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Ahoy Shipmate RNA Torbay Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

Editorial In this issue Hi! Shipmates, By Shipmate Norrie Millen Editorial ...... 1 The ships cat ...... 2 Well another new year and new decade. I wonder what this A unique ‘Z’ Class ...... 3 year will bring. I know a lot of our shipmates have suffered Chinese carrier sails in Taiwan Strait . 4 health problems as indeed I have. Also a few of us have had Replacement for the Bergan? ...... 5-6 family experiencing serious medical issues too. I sincerely Capt. Charles Nixon-Eckersall Obit .... 7-8 Plymouths Dirty Secret ...... 9-11 trust and pray that is behind us all now or at least well on way Branch photo & Humour ...... 12 to recovery. I guess a lot of us are getting a bit long in the tooth, A bit of Canada in Devon ...... 13-14 so naturally health will manifest or other conditions deteriorate. Having just celebrated my 78th birthday I feel my Older Men Scam age physically, although mentally I am still around 55! Mind Women often receive warnings about you I am one of the ‘younger;’ members of the Branch! protecting themselves at the mall and in dark parking lots, etc. This is the first warning I This year sees the Branch celebrate its 75th anniversary, quite a have seen for men. A 'heads up' for those record when so many Branches have folded due to lack of men who may be regular customers at recruits. Added to the fact that the modern matelot shows little Tesco, Home Base, Sainsbury’s, or even interest in joining the RNA and if they do appear once or twice ASDA during their free membership year on leaving , we This one caught me totally by surprise. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever rarely see them anymore. This inspires me to think that maybe scam while out shopping. Simply going out to we have it wrong. We are looked upon as an ‘Old Boys’ club. get supplies has turned out to be quite Maybe we should be thinking about events and meetings that traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it will appeal to the younger ex sailor and Royal Marine. couldn't happen to you or your friends Here's how the scam works; Many thanks to those of you that have submitted quite few Two very beautiful, college-age girls will articles, suggestions and links for the newsletter. I now have come over to your car or truck as you are quite a bit of material, so if your article does not appear in this packing your purchases into your vehicle. issue, it certainly warrants space in future editions. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost My one regret at the AGM was quite a few disappeared before I falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. (It's had the chance to take the annual Branch photograph. The impossible not to look). When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' but meeting did drag on a bit; some issues could have been resolved instead ask for a ride to McDonald's. much quicker. Some years we have combined AGM with the You agree and they climb into the vehicle on normal meeting; maybe we should consider this again. the way, they start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the Well it has been some winter, the only time I recall rain like this other one steals your wallet. was out the Far East during monsoon season. However I guess I had my wallet stolen November 4th, 9th, we cannot complain too much, we had some brilliant weather 10th, twice on the 15th, again on the 17th, last year and the bottom line is we are still the right side of the 20th, 24th, and the 28th. Also December 1st, grass with our wooden overcoats in the layapart store. 2nd, 8th, twice on the 9th & 10th, and very likely again tomorrow and Friday The way I see it anyway! So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of us older men Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

