). the UI(. Rated CPO Tel in January, 1953, he contiuued in 'T' This brought about his lirst risit to Mcrcrlr,r, which Sectiorr (dLrring uhich time Tl lvas Conrrrodore S. F. had taken over from the old signal school in the Berthon) until he joined rhe Sta[ of Captain (D) Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth. He recalls a duty Portsmouth in HMS Bo,rer (Radar and Radio trials '"i,atch job known as 'Jim Croi,r'' uhich involr'ed many ship) in January, 1954. Her main armanrent consisted a cold night on ihe roof o[ the nrain house keeping a of four Type 89Ps and sc'condary *ere four TCSs. Iookout for parachutists. Later that year he found She $as a chief Ieoman's niglrtmare as regards 'dress hinrself aboard the liner Queetr Elrzabeth which was ship', due to the r'xistence of five masts which were at that itme operating as a trans-atlantic 'Monster' lDestroyers 20 destroyers under two ceremony and later dined with Captain Sir Peter -Some (D)s Captain in Ashanti and Anson, Bt. LaJbrey. In September, 1968, for the first time the rifle club entered the Southampton and District, Division 4 postal Leagr.re. Inlormation was received in early SIGNAL SCHOOL MESS May this year that the club had not only won the league President: LRO(T) M. A. Richardson but had the honour ol having the top aggregate scorer for the year. PO GI Byne and myself attended 'The most successful so far.' That was the general the ACM of the Association and were more than verdict on the end ol term dance belore main Easter pleased to accept on behalf of the club the Division 4 league spoons. a leave. The varying selection of music was supplied by Cup and individual It was also pleasure (Gl) 'Barny' The Alan Brown Set, The Sky and the Teddy to accept lor CPO Luff the highest Saunders Jazz Band and all in all what with late tankard and spoon for the aggregate of the transport and a bar extension it uas a ver) enter- season. Our congratulations go to him for this taining and enjoyable evening. The Mercury Club achievement. dances have continued on a weekly basis, four Norv that the fine weather is with us. we have shillings on pay week and a two shilling bargain on not been slow to take advantage of it. The club 'blank week'. These have been popular but the general entered a team in the Chilconrbe Down Open Range Competition on Sunday, June 8, and although they impression as ever is that the shortage of females is prizes, certainly noticeable. LRO (now RS) Grimsey has been the did not come away with the major presence organiser and for any misdeeds he may have com- made their felt. On July 5 and 6 two teams mitted is now being punished by becoming a New Entry instructor. Sports Day in conjunction with a fete was held on June 11 and we were lucky enough to have a perfect day with the temperature nearing the eighties. Fine for the spectators but a bit hot I think for the participants. The New Entry Division who were odds-on favourites won overall with Sommerville Squadron (ship's company block) coming in a close second. This occasion was very well attended and Lady Anson was gracious enough to present the prizes. A total of over L222 was raised fuom the stalls for King George's Fund for Sailors. One would imagine though that more was made by the numerous ice-cream salesmen present as wherever one looked the children were making full use of their amenities. To add to all other attractions we were fortunate enough to be entertained by the Royal Marine Band ol the Flag Officer Naval Air Command. Captain Sir Peter Anson, Bt, admiring the CHEVRON This year Mercury has once again entered a crew SHIELD with LRO(G) Williams, Chief Shiprvright in the Brickwoods Field Gun Competition, We were Eccles and Petty Officer (GI) Byne 257 have been entered for the Barton Stacey Open Range or retired Communication Officers. Any rating who Competition. Chief Shipwright Eccles leads a strong has served in the capacity of a Communication Chief team consisting of CY Wombell, LRO James and Petty Officer, including RNR ratings and who are not LRO Rawson. whilst the ladies of the club have eligible for full membership. Application for Associate formed a team consisting of 'Ginge' Pearson, Sue Membership must be forwarded, IN WRITING. Welton. 'Chatty' Chatterton and Driver Jackie These will be considered by the committee and rvill be Edwards. The two teams will be under the non- subject to the full rules of the Association. firing captaincy of RS Dewhurst. We wish them all Joining Fee: The fee will be il with an annual the success. subscription of 10/- payable on September l. Mem- The Junior membership has slackened slightly, bership cards will be issued as soon as they become probably due to the draw of the great outdoors. available. But it is strong enough to provide a team to travel to Further information of the Association will be HMS Raleish on July 26-27 to represent the estab- forwarded, on request, by the Hon Secretary, RN lishment in the Olympiad. Communication Chiefs' Association, Training The club is well on the way in their attempt to Records Office, HMS Mercury. Applications for retain the Chevron shield this year, and are also Associate Membership and any item of interest for attempting to win the Newark shield, which is pre- the news-letter should be lorwarded to this address. sented to the Service club qualif,ving the highest It is hoped that all serving Communication Chief number of pistol marksmen in the year. Petty Officers will become members of the Associa- tion. If the whereabouts of any ex-serving member of the mess is known please foru,ard his address so that RN COMMUNICATION an invitation to the next re-union Saturday Septem- CHIEFS' ASSOCIATION ber 13 may be sent to him, as well as the above information. by W. C. H. Bugg

