The Semaphore Circular No 653 the Beating Heart of the RNA September 2015

The Semaphore Circular No 653 The Beating Heart of the RNA September 2015

HMS M33 all spruced up and awaiting her public.... HMS 33 is a M29 –class monitor and she was built in 1915. She saw active service in Gallipoli and in Russia in 1919. She opened to visitors on 6 August 2015 and is one of three remaining RN Warships which served during the First World War.

RNA members are reminded that hard-copies of the Circular are distributed to each branch via their Secretary, but “silver-surfers” can download their own copy from the RNA website at www.royal-naval-association.co.uk .(See below) 1

Daily Orders 1. Biennial Parade Update 2. More Biennial Stuff 3. Field of Remberance 4. Remberance Sunday 5. Annual St Pauls Seafarers Service 6. 2016 Welfare Seminar Update 7. Guess Where? 8. Joke – Another Premium Blonde 9. Finance Corner 10. Donations received 11. RN VC Series – Petty Officer Edward Sephton 12. Joke –One heck of a day 13. His and Her Calendar 14. HMS Illustrious Memorial Service 15. WRNS 100th Anniversary 16. Request for Volunteers in Cumbria 17. Joke – Church Issue 18. Unashamedly Shep Woolley 19. CONA Admin Support 20. Joke – Complete or Finished? 21. Order Forms for Diaries, Crimbo Cards and His & Her Calenders 22. Java Far East Prisoners of War Club (FEPOW) 23. Can you assist – Family of the late S/m Fred Bishop

Longcast

“D’ye hear there” (Branch news)

Ship’s Office Swinging the Lamp

For the Branch Secretary and notice-board

Glossary of terms

NCM National Council Member NC National Council AMC Association Management Committee FAC Finance Administration Committee NCh National Chairman NVCh National Vice Chairman NP National President DNP Deputy National President GS General Secretary DGS Deputy General Secretary AGS Assistant General Secretary CONA Conference of Naval Associations IMC International Maritime Confederation NSM Naval Service Memorial Throughout indicates a new or substantially changed entry Contacts:

Financial Controller 023 9272 3823 [email protected]

FAX 023 9272 3371

Assistant General Secretary (Membership & Slops) 023 9272 3747 [email protected]

Deputy General Secretary 023 9272 0782 [email protected]

Shipmates Administrator 023 9272 0782 [email protected]

General Secretary 023 9272 2983 [email protected]

Admin 023 92 72 3747 [email protected]

Find Semaphore Circular On-line ; http://www.royal-naval-association.co.uk/members/downloads or... RNA Website – Members Area – Downloads – Circulars – Code (Shipmate)

RNA HQ Staff continue to attempt to build a library of e-mail addresses within the Association. It would be extremely helpful if those Branch Secretaries able to communicate by e-mail would forward a short e-message to HQ to [email protected]

Snail Trail Mail - Postal Address RNA HQ, Room 209, PP70, Semaphore Tower, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth Hants PO1 3LT 3

Dear Shipmates,

Welcome to the September Circular, I hope you are enjoying the Force 10 storms that have been rocking Semaphore Tower to its foundations this week! We are in the period of main HQ staff leave, which does mean that your favourite staff member may not be available – I am grateful for your patience, we do our best to ensure that we keep business running.

Some good news to start with, a review of our costs means that we will not have to charge for HQ Open Days in 2016 after all. I’ll plan the days over the next few weeks and put them into the Circular – book early since the places go like hot cakes!

A point of clarification that I didn’t make too clear last edition (apologies), The National Council is trying to go to all e-mailed Circulars after March next year and our wonderful National Council Members have been gathering branch secretary or branch contact e-mail details. You will be delighted to hear that we have about 90% e-mail coverage from branches. We will go into a period of parallel running with hard copy and electronic until the March edition 2016. We have started with the e-distribution of the Conference minutes today. If the distribution is satisfactory over this period we will then stop the hard copy for our electronic branches. Each Circular costs about £1,000 to print (depending on length) and £450 to post (depending on other things in the envelope) times 10 or 11 Circulars a year adds up to a lot of money and trees. All electronic communications is not only cheaper, but should be more efficient and quicker. I hope to use our new system to let you know all sorts of important news that might be of interest, such as the change in the payment arrangements of War Pensions, sent today.

If you haven’t got an e-mail contact then we will put interim arrangements in place to ensure that you get the Circular in hard copy. We will work with those branches (and their Area officers in the first instance) to see what can be done to help them go on-line either with our volunteer branch support officer, or the recently appointed CONA support worker (we get some of her time for free). I also appreciate that some of you might be worried about the cost of printing the Circular for your branch. The best option is to send it to your own branch members electronically, or only print out the parts that you need. The Circular is always on the website first and your members can also get it themselves. That said, if printing costs are a concern for your branch, give me a shout and we will look to give support from the Club and Branch support fund, it’s what it’s for. Your NCM can give you advice.

Just a small point of clarification, the membership cards that need to be replaced are the old ones with the Chelsea Manor Street address. This is the right, modern and acceptable card. Please let your members know, Nigel is pulling his hair out with calls and I have to keep buying him pints because I didn’t make it clear enough (sorry).

I hope that you are all girding your loins (whatever that means) for the Biennial Parade on Sunday 6 September and I am looking forward to seeing many old friends there. Security will be a bit higher this year, the main effect being that all vehicles must park on Whitehall Place and not on the Embankment. This is a sensible security move for your safety, so please co-operate. We will have the Fleet Commander; Minister (AF) Penny Mordaunt; Minister Mark Francois; the Chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee; and our own Chaplain of the Fleet. We have a Sea Cadet Band and Sea Cadet helpers. Coffee and toilets before at the Civil Service Club and drinking and singing there

4 afterwards. The Irish Naval Association will be there and our Belgian friends and a great turn out expected from sister associations, especially the Type 42 association and the Ganges association. Please come and make it a day to remember, we will need a good tenor line-up to beat the Irish Naval Association in singing!

A reminder about the branch insurance scheme which provides great 3rd party, public liability cover and also cover for cash. Marvellous value, and the link on the website is easy to follow. The personal insurance from Ansvar is popular with encouraging numbers of sign-ups. Very good value and a great way of leveraging your RNA membership (which shows you are a better risk than the General population). Also don’t forget the great discount on RAC membership through our friends at ARNO that could save you hundreds on your breakdown cover in UK and Europe. These are all direct benefits of your RNA membership and are included on our new benefits page which is in the Circ and on the website – with helpful links to get you there! The latest benefit for branch officials or those thinking of taking on the job is the new, free admin help provided by CONA, see article 19 for details.

In terms of longer distance planning, the deadline for branch motions is 19 February 16, so now is a good time to be chatting over ideas you may have. A good idea to submit early so the Standing Orders Committee can work with you to get your motion into good shape so it can be accepted for Conference. Sometimes motions are good ideas that can be adopted without waiting for Conference too. Also a good idea to be looking to book for Conference 2016 at Reading. It is a little more expensive than the Britannia hotels we have used recently, but a very nice hotel in a parkland setting which I am sure will be popular.

I hope to hear from the Privy Council in September that our Conference motions have been approved by Her Majesty, which will affect the voting rights of those Associate Members who have been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation. So, not yet there, but should be soon.

Due to leave there won’t be a Circular for October, but we will probably send a quick admin update through the branch secretary e-mail system.

Yours in comradeship Paul

Andy and Chrissie at Conference Paul

NSM on 16 August, showing the shadow ship very clearly

Chairman’s Chat - September 2015

Well, Shipmates, the summer is nearly over, we won the Ashes in a real humdinger of a series, and are doing well at the Athletics World Championships. Having turned 70 now I can no longer pursue my active love of rugby, cricket and hockey but can, as I have always done, delight in the exploits of others. My son is not a sportsman – I think he got bored with being taken to hockey and cricket matches when he was very young – but having had my 3 year old grandson staying with us for a couple of weeks I have great hopes of him filling his grandfathers sporting boots. He is really a very physical lad but living in California he will probably end up playing baseball, basketball and American football. I just hope my health will hold out long enough for me to see him play in some of those “peewee” matches as the Americans call junior games.

I hope those of you who have had holidays had good ones, and that includes the General Secretary enjoying time in Cumbria and Northumberland. Those who have yet to take your holidays I hope you have good ones, with more consistent good late summer weather than we have enjoyed to date. Gail & I haven’t been able to get away because of my treatment so we are hoping that I will be clear of all that by the end of the year so that we can spend a long Christmas break in the Californian sunshine.

We have our next NC meeting coming up on 5 September and there will be some tough decisions for the Council to take in tightening our budget for 2016. Both AMC and FAC have had their pre-NC meetings and have prepared recommendations for Council to consider. Once again we have had low legacy income so far this year but I must congratulate the GS and his staff for keeping our expenditure well below budget in the first six months of 2015 so we are hoping for a good outcome at the year-end. I want to try and keep our activities as high profile as we can to maintain the RNA at the forefront of both serving and veteran RN communities in the coming years, which is a keystone of the Future Strategy Plan. We have had the NSM event in 2014 which earned us effusive praise and next year is the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and we have some ideas for the RNA to consider in connection with that. My own Area is supporting a celebration at the former home of Admiral Earl Beatty in Leicestershire.

Lastly I want to express my personal thanks to two stalwarts of the RNA who have decided to step down from their current offices. Paddy McClurg has determined it is time for him to step down as Chair of SOC. I joined the Council just after Paddy had been appointed GS and I worked with him closely as an NCM and Nat Vice Chair. He is always great fun to be with, speaks his mind honestly, though upsetting some at times, but he has done a great deal for the RNA over the past 8-9 years and is a very active Branch President and supporter of his local SCC Unit. He was widely appreciated by the Branches and he and Kate were always very welcome guests at branch functions. He remains active at Branch level and I thank him wholeheartedly for the help and friendship he has extended to me over recent years, and I hope to enjoy his company on occasion for some years more.

Keith Crawford is also standing down as Nat Vice Chair this year to concentrate on his recovery from the stroke he suffered in December. He is one of the longest serving NCMs on the National Council and has been Vice Chair for 5 years. We have worked well together and I thank him enormously for the support, wise counsel, and great friendship he has given to me over my years on NC, especially since June 2010. Yvonne has also been a great friend and supporter and she has always been a tower of strength to Keith but never more so than over the past 9 months. If I am re-elected as National Chair in September Keith’s replacement will have a hard act to follow. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Biennial Parade in London on 6 September and hope to continue my comradeship with you all. My best wishes to all Shipmates as we move into the Autumn with its Trafalgar and Remembrance periods, and I look forward to sharing those events with some of you.