Chairman’s Corner Veteran’s railcard for cheaper train Editor’s Note: There will be no fares to launch on Armistice Day Chairman’s Corner this issue as poor shipmate John is not feeling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51201885 too grand and not up to putting was about to be upset by a turn of events. HMS pen to papers. John, I am sure I Amethyst was ordered to sail to Nanking to speak for all shipmates of the take up the role of guard ship in April 1949. As Branch in wishing you a speedy history records, the Amethyst came under fire recovery and pray and trust you will feel on passage up the Yangtze River. The Captain a tad better soon. was killed and Simon wounded when a Chinese shell struck the ship. Three pieces of shrapnel were removed from Simon’s back, but he survived and, according to the crew, lifted The Ship’s Cat their spirits during the four months the Submitted by Shipmate Alan Port Amethyst was held captive by the People’s Liberation Army. Note. Although I ran a similar article back in 2016, this has a slightly different twist and In July 1949, the Amethyst made a daring involves not one but two cats. escape and was able to return home, together with the brave Able Seaman Simon. Tragically, As far back as ancient Egypt families storing however, Simon succumbed to his wounds, but grain over winter realised the value not before he had been awarded the of the domesticated cat for Amethyst Campaign Medal, the Blue keeping vermin away from Cross Medal for animal bravery and their valuable crops. It was heroism, and the Dickin Medal - therefore no surprise that the animal version of the Victoria cats became regular Cross (he remains the only cat members of the ship’s to have received this award). crew whenever food needed protection from Other feline casualties of war the rats which would occurred across the Navy scurry onboard and hide in deemed ‘missing in action’ were the bilges waiting to sneak ‘Ginger’ and ‘Fishcakes’, out and steal the crew’s inhabitants of HMS Hood. They rations. were not however the only animals lost when the Bismarck sunk the This tradition carried on into the Hood. The Hood, which was called by some Second World War and some cats ‘Noah’s Ark’, is reported to have gone down received fame, or notoriety, for their exploits. with a goat, a possum, a squirrel, a monkey, a Perhaps the most famous Royal Navy cat marmoset, a beaver, a variety of birds, a was 'Able Seaman Simon’. In 1948 wallaby and a dog! the frigate HMS Amethyst was Two notable cats storing ship at ‘Stonecutters’ Island' in Hong Kong when a Finally, there is the tale of the black and white cat called luckiest (or un-luckiest) cat in the Simon was smuggled onboard Royal Navy - Oscar, also known as by a young sailor. Fortunately ‘Unsinkable Sam’ the Captain took a liking to It is recorded that the Bismarck Simon and, as the ship had a had, amongst its crew, a black cat vacancy for a good rat-catcher, called ‘Oskar’ who was onboard Simon was pressed into service. when the Bismarck’s gunners sent Simon quickly settled into naval Ginger and Fishcakes to a watery life and, when not catching rats, grave. However, revenge came spent his time sleeping on the quickly, when a from a Captain’s bunk, on the chart table, or even in Swordfish the Captain’s Hat! However, Simon’s idyllic life …Continued on page 6. RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -2

Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

A Unique ‘Z’ Class Destroyer By Shipmate Norrie Millen

I first came across this you can probably work out what was unusual snippet done…. whilst In July of 1917, HMS Zubian serving (a portmanteau of the original aboard my two names) became a last ship, HMS member of the Tribal class her two Zulu. It came up as a sisters had been a part of before her. Due quiz question sometime after and to the very loose requirements of the participants were amazed when I knew class, every single ship was unique, so the answer. Zubian fit in perfectly, although odd quirks There’s nothing particularly odd about the were her two different sizes of ship itself - a standard Tribal Class with smokestack (the hulls had been combined one U boat sunk during WW1. between the third and fourth, hence the What is odd is how the difference) and slight ship was constructed. inexplicable bulge of 89mm - The story begins on one of either Zulu or 27 October 1916 Nubian was wider than with HMS Nubian, the other… whose bow was The odd birth didn’t hinder badly damaged in a Zubian, sinking UC-50 in torpedo attack, and was February 1918, and performing severed in a storm that well throughout the remainder of evening. the war. Another odd fact about In November of that year, another ship of the ship is that it is believed to be the only the same class, HMS Zulu, hit a mine laid Royal Navy ship to have no casualties by a German submarine that completely caused by the Spanish Flu epidemic in blew off the stern. Only the close 1919. Sadly, due to the stresses of proximity of a French wartime, HMS Zubian was scrapped on destroyer meant the the 9th December 1919, her job rest of the ship completed. survived. Now, normally these two accidents would be the end of two warships, but with WW1 in full swing, the Royal Navy was desperate for anything that would be capable of keeping the Channel clear of any German ships. Upon looking at one ship with a perfect stern, but no bow, and one with a perfect bow, but no stern, RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -3

Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

China confirms sailed through Taiwan Strait From the Internet

BEIJING - China confirmed up military drills around on Monday that its first the island since domestically built Beijing-sceptic aircraft carrier had President Tsai sailed through the Ing-wen, who is Taiwan Strait for seeking re- "routine" training and election, came to tests after Taipei power in 2016. accused Beijing of Tsai -- who has intimidation around voiced support for upcoming elections. Hong Kong's pro-

