16 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2009
Gaz is a trophy winner
SAILOR AB ‘Gaz’ Adam Harbon
entered a competition with Bar-
Wiggy breaks
clays Premier Life – and won a day
with the Premier League Trophy.
As the sailor is currently a
watchkeeper on HMS Victory in
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard he
was thrilled to show it off to his
Naval colleagues.
For most of the day the tro-
phy was on public display at the
SAR record
Victory Gallery of the Royal Naval
Museum, much to the delight
PETTY Officer Marcus
of visiting Australian tourist Phil ‘Wiggy’ Wigfull is the most
Guilfoyle who said: “I’m a keen popular aircrewman ever in
Arsenal supporter and just visiting
Search and Rescue – he has
the UK for two weeks – so it is a
been called out on a record-
complete surprise. And it’s really
great to be able to have my photo
breaking 600 missions.
taken with the Premiership trophy
Wiggy (pictured right), who
while I’m here.”
is currently stationed at HMS
One of Gaz’s main aims of the
Gannet, has notched up his record-
day was to take the trophy down
breaking number in 11 years based
into the Chiefs’ Mess on board
at Gannet and Culdrose.
Victory – “There’s a great team
Originally from Unstone,
spirit on the ship; great camara-
near Sheffield, the former pupil
derie between senior and junior
of Henry Fanshawe School in
personnel.
Dronfield is modest about his
“I am really happy to have won
significant milestone, saying: “For
this competition and glad to be
me it’s about personal pride more
than anything else.
able to share the prize with others
“It’s a varied job and that’s
on board, including visitors to the
one of the great things about it.
Historic Dockyard.”
No two rescues are the same and
● AB ‘Gaz’ Adam Harbon looks that’s what keeps me coming back
unparalleled in the Royal Navy.” was based in Culdrose.
rather happy about winning a for more every time.”
He added: “Flying is in his “The weather was terrible
day with the Premier League The unit’s commanding blood and he deserves many and the Bay of Biscay can be
Trophy officer, Lt Cdr Bryan Nicholas, congratulations on his milestone. a notoriously hostile place,” he
Picture: LA(Phot) Alex ‘Knotty’ Knott
is more upfront about Wiggy’s “We’re all proud to be associated remembers. “But there is a certain
achievement. with him.” excitement attached to rescues like
My goodness, it’s the Goodings
“It really is something special,” During his 11 years’ service, that – and an important learning
he said. “Even before reaching the one of Wiggy’s most high-profile curve, too.”
600 mark, he had more search and missions came with the sinking Wiggy now lives in Ayrshire
rescue call-outs than anyone else – of the oil tanker MV Erika off the with his wife, Emma and children
FATHER and son Richard and his experience of flying missions is coast of Brittany in 1999, when he Lucas and Maisie.
Dave Gooding had their first
foreign run ashore together when
ships of the Taurus 09 deployment
arrived in Malta.
RN seeks Excellent relatives
Perhaps the question was who
was looking after whom... but they
TWO new accommodation “It was heavy hot and grimy. It VC by King George V in 1918
certainly enjoyed the opportunity.
buildings at HMS Excellent, is dreadful to think what would for his immense bravery on HMS
Whale Island, Portsmouth, are
WO Richard Gooding, who has
have happened had the shell Vindictive, manning the pompoms
to be named after Royal Navy
clocked up 30 years of service,
exploded...” and Lewis guns under extreme
heroes, and the search is on to fi nd
is on his final deployment as the
Harding was born gunfire and shelling.
their living relatives to attend the (appropriately) on Trafalgar Day He married Elizabeth Jane Ross
Weapon Sensor Engineer in HMS
opening ceremony. 1833 in Portsmouth and enlisted on April 3 1919 in Birmingham.
Somerset.
Chief Gunner Israel Harding in the Navy as a cabin boy serving Finch also served in the
His son, Lt Dave Gooding, is an
was awarded the VC for his part alongside his father in HMS Portsmouth Division RM
Officer of the Watch and Damage
in the action on board HMS Echo. Depot before being promoted
Control Officer in HMS Bulwark.
