Ajax New Past up For

H.M.S. Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2012

CONTENTS

Chairman/Editor's Remarks

Visit to Montevideo

Presentation to Frank Burton

Archivist Report

Membership Secretary Report

Missing Royal Navy Life

AGM Agenda

NEC QUISQUAM NISI AJAX 2. 3.

H.M.S. AJAX & RIVER PLATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. Honorary Freeman of Rhyl CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY ARCHIVIST It is with huge pleasure that I include an article describing NEWSLETTER EDITOR Malcolm Collis the very prestigious honour of becoming an Honorary Peter Danks ‘Glenmorag’ Freeman of Rhyl which was bestowed on Roy Turner. I am 104 Kelsey Avenue Little Coxwell sure that all members of the Association send Roy our Southbourne Faringdon sincere congratulations on this tremendous honour. Emsworth Oxfordshire SN7 7LW Hampshire PO10 8NQ Tel: 01367 240382 From the Daily Post, June 22nd, 2012: Tel: 01243 371947 Mobile: 07736 929641 A retired businessman who has given over 50 years’ service to the [email protected] [email protected] community has become the first Honorary Freeman of Rhyl. The Town Council decided to bestow the honour on 84-year-old Roy TREASURER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Turner as a ceremony on Wednesday night, under new powers recently Alf Larkin Mrs Judi Collis given to town and community councils. 5 Cockles Way ‘Glenmorag’ Weymouth Little Coxwell, Faringdon Born in Stoke-on-Trent, he moved with his family to Rhyl in 1938 and Dorset DT4 9LT Oxfordshire SN7 7LW attended the local county school. In 1946 he joined Royal Navy cruiser Tel: 01305 775553 Tel: 01367 240382 ship HMS Ajax. Roy Turner [email protected] Mobile: 07736 929641 Back in Rhyl, Mr Turner established a flooring contractors business and he became active in the life [email protected] of the community. He established Rhyl Social Centre, the County School’s Old Pupils’ Association, was a youth leader www.hmsajax.org with Rhyl Boy’s club, and a founder member of the North Wales branch of the Variety Club of Great Britain, the Rhyl branch of the Royal Naval Association and Rhyl and District Operatic and Dramatic CHAIRMAN/EDITOR'S REMARKS Society. He was elected to Rhyl Urban District Council in 1953 and served for 21 years, being chairman in 1958. He also served on Flintshire County Council for six years and was chairman of the local panel I am grateful to members who have sent me articles for the newsletter. Keep your articles of Inland Revenue Commissioners for 37 years. For 50 years he was a governor of Christchurch coming because without them, we would not have a newsletter. Primary School, 30 of them as chairman. Mr Turner, of Grosvenor Avenue, Rhyl, has been married to his wife June for 57 years and they have News of Members two daughters and one son. The committee have heard that some of our members have not been too well during the At the ceremony, he was presented with a town crest and certificate by the Mayor, Cllr Bill Tasker. summer. May I take this opportunity to wish all of you who have been unwell, a speedy Mr Turner commented: “I am highly conscious of the significance of this honour and I am very proud. recovery back to full health and we do hope we shall see you at our Reunion if at all possible. I never dreamed I would get anything like this.” Annual Reunion Two years ago he visited the town of Ajax near Toronto, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of River Plate in which the HMS Ajax was involved. All of the town’s streets are named after members of the This year's reunion will be held on the 3rd and 4th October. If you have not yet submitted crew, including one called Turnerbury. your application for the dinner and accommodation please do so as soon as possible. If you have dietary concerns, please mention this when submitting your form to the hotel. We shall be holding “Up Spirits” prior to Dinner and we have an interesting speaker in Armed Forces Day – Saturday 30th June attendance. Our Church Service will be conducted by the Dean of Rochester Cathedral. An invitation was received from Canvey Island Town Council for members to attend their annual event. Details were circulated to members in their area. It would be interesting to hear Annual General Meeting of any members took part in the celebrations on 30th June in their home town. The AGM will be held at the King Charles Hotel after the Church Service and the agenda is attached with this newsletter. Presentation to Frank Burton In July, I received a story from Mrs Jenny Payne who is the Activities/Client Welfare Association Merchandise supervisor at the Hollies Care Home, Cambridge, where Frank Burton now lives. The If anyone wishes to order Association Merchandise – details of which will soon be on the web Director of the Home, found a framed picture of HMS AJAX. Tristan Latchford, a student site – please contact Alf Larkin as soon as possible and he will aim to bring it to the Reunion, who was on work's experience was given an exercise to do with the picture. Tristan made a thus saving you postage costs and ensuring prompt delivery. speech and then presented Frank with the picture. Tristan is a pupil at Perse School, Cambridge, has completed his GCSEs and enjoys music, currently studying Grade 8 violin Letter to Members concerning funding and Grade 8 voice. He is also trying to compose several pieces to be performed next year. The Committee wish to express their sincere thanks to members who have responded to the Tristan also enjoys canoeing and is a keen athlete. Tristan hopes to be a doctor in the future. letter concerning funding and other matters regarding future events within the Association. He says his experience at the Hollies was of great benefit to his perception of the service Your support is very much appreciated. provided. 2. 3.

