HMS OPOSSUM ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2015 1945-1958

Welcome to our Christmas Newsletter.

Welcome to our Christmas Newsletter Our next reunion will be over the weekend Friday 13th Monday to 16th May 2016 at Tillington Hall Hotel in Stafford, organized as usual by the Isle of White Tours, tel. 01983-40611. In this issue:- Chairman’s Comments, treasurer’s Report, and Roll of Honor. Followed by The Corfu Incident, Sam Edgar’s Cats & Traps, Bill Thomas Smiles & Regrets, Chemical Weapons & Human Guinea Pigs, Shipmates Humour, The Christmas Quiz, Naval Personalities – Admiral Somerville, and Lieut. Comm. Alister Mars, The Merchant Sailors Friend – Samuel Plimsoll, Your editor’s HMS Hogue – My Third Commission, Tom Quirk’s [tongue in cheek Rindercella and the sugly isters, Our Chairman – LAew Mise r&r Vy eCrha rriusntmniansg aan pdu ba , HKaapmpiyka azned a tHtaecaklsth, Pyh Noetowg rYaepahrs t of A olul r Scarborough reunion [2015] plus answers to the Christmas Quiz. Chairman’s Comments

Question, have you booked for next year’s reunion? Please do so now to swell our numbers – bring along relatives and friends – you know how good a time we have. With best wishes for the Christmas festivities and a brand New Year to look forward too. Sincerely Yours Aye Lewis Trinder

President Rear Admiral D. J. Mackenzie Rtd [52] Chairman Lewis Trinder 108 NorthLane, Aldershot Hants GU12 4QT 01252-323861 [email protected] [45] Secretary/Editor Eddie Summerfold 28 Greymont Road, Limefield, Bury, Lancs. BL9 6PN 0161-764-8778 [email protected] [54] Treasurer Sam Edgar 21 Heath Lawns, Fareham, Hants PO15 5QB 1 01329-235732 [email protected] [57] Website hmsopossum.org.uk Treasurer’s Report

Brought Forward:- £1,388.51 Income:- Subs £200, Raffle £210 and Donations £160 = £570 Expenditure:- £43.10 [FuneraRl ofl lR ooyf HWooondo]r Balance:- £1,915.41

John Cartwright John Eardly Wilmot Ronald Bradley Harry[Scouse]Barlow Albert Corless J W Powell Les Wood Bob Gray David Jarvis Ken Harris John Williams George Scott Harry Roach Reg Parker Pat Norman Fred Thompson George Fletcher Ivan C Haskell Fred[Mick]Bodel George H Richards Fred King John Davison Sid Pemberton George Curry Steven Hart George Brown Cliff Harthill Jack Marshall Arthur Pope Stewart A Porter Dick[Ginger]Bird Jackie Scholes Les Dimmock Joe Gornall John Bray Doug Banks Cornelious Canon Jim Tribe Harry Woolams Pete Maddox John Fraser Doug Goulding John Hardman Cyril Mason Bill Bolton Harry Catterson Mike Swayne Ken Phillips Jack Richards Bill Bovey Ron Hare George[Jan]Lobb William[Bill]Wilder Bill Price Edward[Ted]Longstaff Ken Slater Martin George Peter Lockwood Mike Cole Jim Payne Bert Rimmer Ron Blundy Roy Cope Ken Carson John W C Clark John Blair Willy Mitchell Tony Harris Charles Parker Alan Percival Alister Hunter Blair Ron Blundy Brian Healey Roy Wood John Jones

2 THE CORFU INCIDENT – October 1946

Fourteen months after the end of the Second World War, two Royal Naval mined and, heavily damaged - 44 killed, a similar number badly wounded.

HMS Saumarez - so badly damaged, declared a write off

HMS Volage - with her bows blown off, later repaired and converted to a type 15 The scene was between the island of Corfu and the coast of Albania. The first incident happened on 15th May 1946 when the Orion and Suberb, with destroyers, following a prior inspection and clearing the straight were fired upon from the Albanian coast. No hits registered and no casualties. The cruisers did not reply but informed the Admiralty. The British governm3ent protested to Albania that their ships were on peaceful legitimate duties with clearing up and making safe the seas around Corfu after the Second World War. No reply was received from Albania. The summer months slipped by then in October the British government requested a show of force from the , an attempt to gain political achievement, in short ‘gun boat diplomacy’ by sailing through the straights between Corfu and Albania to test that they could do so in international waters. Rarely has a government miscalculated the actions of another, Albania was not to be pushed around! On Tuesday 22nd October the small group of warships, the cruisers Mauritius and Leander together with the destroyers Saumarez and Volage left the port of Corfu, but instead of sailing South to join up with the rest of the Mediterranean Fleet for the annual regatta they deliberately sailed North under highly secret orders marked XCU to test the strength of Albania’s defiance, if the ships were fired on they must reply. All ships were closed up at action stations. Mauritius lead followed in line ahead by the Saumarez, speed ten knots, and two miles behind came Leander and Volage. Sadly the Royal Naval ships were in for a shock. Instead of using coastal guns to protect her coastline Albania had persuaded their friendly neighbour’s Yugoslavia who had mine layers and a huge stock of German mines left over after the war to do some sowing around her coast line; this was completed under cover of darkness, only nine days before Mauritius and Saumarez showed up. The Royal Navy had spent much time and effort in making sure all these waters were clear of mines – but unknown not this new field! At 2.53pm precisely a colossal explosion rocked Saumarez and she was brought to a standstill, smoke and flames billowing skywards. She would never sail under her own power again, and was later declared a write-off. Thirty-six men were killed, many more wounded. Volage was sent to take her in tow when she too was mined, her bows blown off! One officer and seven men killed, many wounded. On 12th November the Royal Navy sent in and again made the waters safe, collecting two specimens from thirty laid, found to be of German manufacture and brand new, weighing 600lbs each.