Ir is now well known that an annual re-union of past and present Chief Communicators takes place in the mess on the second Saturday in September. This year will be the fifth re-union and they have all been very enjoyable and very well attended. [t was sugges- ted last year that an Association of Communication Chief Petty Officers be formed, similar in effect to the GIs and RPIs Associations. In the early part of this year a committee was formed and they have been going into all the details. This committee consists of the President of the mess (CRS Dennis Alderson), the Hon Secretary-Treasurer (CRS Hilder) and f,ve ex- serving nrembers. Ted Pallrey (elected Chairman) and John Maye, both past mess Presidents, Charlie Tink- ler, now serving on the staff of ACR (elected Hon Treasurer), Bill Bugg (elected Hon Secretary) and WRNS Ken Taylor, all ex members of the mess. This com- mittee has held three meetings and the formation of the Associatior-r is well under way. Vice-Admiral Sir John Parker (FO Medway) has accepted their invita- A TR.AINEE'S VIEW OF tion to become President and the Captain HMS Mercury has kindly agreed to become Vice President. COMMUNICATIONS The aim of the Association is to make possible an opportunity for all those with a common interest to by S. M. Welton meet annually for a re-union and enable them to keep in touch with one another via a twice yearly news- WRO(M)l has completed six weeks of a twenty- letter giving news of the Association and its members. six week course at }{MS Mercury and the hitherto It is hoped, at some fLrture date, to arrange a more unknown world of communications is slowly be- formal function in addition to the annual re-union, ing revealed. Perhaps the subject about which we maybe a dinner or something of that nature. know most is morse receiving. Sitting in a class- Full Menbershrp: This is open to all serving Com- room wearing a pair of earphones, more than munication Chief Petty Officers- Those who left the likely scrawled by a former trainee with such use- Service on final discharge as Communication Chief less information as 'phones, ears for the use of', Petty Officers and Offrcers who were promoted from must, however be far removed from the atmo- this late. sphere of a wireless officer. Perfect morse, pro- Associqte Membership: This is open to all serving duced from a tape factory and received loudly 258 and clearly with no interference, must also be at all, then give us WRNS a sporting chance to do very different from manually transmitted morse something of our preference (cross-country walk ?) which may be faint, have interference or be heard and earn our undying gratitude. at the same time as another message. Such basic components of communications as ISLAND IN THE SUN broadcasts. ship-shore communications or a coastal common net were undreamt of, by us, bY S.T,A.C. six weeks ago. Yet now, we like to believe we could talk reasonably intelligently about them. It Having read the article from the Wrens at Gib is true that we shall answer questions on these in the last edition of TsB ColrauuNtcAroR, we, the subjects in examination papers, but that is a Wrens in Mauritius decided to get together and in- different matter from actually manning a receiv- form the world about life in Mauritius from our point ing bay on a broadcast or passing messages to of view. Whilst most of you in UK are having or have ships at sea. had sumrner leave, we are hoarding our station leave Other aspects of communications are still almost for as long as possible, waiting patiently for our as strange to us as they ever were. It is difficult, summer between September and April. Although it is for example, to visualise a RATT or voice circuit now winter out here, it is still warm enough to carry on when one has never set eyes on a teleprinter or with our normal activities such as snorkelling, water spoken into a microphone. In fact, a communica- skiing, expeding (where the lads excel themselves tions centre is still, to our minds, no more than a with 'pot mess') and mountain climbing. The night series of boxes on a piece of paper, denoting such life here is somewhat restricted but this is countered people as routers, encrypters and filers. by the frequent dances held in the mess and invites In nine weeks, WRO(M)I, should be display- up-homers to the RA's parties. Visiting ships are ing to the world the wings that are the badge of always made welcome in the mess and we are at a Communicator. It is my opinion. however, that present awaiting the arrival ol HMS Albion at the we shall be Communicators only in theory. We beginning ofJuly. shall not fully understand communications until During the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, we we leave HMS Mercury and enter the lofty posi- can usually be found at the Royal Naval Beach tion of a control tower or the smoky atmosphere Club-our very own Blackpool by the sea-sun of a communications centre. worshipping or cooling off in the crystal clear waters of an Indian Ocean lagoon. The next few montlrs wili see a big change in the Wrens complement here as many of us are due to return to the UK. We look FUN AND GAMES FOR THE MORSE forward to welcoming the chosen few due to relieve COURSE us and hope they will enjoy their stay in Mauritius.