TRISTAN’S SPEECH TO FRANK BURTON: A VISIT TO MONTEVIDEO BY PETER AND ELIZABETH DANKS On the 1st of March 1934, a ship was launched from the Vickers shipyard in barrow-on- Furness. This ship would go on to be very influential; have a town in Ontario, Canada named Last January, Elizabeth and I visited after it; and to take part in many important skirmishes and victories throughout the second Montevideo whilst on a cruise from New world war including the battle of the river plate. York to Cape Town in RMS Queen Mary On the 30th of June 1934 a very different ship was launched from the Reichsmarinewerft 2. I had been in touch with Richard shipyard in Wilhelmshaven; this was a new breed of pocket battleship created to get round the Cowley who was one of the onboard limitations imposed on Germany by the treaty of Versailles. These battleships would go on to lecturers and his final presentation was sink many Allied merchant vessels, including the SS Ashlea, and the SS Clement. Captained on the Battle of the River Plate. This was by Hans Langsdorff, it narrowly escaped encounters with the Royal Navy’s heavily armed very well received and I was able to pass HMS Cumberland, and the aircraft carrier Ark Royal whilst wreaking havoc with the Allied on some additional HMS AJAX material merchant steamers. for which he was very grateful. On arrival, Richard offered to show us the But on the 13th of December 1939 after the breakout of war, the two ships came together in sights which were prominent during and the South American waters near the estuary of the river plate. The ships were of course the after the Battle and I have included a few British HMS Ajax, and the Graf Spee. of the pictures of the sights we saw. He said he had a surprise for us but he would At the Ambassador’s residence. The HMS Ajax was one of four ships grouped together known as Force G, but the HMS not tell us until the end of our tour - and From left to right, Richard Cowley, Mrs Cumberland was undergoing repairs at the time, and was not present at the battle. With the this came when he took us to the British Mullee, Elizabeth and Peter Danks. HMS Ajax as the flagship, the Graf Spee was found, and engaged; at first by the heavy cruiser Embassy and we met Mrs Mullee, the HMS Exeter, which received very heavy damage, and sustained 61 fatalities on board, wife of the British Ambassador, and she leaving it in an ordered retreat from the battle. The HMS Ajax however, along with the HMS showed us round the house before we Achillies (the third cruiser in the group) gave chase, and damaged the Graf Spee further; had tea in the garden. In the house I sat sending the Graf Spee in a retreat to neutral Montevideo, where it subsequently made port. at the table where some of the Due to the Articles of the Haig Convention, the ship had to leave port 24 hours after the last discussions took place. (I am sure the merchant ship of the adversary, so the allies made the merchant ships in the area leave at PC was not there in 1939!!) intervals of 24 hours to prolong the time spent in the port by the Graf Spee, at the same time as The places we saw were the Naval spreading propaganda that a massive British force was assembling nearby. Langsdorff Museum with one of the 6” guns from therefore chose to scuttle the Graf Spee outside; (A below) inside ship, as he had neither the were several items from Graf Spee but ammunition, nor the conscience not so many from HMS AJAX. We to let his men die for such a then visited the English/Anglican cause. This decision was said to Church (B below) and saw the The desk in the Ambassador’s residence, used infuriate Hitler and Langsdorff memorial (similar to that in the St by Eugen Millington Drake. himself committed suicide. G e o r g e ' s The allies had won. In this room Centre at Chatham) to those who were killed from the three ships today, there is a man who has and there is a picture of the stained glass window. The British lived this experience for himself. Cemetery was next and here I placed two crosses in memory of the This man is Mr Frank Burton, two men from HMS ACHILLES who were buried in the Cemetery. and today on behalf of all the team I would like to present him B with a photo of the HMS Ajax, to remind him of the brilliant A service he did for us, and for his country. He is a very brave man, and on the behalf of my generation I thank him for his service, to preserve my freedom. Left to right: Frank, son Allan, daughter Christine Thank you. and Tristan 4. 5.