The heated debate though the international courts of Albania denying any involvement in damage to the ships of the Royal Navy and the irrefutable evidence to the contrary - lasted nearly three years. Britian wanted confirmation of Albania’s guilt, an apology and compensation. The international court eventually found Albania guilty and agreed a compensation figure of £843,497 to include £50,000 for pensions of bereaved families and those wounded, the rest for repairs to Volage and the loss of Saumarez, including scrap value.

Albania’s compensation to Britian has never been paid. Hopes that this poor country would ever meet it’s debt has long been abandoned. In the words of the parliamentarian Mr Boyd-Carpenter, and others agreed with him, that Albania had literally got away with murder.

The story mainly based on“ The Corfu Incident” by Eric Leggett – published by Seeley Services 1974

4 CATS and TRAPS

by Sam Edgar

A Gannet aircraft above HMS Eagle

In the last Newsletter I described the nerve racking experience of the LOX plant fire on HMS Eagle. This is a much happier story of how I as a submariner came to be in an aircraft launched by steam catapult and landed back on the arrester wires. Like all hard working ships Eagle was a happy one. The Officers in the wardroom all got on well with each other, especially engineers and air crew and a particular bond developed between us into firm friendships. By October 1971, we had left the Far East and headed West towards the Persian Gulf to provide cover for Britain’s withdrawal from that region. The ship was operating off the island of Masira where there was an RAF base which provided a diversionary airfield necessary for flying operations. The Air department bosses kept thinking up various exercises to keep the squadrons busy. One exercise was downright dangerous and did not meet with air crew approval.

This navigational exercise would involve a Bu5ccaneer bomber, a Sea Vixen fighter and a Gannet – with their different speeds, meeting at exactly the same time at some point deep in the desert. All three would arrive from different directions and cross over with a 100 feet vertical separation. The Buccaneer on top, the Vixen beneath and the Gannet below with only 100 feet above the desert. Low level flying without the required instrumentation is not recommended, there is a danger of becoming mesmerized and simply spearing in. The senior pilot of 849 Squadron [Gannets] volunteered and an American exchange officer felt he needed to be involved and would be navigator. The Gannet carries two observers who sit side by side in the middle of the aircraft. The navigator sits to port – while the starboard seat is occupied by the Airborne Early Warning [AEW] radar operator. As there was no AEW requirement on this flight the seat was vacant – other aircrew declined – this is were I came in. Having just come off the forenoon watch I had plenty of free time, when asked by a good friend, a Gannet pilot, if I would like to fly, I jumped at the chance. My senior engineer’s permission was obtained, who thought it was just a quick spin in the rescue helicopter, always airborne during flying operations. Next came the kitting out, with an immersion suit, borrowed flying suit, plus parachute then attending the flight briefing. I was shown how to open the hatch, seen in the photograph just in front of the roundel. A cheerful pilot told me not to worry if I got it wrong – nobody ever survives getting out, as the tail plane cuts them in half! The American officer was cheerful and helpful in making this flight experience enjoyable – he got me strapped in, then we were on the catapult. The excited anticipation as the engine is wound up to full power with only the ‘hold back’ preventing us surging forward. Finally with a full charge of steam the catapult is released, the ‘hold back’ breaks , as it’s designed to, with an almighty belt in the back, we are off. A fantastic sight looking down on Eagle at high speed, still launching aircraft. We climbed high to fly over the mountains on Masira then down to the desert to start the exercise which went very well. Via my head set, I could hear the two jets at the rendezvous point but never saw them, things move so very fast. A relieved pilot climbed to a safe height and told he would take me on a sight seeing tour, on our way back to Eagle. Down below we soon found camel trains, some a mile long, traversing the Arabian peninsula. We remained high to prevent spooking the camels, our plane saluted with dipped wings, they returned the greeting and waved back. Then over to the West side of the island where several colonies of pink flamingos, tens of thousand of them, when the large flocks took to the wing what a spectacular sight. Then back to Eagle for a deck landing, just in time for supper. My American friend told me to tighten up my straps, I did as tight as I could, not satisfied he yelled “ Sam tighten your god dammed straps up.” I had another go. In desperation he undid his own and leaned over and hauled mine so tight I could hardly breathe. The sensation of catching the arrester wire at 180 knots, in 50 yards is quite a shock to the system. My face almost brushed the radar screen in front. Then American drawled, “See what I mean, buddy.” He got a few beers for that. So ended an unforgettable experience that falls to very few non air crew and even fewer submariners.