by Wrens O. Pearson (WRO M 1) and BASIC C.Zala (WRO M 2) To tha torte c;f 'Music, Music, Music' As most sparkers discover to their cost, the amount By Morse 6 of recreational time ararlable is in proportion to the course, small nevertheless! Come the rare Tuesday We'll do anything for you, afternoon when the magic word 'Games' appears on Anything you want us to, the timetable, a mass exodus of Burberry-clad WRNS AT, Org and GCI occurs within the precincts of Mercury. It's Basic. Ba.ic, Basic. Exactly what happens during this time is debatable. One would suppose that 'Divacs'are to be utilised by Cive me Voice and MTX, the WRNS for their pleasure, but, once conlronted by BKX or MMX, the numerous PTIs one discovers that instead of pro- Beats the old routine of sex, ceeding to the sport ,rf their choice, they are per- It's Basic, Basic, Basic. suaded(?) in numerous ways to perform various 'unusual'activities. Perhaps this explains the increase Crypto, we all love CrYPto in numbers attending Sickbay on Monday morning Plus TTX and WT, (ignoring the fact that divs. coincide with attendance They're the only things for me. times). The point remains that if one's idea of enjoy- ment is to leap around a cross-country course at 'X' Couple of Codeine everYdaY, mph, then it is all well and good, and those who prefer Keeps you going to sick bay, more relaxing sport should be left to it. We have With Tonsillitis all the waY rapidly come to the conclusion that all PTIs have an It's Basic, Basic. Basic. inbuilt hatred of rifle shooting, squash and tennis and would prefer to see WRNS participating in rugby Problems, are never problems, and cricket. When you've got Sister waiting a .he door, The conclusion being that if rve are to have sports With her green pills by the score. 259 Jenny Wrens at N(ercury. robe and cupboard, bedside cabinets, a wash basin, Spend all day on Matelot's Knee, radiator and adequate mirrors and electric light- They don't go for POC, r'ng for a room twice the size. The window over- That's Ilasic, Basic, tsasic. looked a small park, which, snow-covered the following morning, looked enchanting. Monday. oh fruity Monday. After unpacking we went down to supper, this When you've got Jennys walking out of lunch meal was served in the dining room between 6 and With bananas by the bunch. 9 pm and cost about 5s for a three course meal or individual items could be chosen ir 1a carte, Then they go back to the'Towers', making it possible to have a quick snack before Where they're cleaning all the floors. going out for the evening. Lunch consisted of That won't take them many hours, a similar arrangement and breakfast, ready at any It's Basic. Basic, Basic. time up to 9.45, was 'Mess Deck style'. The food was undoubtedly good, olTered a varied choice, Pinkie. the dear old Pinkie. and was always hot. Afternoon tea was served in When we are feeling down in the dumps the spacious lounge every day for those staying Go down there for pints of scrumps. in and coffee, cigarettes and chocolate machines (much coveted by those at Soberton) were avail- We spend all day on AT, able at all times. just It don't agree with me, This part of the Service Club catered only for It's so simple as you'11 see, the WRNS, WRAC and WRAF, and provided It's Basic. Basr'c, Basic. married quarters for Service and ex-Service fami- lies. (Someone with much foresight had accom- you, Oh We'll do anything for modated single Service men two streets away.) Anything you want us to, Apart from the lounge, there was a television Thrill you through and through and through, room, both with armchairs, a separate lounge for lt's so Basic. Basic, Basic. children to play in and make as much noise as they wished under supervision, and a shop, on THE UNION JACK CLUB similar lines to the NAAFI, selling amongst other things trinkets. souvenirs of the capital. and by lYren Carro!!, RE WROI newspapers. A few rveeks ago, I and three friends from The staff proved most helpful over travel Soberton Towers decided that a weekend in Lon- arrangements and found out the telephone num- don would make a pleasant return to the civilian ber and address of the Nuffield Centre as curiosity world. We thought we would stay at one of the impelled us to go there one evening. The centre Service clubs in the city as this seemed the most lies close to Trafalgar Square, and is certainly an economical and convenient way of arranging attractive place, furnished with lounges, bars and accommodation. I wrote to the Union Jack Club a dance hall, but due to the somewhat undesirable that evening and received a reply several days company found within its walls, we would not later confirming our reservation. The fees were recommend it to our friends unless accompanied very reasonable, bed, breakfast and a hot bath by a devoted 6 ft matelot. However with the cost only 1216 each per night. underground so close, a fivepenny ticket took us At six o'clock on Friday evening we arrived at to many of the sights of London, and we found Waterloo. and made our way to Exlon Street no lack of entertainment. In 48 hours we wandered *tich, fortunately, was very close to the station, round several shops in Oxford and Regent Streets, as only Sue had any knowledge of London, other bought a combined ticket for Madame Tussauds, than a tourist's guide book and map. The build- at present featuring a realistic scene of the Battle ing itself was impressive from the outside and of Trafalgar. and the Planetarium. the latter being stood elegantly at right angles to the main street, a good grounding for an evening at the cinema but our feelings were tinged with apprehension as watching '2001 : A Space Odyssey'. We attended we pushed open the doors, wondering if those un- morning service at St Paul's, took a leisurely look complimentary rumours rve had heard would be at the National Art Gallery and battled our way proved true by experience. Once inside our fears through an episode of intrigue starring Steve Mc- were dispelled. everywhere was 'ship shape' and Queen as 'Bullitt' not to mention the fact that we an air of friendliness prevailed. One of the staff spent two weeks pay before we knew it had gone. handed us the keys to our rooms and showed us I feel I must conclude by pointing out the dis- to the first floor. Laurie and I shared one cabin, advantages of the Club, few as they were; if in- bearing a plaque 'HMS Repulse, 1941' and Sue tending to stay out after midnight a late book had and Rhonda the one next door; apparently each to be signed in advance, and on the morning of room was dedicated to someone, or some aspect departure rooms were to be vacated by 10 am, but of Service life. Inside were two single beds, with the last ruling was modified by the club's baggage matching counterpanes and curtains, a large ward- room being available throughout the day, along 260 with the lounge and restaurant. way is on.ly a matter of yards away from the Wrens Al[ considered, the advantages heavily outweigh Quarters is only a minor detail! Now that the summer the faults, we are unanimous in proclaiming it (Welsh only) is upon us, we Comms ratings take full highly satisfactory and shall no doubt return in advantage ofsome of the beaches that peribrokeshire provides. the near future. Many of us can be found recovering from a 'shattering all night on' down at Newgale. But, alas, HELLO FM YEO we suppose one has to work for a living! During the last few months, the arrivals and departure, oi or. by Wren M. Ward assisted by Wren C. Rayment communications staff has been almbst as busy as Flight Planning. It is therefore impossible to gilr. Many will conjure Lrp the image of the MSO Yeovil- mention to everybody, but we shall trv. SincJ Feb_" ton as the impregnable walled citadel. No longer is ruary, we have said goodbye to pO Wren Judv our view restricted to brick walls. Our tolerance of Norman, who we hope is enjoying herself in Oslo. pneumatic drill irritation to 'that Monday morning PO Wren Di Mizen, having just returned from feeling'has paid off: many changes have occurred to Singapore, is now pO Wren of the MSO, L/Wren transform a 'run of the mill' and occasionally depres- Jane Rees, it seems, preferred the altar to the MSO sing comcen into a'home from home'. We have a new and has been relieved by L/Wren Sue Crompton, who restroom with red walls-enough to make anyone has just come back from Mauritius. The other new sleep to avoid the glare; we have the warmest place personnel here include Dot Lathwood also ex- on the station in the winter-the only problem being Mauritius and Wrens Kelly, King and Mulholland that they tend to forget to switch it off-even when from Mercury. We have also been graced with Wren the temperature is in the 70'sl!! Under the capable Sue Barry who has just arrived from Lossiemouth. supervision of Lieut Lennon, CRS Mathews and PO Handling the Wrens (and the lads) with an iron fist Wren Gray who are making an all out effort to keep (in a velvet glove of course) is rhe SCO Lieut D. D. three unruly watches under control and considering Davies. the odds they do very well in ensuring that both RS Dave Allport still runs the coffee boat in the FONFT (& Stafl) and the staff of the Naval Air Tower; profits must be good as he has just acquired a Station itself get their signals promptly? and car!! Chief Jerry Marden still produces kittens every accurately ? day, while the lads are, as aluays, gerring paid for Free Tinrc? Well, that depends entirely on you. doing nothing. Joking aside, the male ratings do have With our divisional officer, Third Officer Jolly, you their uses, especially when Captain,s rounds are will be encouraged and can go far with any sporting imminent! CND seem to have some use for our lads interest you may have, the swimming gala being the however-LRO(G) Lewis (Taff) is off to the Easr- next sporting event on Yeovilton's calendar. We have bourne, AILRO(G) Erwin to the Malcoltn and a large gymnasium which houses a badminton court, RO2(W) Lambert (our Ted) to the Charybrlrs. Our trampoline and also has facilities for circuit training. sympathy is senr to Singapore who are shorrly to be There are also tennis courts, squash courts, rifle blessed with L/Wren Jody Rogers and Wrsn Sue shooting amenities, and a heated swimming pool, McGovern; to Gibraltar goes Wren Babs Shute; needless to say, the usual football and hockey pitches Fort Southwick gets Wren Vera Owen and yeovilton are many. As you know we house the transatlantic will be graced by Wren Andy Dyer. As a final gesture, air race winner-the Phantom-the success of which we would like to state that any rumours concerning has caused much excitement in and around Yeovilton, the exodus of Whitehall WiT to Brawdy when it and we must mention a much visited museum which ceases to be an Air Station, are completely unfounded. gives details of the history of the Fleet Air Arm. By SCO hr our club-the Heron Club-we have a cabaret Heard in Brawdy during a Communications and discotheque once a week and of course there is exercise: the old standby, the Thursday night dance, There are Wren A. 'Does anyone know who SUNRAy is?, many lovely walks in our area as Yeovilton is right in LRO 'Isn't it the SCO or somelhing?' the heart of 'Zummerzet't and if walking is not your PO Wren 'But I thought his name was KEOGH,' pleasure you could always ride-or learn to ride at the stables which are attached to the camp-rounding off the evening at one of the four public houses within easy walking distance of the camp-need I say more ! ! ! NEWS FROM HOME