We passed the British Consulate and the Foreign Ministry (C below) where in 1939, Captain Langsdorff, Otto Langmann (German Minister)and Eugen Millington Drake (British Minister) met the Uruguayan Foreign Minister, Minister Dr Guani for discussions concerning the future of the Graf Spee. On the way we C saw the Palacio Salvo (D below), the building from which Millington- Drake on the 14th floor, watched Graf Spee leave the harbour on the 17th December and was in sight of the scuttling of the ship.

D One of the anchors from the Graf Spee (E below) is in a memorial built to mark the 25th anniversary of the Battle. Time did not allow us to visit Punta del Este, where one of the anchors HMS AJAX is located E (F below) The main range-finder salvaged from Graf Spee is on display just outside the Dockyard and there is a picture of where it was on the ship (G and H below). This was one of the technical secrets of the Graf Spee. The use of this range finder let the ship see other ships at night without being detected. It was a prototype. This was salvaged from the sunken ship in 2003. It was disappointing not to see the original ship's bell from HMS AJAX, but as has been The gravestone of two sailors from written in an earlier newsletter, the original was “removed” and a replacement is on display – HMNZS Achilles where Peter Danks it is clearly a replacement as the spelling shows HMS AYAX!!! laid poppies in their memory. On one of the walls with the English church.

Uruguay stamps to commemorate the battle One of the walls with the Naval Museum

Stained glass window in English church. 6. 7.

Uruguay stamps to commemorate the battle One of the walls with the Naval Museum

Stained glass window in English church. 8. 9.