While the Senior engineer was secretly pleased that one of his team had done this special exercise, he nonetheless pointed out that I had jumped the queue of a long list of carrier men who had their names down on a waiting list for just such a flying opportunity. “They should follow my example and make friends with the air crew.” Was my only comment.

6 SMILES and REGRETS

by Bill Thomas

When I served on HMS Belfast one of my duties was side boy on the quarterdeck to greet the visitors as they came on board. After de-mob, many years later I was in Istanbul as guest of the port Chaplin when HMS Belfast came on an official visit The Chaplin invited me to join his party for drinks on the quarterdeck. We were piped on board and greeted by the officer of the watch, a Petty officer, a Leading seaman, a Royal Marine bugler and a side boy. After a while, drink in hand, I got into conversation with the Petty officer and told him how tickled I was to be treated with such a welcome since I once was once a lowly side boy. As we left the ship the gangway was manned as before, I was the last of the party to leave. As I stepped forward, all hands fell smartly to their sides, as a voice in my ear said, “We know better this time Jack.”

On a London visit I took my wife to see my old ship HMS Belfast, a sad experience! The once scrubbed quarter deck now grimy. The brass work on the Admirals barge, I had once burnished bright till it gleamed like gold, now tarnished. The ensign I had dipped to Field Marshal Montgomery in just a grey rag! The very mess where I’d slung my hammock has been preserved as an example of how it used to be now dusty with grubby cutlery laid on the table - and masses of Japanese tourist clicking away with their cameras. Belfast is about ten years younger than me, while I do expect her to show her age but not to be neglected like this. My Question is, what’s the point of keeping her if nobody is prepared to keep her ship shape?

A passenger jet was flying through a severe thunderstorm with passengers being bounced about. A lady sitting next to a clergyman asked, “You’re a man of God can’t you do something?” Lady, I’m in Sales not Management.

If God had meant man to fly he would have given him more money

Take offs are optional, Landings are mandatory.

The only time wgen you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire!

The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.

The propelleris just a big fan in front of the plane to keep the pilot cool want proof? make it stop, then watch the pilot break out in a sweat.

7 CHEMICAL WEAPONS and HUMAN GUINEA PIGS

While this is not an exclusive story about ships and the Navy, in exchange for extra pay and leave entitlement - Opossum members may recall seeing on barrack drill shed notice boards requests for volunteers to take part in experiments against the common cold, to be carried out at Porton Down in Wiltshire. We now know - all is not what it seemed, health and safety regulations were far into the future. Porton Down had been the centre of biological warfare for Britain in response to the German Army first using mustered gas against our troops at Ypres in April 1915. Since then through two World Wars and well into the 1980’s experiments have been carried out on well over 22,000 British servicemen who were used as human guinea pigs into all forms of chemical warfare, not just the common cold. Sadly deceived into being use in experiments without fully knowing the truth in that no lasting harm would come to them is a story of a culture of secrecy and deceit! What about these experiments, firstly volunteers were told that they would be free of military duties, be given very good quality food, would be free each evening, no parades in a relaxed environment, very reassuring! Further they were told that no physical discomfort would be felt as result of these tests and would only be very slight harmful effects and always be under expert medical supervision. Tests they were told were carefully planned to avoid the slightest chance of danger, seemed further reassurance to the volunteers. They were req8uired to sign the official secrets act and not to bring camera’s to Porton Down. However, one scientist remarked, “If we advertised for people to suffer agony, you would not get any volunteers.” Yet thousands did, believing they were doing a service for their country in return for some small cash payment and a few days extra leave! Perhaps the worst case recorded, there were many others, who endured much discomfort , as well as psychological and physical pain. Leading aircraftsman Ronald Maddison went into a Gas chamber at 10am 6th May 1953, and within an hour was pronounced dead! He had been subjected to 200mg of the nerve gas Sarin. The ending of this airman is quite gruesome. Initially he was experiencing breathing difficulties, was given out side the gas chamber ‘atropine’ an antedote – but sadly had little effect! He lay on the ground wildly thrashing about, his limbs shaking violently, while making a gurgling –babbling noise from his throat. A Coroners Court was convened to established the caused of death, this was suppressed by the Government of the day in the interests of national security and disclosure of classified information. In short ministers were more concerned with secrecy, human volunteers were often of secondary concern! Stalling on national security grounds for 50 years before the government consented to a public inquest that duly concluded that Maddison had been unlawfully killed. Sadly this hideous accident didn’t halt experiments at Porton Down. A squad of 16 Royal Marine volunteers was selected for a three day field exercise. On the second day scientists spiked the men’s water with LSD [lysergic acid diethylamide] They were told nothing about the potential psychotic effects. Discipline quickly deteriorated the soldiers wandered aimlessly around, in full view of a potential enemy. They fed imaginary birds, climbed or chopped down imaginary trees, even pointing rifles and machine guns at their own comrades. Laughing these troops refused to board the ambulance at the conclusion of the exercise. Most made a recovery from their hallucinations but two had to be admitted to hospital, one suffered temporary breakdown. Another RAF volunteer Richard Skinner told he was to be injected with a mild dose of an anaesthetic . This was newly developed psychological incapacitant called T3436. Later he reported that after taking the drug he thought he’d been talking to a dead school friend. A video of the experiment showed he’d talked for over four hours to a fire extinguisher. He still endures sleepless nights and frequent nightmares. Not until 2008 did the government recognize the claims of hundreds of victims and offered compensation. Governments who insist on secrecy in the name of national security are not to be trusted – says the author.