BRAWDY-'GATEWAY TO THE WEST' Wren Radio Operators' Advancement by 'Les Girls' As at the beginning of July, the Advancement roster stood as follows: Most people who have ever been stationed here at Brawdy will, we hope, agree with us that there is never To Leading Wren Radio Operator a dull moment, especially as we are an Air Station (awaiting course) 100 taking a very active part in the training of pilots. To Petty Officer Wren Radio Supervisor Noisy! No, it is all in the mind, the fact thar the run- (awaiting course) 10 261 Advancement courses this term included: NATO and other exercises and for training the Reserve who would help to operate it in ADVANCEMENT 3/69 fersonnel time war. Outside of the training of the unit, Ldg Wrens Standish, Hadley and Forbes, Wrens of interest is kept alive by a fairly active social club. This Bilney, Brown, Cox, Cobley, Dickens, Walker and club organises several dances and visits during the Owen. year, all of which attract a large number of the unit's ADVANCEMENT 4/69 members. Interest in the Navy is kept alive by visits Ldg Wrens Gorst and Russell, and Wrens Ledwidge, to warships in the local Royal Dockyard and Brown, Ryan, Roberts, Simpson, Howlett, Bancroft, HM visits in some of these ships to various European Holloway, Ostridge and Snowdon. ports. As can be imagined, these trips are warmly rec€ived by members of what is normally a stone frigate. We have also had some successes in com- petitive sailing, boat pulling and rifle shooting events.

Why not come and see us when you are in our area ? Join us when you come outside. Many famous feet have passed our way-Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI, and many others. You might even meet Richard Hicks, who works for the GPO down here, where he has been since 1939 (rumour has it he can't find the way out). PS-AI one time RN Gunnery School, Sheerness, was known as HMS Wildfire. Official recognition of the Gls training perhapsl

HMS'MERCURY' WRNS OFFICERS HEPATITIC HUMOUR Front row I to r: Second Officer D. C. Seller (CE), By Lieut W. J. Burling WRNS Gl, First Officer V. Reynolds, WRNS Unit Officer, Third Officer J, Havers, CA As a past treasurer and galley-proof editor of Tsr, CoulruNrcAToR magazine was often, to- Back row I to r: Second Officer H, Scriven, Quarters I Officer, Third Officer J. Cooper, Admin and Sports gether with many other like-minded people, an Officer, Third Officer H. M. Kirby, Asst Secretary advocate of articie diversiflcation in maintaining the highly readable contents of the magazine. Hav- ing just received the Winter 1968 edition and avidly read the magazine from cover to cover in FROM FIRESHIP TO just I hour and 43 minutes, I was struck by the increasing professionalism both in presentation and RNR HEADQUARTERS subject matter, and by the sheer humour created By Grade III (Cryptographer) Brian Baker by the matelot and the wren even under the most uncomfortable and provocatively trying con- The first l4tildfire was a 64-ton fireship in 1766-she ditions. occurred me that perhaps with a was never used by the Navy and was eventually It to littie and because now have at least 24 sold (perhaps the Government was short of money ellort I hours a day of virtual free time, an article en- then). Orher vessels had the same name until 1828 lightening the uninitiated to the fun and games of when RN Barracks, Sheerness, took it. After succes- a hepatitic's existence might, despite a stight sive closings and openings the buildings known as odour of infective indigestibility, add something to }{MS Wildfre achieved fame during the 1939-45 war. the magazine subject coverage. This establishment finally closed down in 1959. In September, 1964, the tunnels which had originally It all started when it was discovered that I had been C-in-C Nore's MHQ at Chatham during the war somehow contracted infective hepatitis which is a were recommissioned as HMS Wildfire-a unit in liver disease, so into hospital I was duly despatched the Headquarters RNR. to enjoy the required rest and drink cure pre- By taking the entrance from Medway Road, scribed for this complaint. Hepatitis is endemic to Gillingham (those of you who haunted the Wrennery tropical and sub-tropical climates and it's just will know it), you will find us a short distance away hard luck if the infection marches in your direc- from the new married quarters being built on what was tion. As OIC of the Comcen, Movements Officer, once the garden of the C-in-C's residence. Every etc, there was the usual very orderly panic stricken Thursday evening Service visitors are welcome, in hand-over of the immediate problems to my col- particular, at the bar where frenzied activities con- league, Lieut Wenn, a constant ringing of the tinue until closing time. Our Service activities, no less telephone from all those who had found out and frenzied, involve manning FO Medway's LCHQ for wanted to remind me not to forget a bill (ha-ha), 262 to wish me well for the last time, to sympathise Mahal, the American Presidential elections, race with the loss of my RA, or to tell me it rvas about riots, Mike Hammer and the New York cops time I recovered from the Christmas Lark. (Mickey Spillane for the uninitiated), what exact liquids are required to fortify a good wine, and The procedure was whole completed in 1] hours, the best underclothes lor persons anticipating space including a mad scramble around my large wooden travel. The secondary occupation is drinking. Two coloniaI style married quarter wondering where the flasks are kept constantly filled by the medical hell my pyjamas had disappeared to (did I ever staff who use boiled water contained in an un- have any')), and whether hexachlorophene tooth- believable variety of bottles. I have seen water paste would cause complications terrible to my poured from a Sunset orange squash bottle, a disease. Finatly with a grip weighing close on Yugoslav Riesling bottle, what looked like a large 100 lbs, most of it cordial bottles and Winston tomato sauce bottle, all of it beautifully cool Churchill's HrsroRy oF THE ENGLTSH spEAKrNc and destined speedy journey. keep one pEopLES, for a To Vol III, I tottered over to Hospital Re- from becoming too flaccid, or is it placid, and to ception. With smiles, and wishes by me that I prevent bed irritations over any area of the body was anywhere but in the clutches of the medical in constant contact with the bed, ie, back, bottom, world, was quickly escorted allowed I to Zymotics, elbows, heels etc, a twice daily clean with soap my last bath for weeks and placed in a private and water, methylated spirits and powder is car- room with the luxury of a telephone. The in- ried out by firm massage in these areas. The en- structions were that I was not to move from my tire operation takes about four to five minutes, bed and that I must drink at least one glassful of but the patient enjoys that incredible feeling of liquid (non-alcoholic I'll be flung out of the rvell-being one observes from a cat being gently gin - club), every half hour together with, of course, tickled behind the ears. We hepatitics, a fairly ex- the obvious results which were to be noted on a clusive group, look forward to such therapeutic form prescribed for that purpose. This seemed treatment with great eagerness and delight. fine until the call of nature arrived and I began to experience the new entrant patient's panic at But perhaps the most important single happen- being caught by the N{atron whilst solemnly en- ing in a hepatitic's life occurs every Monday fore- throned on a stainless steel bedpan. The feat re- noon. On that day a laboratory technician arrives, quires precise timing to avoid such embarrass- smiles blandly, says good morning, jabs a thunder- ments, an asset I very quickly acquired. Let me ing great needle into the patient's arm, withdraws hastily add that the nursing staff appeared not 1o a couple of gallons of blood, murmurs 'sorry sir', notice these things (lovely girls, all of them). I and departs just as smoothly complete with your was the only person during such incidents alTected blood and his gruesome tool kit. The prelude to rn any way. this early morning vampirism creates enormous tension despite the painlessness of the operation. A hospital routine is of course vitally necessary, but principally because that jugful of blood and especially visits by the medical staff hierarchy. the subsequent analysis of its content very largely Just before Matron arrives all sheets are finally decides whether or not a patient is fit to leave hos- adjusted to the flnest one thousandth of an inch, pitat for the long peiiod of necessary con- legs crossed, hair combed and a general expression valescence. Great is the joy of the post-hepatitic of bright-eyed, 'it's nice to be here', added to the as he takes leave of his infected friends, and pre- situation. (Negat bed-pan sit, of course.) Matron's pares plans for his return Io the party throwing legendary powers and authority really are as evi- fold. (Dress optional negat anything approach- dent as films portray, and in this particular in- ing yellow.) - stance a pleasant interlude in the otherwise bor- ing morning's proceedings. I enjoyed these To me hospitalisation is a completely new ex- moments of attention and the general cosseting perience and therefore from a primary outlook that the illness requires, but not some of the less intereslingly difierent, but now becoming unmis- pleasant side effects. Unfortunately my stay was takably boring, and requiring a more profound marred by some mouth ulcers which in general research into that quality called 'a sense of distorted my speech rather like speaking with humour'. know immediate a mouth full of marbles,- one nightingale cheerfully I chaps like my col- told me. At least this period taught me to answer league Derek Wenn have it, must have it to cope questions with absolute minimum of words, rather with his additional tasks and still enjoy 1ife, like like a Hemingway nove1, and left my unfortunate CRS Cokes the Comcen regulating CRS, so very wife with a full hour in which to talk when visiting efficient and hardworking it scares one, yet he in- me, with little or no chance of anything resembling variably produces some witticism as TARE locks in more than an incoherent mumble in reply. for the third time, and of course the medical staff The principal occupation of the hepatitic is whose understanding and kindness, carefully reading, reading and reading, in that order, the blended with an iron discipline, do their utmost only forbidden words being Yellow or Blood Test. to make life inside tolerable and very often funny. I now know all there is to know about the Taj After all, that"s what humour is all about. isn't it? 263 H.M. COASTGUARD