Chris Dovey

1. Biennial Parade Final Update

The Biennial Parade will be held at Whitehall on Sunday 6 September. ALL PARKING IN WHITEHALL PLACE. The programme is as follows 0900 HQ staff on site, meet with Met senior officer. 0910 Set security points 0915 Civil Service Club opens for coffee and toilets (80 metres from Coach parking) 0930 Parking for coaches and minibuses in Whitehall Place (pass required from HQ) All coaches + Cars to be clear of Whitehall Place by 1300. 0945 All Vehicles to be parked, 0950 Whitehall Place and South Whitehall closes. 1010 Standard bearers brief by NCA 1025 Parade musters and is briefed by Parade Commander. 1040 Parade steps off, from Whitehall Place 1055 Fleet Commander, Min (AF), NP, VIPs join the parade

1100- Service starts, 2 minute silence 1102 Service at Cenotaph led by the Chaplain of the Fleet 1127 Parade steps off, review by Fleet Commander 1140 Parade addressed by NP/FC 1145 Parade dismissed in Whitehall Place, address by Min (AF) 1146 Issue of Standard Bearers ‘Tots’ outside Civil Service Club 1147 Bar opens in Civil Service Club - FC and VIPs meets Shipmates 1200 Sandwiches and Chips served at no cost to participants 1200 Parking restrictions restored in Whitehall Place

Rig Will be uniform for those serving and RNA rig with medals or equivalent for everyone else, polished shoes. Berets for standard bearers, optional for marchers. Standards should wear the NSM pennant (if entitled).

Briefs Standard bearers should note the early brief for them at 1010 in Whitehall place by the National Ceremonial Advisor.

Security. All should carry photo ID and their RNA membership card.

Band The band will be the Poole and Hearne Bay Sea Cadets.

Guests. We hope to have contingents from the Irish Naval Association, Belgium and many friends from CONA. We will have a first presentation of WW2 medals to one veteran. The Chaplain of the Fleet, our Hon Chaplain will conduct the service. TS Tormentor Cadets will attend, act as stewards and march

Wreaths. Any branch, Area or individual may lay a wreath during the ceremony, please let Nigel know if you would like to.

Mobility. The march is of the order of 450 metres there and 450 back with just over an hour on our feet. Those with mobility issues should make their way to the front of the FCO where an area will be reserved.

2. More Biennial Parade Stuff... RNA Uxbridge Invitation.

Any RNA Member who is attending the Biennial Parade in Whitehall London on the 6th September are most welcome to visit RNA Uxbridge after the parade on your way home , we will lay on a free buffet and Tots to all that pop in !!!

So shipmates instead of getting ripped off with London Bar prices ( average £4--£5 a pint ) come and join us at a proper RNA Club where you can purchase properly discounted beers for example Draft Tiger at just £2 a pint, Real Ale at £3 a pint and all other beers from £2.70 a pint.

All the Club asks is that you let us know in advance that you intend to visit for catering purposes. Tel 01895 230071 e mail [email protected] web site www.uxbridgerna.com

For non navigators the post code is UB10 9PG. The Club is located west bound just off the A40 at Hillingdon 14 miles from the west end turn off junction after RAF Northolt and is on the left at the end of the slip road , Nearest tube station a 2-minute walk from Hillingdon Station on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines. Chairman RNA Uxbridge Kevin (Slinger) Wood would be delighted to welcome you there.

3. Field of Remembrance - Wednesday 4 November 2015

If Branches wish to place a cross in the RNA Garden of Remembrance or want to attend the Field of Remembrance please forward your details and ticket requirements to Nigel in HQ. Just an early ‘church notice’ that on the day you will also be required to bring a form of ID with you, and you will need to be through the garden gate by 1015 and muster at the RNA plot, where there will be followed by a short service. The National President and General Secretary will be in attendance and he can be contacted on his mobile – 07850 646755 (if required)

4. Remembrance Sunday – Cenotaph - Sunday 8 November 2015

The Royal British Legion will once again be co-ordinating the Ex-Service Contingents attending the Cenotaph Ceremony & March Past on Sunday 8th November 2015. All those who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces under British Command as well as War Widows / Widowers are eligible to take part.

If any Shipmate would like tickets for this year’s Ceremony (limited number available) please let Nigel in RNA HQ know (by letter or email) by 30 Sept at the latest, please include your name, address and telephone number and a list of those attending. If any of your members require a carer for the day (one carer per participant) they must also be in possession of a ticket.

Please note that those parading are likely to be standing in Whitehall for at least 1½ hours prior to the March Past then marching for a distance of over 1 mile, and quite possibly in inclement weather.

Further parade instructions will be sent with your tickets which will be despatched in early October – so bid early to ensure your ticket. If you have any queries regarding the Cenotaph Ceremony then please contact Nigel or Andy at RNA HQ.

Also note; RNA tickets will only be available for members (so join them up!) and it is expected that those with RNA tickets will march with the RNA squad

5. Annual St Pauls Seafarers Service 2015

The Annual Seafarer’s service will be held on 14 October 2015. Ticket requests please to Nigel in HQ by 18 September please so that time is allowed to clear any security issues.

6. 2016 Welfare Seminar Update

For the welfare seminar to be held on March 18th at the Crown Hotel Weymouth we now have the following list of the speakers. Not necessarily in this order there will be presentations from the following;

Royal Naval Royal Marine Children's Fund Royal Naval Benevolent Fund Seafarers UK White Ensign Association Silver Line Dr Nick Murdoch Veterans with Dogs (returning by popular request) Blind Veterans UK (awaiting a reply)

An update on State Pensions and Benefits

The form to book accommodation can be found at the end of this Circular and it is really important that all applications need to be made through the method shown on the form and please not to HQ. Quite a number of applications have been received already so please get your bid in soon. The hotel offer is open to all RNA members as well as those wishing to attend the seminar.

If you have any further queries then please ring UK Holidays on 01603 886744. If out of hours please contact S/M Rita Lock MBE on 02392 642234 or by e-mail [email protected]

7. Guess Where? An Establishment

This month can you name this former naval establishment? Please forward any other pictures to the HQ that you may have for ‘Guess Where’ so that we can publish them in forthcoming Circulars. No looking on Google or Wiki!!

Answers in next month’s edition.

Last month’s answer!

Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar

8. Joke..... Another Blonde Joke It’s a Cracker!!

A contestant, Sally, on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' had reached the final plateau.

If she answered the next question correctly, she would win £1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only £25,000.

And as she suspected the million-pound question was no pushover. It was:

Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?

Is it:

A) the condor B) the buzzard C) the cuckoo D) the vulture

Sally was now panicking because she didn’t know the answer. She had used her 50/50 Lifeline and she already ‘Asked the Audience’. The only option remaining was Phone-a-Friend. She hoped she would not have to use this because her friend Chrissie was, well, blonde. But she had no alternative.

So Chris Tarrant phoned Chrissie and read out the question and the four choices.

Chrissie responded unhesitatingly: 'That's easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.'

Sally was now in a quandary she had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Chris

10 any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do.

But Chrissie had responded with such confidence, such certainty that Sally could not help but be convinced.

'I need an answer,' said Chris. Crossing her fingers, Sally said, 'C: The cuckoo.'

'Sally is that your final answer?'

'Yes, Chris that is my final answer.'

And Chris replied, 'That is the correct answer’ You are now a millionaire!'

Three days later, Sally hosted a party for her family and friends, including Chrissie who had helped her win the million Pounds.

'Chrissie I just do not know how to thank you,' said Sally. 'How did you to know it was the right answer?'

'Oh, come on,' said Chrissie 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks......

9. Finance Corner

Michelle will be on leave from 1 September back on Monday 14th. Please keep your accounts or financial questions until then. Cheques etc continue to send in, other staff members are doing the banking.

10. Donations received for the Central Charities and the Charter Challenge

Central Charities

RNA – Spennymoor £100.00 S/m P Hornett £19.00

Charter Challenge Memory Giving £272.83 Charities Trust £4.44

‘In memory of the late....’ Nil on this occasion Thank you very much for your continued support.

11. RN VC Series - Petty Officer Alfred Edward Sephton VC

Alfred Sephton was born in Warrington Cheshire in April 1911 and died during the Second World War whilst serving in HMS Coventry on operations in the Mediterranean where he was awarded the Victoria Cross (posthumously).

On the 18th May 1941 in the Mediterranean, south of Crete, Petty Officer Sephton was a director layer on HMS Coventry when she went to the assistance of a hospital ship which was being attacked by German dive-bombers. When the enemy engaged Coventry, raking her with machine-gun fire, Petty Officer Sephton was mortally wounded, a bullet actually passing through his body and injuring an able seaman beside him. Although in great pain and partially blinded, nevertheless he stuck to his instruments and carried out his duties until the attack was over. He died of his injuries next day.His citation in the London Gazette, published on 2nd December 1941 read;

ADMIRALTY, Whitehall. 2nd December, 1941. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS, for valour and fortitude in action -against the Enemy on 18th May, 1941, to:

The late Petty Officer Alfred Edward Sephton, P/JX.I3082I, HMS Coventry. Petty Officer Sephton was Director Layer when HMS Coventry was attacked by aircraft, whose fire grievously wounded him. In mortal pain and faint from loss of blood he stood fast doing his duty without fault until the Enemy was driven off. Thereafter until his death his valiant and cheerful spirit gave heart to the wounded. His high example inspired his shipmates and will live in their memory.

His name is displayed at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and very sadly PO Sephton’s VC was stolen from Coventry Cathedral in 1990 and has yet to be recovered.

12. Joke ‘One heck of a day’...

There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble- making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig. "Well, whatcha' gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears.

"Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd cry. I can't stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I say. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife with

12 another man... And then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve; and then you show up and drink the whole damn thing! But, hell, enough about me, how are you doing?"

13. His and Her Calender

The brand new 2016 ‘RNA His and Her Calendar’ is now on sale from Nigel’s Bazzar......

Cheap as chips at £5.00 (which includes cost of posting).

So let’s have your orders by snail mail, phone or e-mail.

14. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Memorial Service

The HMS ILLUSTRIOUS Association wrote to the Semaphore Circular to remind us of a little known disaster.