ARCHIVIST UPDATE FIRST COMMISSION CONCERTS BY THE “PACK OF CARDS” Following a search of our website Dr Ian M Roberts, the son of Lieutenant N. S. Roberts, entered into The website www.hmsajax.org continues to produce a lot of interest and enquiries from around the an exchange of emails with me. It relates to the Ajax concerts organised by his father on the first globe with over 7500 visitors so far with the site appearing near the top on most search engines. I have commission (we only have one first commission member – Joe Collis) and he sent me lots of images. I added a 'News' page, including obituaries, and a 'Do you know' page with brief details of the person have placed these on the website, along with an extract from the Grippo (1st commission 'diary') for whom we are seeking information. I shall also be developing a 'Memorial' page with details of our relating to the concerts, as there was too much to go into the Newsletter. It can be found on appeal for a National Memorial Arboretum monument with a donation facility. http://www.hmsajax.org/#/concert-party/4567283346 or if any one would like hard copies please contact me. AJAX TRAINING BARGE Jim Smith answered my query about the PICTURE OF HMS AJAX existence of a training barge named Ajax with One of our new members, Richard the following explanation: Llewellyn has sent the below picture of Ajax 'The barge named HMS Ajax was used at Jupiter with the following explanation: Point for seamanship training by HMS Raleigh. “When I was in Ajax in 1944 I met a Lt- It was ex Admiralty Barge 851(F), 150ft long Cmdr who was also an artist. He painted and built by Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon in 1956. pictures of HM Ships in particular and I got It was named Ajax in 1987 to perpetuate the him to paint a picture of HMS Howe which name.' was my first ship, as well as Ajax. This was Thanks Jim. the 'suit of clothes' Ajax was wearing in the Mediterranean when in the Aegean AJAX CREST following the Allied landings in the South of Whilst I still haven't solved the mystery regarding the origins of the Ajax crest with crossed tridents I France.” have also received from Jim Smith the following information: 'The 'Standard' circular badge was used for new designs of badges for all types of ship from 1940. INFORMATION ON GEORGE BROMLEY Over the following years as new ships were given the older names they inherited the same badge and As a result of an appeal by Iain Bramley regarding George Bromley I received a lovely letter from shape. However, as many of these ships were considerably smaller than the previous ship of the Jacquelyn Stearns from California. She had obviously read our June Newsletter but I am not sure how name - particularly submarines and frigates, the badge was reset in the 'standard' frame. This she managed to get hold of a copy as the latest copy is only available on the restricted members page continued over the years but in the 1960's the trend was to put all warships badges in the 'standard' of the website – does any one send her a copy? circular frame. The pentagonal frame was then used for Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. “Dear Sir Ships with permission could retain the earlier shaped badge but in 1973 the MoD announced the Re: George Bromley discontinuing of the various shapes of badges for ships and submarines of the Fleet and for them all to My last letter 18/3/98 – from George Bromley – His address was 11 Park Road, Shelley Park, Shelly, be the 'standard' round shape. Huddersfield, HD8 8JE From 1976, as ships with non-standard badges came in for refits, their badges were re-carved into the I could not locate 1998 Newsletter – here are quotes from George – “I've enclosed Newsletter on Ajax 'standard' frame, so after this date all ships of the Fleet would have the standard circular frame. The which may be of interest to you. You will note action in Bone Algeria. This is the damage that took us standard circular badge was certainly used on the front of Ajax's commissioning book in 1963 so she to New York for repair and of course meeting you good people” You may be able to get date from would probably have used the standard badge from new.' ship's history. (Arrived New York 4/3/43 permanent repairs to battle damage – completed 23/10/43 - Thanks Jim again. Archivist) George Bromley stayed at my parents' neighbours. They had two homes, the one next door was Ruth & Minor (?) Stoddard – both dead now - Riverside Road, Simsbury, Connecticut - and a BOMBING OF AJAX AT BONE place on the shore in Clinton, Connecticut. I am grateful to Roy Blowers for sending me the following corrective information: In same letter “We are off to Royal Naval Reunions HMS Ganges in April and Gunnery Instructors in 'Dear Malcolm May.” – we being Amy his wife. He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 as a Boy Seaman. Also on the Further to the Newsletter for June 2012 I would refer to the Jack/John Witney's story regarding the HMS Ajax – Ben Travis and George Forbear stayed at our house 21 Riverside Road, Simsbury, bombing of the Ajax in Bone, North Africa. Connecticut. They signed my autograph book June 18, 1943 and attended my 8th guide graduation. I would like to kill, once and for all, reports that the bomb went down the smokestack. Another signature is Sig/Ernest Tobbell on HMS Ajax, He wrote an address 49 Bonhan, Bresdon, London SH2 England (sic – believed to be Bonham Road, Brixton, London now SW2 5HW – I was on the 4" gun with the other gun crew and we watched the bomb leave the Stuka and go through Archivist) He had a number C/JX265691. I know Ben and George have died. Also George Forbear's the deck, adjacent to the funnel, which was about 10 foot away from us. The bomb fin hit one of our son has died too. I did not try to contact Ernest Tobbell so do not know if he is still alive – I do not know crew members tearing his back off and he subsequently died in the sick bay. We buried him, with full if the address was a home address at the time, but these may assist you in locating him. George military honours, at the local cemetery outside Bone. His name was Mckinney. Hope this clears up Bromley did not sign the autograph book because I think he was at the shore home in Clinton, where the bomb went once and for all. Please refer to my story in the 2003 issue, page 5. Connecticut. Yours sincerely In 18/3/98 letter George Bromley said “Daughter Wendy lives in next village and two of the children HR Blowers (Roy Blowers) CHX 106662' Richard 9 and Emily 5 at village school, Charlotte 3 often stays with us. Anthony, her husband is a Thanks Roy for putting the record straight, again. 8. 9.