Taken from ‘Secret Science’ by Ulf Schmidt Oxford University Press 2015

I’m so depressed - my doctor refused to write me a prescription for viagra “He said it would be like putting a ne flagpole on a condemned building.”

What did one virus say to another, “Stay away, I think i’ve got penicillin.”

What’s white and runs through the desert with a bedpan. Florence of Arabia.

“Doctor, doctor these pills you gave me for BO....” “Whats wrong with them?” “They keep slipping out from under my arms!” 9 “Doctor, doctor I think I’m a race horse” “Nonsense, just take one of these pills every four furlongs!” SHIPMATES HUMOUR

An old sailor on his hundredth birthday was asked by a newspaper journalist what was the secret of looking so young and living so long? “Well, said the old tar when I was a young lad in the Navy I served on a in the Far East. One day I was ashore in Hong Kong and went inside a herbalist shop attracted by their colourful and interesting window display.” The old herbalist asked, if I’d like to know the secret of living to a ripe old age? “Why of course,” I replied. “It’s this, take a teaspoon full of gunpowder with your tea every morning, I’ve got some on special offer, with full instructions.” “I’ll take up your offer, then rely on the ships gunnery department. And that’s the secret, of looking young and living to a ripe old age; I’ve been drinking my morning tea with a teaspoon of gunpowder all my life.” A few years later when the old sailor Crossed the Bar, he left behind four children, ten grand children and eight great, great grand children - as well as an 80ft wide crater where the local crematorium used to be.

A young man was driving past a farm when he spied a pig with a wooden leg. Puzzled, he pulled over and approached the farmer, “What’s the story with the pig?” “That pig can recognize 100 different commands, work out mathematical equations in the dirt and speak 25 words,” says the farmer. “So what’s with the wooden leg,” asks the young man. “Well, replied the farmer, when a pig is that special, you don’t eat him all at once!”

A judge is questioning a woman “And what are the grounds for divorce?” “Oh she replied, about four acres, with a small stream running by.” “No, says the judge, I mean what is the foundation of this case.” “Oh right, the woman continues, concrete bricks and mortar.” “No, no, the judge reiterates, what are your relations like?” “I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, smiles the woman, and my husbands sister isn’t far away.” “Dear God, pleads the judge lets try this as simply as we can, do you have a grudge?” “Oh no, says the women, we have a huge driveway – we never needed one to be honest.” “Is there any infidelity in your marriage?” “Both my son and daughter have stereo sets, explains the woman, they’re always blaring out music.” “Madam, asks the judge, getting sick to the back of his teeth, does your husband beat you up?” “Occasionally, she replies, about twice a week he gets up 20 minutes before me.” “That’s it, screams the judge, why do you want a divorce?” “Oh, I don’t want a divorce, still smiling, my husband does – he says he can’t communicate with me.”

Out of courtesy, sharkes never attackl lawyers.

A jury consists of twelve people chosen to decide who has the best lawyer. 10 What do you get when you cross a god togethor with a lawyer An offer you can’t understand. CHRISTMAS QUIZ

As usual no prizes – but answers can be found on the back page

1. Who was the first actor to refuse an Oscar?

2. Which city in the world has the oldest university?

3. Where was the explosive Semtex manufactured?

4. What is the capital of Greenland?

5. If a wine is said to be flabby - what does it lack?

6. What are the two colours of Pakistan national flag?

7. A fear of floods is known as what?

8. Columbia is the capital of which U.S. State?

9. In 1947 which playwright was born in Whiston, Merseyside?

10. Which British city was the first to erect a monument to Lord Nelson?

11. Who wrote, “The Sound and the Fury?

12. What is a Swedish platter?

13. What is Julia Andrews real name?

14. Who composed the opera “The Golden Cockerel?

15. Which seasonal rose is from the genus Helleborus?

16. Name the poet awarded the Order of Merit in 1953?

17. In music what is meant by the expression ‘pesante’

18. Around 1900 which artist painted “Dancer at the Bar? tournament?

19. What country has the lek as a unit of currency?

11 NAVAL PERSONALITIES [13]

Admiral Sir James Fownes Somerville [1882-1949]