AN INIERESLN6 AND yAR'ED IOB W0RKIN6 WITH AND SERyING rHOSE SIITL AI SEA

There are vacancies i n the Coastg uards man G rade fo r ex-RN, RAF (Mari ne) and Merchant Navy men aged between 27 and 50. (Seaman or Communi- cations Branch experience only normally considered.) Commencing salary {949 then rising by five annual increments to {1,109 with good prospects of promotion.

Housing is provided at {llOpa which is deducted from salary. For full details apply to: H. M. Coastguard (Dept C) Room 725 Board of Trade Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London SWI.

BY APPO N'MINT TO NER MAJTSIY Q!TEN IL 2A3I1H II

JOHN HARVgY & SONS LIMITIO 8i sToL

CHOICE'SI OI-D F1-TLL SHERF-Y ERISTOL Harveys

ORIGINAL SUPERIOR QLIALIIY x?W9 tadw *. Bristol Cream, tt;{ SOIE UMITO i{ .IDIIN TIARVEY*J::-*- E the best sherrlr ,) in the world. I.:l COMMUNICATIONS GAZE'TTE

APPOINTMENTS

Eotron's Norr,: Although every endeavour is made to ensure that the infornation in this seclion i.t corr?ct, y'e ask reatlers not to lreot it as authoritative in the strict sense.

Name Rank Whence Whither Aoeus, B.J. Lieutenant Long Course Eastbourne Aoavs, N. J. Sub Lieut. (SD) SD(C) Course Hermione BunrruR, S. F. Captain Victory Mod (DDP(C)) BrusoN, J. . Lieutenant FO2FEF Mercury Boorn, Miss P. M. 3/O Victory St Angelo Bowrn, G. A. Captain Victory Ashanti Bnrccs, A. E. Lieutenant (SD) Ganges STC Devonpolt BuNuNc, R. H. Lieutenant (SD) DNS Mercury Crvr. R. F. I ieutenant Long Course RAN Exchange Clanrn, P. A. Lieutenant Victory Warrior Cunra, R. T. Lieut. Commander C in C Plymouth DGW (DWES(N)) CuNroN, T. E. Lieutenant (SD) Drake Ark Royal CneutrN, D. H. Commander MOD DCW(N) MOD DNS Cnozrrn, T. F. Lieut. Commander Fife Dolphin DrnwrNr, Miss R. 2io President DNS Dooswonru, P. .. Sub Lieut. (S)D Exmouth Mercurl' Dnerr-Wrlxrs, S. Lieutenant Long Course RAN Exchange Dnryrn, J. C. Lieut. Commander Eastbourne (1st Lieut.) Mercury Dyrss, J. Lieut. Commander HMY Britannia Ass. N. A. Moscow Eownnos. P. T. Lieut. Commander MOD COMNAVBALTAP EruNs, J. M. Commander Keppel in Command MOD (DDPS) Envrrr, F. M. Lieutenant (SD) FOST whitehall w/T Fnstunxrlr, D. .. Lieut. Con-rmander Danae Warrior FULFoRD-DoBSoN. M. Commander FOST COMEDNOREASl Grrlacnsn. J. B. Lieut. Commander Fearless Mercury GrwrEv, J. M. . Lieutenant (SD) President Mercury Gun-N. D. Lieut. Commander Hermes COMFEF Haurtrn, G. D. . Lieutenant RAN Long Course Undaunted HrLL-NoRroN, N. J. Lieutenant RAN Exchange Mercury HolllNo, R. Lieutenant (SD) Lochinvar Cochrane Hooprn, G. E. Sub Lieut. (SD) Mercury FOSNI H'uNrrn, C. W. . Lieutenant Long Course FO2FEF Jacrson, D. Lieutenant (SD) Mercury Ganges JrnuaN, J. R. Lieutenant (SD) Mercury FO Malta Jrssop, J. M. Commander President MINDEF Malaysia Ke,{rr, H. R. Captain Dryad Ajax in command LoruprrR, A. H. . Lieut. Commander Mercury FO2FEF O'BnlrN. C. A. Lieutenant (SD) Mercury Mercury Adv (SD) Ponrrn. A. H. Lieutenant (SD) Warrior President (ACR) Popr, J. Rear-Admiral DNS FOFWF PoYNrun, D. A. . Captain Drake (FSL) DNS PRrcrcr:rr, W. J. Lieutenant (SD) Fearless Mercury Pnovosr, A. G. . Lieutenant Eastbourne Dartmouth Plroorcx. Miss N. D. 3/O Cochrane Warrior RrcHenosox, A. B. Lieutenant Long Course Danae RrcHARDs, M. A. Lieut. Commander (SD) Dolphin HQ AF SOUTH Rrccs, J. J. . Lieut. Commander (SD) Warrior C in C Plymouth Russy. C. Captain Tartar C in C South Srtlon, Miss D. 2lo Mercury Terror (COMFEF) SuorroN, J^ Sub Lieut. (SD) Hermes whitehall W/l Suecrer-r, J. Lieutenant (SD) Mercury Svrrs, C. C. Sub Lieut. (SD) Aurora Mercury SNow, K. G. Sub Lieut. (SD) Mercury Bacchante THoMAs, Miss O. V. llo Condor COMFEF Tsolrpsox. Miss M. 3io St Angelo President THoRPE, F. R. Lieut. Commander (SD) Mercury Warrior THunsroN, Miss D. M. 2O Warrior Dryad 265 ROYAL FLEET AUXTLIARY SERVICE