This has been forwarded to Iain in Melbourne, Australia and I have written to Jacquelyn to thank her PATRICK JOSEPH JACKSON (Jacko or Paddy) and to try and clarify where she saw the article. Another enquiry from Australia from Terry Jackson seeking information on his father. Patrick Joseph UPDATE FROM MARIE CULL Jackson served in the RN during the second world war. One of the ships he said he had served on was Many of you will know Marie from our reunions and it was with sadness that several of us attended HMS Ajax. He was in the Gunnery Department Terry thinks and used to refer to some guns on the ship Don's funeral this time last year. In response to the memorial appeal email/letter I sent out I received as POM POM Guns? He came from south London (Tooting) and was born on March 28 1923 so was the following information from Marie which may be of interest to many of you. only 16 when the war broke out. Terry doesn't know when he actually joined the Navy but it may have “I've just returned from a Shearing's Holiday to Whitby and whilst there we had a trip to Eden Camp been when he was 18 which would have been in 1941. which housed German and Italian POWs. Their 30+ huts now contain a super museum and one of As I often do when I have no information, I direct enquirers to the Ministry of Defence website at these huts housed memorabilia from naval battles. Of course the Battle of the River Plate was http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html where next-of-kin can, for a fee, shown. But also I saw a tribute paid by the US Navy with letters praising Don's aircraft carrier HMS apply for service records. Theseus in Korea which made me feel so proud. In the Chapel there were two brass plaques to HMS If you know any of the above please let me know. Volage {V-class destroyer} and HMS Saumarez {S class destroyer} which were another of Don's Malcolm Collis – Archivist. memories - how he would have loved to have seen these tributes. There was also a section about HMS Ganges with photos, but Don wasn't among these lads. However, when I visited the Pannette Park Museum in Whitby, in the Naval section there, although they had a small model of the HMS Exeter, they had no models of either HMS Ajax or HMS Achilles. When I queried this at the reception desk I was told that nobody had donated models of these ships. I wondered whether anyone could rectify MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S UPDATE this so that 'our' history could be made complete? I found these memories particularly moving because it was the first anniversary of Don's passing on 2nd August and I really felt he was there with Welcome to new members: me. It is so moving to visit places where one can see that these ships and battles are still remembered. By coincidence though, the chap I spoke to at the reception desk was interested because he had lived Richard Llewellyn for about 15 years in Toronto and had visited the Town of Ajax and knew the history. Don would Richard joins us through the website. Richard served on Ajax December 1943 to October 1944 (see have really loved that.” photo of Ajax in Archivist report) having firstly served on HMS Howe, then Ajax as Midshipman, Marie sends her good wishes to anyone who remembers Don and her and wishes us success with our followed by HMS Easton & Cooke. He was ex-Pangbourne. Richard lives in the