The ship, which has yet to The ship, which has yet to be named, is democracy movement -- be named, is Beijing's Beijing's second carrier and will add massive has described the second carrier and will add firepower to its navy elections as a fight for massive firepower to its navy once it is Taiwan's freedom and officially put into service as it faces democracy. tensions with self-ruled Taiwan and Her challenger favours much warmer regional neighbours around the disputed relations with China. South China Sea. On the same day as the sail-by, Tsai The carrier crossed the sensitive waters on announced that former premier William Sunday before entering the South China Lai, who has styled himself as a "Taiwan Sea for "scientific research tests and independence worker," would be her routine training", navy spokesman Cheng running mate in a move likely to irritate Dewei said on an official social media Beijing. account. The "Type 001A" carrier was launched in Cheng said it was "normal practice" for 2017 and sea trials began the following carriers that are under testing to conduct year, but it has yet to be officially put into cross-regional trials. service. "It is not aimed at any specific target and The state-run Global Times, a nationalist has nothing to do with the current tabloid, cited an anonymous military expert situation," Cheng said without elaborating. as saying the ship likely sailed through the The sail-by comes as Taiwan gears up for strait to dock at its possible home base in presidential elections in January. south China's Hainan Island. Taipei's foreign minister Joseph Wu Hainan province is in the South China Sea, tweeted on Sunday that China "intends to east of Vietnam, which has competing intervene in #Taiwan's elections", adding: claims in the waterway along with China, "Voters won't be intimidated!" Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei. Taiwan's defence ministry said it had dispatched ships and planes to track and China has one other carrier, the Liaoning, a closely monitor the carrier's movements, repurposed Soviet carrier bought from and that US and Japanese vessels trailed it Ukraine that went into service in 2012. in the strait. A US think-tank reported in May that China, which sees self-ruled democratic recent satellite photographs indicated that Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped construction of a third Chinese aircraft carrier was well under way.

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Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

Could This New Way Of Carrying Kit Replace The Bergen? Submitted by Shipmate Kevin Maguire

The Wild Goose - How useful could it be? Reducing weight and having to rely This particular design is on a better resupply chain made by Israeli has been the answer to manufacturer, the age-old issue of Marom Dolphin, reducing an infanteer’s which develops, load in which they have manufactures and to carry. markets personal Having that as an only military supplies option can create challenges if such as tactical and supply chains fall through. bulletproof vests for police units, armed forces and security services Reducing the weight a soldier carries worldwide. while on operations is seen as a priority in the Armed Forces but this is an issue that The company is also an authorised is yet to be fully solved. supplier to the Israeli military. The Wild Goose is battery- Could the Wild Goose – a operated and designed to motorised vehicle be the answer to carry heavy equipment over the infantry’s ‘fight light’ dilemma? uneven terrain. Go with more, but carry less. It is available in two Yariv Sagi, CEO of Israeli variants, a 2x2 and 4x4. defence manufacturers Marom The 2x2’s maximum Dolphin which produces the Wild payload is 60kg and the Goose, said: “The Wild Goose is 4x4 can carry up to 120kg a game changer in the battlefield - in weight. by reducing the weight carried on the soldier's back we are expanding They can even be adapted to the survivability of the soldier and the attach a stretcher for casualty entire unit.” Wild Goose - Picture Marom Dolphin evacuation. Soldiers worldwide This hybrid electric risk muscular and skeletal vehicle has been tested and can injuries as they carry haul equipment over some heavy weights on of the toughest terrain their backs for and through rough years. weather conditions. A wheeled Soldiers are able pack could to have both help to negate hands free for a soldier’s risk operating of being injured, their weapon and in as it could reduce case of emergency, the their burden down to Wild Goose has a quick- basic combat equipment, release function. body armour, helmet and rifle. The aim is that dismounted soldiers would become less fatigued and able to carry RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -5

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more equipment - improving their of floating debris and, in a bizarre twist of fate, performance. was picked up by HMS Ark Royal - the ship that had sent Oskar into the water only a few Being able to deploy with more, could also months earlier. reduce the demand on re-supply of vital Oscar, now re-named ‘Unsinkable Sam’ equipment such as water, ammunition and was not finished with the war just yet. The medical supplies. following year it was HMS Ark Royal’s turn The tyres are made from highly durable to be sunk in enemy action (this led to rubber, so there’s no worries in getting a some believe that Oscar, or Oskar, was ‘flatty’. revenging the memory of his first masters The manufacturers say that batteries can onboard the Bismarck). This time Seaman be quickly and easily changed. Under one Tom Blundell saved Oscar’s life and both full charge the batteries can cover a of them were picked up by HMS Legion. distance of about 20 kilometres. However, Oscar’s reputation as a cat that sank ships resulted in him being handed The Wild Goose is made from body over to the Harbour Master in . flexible polymer and alloy aluminium, so it Oscar’s sea time was over. His last could even be ‘squaddie proof’. posting was to an Old Sailors’ Home in Features where he saw out his days, dying in 1955 at the age of  Dual motor 15.  Electronic differential lock PS: Despite HMS Legion  Hill-decent setting landing the  Lightweight aluminium with polymer ‘jinxed’ Oscar flexible body she did not escape the  Adjustable suspension ‘curse of the  Patented elastic goose-neck Bismarck’, for she too was sunk in March 1942.  Near-silent operation Eds. Notes: As for Sam’s legacy, it goes to The Wild Goose is currently in operational show that even in the most dire of use with the Special Forces of the Israeli circumstances, even as everything around Defence Force (IDF). A non-disclosure you is crumbling down, you can still cling on to agreement prohibits naming other specific a piece of wood, get rescued, and move on to units. another ship and start over again. Or it goes to show that cats really do have 9 lives — all  of which are absolutely worth living. Continued from page 2 aircraft from HMS Ark Royal disabled the Bismarck. The Royal Navy closed in and