Many communications ratings leaving the Royal Navy are not aware 9f tle opportunities that exist for SIGNALMEN in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service. Qualifications are approximately the same as for RO2(T) in the Royal Navy. Pay, at present, begins at {6215s. per month with food found;suitable ratings may obtain Company Service Conrracts which atrract additional pay and other benefits. lf yourvould like to know more apply to:- The Director of Fuel, Movements and Transport, Ministry of Defence (Navy), Section 74A, Empress State Buildings, LONDON S.W.6. or to the R.F.A. Agent in one of H.M. Dockyards.

CONTRACTORS TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS The Company specialises in the Operation and Servicing of Military Aircraft, radar and weapons systems and in the provision of Technical and Training Services for Military Forces.

It is a leading Organisation for the training of all categories of aircrew and ground staff in civil aviation. Airwork Services Ltd Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport Nr. Christchurch, Hants

266 NsDe Rank Whence Whither TrMpsoN, G. M. Lieut. Commander Jufair Ark Royal Tuuts, G. M. Lieut. Commander Mercury SNOWI Wrssen. P. C. Lieutenant (SD) Dartmouth Fearless WHITEHEAD, D. . . Lieut. Commander Wakeful in command Grenville in command Wrron, A. W. AiSub Lieut. (SD) Mercury STC Devonport WtutrtrrsoN, J. K. Lieutenant Long Course Charybdis Wrsr, T. B. Lieutenant RAN Ajax (Exchange) Woon, A. R. Commander MOD (CDCN) MOD (NMUU)

PROMOTIONS To Rerar-Admiral To Commander (Effective Dec.) J. E. Popr I. FencrE-Wooos N. L C. KETTLEwELL To Lieut.-Commander (SD) R. W. KrocH F. R. Tsonpr A. A. Wruon K. Wolr-lN To Sub.-Lieutenant (SD) To Lieutenant (SD) R. C. Wsrrnv-Sutrs M. T. Hur'apsntrs J. M. Gawlrv J. Tarr D. C. Snvcs S. G. Sor-nv J. R. T. JanuaN F. M. Erur'rrr P. C. WrssrR RETIREMENTS Commander M. Sr Q. War-r- Lieutenant (SD) P. ArzuNsox Lieut.-Commander R. .1. GnrrN 2/O Miss L. F. Lrwsorv

COURSES RN Long Course. 1969 Advanced (SD) (C) Course J. T. Sauorns Lieutenant C. A. O'BnrN P. R. Surrruarrsrrn Lieutenant F. M. Elrurrrr W. M. Ceswrll Lieutenant D. C. Seycr C. J. Cltupsrrr- Sub.-Lieut. K. G. SNow G. A. WrsoN Sub.-Lieut. J. SsorroN D. M. Howeno Sub.-Lieut. A. W. WnroN B. Bunxs M. A. RosrNsor.i P. J. KrNc D. T. Fnosr

BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST, 1969 BEM Chief Radio Supervisor D. J. BtoNlr-L P/JX 885107. I1MS Antrint

ADVANCEMENTS TO CRS TO CCY Brlron-PtnxrNs, J. 890290 Tvnun, E. A. 883409 RossoN. L. 9355'/3 Ev.qNs, D. J. W. 901 673 Jur-uN, H. G. 9t9'725 DrrNrs, D. H. 91 I 871 Purrrcx, M. 88301 3 ScnrvrNs, W. C. 908945 CoLLTNSoN. P. 9 1 8845 LEVENE, L. F. 836440 C.qnFrNcroN, J. A. 924'13'7 Yrerrs, D. A. 911954 TO CRS(W) HousroN, J. 936451 McKay, R. 978159 CooMtsEs, B. G. F 898249 Trvlon, A. R. 980822 SM(,LLEN. D. J. 889 l 39 267 CYPHER VACANCIES GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN CHELTENHAM AND LONDON Vacancies exist for Men and Women (particularly ex-service personnel) for Communications centre work. Recenr experience in Cypher or Teleprinting desi rable. Appointments in London are paid on a scale rising to tl ,225, whilst those in Cheltenham rise to { l, 100. Those appointed must accept liability for shift duties covering nighrs, week-ends and public holidays for which additional allowances are payible. Opportunities exist for Overseas Service. All first appointments are temporary but with excellent prospects of becoming established (i.e. permanent and pensionable without Superannuation deductions)-. There are also prospects for promotion. Civil Service leave, hours and sickness benefits apply. Candidates and both parents musr have been British Subiects since birth. Applications, with full details of experience and qualifications to: The Recruitmenr Omcer, (CY OP/4) Government Communications Headquarters, Priors Road, Oakley, Cheltenham.

Pmans

OF PORTSMOUTH 63311

FOR LAUNDRY AND DRYCLEANING AT ALL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

268 DRAFTING

Only names that have been included in articles ships ships and not printed elservhere in the magazine are shos-n here. Please forward any drafts you wish shcn'n in our next edition with your article fo! the Christmas elition. InCividuals may rvrite to the Editor direct if they so desire. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information in this section is correct, rve ask readers not to treat it as authoritative in the strict sense.