Born Weybridge Surrey 17th July 1882, joined Britannia as a Cadet January 1897, thirteen years later promoted to Lieutenant specializing in wireless telegraphy, reached the rank of Commodore by 1933 and Rear admiral in 1939 - given command of Force H in 1940, It was while in this post that he had the most trying time of his naval career. He was ordered, through the Admiralty, by premier Churchill , who said, “ You are charged with one of the most disagreeable tasks that a British Admiral has ever been faced with, we have complete confidence in you and know you will carry out the order relentlessly. ”This referred to the possibility of the French Fleet falling into German hands after their capitulation in June 1940. France had been Britain’s ally for more than one hundred years; Wednesday 3rd July was the deadline. Negotiations had been going on all day for the French fleet at Mers-El-Kebir to join up with the Royal Navy in fighting Germany, or sail to British ports with reduced crews or sail to French Matinque [West Indies]and start dematerializing or sink the fleet at their moorings otherwise face attack by the British fleet from outside the anchorage. Sadly Admiral Gensoul didn’t give the full alternatives to his superior Admiral Daren in Toulon. By late afternoon Somerville received the curt signal from Churchill, “What are you waiting for?” At 17.54 Somerville put into action Operation Catapult when the battle cruiser Hood, Valiant and Resolution opened fire, aircraft from Ark Royal had already the mined the harbour approaches. Ten minutes later a French battle ship had sunk, others badly damaged, 1,297 officers and men killed, many more wounded, some French ships escaped and several ships replied with gunfire. But no damage or casualties to the British ships except two fliers missing. Somerville believed that this was the biggest political blunder, that the whole world would be against Britain. Yet the action demonstrated that Britain would fight on with or without allies. Later Somerville commanded the Eastern Fleet after major set backs with reinforcements attacked the Japan12 ese what was the Dutch East Indies. He retired as an Admiral of the Fleet and given many honors. Became Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and died aged 66 in March 1949, buried at the local church. NAVAL PERSONALITIES [14]

Lieutenant Commander Alister Mars DSO, DSC and Bar [1915-1985]

Alister Mars was born in St. Johns Newfoundland, Canada on New Years Day 1915 – entered the Royal Navy in 1932 and the submarine service four years later. In November 1941 he was appointed to command the submarine HMS Unbroken, building at Barrow-in- Furness. She was of 600tons displacement, had four torpedo tubes, a 3inch deck gun and a ships company of only thirty-two. Before sailing for trials he gave his men a pep talk. “I know what I want and I’m going to get it. Promise your wives and families that you will return because we are going to be successful. To be a successful submarine demands every ounce of your loyalty and strength. Your officers are young but they have my weight of experience and training behind them. Obey orders without question – even a bad order well executed leads to a better result then a good order ruined by indecision. A bad order can be countermanded, a slackly obeyed order leads to confusion – in a submarine confusion leads to disaster. You will learn more discipline with me than you ever dreamed of – the proper sort of discipline – self discipline. What was good enough in other submarines will not be good enough here. Only your best will do – I’m going to have the best and your going to give it to me.” Later as he walked through the boats messdecks he noticed newspaper advertisements for Mars bars, with hand written captions – Nothing but the best is good enough for Mars! At one stage of 1942 Unbroken was the only Royal Naval submarine in the Mediterranean, seven boats were lost to enemy action in 1941, twice as many lost in 1942! Unbroken sank 30,000 tons of Axis shipping including two Italian cruisers in the same action, landed saboteurs and completed gun actions – also withstood over four hundred depth charge attacks. But as Mars predicted she returned home safely. Later in 1943 Mars became a staff officer at HMS Dolphin, the following year a further command with the submarine HMS Thule in the Far East returned to the UK in November 1945. Then a posting to New Zealand, spent quite a time arguing for extra living allowances. Then to Hong Kong with a sick wife, the family heavily in debt returned home a sick man straight to hospital. Tried to sort out his financial affairs, appealed to the Admiralty, who had him arrested and court marshaled for insubordination and AWOL, dismissed the Service in 1952. Tried and fail1e3 d at politics but did become a successful author publishing 12 naval books between 1954 and 1968. Died in Ipswich aged 70 in 1986. THE MERCANT SAILORS FRIEND – SAMUEL PLIMSOLL