Alexandra during the naval attack He married Emma Annette temporary Lieutenant (QM) as
Although they are both serving
on Alexandria, Egypt, in 1882. Nunn and is buried with his wife a store-keeping officer until his
in Devonport-based ships, Taurus
Harding picked up a 10-inch and mother-in-law in Highland release from service in August
has been their first chance to serve
live shell that landed with the fuse Road cemetery, Portsmouth. He 1945.
together.
still burning on the deck, close died in 1917, aged 83. He died in Portsmouth in 1966,
“The opportunity to have this
to the hatchway to the magazine He bequeathed his medals to having bequeathed his medals to
reunion and work together in my
containing 25 tons of gunpowder. his four children, Joseph, Louisa, the Royal Marines Museum.
final year in the Navy is something As he later told a newspaper
Annette and Castora. The opening ceremony for the
we will remember fondly for years reporter: “I just picked up that
One of Harding’s daughters is new accommodation blocks, which
to come,” said WO Gooding, shell and flung it into a tub of
known to have lived in Billinghurst, will provide a further 134 cabins,
● WO Richard Gooding and Lt Dave Gooding
from Plymstock, Devon.
Picture: LA(Phot) Shaun Barlow
water. Sussex. conferencing and bar facilities and
Sgt Norman Finch, VC, provision for disabled visitors, will
originally hailed from Handsworth, take place on May 13 2009.
Birmingham, the son of John and Anyone knowing the
Emma Finch, from Southport. whereabouts of descendants of
He joined the Navy in 1908 the two men is requested to
and trained at Eastney Barracks in contact Heather Tuppen, Press
RNAS Yeovilton will be celebrating 100 years of Naval Aviation at their
Portsmouth. Officer at Portsmouth Naval Base,
annual Air Day. An extensive fl ying and static display will take place to mark
Finch was presented with his on 023 9272 3737.
this signifi cant milestone with a mass fl ypast of naval aircraft, rare historic
warbirds and classic jets. There will be no less than four world
class military display teams present comprising of the Royal
Jordanian Falcons, the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori, the
Spanish Air Force Patrulla Aguila and the RAF Red Arrows.
Enter our competition and you could be one of fi ve lucky
winners of a pair of adult tickets to this internationally
famous event.
Simply answer the question below, complete the entry
form and post to: Yeovilton Air Day Competition,
Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, Hants. PO1 3HH
or email your answer and details to: marketing@navynews.co.uk
Closing date: 8th June 2009
Question: How many world class military display teams will be present ?
Answer ............................................................................................................................
Name ..............................................................................................................................
Address ...........................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................... Post Code .............................
Carrier’ed away
Phone ..............................................................................................................................
WHEN Cdre Martin Westwood stepped down from command of the
Email ..............................................................................................................................
RNAS
.
Defence Flying Helicopter School at RAF Shawbury, his departure took
Entries must reach the Navy News offi ce by 12 noon 8th June
a slightly unusual form.
2009. Five entries will be drawn at 15.00. Each lucky winner will
The squadrons saluted their outgoing leader borne along in his own
be notifi ed by email, phone or post and will receive a pair of
YEOVILTON
personal ‘aircraft carrier’ (pictured above).
adult tickets by post direct from the Air Day offi ce. The decision
International Air Day
Navy, Army and RAF students are all initially trained together at
of the judges is fi nal and there is no alternative prize. Employees
of Navy News are not permitted to enter the competition. Saturday 11th July 2009
the RAF base in North Shropshire, with each of the three forces weeks
later diverging into specialist training within squadrons under their own
TICKET HOTLINE: 08445 781 781
banner.
The Naval officer has now handed over the Commandant title of the
Tickets also available from our website www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk
Defence Helicopter Flying School to Group Capt Jock Brown of the
RAF.
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