Name Rate Whence lVhither AD.{MS, W. H. . CRS Mercury Juno ADKrNs, C. C. . RO2 Torquay Mercury AITKEN, P. M. . RO2 Mercury Drake AKERS, B. K, .RS Mercury Victory ALEXANDFR, R, L. . RO2 Victory Mercury ALDRTDGE, S. L. .. . LRo Mercury Highburton ALLEY, J. H. . RO2 Diamond Mercury ALLrsoN, S. J. . RO2 Mercury FIeron ANDERSoN, R. K. . RO2 Glamorgan Mercury ANDRE$,, D. . JRO l'[ercury Albion ANDRE$,S, C). 'i(. . . . RO2 Mercury Hermes ANSELL, B. rff/. . CRS Mercury Juno APPLEBY. i. C. .. . RO2 \ilhirby Mercury ARMSTRoNC, G. D. . JRO -Nlercury Juno ASTBURY. M. R. . , . RO2 Fearless Mercury AUSTIN, R. K. . RO2 Plymouth Mercury AYLorr, R. l. .. . t,Ro Mercury Excellent BArN. T. K. . RO2 Mercury Terror Bavacr. C. V. . . . RO2 Hermes Mercury Baxrru. S. C. . RO2 Mercury Aurora BAGNALL, K. A. .. .RS Mercury Warrior RARLos,. P. I-. . . . RO2 Defender Mercury BALL, C. C. . RO2 Mercury Puma BALL, R. J. . RO2 Mercury Pembroke BECKHAM, R. M. . RO2 Mercury Keppel BERTRAM, P. M. . . . RO2 i\{ercury Mauritius BELCHER, P. A. .. ,RS Mercury Dryad BENNETT, R, P' .. . RO2 Mercury $(arrior BIRD,P...... RO2 Jllercury Osprey BrssELL. I. l. .. . RO2 Mercury Charybdis Brlcxsirnx, D, A. .RS Mercury Tamar RoLroN, A. M. . .cY lVIercury Vicrory BoLToN. P. ' JRO Mercury Aurora BoYALL, F-. J. .. . RO2 Mercury Hermes RRAMLEY. N. .RS Mercury Lndurance tsrrurrnb, T. E. . RO2 Mercury l{ermes BRoADtsENT, H. .. . ROI Victory -N{ercury BRomi, D. \X'. .. . RO2 Diana Mercury BUNN. R. V. RO2 Nlercury LIandalT Burcirn, B. K. . ' . RO2 Mercury Flermes BuRwooD, D. L. . RO2 Mercury Fulmar CAHILL, B. L' . r-Ro Victory Mercury CAMERoN. S. .. . LRO Victory Mercury CASEY, T. A, . RO2 Mercury Hampshire CLARK, A. G. . RO2 Mercury \ff/arrior CLARK, D. C. . RO2 Mercury Neptune CLARK. P. H. .CY Mercury Argonaut Cnusiqrs, P. A. . RO2 Mercury Victory CoBB. G. N . RO2 Mercury Mauritius Coxobos.11. l. . RO2 Mercury Drake CooKE. D. 1'. . RO2 Mercur-v Hermes Corpv. V. . RO2 Mercury Fulmar CoLLIER, B. T. . ' . RO2 Danae MercurY CoLr.IS, R. C. . LRO Mercury Reclaim CocKER. T. D. . . LRO Victory Mercury Cosr*io. D. J. . . RO2 Mercury Whitehall CorroN, G. .RS Mercury Minerva CowMAN, D. F . RO2 Mercury Cochrane Couprm, R. . LRO Mercury Bulldog CousrNs, R. J. ,CY Mercury Ganges Courrs. G. E. . RO2 Mercury Fulmar Cna^-Hiu, T. T. . . RO2 Mercury Warrior CRoPr. B. M. . RO2 Victory Mercury Cnoucien, R. t. . ROl l\4.ercury Charybdis CUDDY, P. A . LRO Victory Mercury CULIERWELL, P. , . ,RS Osprey Mercury CURRIE, M. O. .. . RO2 Mercury !trarrior Currs, M. . IRO Mercury Hermione DAvrEs, G. . RO2 Mercury Terror DAvrEs, G. A. . RO2 Mercury Dolphin DAvrEs, M. l. . . . RO2 Decoy Mercury Drvrrs. M. R. ,RS Mercury Carpentaria Davrs. A. K. . RO2 Hermes Mercury DENNiT, S. G. .. . RO2 Malcolm Mercury DIBNAH, R. F. . RO2 Aurora Mercury DICKIE, A. . RO2 Mercury Naiad DoooY, J. .RS Pellew Mercury DRUM^{oND, J. .. . RO2 Drake Mercury Dnrw, D. J. . . , LRO Mercury Hermione 269 RADIO TECHNICIANS A number of suitably qualified candidates are required for unestablished posts, leading to permanent and pensionable employment (in Cheltenham and other parts of the UK, including London). There are also opportunities for service abroad. Applicants must be l9 or over and be familiar with the use of Test Gear, and have had practical Radio/Electronic workshop experience. Preference will be given to such candidates who can also offer "O" Level GCE passes in English Language, Maths and/or Physics, or hold the City and Guilds Telecommunications Technician lnter- mediate Certificate or equivalent technical qualifications. A knowledge of electro- mechanical equipment will be an advantage. Pay according to age, e.g. at l9-{915, at 25-{1,189 (highest pa/ on entry), rising by four annual increments to Ll ,377. Prospects of promotion to grades in salary range {1,181-L7,145. There are a few posts carrying higher salaries. These scales are being further increased at l-l-70. Annual Leave allowance of 3 weeks 3 days rising to 4 weeks 2 days. Normal Civil Service sick leave regulations apply. Application forms available from: Recruitment Officer (RT/C), Government Communications Headquarters, Oakley, Priors Road, CHELTENHAM, Glos. GL52 5AJ" GAMESMANSHIP begi ns in you r NAAFI shop where you can buy the best sports clothing and equipment

Whether you prefer to kick a ball, or throw it or hit it Naafi can set you up with the ball and the outfit you need for the game-all of it You'll discover this for yourself when you see the N aaf i S p orts C ata log ues t: in your Naali shop. Ask to see them today.