During the late evening of Sunday 17 October 1948 the Liberty boat left Weymouth Pier heading for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, It was a 36ft Pinnace with 5 crew and 45 men onboard. The weather conditions were atrocious with gale force winds and rain squalls and as it passed through the northern entrance of the breakwater the weather state became worse resulting in the liberty boat shipping vast amounts of water and floundering some 50mts astern of the Carrier. Rescue boats were immediately launched including the Weymouth Lifeboat and incredibly brave ships company who dived off the ship to rescue their shipmates. Despite all their efforts tragically 29 sailors lost their lives. On the 17 October 2010, 62 years later, the then 1ST Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC, unveiled a beautiful Memorial stone, shown in the picture above, with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS provide 29 Sailors to represent those that had perished on that tragic night.

A Small memorial service will be held at the Memorial on Sunday 17th October 2015 commencing at 14.30. The Memorial is situated in Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset DT5 1DX. Alternatively you SatNavers can use DT5 1SA which is the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy Osprey Quay. Anyone who would like to attend would be very much welcomed. For further information please contact : Miss Ann Lefley (Hon Treasurer) 01903 771394 e-mail [email protected] or Mr Mike Brockwell (Vice Chairman) 01293 520352.

15. WRNS 100th Anniversary

Shipmates I am sure will be interested to know that in November 2017 it will be the 100th Anniversary of the WRNS and I thought you would appreciate an update.

Commander Rosie Wilson is the Chairman of the WRNS 100 committee, which includes the Association of Wrens, the WRNS Benevolent Trust, the Dauntless Association and serving women in the Royal Navy.

The Aims of the anniversary are; • To celebrate the formation of the WRNS and its subsequent history. • To recognise the continuing role of women in the Naval Service today. • To publicise the work of the WRNSBT and the Association of Wrens. • We will also be publicising the work of the Royal Navy today.

It is hoped to achieve these aims through a series of national and regional/local events during 2017. The 100 Committee are also looking to plan a series of Commemorative, Celebratory and Educative events;  Service in Portsmouth Cathedral on 4 November 2017, followed by tea at Portsmouth Guildhall.  Commemorative stone in the grounds of the Cathedral. Design agreed and funding obtained.  Recognition of the centenary at the Festival of Remembrance.

 Hold a Summer reception/garden party at Greenwich, and to have recognition of the anniversary at the Mountbatten Festival of Music earlier in 2017.

. Hold an exhibition in the Naval Museum from Easter to October - it is hoped the NMRN will ask other museums to hold exhibitions, ie The National Maritime Museum, Imperial War Museum etc. as well as local Museums. . Link in with the RNRMC Red, White and Blue Day. . A History written by Dr Jo Stanley is planned and will be published in 2017.

As with all Anniversary events one the most important aspects is communications. The Committee will be using a social media which already including a WRNS 100 website. http://wrns100.co.uk . Also with the usual range of banners, badges and brochures. The BBC has expressed an interest and professional PR advice is being used to ensure that we get the message out.

Shipmates, the 100th Committee would really appreciate your help in spreading the word to anyone who may be interested.

16. Request for Volunteers in Cumbria

The Semaphore Circular has received a request from the Naval Families Federation Armed Forces Covenant Team. They are after volunteers in the North West to assist in the following areas;

Cumbria Fire and rescue Service, Community First Responders, the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park and Oxfam.

They are holding three public sessions from 3-5pm and 5.30-7.30 at each venue to explain their requirements at;

Thur 17 Sept Workington Fire Station Thur 24 Sept Barrow Fire station Thur 01 Oct Penrith Fire Station.

So why not pop along and find out about it.

17. Joke - Church Issue (Warning: Racy material!)

St Johns a small church had a very attractive big-busted organist, and her breasts were so large that they bounced and jiggled while she played the organ.

Unfortunately, she distracted the congregation considerably. The very proper church ladies were appalled. They said something had to be done about this or they would have to get another organist.

So one of the ladies approached her very discreetly about the problem, and told her to mash up some green persimmons (a Japanese fruit) rub them in, which should cause them to shrink in size, but warned her not to taste any of the green persimmons, because they are so sour they will make your mouth pucker up, and you won't be able to talk properly for awhile. The voluptuous organist reluctantly agreed to try it.

The following Sunday morning the minister walked up to the pulpit and said......

Dew to thir cumsthanthis bewond my contwol, we will not hab a thermon tewday.

18. Unashamedly Shep Woolley and the Ansome Cabin Boys - Shantie Night

Unashamedly Shep Woolley and the ‘Ansome Cabin Boys are holding a Trafalgar ‘Shantie Night’ in the Square Tower Old Portsmouth on 21 October 15.

There will be plenty of Shanties and a Rum and Sailors Supper all for a bargain at £15. For ticket information please ring 02392 754559 or e-mail

[email protected]

19. CONA Admin Support

Shipmates may be aware that the RNA is a member of the Conference of Naval Associations (CONA) and we have seen great benefits for CONA branch insurance, travel partners and the wonderful RAC deal. CONA has recently received a joint grant from Greenwich Hospital, SF(UK) and RNRMC to provide its members with Admin Support with the intention of reducing the admin burden on CONA members and to prevent the closure of Associations and their Branches.

Branches who would like administrative assistance such as; getting on-line; website management, managing e-mails, training in computers, assistance with accounts etc qualify for assistance under the CONA scheme, with no charge to the branch or individual. CONA have contracted a company called ‘All About Admin’ to provide this service. Please see below for specific details for what they can do for you.

All About Admin is run by Sarah Clewes, the aims of her role:

• Provide flexible, ‘back office’ administration to all members of CONA. • Provide support to enable the roles of Branch Treasurer and Secretary to become less time consuming and therefore more attractive. • Offer personal training; where possible bring together key players where possible. • Help individuals with computers and training them to go on-line confidently.

Sarah joined the Royal Navy in 1991 as a Writer and has served in HMS Coventry, HMS Invincible and HMS Argyll. Promoted to Petty Officer, she joined BRNC and became a Logistics Officer in 2005.

Branches can contact her directly to arrange help or training. Contact is 07941 750954 e-mail is [email protected]

20. Joke- Complete or Finished?

No dictionary has ever been able to define the difference between "complete" and "finished." However, during a recent linguistic conference, held in London, England, Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese linguist, was asked to make that very distinction.

The question by a colleague in the erudite audience was this: "Some say there is no difference between "complete" and "finished." Please explain the difference in a way that is easy to understand."

Answer:

Mr. Balgobin's response:

"When you marry the right woman, you are complete. If you marry the wrong woman, you are "finished."! And, if the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are "completely finished"!

His answer received a five minute standing ovation.

21. Order Forms for Diaries, Christmas Cards and Calenders.

Shipmates are reminded that the order forms for RNA Diaries, Christmas Cards and our brand spanking new His and Hers Diaries can be found at the rear of this Edition.

22. Java Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW) Club

Please see below a letter HQ received from Margaret Martin.

I have the honour to be the Secretary and Welfare Officer of the Java Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW) Club, and I organised VJ Day 70 at Easthill Park, Portslade, I would like to refer to one of your RNA members, Tony Avery, who has been Standard and Parade Marshall across Sussex for nearly 33 years.

I have seen Tony at work in Brighton and in Worthing and noted how he is well esteemed. I have had discussions with Standard Bearers from across Sussex and they speak highly of him. I was therefore delighted when Tony was able to step in and help us with our VJ Day 70 Commemoration Service at Easthill Park, Portslade on 16th August. Naturally it went off extremely smoothly as the comments by the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Mayor of Brighton and Hove and many others testified.

As there were many RN FEPOWs held in the Far East, I am attaching information, at link; http://www.thejavafepowclub42.org about the Java FEPOW Club, in the hope that you can ask your members to look out for them for me please. You will read of the Welfare benefits due to them and I would be grateful for your help.

Kind regards Margaret Martin

23. Can you Assist?

Shipmate Fred Bishop was a member of the defunct Clacton on Sea Branch sadly crossed the bar recently and his Family are trying to find some of his old shipmates. Fred moved from Tottenham in London to Clacton and served in HMS Sharpshooter and was on Arctic Convoys during the WW2. If anyone can provide any information please contact Shipmate Fred’s Daughter Mrs Lynda Harrison on 01268 734768.

RNA Longcast

2015 05 Sep National Council - UJC 06 Sep Biennial Parade - Whitehall 19 Sep Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association – Service of Remberance National Memorial Arboretum 03 Oct RNA Bletchley Branch 50th Anniversary Celebrations 09 Oct HQ Open Day 09-12 Oct RNA Plymouth – Biennial Trafalgar Weekend – GS attends Babbacombe Hotel Babbacombe. 14 Oct Annual National Service for Seafarers, St Paul's Cathedral 21 Oct Christchurch Branch – Trafalgar Dinner 23 Oct Dublin Branch – Trafalgar Dinner ( Royal Irish Yacht Club Dun Laoghaire) 31 Oct NI Festival of Remembrance – National Standard parades 5 Nov Field of Remembrance – RNA plot and service with CoF 7 Nov Festival of Remembrance – Albert Hall National Standard parades 7 Nov Area 5 – Quarterly meeting- Harwich 8 Nov Remembrance Sunday 14 Nov AMC 20 Nov Lee on the Solent & Stubbington Charity Concert – Holy Rood Church Stubbington 19-21 Nov IMC Executive Council 21 Nov FAC 05 Dec National Council 24 Dec – 4 Jan HQ Closed for Christmas and New Year 2016 13 Feb AMC Meeting 20 Feb FAC Meeting 28 Feb National Arboretum – 1991 Gulf War Memorial unveiling 4 Mar SOC (Consider Motions 12 Mar National Council Meeting 19 Mar Welfare Seminar – Crown Hotel Weymouth 7 May National Standard Bearer Competition – HMS Collingwood 10 Jun SOC 10 Jun AMC Meeting 10 Jun FAC Meeting 10 Jun National Council Meeting 11-12 Jun National Conference 12 Jun SOC (Conference Wash Up) 20 Aug AMC Meeting 26 Aug FAC Meeting 10 Sep National Council Meeting 19 Nov AMC Meeting 26 Nov FAC Meeting 10 Dec National Council Meeting

D’ye hear there’.....

News from around the Areas and Branches

RNA Lee on the Solent and Stubbington Branch

Lee/Stub Shipmates have enjoyed two socials during this Summer as well as regular monthly meetings. Vice Chairman Soapy Watson and Treasurer Steve Webb can be seen at the Branch annual BBQ ‘Cheffing it up’ mode. (Soapy is particularly proud of his Probe!!)