carried out Winston Churchill’s order to ‘Sink the Bismarck’. Oskar, however, was not done for and was spotted (and painted for posterity) floating on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean. He was picked up by HMS Cossack and re- named ‘Oscar’. Unfortunately, his rescue was not to prove an entirely lucky break as the Cossack was herself sunk five months later. Oscar, however, having survived one sinking, knew the drill and again made it onto a piece RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -6

Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020 . Captain Charles Nixon-Eckersall Charismatic submariner whose calmness averted catastrophe when his vessel suffered an explosion off Gibraltar – obituary 4 DECEMBER 2019 Captain Charles Nixon-Eckersall, Gibraltar more work was done and who has died aged 81, was one Alliance was able to make a slow of the most experienced and return to Chatham for charismatic submariners further repairs. of the post-war era, and In March the following commanded three year, Nixon-Eckersall generations of boats. took commanded of In 1968 Nixon- the Royal Australian Eckersall was Navy submarine promoted lieutenant- Onslow, which was commander and then building at Scott passed his “perisher”; Lithgow’s yard on the the fierce, make-or- Clyde. Onslow, the break course for would- fourth of six boats ordered be submarine commanders by Australia, was a diesel- under Commander Sandy powered boat encompassing the Woodward, before taking command of latest technologies. the submarine Alliance. After finishing work-up at Faslane, He proved a knowledgeable and Onslow visited Plymouth, London and inspirational captain with a special skill in Portsmouth before commencing a 92-day leadership and the ability to energise his voyage to Australia via the Panama Canal people. A normal tour would have and across the Pacific. included operations in British waters and She spent two weeks in Pearl Harbour, in the Mediterranean, but his command exercising at sea with the US Navy, before was foreshortened when, in November arriving at Brisbane. There, Vice-Admiral that year, while diving at 450ft off Sir Victor Smith, Chief of Naval Staff, Gibraltar, Alliance suffered an joined Onslow for a two-day voyage explosion and fire in the to Sydney. motor-room which destroyed the boat’s electrical Nixon-Eckersall made a switchboards and dramatic submerged entry propulsion. into the harbour, passing through the Heads at All Nixon-Eckersall’s periscope depth early on the qualities were brought morning of July 4 1970. into play as he calmly Smith was surprised at how ordered air to be blown many small boats and ferries into all buoyancy tanks were already enjoying the day and brought the as Onslow surfaced just inside submarine to the surface. South Head without incident After making first-aid and, to the crew’s repairs, he returned to disappointment, without creating a harbour on the surface using one fuss. shaft and one diesel engine. At Nixon-Eckersall