Samuel Plimsoll was born in Bristol in 1824 – the family moved around, Penrith and Sheffield, left school at an early age and got a job at Rawsons brewery eventually becoming a manager. Before age 30 he tried his hand at being a London coal merchant, sadly this venture failed and he became destitute – living in a common lodging house for a few shillings a week. It was during this time that he sympathized with the daily struggles of the poor. When his life eventually improved he devoted his time to improving their conditions. Especially to what became known as ‘coffin ships’ unseaworthy craft, often overloaded, always heavily insured so unscrupulous owners risked the lives of their crews for personal gain! Aged 43 he was elected to Parliament as the member for Derby and pressed for a bill dealing with the safe load line for shipping. The main problem was ship owners had powerful supporters in the House who argued that MP’s shouldn’t interfere with running their businesses! However, Plimsoll wrote a book ‘Our Seaman’ containing much documentary evidence, that received wide circulation, and in 1873 a Royal Commission was appointed, resulting in a shipping bill proposal. But Prime minister Disraeli announced the bill would be dropped! Plimsoll lost his self control, applied the term villians to members of the House and shook his fist in the Speakers face. Disraeli moved that he be reprimanded. Eventually Plimsoll apologized. Many shared his views, including Lord Shaftsbury who got the “Times” involved resulting in a government rethink and at long last a bill was passed on load safety incorporated into the Merchant Shipping Act. This gave stringent powers of inspection to the Board of Trade to enforce ship owners to have their vessels marked to indicate a safe load limit that became known as the Plimsoll Line. Though he was reelected for Derby in 1880 he gave his seat to William Vernon Harcourt who was appointed Home Secretary believing he could advance the sailors interests more effectively than a private member. Later he lost faith with the Liberal Party because of a breach of faith in neglecting further shipping reforms, such as drawing attention to the appalling horrors of overcrowding on transporting livestock on cattle ships. Though he never returned to Parliament he did become Honorary President of the National Sailor’s and Fireman’s Union.

Plimsoll died at Fokstone in Kent aged 74.

14 A memorial to him and his endeavours , on behalf of seamen, can still be seen on the Victorian Embankment in London. HMS HOGUE, 1957-58

by Eddie Summerfold

HMS Hogue 1945-62

My third naval commission was from 21st May 1957 to 18th November 1958. The ship was HMS Hogue a battle class destroyer, who’d spent most of her life in reserve. Displaced 2,315 tons – 3,300 full load. Had a forward main armament of two twin 4.5inch turrets, five single bofor guns, and two twin STAAG mounts [bofors] radar controlled at the stern, plus two quadruple 21inch torpedo tubes. Her engines could develop 50,000 SHP a top speed of 32knots and had a ships company of 280 men. I knew the Opossum was recommissioning about the same time and hoped to be included in the draft. But found my name down on Devonport drill shed notice board for Hogue. Never heard of her! I was a not very confident Ordinary seaman feeling like cattle fodder off to join another HM Ship. I was not happy, having recently acquired a girl friend, Sylvia, back in Heywood, she was even less happy at the prospect of me being away in the Mediterranean for the next nine months. But did manage to wrangle a couple of long weekends before the ship left for Portland and the work-up. Afterwards we sailed for the Med in company with HMS Solebay [leader] and HMS Lagos, we were to be the 1st destroyer squadron, Hogue would be tail end Charlie. was just a continuation of the Portland with lots of exercises. My action station was the right gun of ‘B’ turret, closed-up for many hours in a very cramped hot space where I was cordite supply. Strangely I was billeted in 17 mess back aft in the torpedo branch mess, that always smelt of shale oil. Hogue’s first real task was Cyprus patrol, based off shore at Kyrenia, sailing back and forth to the Western tip of the island on the look-out for gun runners, we never found any! A hit record at the time was Nancy Whiskey singing Freight Train, Freight Train. We did enjoy a link-up with the Lancashire Fusiliers and exchange visits were made. Then a bit of flag showing at Venice and Trieste, there Hogue docked stern-to wit1h5 both anchors down and running out cable. Sylvia got tired of waiting and I got a Dear John! Back to Malta for the fleet regatta, where Hogue consistently came second. A rare single ship visit to the harbour of Tobruk, a few visited the RAF base El Adam somewhere in the desert, rusted military hardware from the Second World War could still be seen. By the end of November Hogue was in Tarragona when the ship was struck down with Asian flu. Next stop where I too succumbed to the virus! I was now an Able seaman and put my name down to take the next seamanship board for killick, my studies and instruction had to take a back seat. I and others had managed to save up £36 each for a return flight from Gibraltar to Heathrow and so had Christmas at home, the first for three years, Hogue was now in refit. In January Opossum called at Gib on her way from Simonstown to Devonport, looking in good shape yet on the list for disposal. Some member of the fire party left a hose running and on a Monday morning when Hogue was due to leave the dry dock, Number 1 boiler room was under 10 feet of water, the refit had to be extended by a month! Another flag showing port was at Lisbon, where aboard Lagos I took the seamanship board and passed for killick. I had not had much success with women so at Easter I took up motorcycling by purchasing a BSA 250 single cylinder, side valve machine. Rode it home to Heywood, Lancs. and travelled many miles to and from Devonport. After Easter leave it was the Home part of the commission and I was given, as a passed killick, more responsible jobs. I was now breechworker of the right gun of ‘B’ turret, as Buffer’s yeoman I did any wire or rope splicing; as well as often going away as cox’n in the whaler or moter boat. Once on exercise in heavy weather West of Ireland Hogue was re-fuelling from a tanker when she sheered away and ripped out the branch pipe screwed to the deck, that pumped out 6 ton a minute of FFO! The ship was soon covered in thick black oil, even as far down as the overtaking light at the stern! A hell of a job to clear up, as watch on deck I successfully claimed a full set of new clothing, even socks. Hogue limped into Londonderry where we repainted ship. The visits to Frederikshavn and Gothenburg, here we watched the World Cup when England played Austria drawing 2 each. During summer leave I was retired party for Devonport Navy Days with Hogue parked on one side of a basin, twice each afternoon we demonstrated torpedo firing, my job using the motor boat to retrieve the tin fish. After leave we sailed for Hull, as the Cod War had broken out! Here we collected a fisheries advisor and his party then proceeded to Iceland. Where the weather was foggy or the seas very lumpy and the cold damp air got into every crevice of the ship. We had been issued with artic clothing, but it didn’t keep out the cold. Chasing gun boats, never ending watch keeping and short dark days but on clear nights the aurora borealis would put on a magnificent display. Once I spent a complete day on board the Hull trawler ‘Leeds United,’ the smell of fish was almost over powering. The meals were either beef, pork or lamb anything – but fish! For fifteen days, out of twenty-one [three days each spent on reaching the grounds or returning to Hull] it’s constant work, - night and day whatever the weather, shooting the gear and bringing in the catch. One guy spent the entire trip down below in the fish room sorting the catch and icing each kit basket. The skipper was earning about £16,000 a year, the mate half as much and the crew, whatever their job – seaman, stoker etc. received the same pay- a percentage of the catch. Three days in harbour then back out to sea. [As a comparison in pay rates, as an A/B I was on about £7 a week.] Hogue made three trips, we found Hull a lively place, sadly now along with Fleetwood and Grimsby they are just a shadows of their former days. Bang down to earth, before paying-off – back to navy routine and Captain ‘D’s inspection! And so the 16 commission ended. In eighteen months Hogue had done it’s fair share of exercises ‘Great Dane’, ‘Fresh Wind,’ ‘Combine’ and ‘Medswex.’ Fired 1,723 4.5inch shells, nearly 4,000 of 40mm ammunition. Done some flag showing in foreign harbours, Cyprus and Iceland patrols, and steamed 39,695 miles. The ship was recommissioned. The following year, an accident occurred with the cruiser Mysore, Hogue was badly damaged, and deemed a write-off. Our President John MacKenzie, had as Hogue’s First Lieutenant to testify against his Captain as to the circumstances of the collision.