Wirral. request for funding for the memorial. Derrick Howitt INFORMATION SOUGHT ON FORMER AJAX CREW MEMBERS Another website joiner, Derrick served on Ajax December 1963 to July 1965 as LS RP2. He started at I would be very pleased to receive information on the following: HMS Ganges in May 1958 before moving on to several ships prior to Ajax followed by still more and ended up as CPO at Nelson leaving the service in June 1983. Derrick lives at Waterlooville, KENNETH SMETHURST Hampshire. Ernest Kemp is seeking information on Kenneth, his father-in-law, who he thinks was on Ajax 1943 – Hugh Crosby (Bing) 1945. He has photographs of him on Ajax and HMS Manxman (a minelayer launched in 1940). A chance meeting with our Treasurer on parade led to Hugh joining us – well done Alf. Hugh served on the Frigate 1976 to 1977 as CPO L Mech (A) but firstly was a member of the 10th Paras 1957 to FREDERICK JOHN BANHAM 1959 before moving across to the Royal Navy in November 1959 and was drafted to the Fleet Air David Parnwell is currently writing a book about Frederick based on his war diaries. He was born in Arm. Between 1962 and 1972 he was RNAS Yeovilton serving on HMS Eagle & Ark Royal; RNAS 1917, joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and became a leading telegraphist. His previous ship was the Portland until 1979 serving on Ajax, Hermione and Herald; RNAS Lee-on-Solent 1979 to 1981, Speedwell and he served on her for 4 and a half years. He joined the Ajax just before Xmas 1943 at back to Portland serving on RFA Engadine 1982 – 1984 at the time of the Falklands War. Hugh was Scapa Flow and served on her for quite a while in the Mediterranean. He left the Navy sometime in released in November 1994 after 35 years service. 1945 and moved down to Torpoint where his parents had moved during the war. The book is being written at the behest of his step daughter who kept his diaries for many years. However it looks as Crossed the Bar though the material that David has is only a part of his complete diaries the majority of which seem to Sydney Harold WILSON crossed the bar on 11th June 2012 aged 89. Syd was a life member of our have been lost over the years. Association and lived at Bletchley, Milton Keynes with his daughter Brenda Haynes. Syd was born April 22nd 1923 in Huntingdonshire (now Cambridgeshire) and after a difficult childhood involving institutions and a training tea clipper called Arethusa, before being sent to HMS Ganges when he was little more than 15: he completed his training December 1939. Syd joined Ajax July 1940 as a Boy 1st 10. 11. farmer and we have been threshing the wheat to enable the straw to be used for thatching” JOHN LESLIE FARROW Someone at the HMS Ganges Reunion may have been close enough to George, if still alive, might MISSING PERSON know of George's Royal Navy service or his daughter may. Graham Farrow is trying to locate his brother John Leslie Farrow (DoB 12/6/1953), who served on I lost contact with Amy. Ajax (Frigate) around 1973-1976'ish. He has not been seen by his family for around 35 years now. Sincerely, They have tried extensive searching for him, but to no avail. He asks “Do any of your members Jacquelyn Jances Stearns remember him or indeed still know him now?” (There is a Tobbell Lane and Travis Lane in Ajax – Archivist) I did email this to those Frigate members on email but had no response.