The Branch also held a Skittles night at the Crofton Pub with the final being an all ‘Jack Dusties’ affair featuring Shipmates Andy Giles and John Webb with Andy ending up as Champ. They are seen in the photo being awarded with their trophies by Branch Chairman and another ex Jack Dusty Andy Christie. (Both John and Andy G were Andy C’s Divisional Officer on HMS Invincible and Andy C declined to say who was his favourite!!)

‘Heads Up’ Finally, a date for your Diaries......

Shipmates are invited to join us at the Lee on Solent & Stubbington Branch Band Concert with the H M S Collingwood Band, at Hollyrood Church Stubbington, on Friday 20th November, commencing at 1930, followed by Mulled Wine and an early Mince Pie. Tickets will cost £5.00. Tickets will be on sale from late October from the Branch secretary, and outlets in Fareham, Lee on Solent, & Stubbington, Final details will be contained within the next edition of the Semaphore Circular or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Last year the Branch raised over £400 for Naval Charities and are hoping to emulate that by quite a large amount so please come and support this event.

RNA Oswestry Branch

For information Oswestry Branch are now meeting at a new venue on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 1400, details below;

The Griffin Inn Albion Hill Oswestry SY11 1QA

RNA Llangollen Branch

Yes there is a Llangollen Branch Shipmates. They meet on the 2nd Wednesday but are now relocated t the Llangollen RAFA Club, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SW. Sadly they have had to change venue due to continual change of Pub ownership.

RNA Huntingdon & District Branch

Shipmate Karl Webb has sent a report on the Huntingdon & District branch annual BBQ.

After a busy year of attending civic parades, manning charity stalls, attending Annual Conference, and affiliating with the local Sea Cadet unit, Shipmates from Huntingdon & District Branch took a well earned break and held their annual BBQ at the Black Bull pub in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire.

Our BBQs are becoming extremely popular, this year we had a small contingent of shipmates from St Neots & District Branch, as well as our guest of honour, the Mayor of Huntingdon, Councillor Bill Hensley. With just under 50 attending it was important to ensure we had plenty of scran, so this year we left it to the caterers at the Black Bull who put on an excellent spread.

Before too many dits were spun, our Rum Bo’s’un (serving) shipmate, Andy Duthie, called for those over the age of 18 to form a queue for their issue of a tot, much to the amusement of the Mayor after his ID was checked. Once everyone’s tot was issued, our President, shipmate Graham Holt gave a thank you speech to our Committee members, especially our Social Secretary, shipmate Becky Murray, and then called for silence as he gave the Loyal Toast. The Mayor followed the President by thanking the Branch for inviting him to our BBQ, he gave two toasts, the first to the Royal Naval Association, and a second to the UK’s Armed

Forces.

Although a social event, we are always looking at raising funds and so held a raffle which brought in an amazing £235 --well done shipmates.

As the day drew to a close, all agreed that they had a great time and will be looking forward to our next social, which will be our Trafalgar Night Dinner on the 24th October. The Committee members would like to thank all our shipmates and guests for making the BBQ a success, a lot of planning goes into organising an event for so many. Seeing the happy smiling faces and listening to all the dits, as well as the amount raised during the raffle, has proven the effort was well worth it. BZ to you all.

Photographs show shipmates enjoying a few drinks and big eats in the sun, the Mayor of Huntingdon is issued a tot of Pusser’s Rum. For more pictures of our BBQ (and other events), see the RNA Community website: http://rna-community.com/huntingdon-district-annual-bbq

RNA Bude Branch

Hon Sec of Bude Branch S/M Bob Gelder forwarded the article below which he thought other Branches and Shipmates would be interested in and perhaps could try this evolution out themselves.

Bude Branch set up a "Meet & Greet" with the prime aim of raising awareness of the local Branch of R.N.A. in Bude but also to recruit new Full or Associate Members, on Saturday 22nd August in the entrance to Morrisons. With several bags of "Gizzits" on offer to draw attraction, over 30 Application Forms were distributed to potential Full & Associate 'new faces' together with an "Invitation Letter" explaining who we are, where we are and welcoming the opportunity of that person joining the Branch at our September Meeting. We also took the opportunity of placing a couple of collection buckets in a strategic position and without any co-ercement whatsover, the generous Public (both Locals and Visitors alike) donated £520 to R.N.A. A

fantastic response - but the icing on the cake will be if all 30+ turn up and join up! The prospect of 45 existing Members plus 30 New Members would be fantastic! It proved that the 'exercise' and effort was worth it - next year's date has already been arranged!

RNA Rayleigh Branch

Shipmate Alan Booth forwarded the article below concerning fraternisation by Rayleigh branch with the local ‘Crabs’!!

On Wednesday the 19th August Shipmates from Rayleigh Branch supported their local RAF Association. Chairman Jim Hammond, Vice Chairman Terry Barker, Phil Edwards, Standard Bearer David Bishop and Secretary Alan Booth were invited to attend an RAF Service at their memorial situated in the Living Memorial, Rettendon where the Service was conducted by Revd. Padre Robert Magor. Among those present were representatives from the Royal Air Force

Association, Air Crew Association, the Paras’ Association and the Royal Naval Association, totalling around 45.

Most people arrived around 12.00 pm allowing them plenty of time for refreshments before the ceremony commenced at 13.00. There were no standards on this occasion as the Branch had been disbanded owing to dwindling numbers, and the standard had been laid up. Following the service Tony Reekie, Chairman, read out a light hearted poem which was well received by everyone and then invited those present to view the Royal Naval Association and Royal Navy Memorials, before making their way to the NAAFI.

The outcome was the RAF contingent was so impressed they are thinking about adding a flagpole to their memorial and the ‘Paras’ have approached Frances and Peter Theobald with a view of having a memorial, as well. After a very well prepared meal and thirsts satisfied a collection was made realising over £200 to cover some of Frances and Peters expenses, but true to their generosity they advised those present it would go towards a bench for the Royal Air Force and Air Crew memorial.

RNA Cardiff Branch

Cardiff Branch is now firmly embedded in the United Services Mess in Cardiff. This was demonstrated when a few Branch Shipmates attended United Services Mess VJ Day commemoration lunch recently. The Guests of Honour included four survivors of WW II, one of whom was an Arctic convoy survivor.

Shipmates commented that it was a pleasant but thought provoking event which concluded with a brief song battle between the RNA and a few USM member, which was ably fuelled by the refreshments available!!

RNA Dublin Branch (1)

On Saturday 18th July 2015, Shipmates from the Dublin Branch, gathered at the Irish National Maritime Institute in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin to dedicate their new Branch Standard. The choice of venue was particularly appropriate, as the Maritime Institute is housed in the former Mariners’ Church. Over 100 people attended the occasion, including Councillor Barry Saul, Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-

Rathdown County Council, Cdr John Gray RN, Senior Naval Officer for Northern Ireland, RNA Area 12 President Robert Buchanan, RNA National Council Member Ivan Hunter and the President, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Royal British Legion in the Republic of Ireland.

At the Service of Dedication, Standards were paraded by Area 12 RNA, various Branches of the RNA, the Royal British Legion, the Irish Guards’ Association, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Association and the ROI Branch of French Foreign Legion Veterans. The Branch’s old Standard was presented by the Branch President Shipmate Dermot Stones and Branch Chairman Paul Stephenson, to the President of the Maritime Institute. At the Service, a message of loyal greetings was read out from the RNA Patron HM Queen Elizabeth and a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Branch Standard Bearer, John Moore in recognition of his long and loyal service to the Branch.

RNA Dublin Branch (2)

Shipmates from the Dublin Branch were honoured to be invited on board HMS MONMOUTH during her recent visit to Dublin Port. 15 Shipmates took part in a visit to the Ship, where they were very well entertained by the WOs and SRs Mess. The Dublin Branch President, Shipmate Dermot Stones, presented the Mess with a Dublin Branch plaque, which will be the first to be hung in the renovated WOs and SRs Mess as well as bottle of Jamieson Irish Whiskey, bearing the name of the Ship on the bottle's label. In return, WO Coles, Executive WO of HMS MONMOUTH presented the Branch with a HMS MONMOUTH plaque as well as a bottle of 'Iron Duke' Ale for each of the members, a few bottles of which had been consumed by the Shipmates during the afternoon!

Area 5

For information Area 5 Shipmates please see below details of dates and venues for Area 5 Meetings

6th Feb. AGM / Quarterly Meeting. - Harwich 7th May. Quarterly Meeting. - Beccles 6th Aug. " " - Southend on Sea 5th Nov. " " - Harwich

RNA Chard Branch

Chard Branch shipmates ventured out recently to visit the local South West Deer Rescue and Study centre. A great night was had by all 11 shipmates who attended in the unfortunate drizzle and mist. However the tour was excellent and somehow they managed to stay dry before tucking into a venison steak at the pub!

RNA Newport Branch

Our Newport RNA correspondent filed the following article concerning the Branche’s visit to Dartmouth on 25th July 2015

After a dismal wet Friday, we were relieved that Saturday broke to a clear blue sky and a fairly warm sun. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, several shipmates didn’t make the 8am muster for our visit to the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and they were truly missed by everyone on the bus.

Under the attentive eye of Shipmate Spider Kelly - organiser supreme and guide extraordinary - we left on time and rolled up in the college carpark around 11.30am. And it was a thrill to be greeted by the captain himself - no, not that one! The REAL one - Captain Jack Sparrow, who hopped on the bus to welcome us in person.

We were about to leap up and arrest him when he produced a warrant giving him free passage for the day! So instead we ambled off down the road to the Parade Ground where our Cadet guide Ben rounded us up for a tour of the college.

And what an amazing place it is. History oozed from every brick of the impressive establishment which dates from 1905. Designed by Sir George Aston Webb, one of the more distinguished architects of his day, he also designed Admiralty Arch and the East Front of Buckingham Palace. The foundation stone was laid by King Edward VII in March 1902 and the first cadets entered the College three years later. Every arch and stairwell tells a story, even the Captain’s garden. It was there that the teenage Princess Elizabeth was escorted by the dashing Lt Prince Philip of Greece during her visit back last century.

A bricked up window told us of the class prejudices of the time, when cadets weren’t permitted to see into the Captain’s apartments. Myth and mystery leant colour to some more extraordinary stories, like the small round window in the chapel. The sun casts a beam of light through it for a brief moment once a year and touches on the statue of Jesus - at the exact moment Lord Nelson died at the battle of Trafalgar!