Hogue’s damage bow

At the Salerno landings in 1943, a young Lieutenant RNVR, newly in command of a small landing craft - steamed right accross the bows of a . The captain sent a sarcastic signal:- Have you onboard a copy of the ‘Ruled the Road?’ An immediate reply from the landing craft:- ‘Yes, what is it you wish to know?’

17 BBC’s board of censor’s failure – only for a laugh

from Tom Quirk The story of Rindercella and her sugly isters. [Only Ronnie Barker could have got away with this, doing his best speedy delivery, and without a snigger. Transmitted on BBC TV during the 1970’s]

Rindercella and her sugly isters lived in a marge lansion. Rindercellia worked very hard frubbing sloors, emptying poss pits and shivelling shot. At the end of the day she was knucking fackered. The sugly isters were right bugly astards, one was called Mary Hinge, the other Betty Swallocks, they had tickets to go to the ball but the cotton runts wouldn’t let Rindercella go! Suddenly there was a bucking fang, and her gairy fodmother appeared. Her name was Shairy Hirhole and she was a light rucking fesbian. She turned a pumpkin and six mite wice into a hucking cuge farriage with six dandy ronkeys had buge hillock and dig bicks. The gairy fodmother told Rindercella to be back by dimlight otherwise there would be a cucking falamity. At the ball, Rindercella was dancing with the prandsome hince when suddenly the clock struck twelve “Mist all chucking frighty!!!” said Rindercella, as she ran out tripping barse over ollocks, so dropping the slass glipper. The very next day, the pransome hince knocked on Rindercella’s door and the sugly isters let him in. Suddenly, Betty Swallocks lifted her keg and let off a fig bart. “Who’s fust barted?” asked the prandsome hince. “Blame that fugly ucker over there,” said Mary Hinge. When the stinking brown cloud had lifted, he tried the slass glipper on both sugly isters without success and their feet stucking funk. Betty Swallocks was ducking fisgusted and gave the prandsome hince a knack in the kickers. This was not difficult as he had bucking fuge halls and a big bard on. He tried the slass glipper on Rindercella and it fitted pucking ferfectly and Rindercela and the prandsome hince were married. The prandsome hince lived his life in lucking fuxury, and Rindercella lived hers with a follen swanny.

Recently a man in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. He got past all the securities was making his getaway but captured two blocks away when his Renault ran out of fuel. When asked how he could have masterminded such a crime then make an obvious error, he replied, “I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.”

I have climbed the ladder of success - wrong by wrong (Mae West)

18 LEWIS and VERA, and there success at running a pub

Our Chairman Lewis Trinder was brought up in a pub run by his father, Alfred Thomas, at The Liverpool Arms at Haywards Heath. When Lewis was discharged from the Navy after World War Two he took jobs with the brewery trade, then obtained the licence for The Princess of Wales pub on Aldershot’s High Street. There he and his wife Vera traded for the next twenty years.