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Promoted to commander in 1975, Nixon- after Courageous, on the Defence Policy Eckersall commanded the nuclear- Staff in Whitehall. powered hunter-killer submarine Promoted to captain in 1981, Nixon- Courageous in 1977-79, deploying to the Eckersall was a student at the Royal Mediterranean and in the Atlantic, College of Defence Studies, where time including major fleet exercises and trials spent with him was always a delightful of the Tigerfish torpedo. Every boat mix of challenge, stimulation and fun. He Nixon-Eckersall commanded was well relished debate, but there was always an reported upon and, uniquely, all three can inner core of empathy. be visited as museum ships, in Gosport, Devonport and Sydney. In 1985-86 he commanded the frigate Boxer before holding senior NATO staff Charles Andrew Barkly Nixon-Eckersall appointments at Norfolk, Virginia (1987- was born on December 19 1937 at Datchet 89), and at Northwood in Middlesex in in Berkshire. His mother taught at a 1989-90. Although regarded as one of the private school, Commonweal Lodge in outstanding officers of his generation, Surrey, and he boarded there from the age Nixon-Eckersall was not selected for flag of three, firstly at its wartime home at rank, and retired in the 1990s to Hanwell Lewdown in Devon, and then at Hydneye in Oxfordshire. House in Hastings; his father, a Royal Marine, was taken prisoner at Tobruk. There he took up charity work, including for the RNLI, the sea cadets, Banbury Young Charles attended Westerleigh Community Transport and St Peter’s School at St Leonards-on-Sea in Sussex, church, and served on the parish council. from where he won a scholarship to Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon, and, in When his elderly mother did not want to 1954, a place at Britannia Royal Naval attend his second wedding because she College, Dartmouth. could not manage to climb over two other submarines to attend the reception held in Aged 16 Nixon-Eckersall flew solo in one Courageous, Nixon-Eckersall arranged a of the naval college’s Tiger Moths, but crane to lift her over and down a hatch to after academic and professional training, the reception. When it returned her to and seatime in the cruiser Birmingham, shore later that afternoon in a merry then flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, mood, his sailors were ordered to avert he opted for submarine service. their gaze with an “Eyes in the boat!” In 1957 he joined the submarine Sea Scout In 1959 Charles Nixon-Eckersall married as sixth hand: many of the diesel-powered Sally Evans. They divorced in 1977, and in boats which he served in the 1950s and 1978 he married a South African, Susie early 1960s, including Sentinel, Scorcher, Syfret, who survives him with a daughter Tactician, Anchorite, Ambush and and a son from the first marriage. Artemis, were little changed from their Captain Charles Nixon-Eckersall, wartime configuration. He also stood by born December 19 1937, died the more modern submarine, Osiris, while November 11 2019 she was building at Barrow-in-Furness, and in 1967 he became first lieutenant of Oberon. Nixon-Eckersall was also second-in- command of the anti-submarine frigates Naiad and Euryalus in 1971-73, and a successful staff operations officer in the 1st Submarine Squadron at Gosport, and,

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Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

Plymouth's dirty secret: The Royal Marines executed on the Hoe Source: Derek Tait Plymouth local history: Execution on Plymouth Hoe If you look around on Plymouth Hoe you will with a coffin before each, proceeded by the come across this on the floor band of that corps playing the Dead March in Saul. Between the Naval Memorial The former was attended by Execution on the Rev. Dr. Hawker; and Plymouth Hoe the two latter by a Roman and the Hoe Lodge Catholic priest, who after Gardens, there is a praying with them near cross with the number an hour, quitted them, '3' embedded in the and they all three knelt pavement. This marks on their coffins for a few the spot where three Royal minutes, when an officer of Marines were executed by marines came and drew the firing squad on 6 July, 1797. Their caps over their faces, and a party names were Lee, Coffy and Branning and of twenty marines immediately came down they were found guilty of attempting to excite a and put a period to their existence by mutiny at Stonehouse Barracks. Another discharging the contents of their muskets Marine, M Gennis was convicted of a similar through their bodies, after which all the crime and sentenced to 1000 lashes and regiments marched round them in solemn transported to Botany Bay for life. procession, the whole forming, perhaps, one of the most awful scenes that the human eye ever The incident was reported in the Sherborne and witnessed. They all behaved in a manner Yeovil Mercury on Monday 10th July, 1797. It becoming their melancholy situation, and read: apparently very resigned and penitent. About 'PLYMOUTH, July 8 - On Wednesday morning thirty thousand people were supposed to be an express arrived here from the War-Office, present at the execution'. with a warrant for the execution of Lee, Coffy, There was more to the execution than and Branning, three marines who were last mentioned in the newspaper though. Ten week tried by a General Court-Martial, and thousand men of the Fleet and garrison were found guilty of an attempt to excite a mutiny there to watch them die and most of Plymouth among the marine corps at Stone-house appeared to have turned out too. When the Barracks and on Thursday at 12 o'clock the three men faced the firing squad and the shots troops at this place and in the neighbourhood, were fired, Coffy and Branning fell forward, consisting of the Sussex fencible cavalry, four dead, into their coffins. However, Lee was not companies of the royal artillery, the Lancashire, hit and had to go through the whole procedure East Devon and Essex regiments of militia, the again. The reserve firing squad lined up, took 25th regiment of foot, royal independent aim and fired but again Lee was untouched. invalids, and Plymouth volunteers, assembled Once more, they loaded up, took aim but again on the Hoe, and formed in a half circle in order missed Lee. In the end, a sergeant came up to witness the execution. M Gennis, another behind him and shot him dead at close range. It marine tried for a similar crime, and sentenced seems odd that the firing squad missed Lee to receive 1000 lashes, and to be afterwards three times and perhaps there was some transported to Botany Bay for life, was brought sympathy with him amongst the troops. on the ground soon after twelve o'clock, and received 500 lashes, and then conveyed back to Earlier fourteen seamen had been hanged at Stone-house Barracks. At half past one o'clock, the yardarm on their ships in the Sound. Lee, Coffy and Branning were marched from the This was to be Plymouth's last public execution. Citadel under the escort of a party of marines,