When German Bombers came up the river Dart and bombed the College in September 1942, the roof of the dining hall collapsed just as a young WREN was walking through it - the only fatality during the dreadful episode.

As it was an open day over 3,000 visitors came to see the College and stalls, and to enjoy the many demonstrations throughout the day. Highlights included a Field Gun run, the chance to look inside a Royal Navy helicopter and of course the beer tent, which came second only to the hot dog tent. In the Britannia Museum we were able to look at the impressive collection of artefacts that illustrated the college’s longstanding Royal connections. Generations of the Royal family have trained at Dartmouth, including King George VI, The Queen’s father, whose dress uniform is still on display.

The final event was a performance by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth. As we gathered at the parade ground the cadets kindly provided us with chairs - age appropriate concern? Then a young female cadet came down to tell us we were invited onto the bridge by the Captain, but by the time we’d gathered ourselves the band came stomping up the road and cut us off. However, the band gave us a wonderful display of music, marching and humorous sketches for which they got enthusiastic applause.

As we were about to disperse Captain Henry Duffey came over and chatted with us for about fifteen minutes before wishing us well and inviting us back again in the near future. It was a very enjoyable day out and at times we seemed to be one of the attractions with people coming up to us to ask about Newport RNA and tell us how much they admired the way we turned out in smart blazers and military bearing. We reminded so many people of relatives who served in the forces and who were anxious to tell us their stories. At times like that I wish I had a recorder to capture them for posterity.

Then it was back on the bus and a quick buzz up the road to our friends at the White Ensign Club, Exeter. They welcomed us with open arms, a beautiful buffet and later a show. The music had some people shuffling around the dance floor as if they knew what they were doing, and the beer flowed and the food disappeared with great gusto. Then back on the bus for the last leg home, arriving in Newport at midnight knackered but satisfied.

The credit for this great day out must go to Shipmate Spider Kelly, but also to the rest of the group who were fantastic company and an honour to spend time with.

RNA York Branch

During the July Branch meeting Shipmates witnessed Area 11 President S/M Paul Sutermeister present Life Memberships to S/m Pat Farringdon and S/m Peter Barnes.

(Editors Note- Shipmates Pat and Peter please accept our very warm congratulations from all of us at HQ as well)

RNA Bridport Branch

Apart from having 7 nonagenarians, with 2 waiting in the wings and Hon Treasurer Ray Barraclough ‘ditting on’ about Phantoms......

Bridport Branch thought Shipmates would like to see one of our members S/m Charles Davis’ fleet of 1/96th scale model ships, which he has been building over the last 24 years. The top row is HMS KENT (County Class Destroyer) & HMS RHYL (Rothesay Class Frigate; Middle row HMS DIAMOND (Daring Class Destroyer) and HMS BARFLEUR (Battle Class Destroyer, work in progress) and bottom row HMS VIVACIOUS (V&W Class Destroyer) and HMS SCOUT (Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer). He served on Kent, Diamond and Rhyl.

RNA Bristol Branch

Bristol Branch along with the Lifeboat supporters and Branch friends recently arranged a visit to the Royal Chelsea Pensioners home in London, followed by a visit to Windsor on the way home. They were met by In Pensioner, Paddy Fox, who gave them a very lively tour of the Home, and the Museum, including afternoon tea in the Mess before posing with the group in the Hospital grounds at the end of the visit. The Branch really enjoyed the day out, and the way the Pensioners greeted them during the tour. Next year they are planning a visit to the Poppy factory, stopping of on the way near Newbury for a Horse Drawn Barge trip.

RNA Hull Branch

Our correspondent in Hull Shipmate Bob Reeves forwarded this despatch for Shipmates enjoyment. He was given special leave by CINCNAGHOME to take a WW2 Veteran to London on 15 August 2015 for the VJ Day Anniversary and Commemorations, where they had a fantastic day out thanks to many people. He describes the events of the Day. Read on......

Royal Naval Association Hull Branch Newsletter

August 2015 (Special VJ Day Edition)

For Shipmate George R Palmer and all the other combatants of the Pacific Campaign, “In recognition of their duty in the face of a ruthless enemy”

This month commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the ending of the War in the Pacific, and therefore the end of WW2. The Japanese surrendered on 14th August 1945 following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria. The next day, Wednesday 15th August 1945, was celebrated as Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). Japan formally surrendered on 2nd September at a ceremony in Tokyo Bay on board USS Missouri. Victory was total, but it came at a high price. Britain suffered 90,332 casualties in the war against Japan of whom 29,968 died, 12,433 whilst prisoners of war. Men and women from all over the British Empire and Commonwealth made a vital contribution to the Allied Victory over Japan, including the Indian Army, the Royal Indian Navy and Air Force. Australians fought in Malaya and New Guinea, Canadians at Hong Kong and in the Aleutians, New Zealanders in the Solomons and other Pacific Islands. South African troops helped capture the Vichy French island of Madagascar to prevent it falling into Japanese hands.

The British Pacific Fleet joined the US Navy in the Pacific Islands campaign and ships and men of the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian navies were actively involved against the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines provided vital assistance in the provision of landing craft, minesweeping, gunfire support and other duties. Numerous British Submarines were patrolling the majority of the pacific and were prevalent in many actions during the campaign.

One such Submarine was “Sea Scout”, on board was our own torpedo man, S/M George “Pedlar” Palmer. I was asked and very honoured to escort George to the VJ 70 Day Commemorations in London on Saturday 15th August 2015. The entire day was totally amazing. It started when we arrived at Hull Station for our 0823 train to Kings Cross. I had previously emailed for passenger assistance, and boy did we get it. The photo shows George and I with one of the train stewards, the train driver and the manager of Hull Station (who would you believe is an ex Submariner)

Following the photo shoot, we were taken onboard and put in 1st Class accommodation, with all the trimmings, and we settled down for a pleasant journey. I had emailed the London Taxi Charity for Disabled War Veterans and received a reply from their boss, stating that he would be waiting at Kings Cross Station for us and lead us to a VJ 70 Taxi. En-route he informed us that ITN would like to interview George, which they did inside the taxi on our way to Horse Guards. On arrival at Horse Guards we were met by various members of the British Legion who directed us to where we picked up our accreditation bracelets and id cards and then proceeded to our seats in readiness for the Service. A very helpful policewoman assisted us across Horse Guards (have you ever tried pushing a wheelchair across half and inch or so of sand and shale). The arrival of HRH’s Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall was the starting point, followed by a flypast of a Dakota and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and Swordfish from the Royal Navy Historic Flight, joined by a current RAF Typhoon. Welcome’s and hymns were said and sung during which a Ceremonial Drumhead was assembled.

There was an extract from Field Marshal Viscount Slim’s Memoirs, read by The Viscount Slim OBE DL, President of the Burma Star Association. “Mandalay” by Rudyard Kipling was read by Mr Charles Dance. A reading from Isaiah came from John Riggs, Vice President of the Burma Star Association, and Colour Sergeant John Naylor of 1st Batt The Royal Anglian Regiment.

A second reading from John 15, came from Philip Knatchbull, the grandson of Admiral of the Fleet Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

The FEPOW Prayer written by Cpl A E Ogden and V Merrett was read by Mrs Barbara Anslow, a civilian internee at the Stanley civilian internment camp in Hong Kong.

The Hymn “Abide with me” was followed by the act of remembrance and the exhortation. Followed by a Pipers Lament “Flowers of the Forest”, followed by the Kohima Epitaph read by The Viscount Slim OBE DL. Wreaths were laid by HRH The Prince of Wales on behalf of the nation, the Prime Minister on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, and the National Chairman of the Royal British Legion Mr John Crisford with Mr John Giddings on behalf of the Veterans. More prayers and hymns during which the Drumhead was dismantled, followed by the final blessing and the National Anthem.

The participants in Sunday’s service were:-

Charles Dance who is an English Actor, screenwriter and film director. He recently starred in The Imitation Game, about how English mathematician and logician Alan Turing helped crack the Enigma code during the Second World War.

Military Bands :- Music provided by 3 Armed Services Bands, including the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth, the Band of the Coldstream Guards, and the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. They performed under the direction of Lt Colonel Nick Grace, the Principal Director of Music for the Royal Marines Band Service.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland provided Pipes and Drums. Each battalion of the Regiment has its own Band of Pipes and Drums manned by soldiers who receive their musical training at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.

The Lone Piper in the service was from the 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles. The Royal Gurkha Rifles currently have a jungle role Battalion permanently based in Brunei and a Light Role Battalion in the UK.

Choirs :- The London Welsh Male Voice Choir has an illustrious history, entertaining audiences for more than 100 years. The choir has performed at concert halls and cathedrals worldwide. BBC News presenter Huw Edwards is the choir’s president.

The Gwalia Male Choir has a repertoire including traditional Welsh hymns and folk tunes, choruses from opera and musicals, spirituals and pop tunes. Formed in 1967, the choir is in high demand for public concerts, cabarets, weddings, recordings, radio and television appearances.

And finally the Parade…..Forming up on Horse Guards was a feat in itself with so many wheelchairs and veterans who were slowly walking with the aid of sticks and their family members or carers, but George and I both agreed it was most uplifting part of the whole day, thousands of people lining the route, cheering and waving flags, all thoughts of tiredness and aching limbs were forgotten. I have marched down Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday with a very similar outcome, but this seemed to be very very special.

There were members of all the Armed Forces all along the route for anyone who needed help, and they were there as soon as you indicated so. Apparently there was a threat of disturbance

30 brought to the attention of the authorities, if there was, it was totally ignored by everyone in the Parade and the thousands of onlookers.

The Parade wound its way into Westminster Abbey for a reception under one of the biggest marquees I have ever seen, tables adorned with flags, British Legion boxes of all manner of food, all drinks available including wine and beers, a complimentary poppy bag full of books, badges, and a very lovely silver photo frame engraved with VJ 70 Day, 15th August 2015.

This was the time to relax and talk to old comrades, with a band playing in the background of all the old time favourites, people up dancing including the Duchess of Cornwall, who was gracious enough to visit most of the tables during the afternoon. As I saw her approaching our table, I rose to greet her, she shook my hand and I introduced her to George and they exchanged a few words. This seemed to cap a wonderful day for George and all the Veterans.

The reception ended at 1800, whereupon we were guided to a taxi rank for VJ Veterans, this could have been our one and only hitch, as the queue was about half a mile long with what looked like hundreds of Veterans and their families in it. However the London Taxi Charity for Disabled Veterans worked a minor miracle putting people together who were headed for the same stations and we arrived at Kings Cross just 20 minutes before our train left at 1948.