Lewis & Vera Trinder During this tenure a row broke out, when 25 year old Mr Larry Law, a Libertarian Socialist candidate, in neighbouring Farnborough council elections, alleged that Aldershot pubs were probably the largest walking brothels in the South of England! He claimed he drew this knowledge from his own experiences of going into Aldershot pubs, even when he had been with his wife “I’ve had females leering at me, it’s pretty obvious what they are at!” The local License Victuallers Association were not happy with this allegation and demanded this man prove his brothel statement with facts, name the pu1b9 s he referred to or back down. Meanwhile his committee considered circulating all 48 Aldershot pubs with his picture, “Don’t serve this man.” Meanwhile Lewis staged his own protest and out side his own pub he hung a sign ‘Brothel now open’ Customers walking into the bar asking about the notice were told that according to this chap Law we are one of the town’s 48 brothels in Aldershot. Lewis said, “It was a tongue in cheek way of registering my protest about this man’s insulting and unsubstantiated remarks.” Result nothing came of the politicians accusations.

Later Lewis and Vera took on The Castle Inn near Redhill in Surrey and worked together for a further four years. After many years in the license trade they retired. Vera said, “It will be a relief to move in one way, we will miss a lot of good friends but we especially look forward to having leisure time at weekends for the first time in twenty-four years.” While Lewis said, “It’s been a colourful busy life, I’ll miss that part, hardly a day goes by without something interesting involving us or our customers Surprisingley both were teetotalers so they made a financial success of their time as licensee’s.

Lewis father Alfred Thomas Trinder joined HMS Ganges in July 1909, present at the Battle of Jutland on the destroyer HMS Garland, was a member of the successful field gun crew at Olympia in 1924, the only torpedoman among the all the gunnery ratings. He retired as Petty officer in 1933. But in 1939 he was recalled and served until June 1942, aged 49 when he was discharged physically unfit for further service.

To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, then call whatever your target.

A Smith and Wesson beats four aces.

A cannibal, may voyage on the QE2 went into the restaurant for lunch, The head waiter gave him the menu “This is no good to me, said the cannibal, Bring me the passenger list.”

20 KAMIKAZE

HMS Formidable after a Kamikaze attack

During the last months of the Second World War Kamikaze [devine or spirit wind] were suicide attacks against Allied ships by aviators from the Empire of Japan. Designed to destroy warships more effectively than conventional attacks. The tradition of death instead of defeat/perceived shame was deeply entrenched in the Japanese military culture. It was one of the traditions in the Samurai life and Bushido code – loyalty and honor until death. How did the Allies counter these attacks? They instituted Combat Air Patrols [CAP’s] at least 30-40 miles out from the carriers and a line of picket destroyers to improve radar interception. Allied pilots were more experienced, better trained and flew superior aircraft, making the poorly trained Kamikaze pilots easy targets. Allied gunners had rapid firing 40mm Bofors and 20mm Oerlikon guns, bigger calibres AA guns with proximity fuzes, on average seven times more effective than regular shells. The peak Kamikaze attacks were between April- June 1945 during the battle to take Okinawa. US carriers suffered with having flight decks made of timber, whereas British carriers had armoured flight decks and could stand great damage. Our carrier HMS Formidable was twice hit over two days by suicide pilots but was back in operation within hours. A USN liaison officer on the carrier ‘Indefatigable’ said “When a kamikaze hits a US carrier it’s six months under repair at Pearl Harbour, whereas when a Limey carrier is hit, it’s a case of sweepers man your brooms.” Not only carriers were Kamikaze targets but also destroyers on picket duty, and when they were hit it was a case of bye, bye ship and sailors! Approximately 3,860 kamikaze pilots died in attacks, of those around 19 percent managed to hit a ship. Overall the kamikaze’s failed in turning the tide to prevent the Allied advance and ultimate victory. 21 L to R, Jan Clout, Vera & Lewis Trinder, Bill Mitchell and Marge Clout.

L to R, Ben Berger, Nick & Pat Whytcock and Ken Hodgkin.

22 L to R, Harry Armstrong, Tom Quirk, Pat Armstrong, Rita & Sam Edgar.

R to L, Agnes (top of head) Dick Wright, Ellie & Derek Howe, Bill and Sarah Mitchell.

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L to R, Marge Clout, Vera Tinder, Pat & Nick Whytcock and Ben Berger. S c a r b o r o u g h

r e u n i o n

M a y

2 0 1 5

H M S

O p o s s u m

A s s o c i a t i o n

Answers to the Christmas Quiz. 1. George C Scott, 2. Cairo, 3. Czechoslovakia, 4. Godthab, 5. Acidity, 6. White & Green, 7. Antiophobia, 8. South Carolina, 9. Willy Russell, 10. Glasgow, 11. William Falkener, 12. Pancake, 13. Julia Elizabeth Webb, 14. Rimsky-Korsakov, 15. Christmas Rose, 16. Walter de la Mare, 17. Heavy Ponderous, 18. Edgar Degas, 19. Albania.

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