Another part of the tale: The public execution - by firing squad - was from their Citadel cells on to the Hoe – carrying witnessed by some 50,000 people It was 220 the coffins they would be taken away in again. years ago that three men were marched out

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The last public execution of its kind to be held in distressing letter from his lonely prison cell on Plymouth, it was attended by about 10,000 the morning of his execution to one of these military personnel and 40,000 civilians. same siblings. Supposedly shot by the men that provided Beginning, ‘My Dear Brother‘, it continues: ‘Your evidence against them, the three Marines from exertions to save my life cannot now avail, Stonehouse Barracks had all been found guilty yesterday the order for my execution this day of mutiny – traitors to the admiralty. arrived. I have but a few short moments to live, With a full procession and military band, the and, I trust, that, therefore, what I wish to impart men were lined up and shot in ways designed to to you, will be received by you with that cause them maximum pain before they died – seriousness with which it must come from the with gaping holes left in their bodies. heart of a dying man. The gruesome execution was watched by ‘Like you l have been misled by the thousands sophistications of those who deny the truths of the Gospel, and deride the evidence of God’s A fourth perpetrator, whose sentence was word. Like you I gave them implicit confidence; lessened, was given 450 lashings on the same but, the awfulness of my present state has day, until he passed out. The final 50 lashings induced a candid examination of were given when he regained them; and the arguments consciousness. of the enemies of But it is the view of some Devine Revelation, that the men were not appear now to traitors at all, merely me in the vilest “scapegoats” for a much colours. larger group – who weren’t ‘I have thought it planning anything necessary to seek particularly malicious. the aid of a Minister of the Keith Black of Plymouth Ocean Gospel, who, I City Tours has been exploring The cross marks the spot where they trust, as a witness and researching this exact story were killed to my conversion for four years, and has – to my described the execution as “Plymouth’s dirty regeneration – and will testify it – as far as he little secret”. can be supposed to place a confidence in the And Wesley Ashton, a local military historian sincerity of it. with Hidden Heritage, who has spent time ‘On this subject I have no time to add more, transcribing the original court documents from than to exhort you to avail yourself of the the hearings more than two centuries ago, said opportunity you have, to renounce those it is only now the truth has emerged. opinions, which were near proving fatal to my “I think opinions are changing now about the external happiness here after, through the execution,” said Mr Ashton. “There was really no merits of his dear son Jesus Christ, the malice [in their mutiny plot] at all.” Redeemer of mankind. Mr Black added: “I do not identify the executed ‘The Gentleman who has been considerably men as anything other than scapegoats of a far instrumental in producing my conversion, will I larger group involved in behaviour against presume at my request, take up the pen to offer appalling and delayed wages paid to sailors and you such arguments as his superior abilities and Marines at the time. experience will dictate; and, I have no doubt, if “In this year of 1797 there had been numerous you investigate the truth with a due impartiality, acts of mutiny along the south coast of England. your mind will soon acknowledge that conviction The demands of the sailors had been met for I do, and your soul will be filled with it. the ‘shilling a day‘, but unfortunately this news ‘Whatever family claims I have, I transfer to my had not reached the sailors and Marines by May sister Aldridge, and request you will do all in 28, when the Marines were detained.” your power to render the evening of her days as Robert Lee, who is thought to have been shot at comfortable as possible. least eight times before he finally died, was the ‘For ever, Farewell dear brother, – remember main culprit in the whole affair. my last, dying advice, and consult your eternal Lee, who moved from Dublin to England to join welfare – recommend my affection to my sisters the Marines after his brothers allegedly stopped and brothers, and all friends. Your sincere him from seeing his sweetheart, wrote a brother, Robert Lee.’ RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -10