The journey home was very comfortable and the staff on the train could not have been more helpful. The Royal British Legion is to be highly congratulated for delivering this special day, the whole event could not have been better organised, certainly a day that George and I will never forget. I will be emailing all those who helped us during the whole experience.

Footnotes:- 1. Victory in Europe on 8th May 1945 was celebrated on the streets of Britain with parties and celebrations long into the night – but for thousands of families whose loved ones were still fighting, the celebrations were tempered with concern.

2. The Campaign in the Far East continued to rage on for another three months. It was not until Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15th August 1945 that this theatre of war was won and Japanese Forces surrendered, signalling the real end of the war.

3. My personal reflection. It would seem to me that it has taken 70 years for many of us to recognise these very brave men and women, sometimes, known as “The Forgotten Army”, if last Saturday is anything to go by, we will never again forget….”We will remember them”

CROSSED THE BAR - Obituaries

Bryn Chard – Cardiff Branch

Cardiff Branch are very sad to pass on the news that Cardiff RNA Member, Bryn Chard, 'Crossed the bar ' last Saturday. Bryn was one of the longest standing members of the Cardiff RNA and his absence will be greatly missed by all.

The attached photo of Bryn shows him marching with his Granddaughter and two other members from Cardiff; to his immediate left is Colin Foley and Mike Hughes, both of whom who have also have also crossed the bar within the last year.

Don Browne – Rayleigh Branch

Rayleigh Branch sadly announced that their President Shipmate Don Browne crossed the bar recently aged 91. Don joined Rayleigh Branch in 1977 and will be very much missed.

Donald was born on the 22nd October 1923 and in November 1937 was taken on as an apprentice to learn the trade of “Copper plate engraving”. Don’s father had to pay £50 for the apprenticeship and that was a lot of money in those days.

On his 18th birthday he joined the Royal Navy and started training at HMS Collingwood after which he was drafted to HMS Manchester. The ship joined the Home Fleet and during a Northern Patrol, on the 21st February 1940, captured the German blockade ship WAHEHE. After completing Arctic convoys and supplying Russia with armaments, on the 27th November 1940 took part in the Battles of Cape Spartivento during a trooping run to Malta. In January 1941 returned to the Tyne for a refit and in April 1941 re-joined the Northern Patrol. On the 11th July 1941 sailed from the Clyde to join Force “H” at Gibraltar. On the 23rd July 1941 it was severely damaged by aerial torpedo south of Sardinia and sent to refit in the USA and after final repairs at Portsmouth joined Northern Patrols in May 1942. Then on the 2nd August 1942 sailed from the Clyde with Convoy WS.21S for Malta (Operation Pedestal). On the 13th August 1942 she was torpedoed and crippled by Italian Mas 16 or Mas 22 off Cape Bon. Four hours later she was scuttled.

In Operation Pedestal there were fourteen ships with supplies which had to get through as the Island was on the verge of starvation and the food and oil was essential for the survival of Malta.

To escort them there were five Aircraft Carriers, two Battleships, supported by Cruisers, Destroyers, and Submarines to make sure that at least some got through. On the Aircraft

Carriers there were 50 Spitfire planes which were to fly off halfway there to defend Malta. After being torpedoed the remaining crew were picked up by HMS Pathfinder re-joining the convoy passing astern of the blazing oil tanker ‘Ohio’ which eventually arrived in Valetta after being towed into the harbour, still on fire. Out of the fourteen ships which started out, four limped into Valetta harbour. The Royal Navy lost many ships and men.

Returning to England and training in a gunnery course Don joined HMS Wren, an anti-submarine ship. They spent the next three years in the Bay of Biscay hunting U Boats and their group was very successful, sinking about thirty.

Returning to civilian life Don started working again at Baddeleys finishing his apprenticeship but getting full wages this time of £6.10s (£6.50p) a week.

Medal amendments The 1939 – 1945 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Arctic Star, The Africa Star, 1940 – 1943 British Armed Forces Commemorative Medal, 1992 Malta 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal,

Russian Medals: Arctic Convoy Medal. The 70th Anniversary of the ending of the 1939 – 1945 War. VE Day 70th Anniversary,

Herbert Jones - Wallasey Branch

Shipmate Herbert Jones crossed the bar recently before the Branch could honour him with a life membership. He was the Branches oldest member serving throughout WW2 and will be much missed by the Wallasey Branch.

RIP Herbert Jones RN

RNA Members Benefits

UK Holiday Group /CONA Holiday Service

• Variety of special deals for both Groups and Individual. 1% of turnover thorough CONA Holiday Service is returned to the RNA. http://www.royal-naval- association.co.uk/news/323/members-holidays-service

Coleman/Ansvar Insurance Discounted Branch and House hold Insurance - 01323 744149 http://www.thecolemangroup.co.uk/coleman-insurance-brokers/organisation-specific/cona

Funeral Service

• 2 ½ % discount form Wessex Funeral Services

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

• RNA member entry just £10 plus four guest at £10 each provides access to the all attractions including the Submarine Museum, RM Museum and Explosion!.

Legal Services

Free 30 minute legal advice with Coffin Mew. [email protected] 0800 827168

Breakdown Service

RAC Breakdown and recovery service [email protected] or 0207 4025231

Shortcast (Run in date order)

Shortcast

HMS Eagle Association – 11-13 September 2015

Friends of HMS Eagle are holding their 43rd reunion in the North Queensferry over the weekend of the 11-13 September 2015. All ex ‘Eagles’, their wives, partners and families are invited. For further details please contact Bill Meevil 01224 820603, 07741 300750 or Danny Du Feu 07966 258103. There is a ful programme with visits and entertainment ‘laid on’

HMS Jamaica Association - 18-21 September 2015

HMS Jamaica Association AGM and Reunion will be held at the Burlington Hotel Eastbourne over the weekend 18-21 September 2015. Please contact Mac Wilkinson (Hon Sec/Treasurer) on tel no 01843 582283 or e-mail [email protected].

HMS Ocean Association - 25 September 2015 28th Annual Reunion Dinner and AGM will be held at the Tillington Hall Hotel, Stafford from September 25 to 28. A warm welcome is extended to all ex-Oceans (R68 or L12), families and friends, whether Association members or not. Details from Secretary, Jim Hogan at [email protected]

Regulating Branch & RN Police Association – 02 October 2015 Regulating Branch & Royal Navy Police Association: Annual Reunion takes place from October 2 to 3. It takes place at HMS Excellent. All retired Regulators and serving Naval Police are welcome. For more information see the website at http://rba93.com or contact the Social secretary, W Dick at [email protected]

HMS Arethusa Association - 02 – 05 October 2015

HMS Arethusa a Leander Class Frigate was launched in 1963, commissioned into the Royal Navy in November 1965 and after twenty four years of active service worldwide, was de-commissioned in March 1989. She was the eighth ship to bear this name. One of twenty-six Leander Class Frigates built for the Royal Navy, she was the last warship built on the Isle of Wight at the shipyards of John Samuel White & Son in Cowes, just above the chain ferry. In 1989, following her de-commissioning, a group of former RN personnel who had served in her got together to form the “HMS Arethusa Association”. The Association has held twenty-six reunion gatherings in various parts of the UK, all of which have been attended by eighty to one hundred former crew, families and guests. Also represented in the Association were members of the 7th HMS Arethusa, a Cruiser in commission from 1935 to 1950, with meritorious service in the Second World War.

On the weekend of 2nd to 5th October 2015, HMS Arethusa Association is to hold its 27th, and final, reunion, on the Isle of Wight at The Melbourne Ardenlea Hotel, Shanklin, to commemorate fifty years of service by the ship and the Association. Following this, the Association will disband and carry on as a social group for those members remaining.

Anyone who has been associated with this ship, either during the building, during her active service and the follow up Association is invited to attend this reunion.

Full details can be obtained from – Isle of Wight Tours Ltd., 3 New Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 9 JN. Telephone: (01983) 405116. Email: [email protected] Or – The Honorary Secretary, HMS Arethusa Association (Tom Sawyer) Email: [email protected]

HMS Sheffield Association – 02 October 2015 Annual Reunion and AGM is taking place at the Coniston Hotel in Sittingbourne, Kent from October 2 to 5.

All bookings for the event are through Isle of Wight Tours who be contacted on 01983 405116. The hotel is easy to find and has plenty of parking. There will be an excursion on the Saturday to Chatham Dockyard, paid up Association members will have the entry fee for the dockyard paid by the Association.

For further details on joining the Association please contact the Secretary, Lt Cdr Charlie Deal at [email protected] or the Treasurer, Mr Mark Snow at [email protected]

HMS Eskimo F119, 1966-68 Commission - 02 October 2105

The 15th Annual Reunion, will be held at The Best Western Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea from October 2 to 5. All Eskimo Commissions are welcome to attend, bring along your wives, girlfriends, family and friends, but please contact Taff Martin first to make sure he has your contact details before Booking Information of the reunion are sent to you. Looking forward to seeing you there. Contact Allan (Taff) Martin at [email protected]

HMS St Vincent Association – 02/05 October 2015

The H M S St Vincent Association AGM and Reunion Dinner welcomes all members to the re union weekend 2015 which is being held over the weekend Friday 2nd October – Monday 5th October 2015 at the Royal Beach Hotel Southsea Portsmouth. The AGM will be held in the establishment (By kind permission of St Vincent College) on Saturday 3rd October. The AGM commences at 1100 ( Doors open at 0900), and so plenty of time to re new acquaintances, visit the Museum, buy your replacement “slops” and luncheon afterwards in the College Dining Hall. Coaches will be laid on from the hotel to take you across to the College in Gosport as part of your re union package. If you wish to attend and haven’t completed your attendance form during the last re union weekend, then attendance forms will be mailed to all members in early December from Isle of Wight Tours. The address of Isle of Wight Tours is:- Isle of Wight Tours, 3 Lake Road, Lake, Sandown Isle of Wight, PO36 9JN, Telephone 01983 405116 Or Soapy Watson on 01329 310078 (M) 07786565485, [email protected]

HMS Ulster Association – 02/05 October 2015

There will be a reunion weekend from October 2nd, 2015 to October 5th, 2015 at Smiths Hotel, Weston-Super-Mare. Further details and to download booking forms see www.candoo.com/ulsternorrie/reunions.html - or please e-mail [email protected] Not internet

36 friendly? Call Norrie Millen at 01626 779409 and leave message if no answer. The re-union is for all commissions 1943-1980.