Class and left as an AB in December 1943 seeing much action in the Mediterranean. Syd left the Navy in June 1949 following serious illness and started work with the Post Office and Civil service. Syd was honoured when the Town of Ajax named Wilsongary Circle after him and he attended the tree planting ceremony in 2008. Malcolm attended the funeral at Milton Keynes on behalf of the Association.

Happy Birthday to the following Members who had birthdays in this Newsletter period (June to August 2012 inc.):

Martin Rowland – Ajax 1967 – 1969 who was 63 on 5th June Bob Matthews – Ajax 1939 – 1942 who was 95 on 9th June (or oldest member, just) Reg Dolby – Ajax 1946 – 1948 who was 88 on 16th June William Marshall – Ajax 1945 – 1946 who was 87 on 16th June Bob McMorran – Ajax 1968 – 1970 who was 72 0n 18th June Peter Danks – Ajax 1965 – 1966 who was 73 on 20th June Alan Lorriman – Ajax 1943 – 1946 who was 87 on 21st June Cruiser in Malta Peter Buckingham – Ajax 1946 – 1947 who was 85 on 26th June Eric Dover – Ajax 1947 – 1948 who was 83 on 28th June Geoff Hopkinson – Ajax 1943 – 1945 who was 88 on 3rd July Vic Wilson – Ajax 1963 – 1965 who was 67 on 14th July Roy Blowers – Ajax 1942 – 1943 who was 87 on 16th July John Peglar – Ajax 1942 – 1943 who was 92 on 17th July Joe Collis – Ajax 1935 – 1937 who was 95 on 19th July (our second oldest) Fred Coates – Ajax 1974 – 1978 who was 73 on 26th July Kenneth Byram – Ajax 1942 – 1945 who was 89 on 4th August Alf Larkin – Ajax 1976 – 1978 who was 66 on 4th August Roy Turner – Ajax 1946 – 1947 who was 84 on 5th August Richard Llewellyn – Ajax 1943 – 1944 who was 87 on 14th August Donald Birrell – Ajax 1946 – 1947 who was 85 on 16th August

(Apologies to anyone not mentioned in this or previous editions – to rectify this, please complete your update form and send to the Membership Secretary)

SUBSCRIPTIONS Thank you to those who responded to their red dot on their June Newsletter. Unfortunately we still have a few outstanding subscriptions and those will have received a note in with this Newsletter so please rectify this as we do need the funds especially as we enter a fund raising phase for the 75th Anniversary.

Frigate - possibly in Plymouth

Photos from Mr MJ Keenan 12. 13.

Happy Birthday to the following Members who had birthdays in this Newsletter period (June to August 2012 inc.):

(Apologies to anyone not mentioned in this or previous editions – to rectify this, please complete your update form and send to the Membership Secretary)

Frigate - possibly in Plymouth

Photos from Mr MJ Keenan 14. 15.

MISSING ROYAL NAVY LIFE Cheesy, Hammy, Eggy, Train Smash, Sh*t on a Raft and Figgy Duff. Whoever wrote this certainly got it right, no truer words have ever been written, we will all see a little The wholesome taste of kai during the middle watch on a cold, dark winter’s night. of ourselves in it somewhere!! The sound of the bow slicing through the mirror calm of the sea and the frolicking of dolphins as they darted in and out of the bow wave.