?i0 Name Rate Whence Whither DUNFoRD, J. .. . RO2 Mercury Osprey EDWARDS, N. D, . RO2 Penelope Mercury EDWARDS, R. A. J. . RO2 Mercury Drake EccLBsroN, K. .. . RO2 Mercury Osprey ELLrorr, L. E. .. .RS l\4.urray Mercury EMERY, I. G. . RO2 Mercury Neptune EMsoN, G. . LRO Victofy Mercury EvANs, I" C. . RO2 Mercury Duncan EvANs, D. J. W. .. . CCY FOFWF Mercury EVANS, D. R. . ROl Mercury Dolphin E!Es,P...... RO2 Dido Mercury FALLows, G. . RO2 Mercury Salisbury Fawcrrr, J. I-. .. .RS Mcrcury Keppel FBEK, N. R. .CY Mercury Ashanti FrrrrNcna,n, N. . JRO Mercury Charvtrdis FERNIE, C. G. . RO2 Mercury Scylll FrrzcERALD, L. A, . RO2 Mohawk Nlercury FLYNN, A. . RO2 Troubridge Mercury FRTNCH. D. K. . . . ROz Mercury Whitehall FRENG; T. F. . RO2 Victory Mercury FnurxreNo, M. P. .RS Glamorgan Mercury FnrruaN, D. K. .. . RO2 Mercury Hermes FowsroN, B. A. .CY Mercury CND GArsFoRD, R. F. .. ,. LRO Dolphin Mercury Gerucurn, G. J. .. RO2 Mercury Hermes GrrRrrrr, A. I. .. .. RO2 Kent Mercury Ga.nnlrv, A. J. . . .. RO2 Ztlw Mercu!y GARRrrr, l. . . .. RO2 Arethusa Mercury GEE, J. E. .. RO2 Victo!y Mercury GIDLow, P. G. . . .. RO2 Mercury Scylla GTLBERT, E, H. .. ., CCY Mercury Hermes GILLESPIE, M. .. RO2 Mercury Cochrane Grerruacx, J. C. .. RO2 Mercury Puma GLEN'DBN'NrNG, E. \0. .. LRO Mercury Victory GooDBoDY, P. I. .. RO2 Murray Mercury GoRDoN, A. I. .. RO2 Torquay Mercury GREGoRY, D. T. .. .. RO2 Victory Mercury GREBNAWAY, K. C. ., CRS Kent Mercury GREEN, J. M. .. RO2 Mercury Intrepid GTATBATCH, M. J. .. ROl Mercury Tangmere GRAY, R. G. .. RO2 Mercury Eastbourne Goornrv, B. .. RS Dolphin Mercury GUILDING, A. M. .. RO2 Glamorgan Mercury HAMILToN, G. .. RO2 MERCURY NEPTUNE HARTLBY, S. .. RO2 Mercury Whitehall Hffir, A. I. . . .. CY Mercury Ilermes Henorxrn, R, P. . . .. RO2 Minerva Mercury HAYsuM, S, M. .. .. RO2 Cleopatra Mercury HAYroN, R. .. RO2 Victory Mercury HAYES, D. C. .. RO2 Cleopatra Mercury HEAD, R. I" . . .. RO2 Merrur) Salisbury HEMMTNGS, \f. H. .. RO2 Zrlt Mercury HEATH, R. W. .. RS Resolution Mercury HrcKs, R. F" .. RO2 Glamorgan Mercury HrcRs, B. R. .. RO2 Mercury Drake HrLL,R... ., .. CRS Dartmouth Rooke HrLL, B. I. .. RO1 Mercury Dolphin Hor.DEN, M. R. . . .. RO2 Mercury President Howrrl, C. J, .. RO1 Ulster Mercury HowELL, R. J. .. CCY Tenby Mercurv HowBs, R. lJf. .. RO2 Mercury Vlctorv HonxrNs, G. C. .. .. RO2 Mercury ri7arri

LAcBY, D. I. . - .. RO2 Plymouth Mercury LANG. G. P. .. RO2 Mercury Vicrory LsrHBnIDr;r, I. A. .. RS Mercury St. Angelo LrMMrNo." D. B. .. .. RO2 Glamorgan Mercury Name Rate Whence Whither LrNESs, A. lRo Mercur), Keppel RO2 Mercury Neptune Loocr, R. RS Glamorgan Mercurv LoRD, J. N. LRO Ilermes Mercury -\lecalrN, G. S" . . RO2 Mercury Fulmar Macrroo, L. A. . . CCY Victory .Niercurv MACWILLIAM, M, J. RO2 Mercury Fulmar" MACreNzrE, J. A. LRO Resolution Mercury NIADDRAN, K. J. .. CRS Mercury 'I error MArHEws, M. J. CRS Mercury FO2WF MCCONKEY, J. .. LRO Mercury Hermes McCABr, C. C. . . RO2 Mercury Rapid MCWALTERS, F. G. CY Ntercury Ganges MELroN, . K. A. . CRS Mercury St. Angelo .\lELvrN, G. D. .. RO2 Andromeda Nlercury ,\'LDDLEToN, P. . . LRO Triumph Ntercury MroorsroN. K. 11. RO2 Mercur-v Dolphin MrrNs, $(/. LRO Fulmar MoRcAN, -Niercury B. RO2 Llandaff Nlercury MoRRrssoN, T. M. RO2 Kent Melcury MooRE, A. I. . . RO2 Mercury Dolpbin N'l.oRroN, . J. C. . RO2 Mercury .Ntalcolm NANGLE, E. D. .. RO2 Sirius NEARY, R. V. Mercury RS Dolphin tr{ercury NEwroN, . T. N. . RS Verulam Mercury NoxoN, P. LRO Iartar Mercury OLrvER, K, RO2 Glamorgan Mercury ORME, D. J. . . RO2 -N{ercury OWEN, T. P. Dundas RO2 Juno Mercur-v PAhrE, R. S. RO2 Mercury 'I amar RO2 ,&lercury PransoN. I. S. Hermes RO2 Mercurl' \Varrior Prn,A.']...... RO2 Mercury Reclaim Prrri,t<...... RO3 Kent Mercury RO2 Mercury Pourios, R. ' Hermes . RO2 Mercury Endurance RO2 Mercurv Vidal PnrcE,i...... RO2 Cleopatia Mercury Rrcu, E. J. RO2 Mercury Vidal RosrNsoNi. T. s. CCY Troubridge RooNEy, Mercurv l...... RS Mercury Whiteh;11 Rou'rer.Jos, G. N. . . . LRO Mercury Charybdis SAUNDERS. I. .. S. RO2 Kent ,\lercur1' Sauroorns, J. N. . . . CRS Mercury Whitehall LRO Tangmere Saunsos, T. A. Metcurv RO2 Kent ,\lercuri; Scorr,J.-.. ., .. .

& SONS.I.TD.

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