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Mr Ashton believes this was simply a last- going to get a flogging. However, back then a ditched attempt at saving his own life by new law said anyone that took an oath faced the pretending he had converted from Roman- death sentence, which is where they went Catholicism to the Church of England, but wrong.” Mr Black believes different. On the execution day itself – “You could not join the Marines which was to act as a if you were Roman Catholic,” brutal example for all of explained Mr Black. “It was the other Marines, against the rules, but when seamen and soldiers, taken on, they would never saw the whole of the ask if you were or not. The Hoe – then just a bare Marines were therefore riddled cliff – awash with these with Roman Catholics. military personnel and “When he came to At annual commemoration some people members of the public. Plymouth Lee’s faith cover their hands and arms in fake First came John waned, and when he blood] Maginnis, the man who arrived at Stonehouse was to receive 500 Barracks he was a bit indifferent, which is when lashings, followed by the other three men later he ends up in communication with Reverend in the day, who were to meet their untimely Robert Hawker, who took Lee under his wing. deaths. “When Lee was executed, he had converted to “It is one of the most disgraceful things that has being a Protestant, and wrote to his brother ever taken place in our city,” said Mr Black. “It is suggesting he did the same. Plymouth’s dirty little secret.” “He asked in the letter that anything he had left Although there is some disagreement about who be given to his sister, although she probably the three ‘traitors’ were shot by, Mr Ashton, who would not have got anything, and he was has been posting a snippet of the sordid tale subsequently wiped out the family history.” every day on the Hidden History Facebook Keith is writing a novel of the events based on account, believes they were shot by the very the facts known – and his imagination of the same men who gave evidence against them in unknown. court – men who they had taken the oath with. From the research he has conducted, including Describing the execution, he said: “They say sifting through the National Archives, Irish and one of them missed Lee’s head on purpose, to Australian historical records and numerous cause him more pain. other sources, he believes he has enough of an “The three killed were all under 30 years old. understanding of the events and circumstances But Maginnis was allowed to live, and was sent leading to the public execution and beyond. to live in Australia in 1799. He received 450 He said: “I do not see these men as traitors at lashings on that day before he passed out. all and hopefully will be able to persuade “By law you had to be conscious, so he was otherwise in due course. I think this is taken back to Stonehouse Barracks where I Plymouth’s worst event in history with the expect he got some rest and recovered, before Government and Admiralty of the time intent on the other 50 lashings took place. making an example of a few men, all Irish and “The real twist in the plot is the executioners all Catholic. were made up of co-accused guys who were “Some of the witness testimony was at least spared the death penalty. dubious with financial reward and advancement “There were 12 shots altogether in the first offered as inducement to provide testimony round. Lee didn’t appear to have been hit, as where none was forthcoming.” they were all through his belly, which winded Elaborating, Mr Ashton said: “The local myth is him and he slumped forwards. The other two that the group was overheard plotting by a died instantly. drummer boy, but only one out of 22 witnesses “The reserve line of men moved forwards and suggested a callous side to the plotting, shot, and one of these shots hit Lee in the head. including blowing up the barracks and freeing He fell onto his coffin, still writhing in pain and French prisoners. twitching, and it was then the officer in charge It took eight balls to kill Lee quickly put a pistol to his head. “All they were really guilty of was planning to “It took eight balls to kill Lee. It was a proper refuse to take orders because their friend was bloody execution.” RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -11

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The crew that didn’t go AWOL! Standing L-R: Ken Dustan, Brian Andrews, Chris Thomas, Tony Mordaunt, Alan Port, Mick Neville, Shaun Runham, Petr Roberts & Harry Harris.

Sitting: L-R: Mike Seaward, John Hider, John Soanes,

Anne Port , Mike Readdy & Terry Membery.

Why men shouldn’t write

advice columns

Dear Ken, Dear Sheila, I hope you can help me. The other A car stalling after being driven a day, I set off for work, leaving my short distance can be caused by a husband in the house watching TV. variety of faults with the engine. My car stalled, and then broke down Start by checking that there is no about a mile down the road, and I debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, had to walk back to get my check the vacuum pipes and hoses husband’s help. When I got home, I on the intake manifold and also could not believe my eyes, He was check all grounding wires. If none in our bedroom with the neighbour’s daughter! of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel I am 32, my husband is 34 and the pump itself is faulty, causing low neighbour’s daughter is 19. We have delivery pressure to the injectors. been married for 10 years. When I confronted my him, he broke down I hope this helps and admitted they had been having Ken an affair for the past six months. He won’t go to counselling and I’m afraid I am a wreck and need advice urgently. Can you help please? Sincerely Sheila.

RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -12

Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

There's a part of Devon that’s owned by Canada From the Internet The story dates back to the 1700s and This is why there is a sign with involves the abolition of slavery, a Canadian flag on the A30 the first American president, - and how it involves the and a wealthy abolition of slavery, the first American In 1752, John Graves president, and a Simcoe was born at wealthy British heiress Cotterstock, near Oundle. Anyone driving on the He was the son of a A30 Honiton bypass captain the Royal Navy who towards Somerset will have commanded the 60-gun HMS seen a peculiar road sign with a Canadian Pembroke during the Siege of flag. Louisbourg, with James Cook as his sailing master. The sign tells motorists to turn left at the next junction towards Wolford Chapel, Simcoe began a life-long military career four miles away, and to follow in 1770 when he secured a the signs for the Canadian commission as an ensign in flag. the 35th Regiment of Foot. The sign tells motorists to In 1775, he was sent with turn left at the next his regiment to Boston junction towards Wolford then under siege by Chapel, four miles away, Washington’s and to follow the signs for Continental Army, and the Canadian flag. given command of the But have you ever stopped to Queens Rangers in 1777. think about why there is a Canadian flag on He saw action in the American Revolutionary the side of the road? And that if you actually War during the Siege of Boston, after which, follow the directions, it will take you to a in July 1776, he was promoted captain in the patch of land between Honiton and 40th Regiment of Foot. Dunkeswell that actually belongs to Simcoe commanded the 40th at the the North American Nation. Battle of Brandywine on September Wolford Chapel, built in 1800, is 11, 1777, where he was wounded. sited inside the Wolford Lodge, Legend has it that Simcoe was ‘too is literally is Canadian territory much of a gentleman to order his after the deed to the chapel and men at Brandywine not to fire its collection of antique upon three fleeing rebels. Among furnishings and decorative arts whom was George Washington, were generously donated to the who later became the first people of Ontario in 1966 by President of the United States. British publisher Sir Geoffrey He was wounded at the siege of Harmsworth. Yorktown in 1781 and was sent So what is the history of the home to England to recuperate, and chapel? How did a small patch of while recovering from his injuries, he land in the rural East Devon Blackdown met and married an heiress named Elizabeth Hills become a part of Canada a? Gwillim. With her money, they purchased the 5,000 acre Wolford Estate and made the RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -13

Volume 9 Issue 1 February 2020

Wolford Lodge their main residence. Napoleonic invasion, prevented him doing so. Simcoe entered politics in 1790. He was In 1806, shortly before he was due to elected Member of Parliament for assume command of British In 1806, St Mawes in , as a shortly before he was due to assume supporter of the government command of British forces in (led by William Pitt the India, he died of a sudden illness Younger) contracted during a diplomatic As MP, he proposed raising mission to Portugal Lord a militia force like the Simcoe, 1st Lieutenant Governor Queen's Rangers. He also of Upper Canada, along with the proposed to lead an invasion rest of his family, are buried at of Spain, but instead he was Wolford Chapel. to be made lieutenant governor Wolford Chapel was erected in of the new loyalist province of 1800, near their family home of Upper Canada Simcoe was in 1791, Wolford Lodge, on the site of the former placed at the head of British Wulphere Church, that refers to a 7th century administration in Upper Canada, king of Mercia. taking in a territory roughly The chapel and estate remained in the equivalent to Southern Simcoe family until 1923 when Ontario, Lake Superior, and they were purchased by a wealthy Georgian Bay, and as a publisher Named Sir Geoffrey result, resigned his Harmsworth. position as an MP. In 1966 Harmsworth granted He only spent five years in the chapel and its historic furnishings as a gift to the the post, founding the city Ontario Heritage Trust, and gave of York (now Toronto), the deed to the chapel to John but one of his first acts as Robarts, then serving as Premier of the first Governor of Upper the Province of Ontario. Canada (Ontario) was to abolish slavery At the same time a permanent right of way to the in the province. property was established across the Simcoe This helped not only slaves in Canada but Estate. subsequently allowed about 40,000 slaves The chapel is currently maintained by a local escaping from America to gain their charity, but it is literally, Canadian territory, and a freedom in Canada. Canadian flag flies outside the chapel. A brochure from the period stated This helped not only slaves that The John Graves Simcoe in Canada but Memorial Foundation had been subsequently allowed established to ensure “the about 40,000 slaves chapel will never fall into escaping from neglect and will always be America to gain their open to visitors from freedom in Canada. Canada and elsewhere.” The Chapel is open to the Upon his return to public during daylight hours. England, Simcoe had A team of volunteers assist visions of restoring the with the day to day running of nearby Hemyock Castle to the Chapel. its former glory, but although he made a start his duties as Lieutenant-General in command of coastal Defence in Devon, defending against RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -14