Submariners Association (Derbyshire) Branch Newsletter Issue Number 133 NOVEMBER 2010 Freedom of the City of Derby to RN Submarine Service Granted 28 April 2002 LIST OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL Page 1 CONTENT & EDITORIAL AB ST Tom Smith C/JX 542849 It was with sad regret that on Page 2 BRANCH DIARY 2010 6 October 2010 we heard of the death of Tom Smith aged 85. Page 3/4 UN PC PAGE HUMOUR Tom was a WWII submariner serving in Submarines from 1943-1946 in Oberon, P46 Page 5 SA & WELFARE NEWS and Unruffled. He had also served at Ganges, Pembroke (Chatham), Dolphin, Elfin Page 6 POPPY APPEAL & MICROWAVES and Cyclops in Blyth. Tom was admitted to the new Derby Royal DEFENCE CUTS, TRIDENT DELAY, Hospital last week with a heart attack Page 7 Holland V theft from wreck and I spoke to him at the hospital up until the day before he died. They had Page 8 CUCUMBERS & SENSE OF HUMOUR stabilised his heart and blood pressure, and he was in high spirits, Page DIESEL SUBMARINES 1948-1958 despite missing our Branch 30th 9/10 Part One of Six Anniversary Party. He advised me on the phone, they were keeping him in a while longer to try and sort a I AIN‟T NO HERO (But I did my bit) Page 11 previous balance and leg problem out. It was a terrible An Understatement By An „ilson Lad 4/4 shock to hear that he had passed away. Tom was an ardent supporter of branch activities, and will be sorely HMS/M VANGUARD VISIT DERBY Page 12 missed by all in the Derbyshire branch especially at Coffee Morning meetings, and luncheon clubs. Our branch deepest condolences go to his son Dave in West Hallam, and his Page HMS/M VANGUARD VISIT DERBY th two sisters in Portugal & Aussie & Vida. Resurgam. 13-14 30 Anniversary/Traf/NMA & Home The Funeral was held on Tuesday 19 October at Markeaton. Continued on Page 2 Page 15 TS KENYA PRESENTATION NIGHT HMS Tireless & Astute News IN REMEMBRANCE SUBMARINES LOST IN NOVEMBER Page 16 BRANCH BITS AND BOBS SUBMARINE DATE SUBMARINE DATE D5 03/11/14 M1 12/11/25 Page 17 BRANCH OCT MEET MINUTES D2 25/11/14 Swordfish 07/11/40 E20 06/11/15 Regulus 26/11/40 Page Nov Lunch Club The Punchbowl E30 22/11/16 X3 06/11/42 18-19 Christmas Lunch Application Form E37 30/11/16 Unbeaten 11/11/42 K1 18/11/17 Utmost 25/11/42 E36 19/11/17 Simoon 19/11/43 Guide Dog Puppy „Derby‟ Born 22 March 2009 G7 01/11/18 Stratagem 22/11/44 BIRTHDAY BOYS 2010 G11 22/11/18 POSITIVE THOUGHT LEST WE FORGET - RESURGAM FOR THE MONTH 04 Nov Ron Slater 04 Nov Stan Smart Remember, Derbyshire Branch 30th Anniversary & Traf Dinner 09 Nov Colin Watson Growing old is See report on pages 12-14, & 16; what a cracking weekend something you get to 12 Nov Jenny Williamson do if you are lucky Terry Hall, Derbyshire Newsletter Editor Groucho Marx 16 Dec Roy Thurston 20 Dec John Arthur Hon Secretary, Submariners Assn (Derbyshire) 1 DERBYSHIRE BRANCH DIARY SA DERBYSHIRE LUNCHEON CLUB At the September Luncheon Club at the Newdigate in West Hallam we as normal had excellent food and service. We were very concerned that one couple didn‟t 2010 show and were unable to contact them either at home or on the mobile. However, all was well when we found out they were safe and well and were waiting for us to turn up at the October venue of The Park at Chaddesden a month early!!! Thus this month is The Park at Chaddesden and November is the popular Punch Bowl Carvery at West Hallam with superb view of the wonderful West Hallam WWI Machine Gunner War Memorial and the recent addition of the local WWI Mapperley Coal Mine War Memorial. Please phone Ron Slater and let him know if you intend to attend. WRNS Derbyshire Coffee Morning, Derby Can you help this fledgling branch in any way 2011 29 Oct and assist with coffee, door keeper etc? 15 January HMS/M Truculent Service, Chatham Contact Nobby or John Sayers 21-23 January KI13 Memorial Weekend Faslane 12 March Ton Class Meeting Saturday I intend travelling to Portsmouth for this event over the weekend 11-14 March 2011. If anyone would like to share travelling cost with me, and have a weekend in Pompey the same weekend, please let me know. 19-21March SA National AGM Weekend Imperial SA Branch Meeting „Winter Routine Lunch Meet‟ 04 Nov Hotel, Blackpool Jubilee Club Chaddesden. 12:15 Start Joint Weekend of AGM & Full Members only 07 Nov SA Embankment Rem Service, London 6 August Dieso Boat Reunion Saturday 11 Nov Armistice Day (Thurs) Soldiers Corner Svc My car is already fully booked. Anyone else interested let me know whether you want to do a two night 12 Nov Schools Remembrance Svc, Chaddesden TBC stopover or three. If you want to fill your car or just book and make your own way please let me know. 14 Nov Remembrance Sunday 24 Nov SA Luncheon Club. The Punchbowl West Hallam 16 September Submariners Association Mixed Reunion Weekend at Adelphi Hotel Liverpool AB ST Tom Smith C/JX 542849 Tom‟s „last patrol‟ was from Markeaton Crematorium where the cortege was met by seven Ex Association Standards, 14 Branch Members; which is over half our SA Branch Meeting „Winter Routine Lunch Meet‟ number, and many other ex Servicemen and friends 02 Dec Jubilee Club, Chaddesden 12:15 Start who had attended to salute a true Gentle - man and WWII submariner, friend or neighbour. The Standards Branch Christmas Lunch Oak & Acorn dipped in salute to a „shipmate‟, and thence all ex Application Forms sent on line and hard copies 08 Dec Service lined the entrance at least three deep whilst with this newsletter. Note closing date please. Tom was piped over the side to enter the chapel. The principle Standards, Submariners, RNA and Ganges lined Winter Routine Meetings The branch elected to hold the November to February up facing the coffin with Tom Smith BEM RNA as Standards Marshall, and meetings similar to last year. This entailed a meeting at me as Parade Marshall. The other 12:15hrs at the Jubilee Club on Morley Road at Standards stood down the side of the Chaddesden; Permission has now been granted and Chapel in a very smart line. The the branch is grateful to the Club for granting this service was undertaken by the Rev Simon White who privilege to hold our winter meetings. is the Stanley, as well as West Hallam Vicar where the family reside. The Naval Hymn was sung, and a very Maritime Club Portsmouth SA Ref 2075 poignant poem from Tom‟s granddaughter in Australia. 75-80 Queen St, Portsmouth, PO1 3HS At the Committal I piped the Still, and the principle Standards dipped until the carry on. We then departed Telephone: 023 92824231 the Chapel to the Royal Marine Band playing „A Life on the Ocean Wave and Standards were then lined up to bid family and mourners farewell. A collection was Please Note the Maritime Hotel (Ex Royal Fleet Club taken for SA to provide a fitting Memorial to Tom in his Devonport closed its doors for the last time early June memory, & the total collected and the form of this 2010 without notice. Unless you are a Scientologist it memorial (trophy) will be advised when known. We will not be accepting bookings again. thence went to the White Hart at West Hallam for a drink or two, and a superb buffet. 2 THE UN-PC PAGES ESSEX HURRICANE APPEAL A major hurricane (Hurricane Shazza) and earthquake THE LIFT measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale hit Essex in the A fifteen year old Amish boy and his father were in a early hours of Sunday with its epicentre in Basildon. shopping mall. They were amazed by almost everything Victims were seen wandering around aimlessly, they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that muttering "Faaackinell". The hurricane decimated the could move apart and then slide back together again. area causing approximately £30 worth of damage. The boy asked, 'What is this Father?' The father (never Several priceless collections of mementos from Majorca having seen a lift) responded, 'Son, I have never seen and the Costa Del Sol were damaged beyond repair. anything like this in my life, I don't know what it is.' Three areas of historic burnt out cars were disturbed. While the boy and his father were watching with Many locals were woken well before their giros arrived. amazement, a very fat old lady on a mobility scooter Essex FM reported that hundreds of residents were moved up to the moving walls and pressed a button. confused and bewildered and were still trying to come to The walls opened, and the lady drove in between them terms with the fact that something interesting had into a small room. The walls closed, and the boy and happened in Basildon. One resident, Tracy Sharon his father watched the small numbers above the walls Smith, a 15-year-old mother of 5 said, "It was such a light up sequentially. They continued to watch until it shock, my little Chardonnay-Mercedes came running reached the last number, and then the numbers began into my bedroom crying. My youngest two, Tyler- to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up Morgan and Victoria-Storm slept through it all.