HMS Tartar Association - 03 October 2015

Annual reunion at the Red Lea Hotel, Scarborough from October 3 to 5. All ex-Tartar’s and wives are welcome, come and meet up with old shipmates. Bookings to be arranged by IOW Tours on 01983 405116

HMS Ajax and RPVA Association - 07 October 2015

The 50th Annual Reunion is to be held at the King Charles Hotel, Gillingham, Kent. Dinner on 7th October, with Church Service and AGM on 8th October. Family members of crew who served in cruiser and crew members who served in the frigate are most welcome.

Application forms available from Malcolm Collis at [email protected] or download from http://www.hmsajax.org/

HMS Lowestoft Reunion – 9 October 2015 The 5th annual reunion of the HMS Lowestoft Association will take place at the Royal Beach Hotel, St Helens Parade, Southsea PO4 0NR from October 9th to 11th 2015. All ex-Lowie's 1961-1985 and guests are welcome. For booking & more info contact IOW Tours on 01983 405116 or email [email protected] or email: [email protected] or visit http://www.hmslowestoft.co.uk

For information, the HMS Lowestoft Association held their 4th Annual Reunion at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea over the weekend 17-19 October, celebrating 53 years since the ship first commissioned. The successful and memorable event was attended by 150 ex Lowie’s, partners and guests, including 3 former Commanding Officers, Admiral Sir John Treacher, Captain Jimmy Chestnutt and Captain Charles Buckle. Vice Admiral Sir John Webster the Navigating Officer from the first commission and Vice Admiral Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton the First Lieutenant from 1971-73 were also present.

HMS Jupiter Association - 9 October 2015

Reunion and AGM will be held in Middlesbrough at the Thistle Hotel from October 9 to 11, to mark 40 years since Jupiter was adopted by the City. Anyone who served on Jupiter, a member of TS Jupiter, has a story to tell about the many visits, or would like to join us during the weekend please contact [email protected] or visit www.hmsjupiter.co.uk

Type 21 Association - 9-10th October 2015

The Type 21 Association reunion will be held on Friday 9th and Sat 10th October 2015. Attendees should travel down the ‘pointy head Highway and muster in the St Levans Inn The programme for Saturday is - AM - AGM, PM Evening Events to be confirmed. for more information please contact ; Paul Gower PRO & Events Organiser Type 21 Club 07446196733 www.type21club.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/type21club/

HMS Llandaff F61 Association - 9/11 October 2015

The annual reunion will take place in Scarborough 9th - 11th October for details http://www.hmsllandaff.co.uk/reunion2015.htm. We are always looking for old members of the crew to come and swing the lamp and share a moment or two of your past.

The Neptune Association - 10 October 2015

Hold their next AGM at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire on October 10. A short service will be held at the Neptune & Kandahar Memorial followed by the AGM.

We will remember the 836 men lost on HM ships Neptune and Kandahar on the 19 December 1941 - the Royal Navy’s 5th worst loss of life in WW2. Relatives and friends are most welcome. More information on the website at www.hmsneptune.com

HMS Repulse Association – 16 October 2015

HMS Repulse Reunion Association is holding their next reunion from October 16 to 19 at The Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea. For more information or booking forms contact Frank Scutt at [email protected] or see the website at http://www.hms-repulse.co.uk

HMS Illustrious Association - 16/20 October 2015

Annual reunion from October 16 to 20 at the Fairhaven Hotel, Weymouth. All members of Lusty IV & V are welcome. Programme and contact - HMS Illustrious website, http://hmsillustriousassociation.co.uk/ ... vents.html or Isle of Wight Tours on 01983 405116.

HMS Glory Association - 16 October 2015

Our next half yearly reunion will be at the Ascot Hotel, Derby from October 16 to 17 with a Trafalgar Dinner on Saturday night. Any former shipmates are invited. For more information contact Bernie Cohen at [email protected]

HMS Naiad Association - 16-18th October 2015

HMS Naiad Association reunion will take place at the Liner Hotel Liverpool over the weekend 16- 18th October 2015. For further please see the website or e-mail [email protected]

HMS Fife Reunion – 17 October 2015

The HMS Fife reunion will take place at HMS Nelson Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess on 17 October 2015, 1900-2359. For information about this reunion or to register your interest in attending please contact Warrant Officer 1, Darren Emmerton at [email protected]

HMS Chevoit Reunion - 23 October 2015

Reunion will take place at the Inglewood Hotel, Torquay, Devon on October 23 to 26. Contact Vic Denham at [email protected] for more details

RFA Argus Reunion - 24 October 2015

It is the 25th Anniversary of 1st Gulf War deployment October 1990 to March 1991 and to mark this occasion, a reunion evening (including buffet) is to be held from 7pm on 24 October at The China Fleet Country Club, Saltash, Cornwall. All embarked forces (RN, RM, RMBS, QARNNS, Medical Branch, 846 Squadron from RNAS Yeovilton, Royal Artillery from Thorney Island are welcome.

To purchase tickets or for more details, please contact Steve or Laura Way [email protected]. Please make contact by 17th October 2015 and please spread the word amongst former colleagues and friends.

Survey Ships Association – 24 – 27th October 2015

The Survey Ships Association will be holding its twenty-first reunion at the 4* Menzies Mickleover Court Hotel, Derby, on the w/e of 24th – 27th October. For information on membership and reunion please send a SAE to: The Secretary SSA,17 Eliza Mackenzie Court, Lindisfarne Close, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 2SB, e-mail: [email protected], or telephone 023 9232 4795.

HMS Relentless Reunion – 27 November 2015

The 3rd annual Reunion of the HMS Relentless Association will take place at the Royal Beach Hotel, St Helens Parade, Southsea, PO4 0NR from November 27th to 30th 2015. All ex-Rusty R’s 1942-1968 and their guests are welcome. For booking & more info contact IOW Tours on 01983 405116 or email [email protected]. Or contract Association Secretary on 02392 599640, email [email protected].

2016

HMS London F95 – 27 February 2016

90/91 Gulf War crew reunion on February 27, 2016 at the Union Jack Club, London. Contact Ian Farmer on Facebook, or [email protected]. There are only 144 spaces available.

HMS Loch Fada F390 Association – 8 April 2016

The 19th annual reunion will take place at the King Charles Hotel, Chatham from April 8 to 11, includes AGM at 1030 on 9th with TOT time at 1200 (no mismusters) & Reunion Dinner at 1830. A coach outing to Greenwich on Sunday or the Walking Bus to Chatham Historic Dockyard. For booking & more info contact IOW Tours on 01983 405116 email: [email protected] & mention F390, or Frenchy Sec F390 at [email protected]

HMS Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association – 6 May 2016

The 2016 Reunion Weekend is booked the Bosworth Hall Hotel & Liesure Spa, Market Bosowrth, Warwickshire from May 6 to 8. Please contact the Secretary, Denis Askham at [email protected] for details

HMS Sirius F40 1966-1993 Reunion - 18 June 2016 50th Anniversary of Commissioning Reunion at HMS Drake on 18 June 2016. Details available at www.hmssirius.info or Facebook page, H M S Sirius (make sure you leave the spaces) or contact Andy Ayres at [email protected] or [email protected]

HMS Lincoln Association - July 2016

The HMS Lincoln Association from the 68/69 commission are planning their 2016 reunion in the City of their name Lincoln. On September 12, 1970 the ships company having marched through the streets were given the freedom of the City. The association are now in the planning stages of returning for a reunion in July 2016, and early indications are that the City authorities are delighted it’s going to happen, and joint events are being organised.

The association would like to hear from any ex Lincoln crew members from both commissions and of course any who took part in the Freedom march, who would either have been 68/69 commission or the 70/71 commission there was a mixture of personnel from both. They are invited to contact Mike (Yorky) Sutcliff at [email protected] to see if they would like to join us for this rather special reunion event.

Swinging the Lamp - August

Date Year Entry 1st 1983 RN Supply School moved from Chatham, mainly to Raleigh at Torpoint but Cookery School to Aldershot. 2nd 1999 Final performance of the Royal Tournament at Earl’s Court, in which the Royal Navy had participated since 1887. The centrepiece since 1907 was the annual naval field gun competition, a relic of the Naval Brigades in the Boer War, between the Home Ports, later joined by the Fleet Air Arm. Devonport was the last winner. 3rd 2005 Invincible, Capt Neil Morisetti RN, (the fourteenth commanding officer since Capt M.H. Livesay RN commissioned her on 11 July 1980), paid off at Portsmouth after twenty five years’ service. She was the adopted ship of the city of Durham and had visited forty countries and steamed 850,000 miles. One of three RN ships with Falklands battle honours from 1914 and 1982 (Bristol and Glasgow). 4th 1967 Helicopters from the carrier Hermes landed Royal Hong Kong Police on top of skyscrapers in anti-communist raids. Carrier Bulwark stood by with 40 Cdo embarked during riots 30 May to 12 June. 5th 1583 First settlers arrived in Newfoundland. Golden Hind, Delight, Squirrel and Swallow. 6th 1915 First flight of a seaplane from a ship using take off trolleys; a Sopwith Schneider single-seat floatplane piloted by Ft-Lt (later Air Marshal Sir) William Welsh took off from the converted Cunarder Campania. Seaplanes were hydrodynamically inefficient because fixed floats degraded flying performance; deployed over the North Sea they could not match the Zeppelin in speed, altitude or rate of climb, much to Jellicoe’s regret. The little aircraft also could not cope with any sea state and the floats frequently broke off under stress of taking-off and landing. One part solution was to launch seaplanes directly from a ship. Welsh’s flight was the first to employ wheeled trolleys or dollies attached to the floats which permitted operations in a rougher sea state than hitherto. Landing retained its character-forming qualities. Campania was the first ship to be termed a ‘fleet carrier’ – a title given her by the CO, Wing Captain (later AVM Sir) Oliver Schwann RN. 7th 1815 Napoleon sailed from Plymouth in Northumberland to exile in St Helena. 8th 1968 Leander-class frigate Scylla launched at Plymouth, the last ship to be built in a Royal Yard. 9th 1946 The new battleship Vanguard, Capt W.G. Agnew RN, entered Portsmouth for the first time and secured alongside South Railway Jetty. She had been accepted from John Brown’s on 9 August while at anchor at Spithead.

10th 1866 Second Naval Discipline Act passed: brought the system of naval justice more closely into line with the English criminal law. 11th 1415 Henry V sailed from Southampton: ‘fair stood the wind for France’. 12th 1940 German air raid damaged RN Barracks, Portsmouth, Whale Island and HMS Hornet, the coastal forces base. 13th 1934 Metropolitan Police, hitherto responsible for establishment security, withdrawn at midnight from Devonport Dockyard. 14th 1981 Closure of Dauntless at Burghfield. WRNS training moved to Raleigh at Torpoint. 15th 1944 Landing of US and French troops in southern France begins. Operation Dragoon. Battle Honour: South France 1944. Convoys were sailed from Naples, Taranto, Brindisi, Malta, Palermo and Oran. A total of 86,575 men, 12,520 vehicles and 46,140 tons of stores were landed over the beachhead in the sixty-four hours following the first landing. The Navy was called upon to provide gunfire support, and much ammunition was used, the cruiser Argonaut firing 394 5.25-in shells, and Aurora 316 6-in shells. 16th 1956 Frigate Loch Killisport, Cdr G.C. Hathaway RN, left Portsmouth for the Gulf and the East Indies Station with a Royal Marines detachment of twenty men embarked as part of the ship’s company. The Royals had hitherto served only in warships of cruiser size and above. 17th 1962 ‘There is evidence that unsatisfactory results are being obtained when painting HM Ships because the paint is not being adequately stirred beforehand . . . the hand stirrers shown in AFO Diagram 14/62 should be made by ships, depot ships staff or bases as appropriate.’ – AFO 1573/62. 18th 1919 VC: Cdr Claude Congreve Dobson RN, Lt Gordon Charles Steele RN. CMB raid on the Russian Baltic fleet base at Kronstadt on Kotlin Island, Gulf of Finland. Change of ROE allowed Rear-Admiral Sir Walter Cowan, hitherto restricted to blockading the Russian fleet to prevent Bolshevik aggression against the newly independent Baltic littoral states, to take offensive action. Lt Augustus Agar had demonstrated the capability of operating fast, shallow-draught CMBs in heavily-mined enemy waters when he torpedoed the Russian heavy cruiser Oleg on 17 June. The Kronstadt attack (Operation RK – Roger Keyes), with seven CMBs was led by Cdr C.C. Dobson RN and supported by diversionary bombing by RAF aircraft operating from HMS Vindictive. Lt Steele took command of CMB 88 when his CO, Lt Dayrell-Reed was mortally wounded. They sank the battleships Petropavlovsk and Andrei Pervozvanni, and the submarine depot ship Pamyat Azova for the loss four naval officers and four men, four RAF officers and one airman, three CMBs and aircraft. A brilliant action which thrilled the RN but embarrassed the British government which was then in sensitive negotiations with the Bolshevik authorities. Shades of Navarino. Dobson and Steele gazetted on 11 November 1919, the first anniversary of Armistice Day.

19th 1971 Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service Reserve established. First Sister enrolled, at Severn Division, 15 December 1971. 20th 1970 A three-day court martial ended at Cochrane with five ABs from minehunter Iveston being found guilty of mutiny when the ship was lying at Ullapool on 5 and 6 July. The sentences ‘to be Dismissed with

Disgrace’ were reduced on review by the Admiralty Board to ‘to be Dismissed from Her Majesty’s Service’. On the day of the mutiny a man described as a ‘tramp’ had been entertained in the Wardroom and, although irrelevant to the case, this provided the press with a focus for wide publicity and ridicule of naval administration. 21st 1990 HM ships authorised to enforce UN embargo on ships trading with Iraq. Operation Granby. 22nd 1918 Hood launched at John Brown's, Clydebank, by Lady Hood, widow of Rear-Admiral Hon. Horace Hood, who had been killed in Invincible at Jutland, 31 May 1916, the day Hood was originally laid down. At 860ft 7in overall, the longest warship ever built for the RN, and the heaviest warship at that time to hoist the White Ensign. 23rd 1956 Light cruiser Newfoundland bombarded CT targets in the Kota Tinggi district of Johore, Malaya, with 101 6-in shells. 24th 1935 The Royal Marines for the first time in their history provided the Royal Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, the Bank of England and ‘for the Hyde Park magazines’. The specially formed battalion of sixteen officers, 349 rank and file and 110 band and drums under Lt- Col T.L. Hunton, were quartered with the Cold stream Guards at Chelsea Barracks. The visit to London ended on 19 September with the battalion exercising the privilege of the Royal Marines of marching through the City of London with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. 25th 1972 RN Museum, Portsmouth, established. 26th 1904 Russia, at war with Japan, sent cruisers Petersburg and Smolensk to the Red Sea to intercept war contraband sailing under neutral flags to Japan. Britain, neutral but pro-Japan, banned combatant ships from British and Empire ports. The Cape Station cruisers, Crescent, Pearl, Brilliant, St George and Forte began a search for the Russian ships On 26 August and they were found by Forte on 6 September at Zanzibar. 27th 2010 Submarine Astute, first of class, commissioned at Faslane. 28th 1595 Drake and Hawkins left Plymouth on what turned out to be their last voyage, since neither returned. Drake died of yellow fever and Hawkins of dysentery. 29th 1957 Light cruiser Nigeria, launched 1939, transferred to the Indian Navy, after a major refit at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, and commissioned as INS Mysore. She relieved light cruiser Delhi (ex-HMS Achilles) as flagship of the Indian Navy. Paid off 1985. 30th 1985 ‘The Admiralty Board have decided that from the date of this DCI, the individual title “Fleet Chief Petty Officer” is to be abolished and “Warrant Officer” used instead for all purposes . . . The change will acknowledge the fact that Warrant Officers receive a Warrant of Appointment like Warrant Officers in the Army and RAF and thus emphasise their equivalent status and position. It neither entails nor heralds the granting of additional privileges.’ – DCI(RN) 339/85. 31st 1992 First women join Royal Marines, as musicians.

2016 Diaries

The 2016 diary will be sold as the diary part only, price £5.

If you need a diary with the dark blue crested cover it will cost £8

Orders should be sent to the address below and be accompanied either by a cheque for the total value or instructions to debit a Branch Account.

To: Royal Naval Association, Room 209 Semaphore Tower (PP70) HM Naval Base Portsmouth PO1 3LT ------Order form

From: ...... Branch/ Member

Please provide ……………… 2016 RNA insert Diaries @ £5 .00 each £ ......

Please provide ……………… 2016 Diaries with Cover @ £8 .00 each £ ......

TOTAL £...... Deliver the order to S/M………………………………………………………… Address ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………...... Post Code:……………………………

Find enclosed a cheque to the value of - £ ...... made out to The Royal Naval Association

OR debit the ...... Branch for £......

Or charge to my Credit Card/Debit Card; the details of which are: Card in the name of ...... Credit Card/Debit Card Number...... Valid From: ...... Expires ...... Three Digit Security Code (where applicable) ...... Card holder’s address of different from delivery address Address ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………...... Post Code:……………………………

The 2015 Christmas card

These are available with envelopes at £5 for ten.

Orders should be sent to HQ Semaphore Tower and be accompanied by a cheque or payment details for the total value. From: ...... Branch/Member Please provide...... Packs of ten Snowy Memorial Christmas Cards @ £5 per ten. Please provide ...... Packs of ten Victory Christmas cards @ £5 per pack Deliver the order to S/M………………………………...... Address……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ...... ……………………………………………………………………………...... ………………………………………………………Post code………………… Find enclosed a cheque to the value of - £ ...... made out to The Royal Naval Association OR debit the ...... Branch for £...... Or charge to my Credit Card/Debit Card; the details of which are: Credit Card/Debit Card No ...... Card in the name of :...... Valid From: ...... Expires ...... Three Digit Security Code (where applicable) ...... Card holder’s address if different from delivery address Address ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………...... Post Code:……………………………

The 2016 His’n’Hers Calendar is available price £5.

To: Royal Naval Association, Room 209 Semaphore Tower (PP70) HM Naval Base Portsmouth PO1 3LT ------Order form

From: ...... Branch/ Member

Please provide ………………..... 2016 Calendar @ £5.00 each TOTAL £......

Deliver the order to S/M………………………………………………………… Address ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………...... Post Code:……………………………

Find enclosed a cheque to the value of - £ ...... made out to The Royal Naval Association

OR debit the ...... Branch for £......

RNA 2016 BOOKING FORM 10th - 12th JUNE DE VERE VENUES – WOKEFIELD PARK (Near Reading)

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE BY POST/EMAIL USING THIS FORM – NO TELEPHONE BOOKINGS

Please note the first person listed in the ‘Accommodation Requirements’ should be the Lead Name on the Booking Form to whom all correspondence will be sent. Prices: 1) 10th-12th June (Fri-Sun) 2 Nights dinner, bed and breakfast: £159 per person _____

2) 10th-13th June (Fri-Mon) 3 Nights dinner, bed and breakfast: £198 per person _____

3) 11th-12th June (Sat- Sun ) 1 Night dinner, bed and breakfast: £90 per person _____

4) 9th June (Thursday – Officials Only) supplement dinner, bed and breakfast: £59 per person ____

5) Saturday Gala Dinner Only: £30 per person _____ Accommodation Requirements: (The first person named should be the “Lead Name” to whom all correspondence will be sent) Note: * A limited number of rooms are available for Single occupancy without supplement. If singles are over-subscribed a supplement of £15 per night may apply.

Arrival Depart Accommodation Type

Title Initial Surname Day Day Double Twin Single* Other

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

4. ______Special Requests/Mobility Issues: (Not guaranteed) including accommodation and parking, special needs and dietary requirements etc.

______

Lead Name Address: ______Optional Insurance: We can provide comprehensive insurance cover for a

premium of £10 per person. Full details ______will be provided for your consideration once your application has been processed ______and accepted. CHEQUE/DEBIT CARD Payments Post Code:______Tel. Number:______* CREDIT CARD * 2% charges apply Email:______If you wish to pay using a credit/debit card Cheques payable to “Just for Groups!” Non-refundable £25 per person Deposit then please tick here: ______(Please see box opposite if you wish to pay by Credit Card) Once your application has been accepted Deposit: _____ @ £25 = £______RETURNwe will contactTHIS APPLICATION you to arrange TO: pa yment. Lead Name Signature:______Date: ______Just for Groups! The Old Bakery, Queens Road, Norwich NR1 3PL Note: Final Balance Payment: Is due on or before 12th May 2016 Tel: Admin 01603 886742/Sales 01603 886740 Email: [email protected] www.justforgroups.co.uk