I remember standing on the foc’sle on a morning watch weighing anchor with the smell of the north Watching the ships wake disappearing back towards the horizon knowing that it will be gone in a wind whipping in from ahead and the taste of salt spray on my lips. short time and being aware of the fact that we were not the first or will not be the last to leave our mark on the water. The sounds of the Navy, the piercing trill of the boatswain’s call, the clang of the ship’s bell, the harsh squark of the main broadcast tannoy and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work. The state of the art equipment and the orange glow of radar screens manned by young men in anti- flash gear using sound powered phones that their grandfathers would still recognise. The warships, sleek destroyers, fussing frigates, plodding fleet auxiliaries, menacing submarines, purposeful mine hunters and steady solid carriers. The infectious feeling of excitement as we returned home again, the hugs and kisses of welcome from family and friends. The proud names of the Navy’s capitol ships, ARK ROYAL, EAGLE, LION and TIGER. The work was hard and dangerous; the going rough at times; the parting from loved ones painful but The descriptive names of destroyers, DARING, BATTLEAXE, CAVALIER, and frigates, ACTIVE, the robust Navy comradeship, the all for one and one for all philosophy of the sea was ever present. UNDAUNTED, VIGILANT to name just a few. The traditions of the Navy the men who made them and the heroism of the men who sailed in the ships The military beat of the Royal Marine Band blaring on the upper deck as we entered harbour in of yesteryear. Procedure Alpha. Now that I am home I still remember with fondness and respect the sea in all its moods from the The pipe “liberty men fall in” and the spicy scent and sights of a foreign port. shimmering mirror calm of the tropics to the storm tossed waters of the North Atlantic, the bright colours of the White Ensign snapping at the yardarm, the sound of hearty laughter. Going ashore in No 1 uniform to meet the ladies and visit the watering holes of these foreign ports. I am ashore for good now and grow wistful about my days, when I was young and a new adventure My mates, men from all parts of the land, from city and country alike and all walks of life, I depended was ever over the horizon. on them as they depended on me for professional competence, comradeship, trust and courage, in a word we were shipmates, a band of brothers. Stamped on by brain is my Official Number and an anchor where my heart is. A loud game of Uckers in the evening with my messmates. Numbers will never be the same again: My shipmate slinging my Mick for me coming aboard after a run ashore knowing that I would do the Uniforms: Number 1s, 2s, 3s, 8s, 10s, 10As. same for him. Punishments: Number 9s, 14s. The surge of adventure in my heart when the calls of “special sea duty men close up” or “away seaboats crew” were piped. Even as times change, and young matelots take over from old sea dogs, some things will never change: The joy of hearing the call “Up Spirits”. The old days were always harder. The recruits always looked younger. The sudden adrenalin rush when the “Action Stations” alarm blared, followed by the clamour of running feet on ladders and the resounding thump of watertight doors and hatches being shut as the Official Numbers were always smaller. The waves were always bigger. ship transformed herself from a peaceful home to a deadly weapon of war ready for anything. The girls were not as good looking in Guzz as they were in Pompey. The atmosphere of the ship in the darkness of night, the dim red glow of the nightlights and the Your last ship was always the best. navigation lights. Standing on the quarterdeck as “Lifebouy Ghost” watching the sparkling phosphorescence from the screws as they constantly pushed tones of water astern of the ship, If I haven’t been there, it doesn’t exist - or we blew it off the map. carrying us to our next destination. I look back and realise it was not just a job, it was a way of life. The “Watch on Deck” on a balmy tropical night in the South China Sea watching the glorious sunset, and the flying fish gliding for amazing distances across the surface of the sea. A life where shipmates were a family never to be forgotten. Drifting off to sleep in a hammock, lulled by the myriad of noises large and small that told me that my I was part of the Navy and the Navy will always be part of me. ship is alive and well and that my shipmates were on watch and keeping me safe. The aroma from the galley during the Morning Watch. 14. 15.

TO BE HELD AT THE KING CHARLES HOTEL, GILLINGHAM ON THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2012 AGENDA

1. Chairman's remarks Chairman 2. Apologies Secretary 3. Minutes of last meeting Secretary

4. Matters arising Secretary 5. Treasurer's Report Treasurer a) Accounts for year 2012 b) Subscription rates for 2013 c) Family Membership Membership Secretary 6. Archivist Report Archivist a) Webmaster update

7. Membership Report Membership Secretary

8. Election of Officials Position Nominee Proposer Seconder Chairman Peter Danks Mike Turner John Garrard Secretary/ Peter Danks John Garrard Mike Turner Newsletter Editor Treasurer Alf Larkin Fred Coates Michael Fox Archivist Malcolm Collis Fred Coates Karen Skilling Membership Mrs Judi Collis Karen Skilling Fred Coates Secretary

9. Events in 2014 a) Visit to Canada b) Reunion c) Lunch to mark 75th anniversary 10. Fund raising – Memorial Archivist a) other sources of income 11. Changes to Constitution a) Family Membership 12 Date and venue for 2013 Reunion

12 Any other business approved by the Chairman