28 NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2009
Fly Navy all
Devilish
way to eat
sprouts
I WAS interested to read your
taped up
opinion column (July) about
brussels sprouts.
The decision to ban brussels
sprouts is asinine, particularly
given the advice that is available
in today’s world.
Vitamins A and C, folic acid
and dietary fibre are all contained
ON November 29 1970, Lts
in sprouts – and Jolly Jack needs
Terry Adams and Howard
all that stuff to be fighting fit.
Sprouts also cook well from
Draper took off from the
frozen and are thus a boon to
flight deck of HMS Ark Royal
ships at sea, especially those
at sea and were airborne without RFA support.
for some 30 minutes before There are times when the
landing four-and-a-half miles
executive should bow to the
away in Malta.
pusser and the quack – and this
Recounting the Ark Royal story
is one. When serving as a young
recently, Terry said: “Just as the
pusser in HMS Bulwark from
balloon was being prepared to be
1973-75, we had no such silly
taken to the flight deck, Capt Ray
rule (CPO Cook Duck was far
Lygo summoned me to the bridge
too sensible a man for that), even
to confirm that all was ready.
though I then loathed the taste of
“As we parted, he commented:
sprouts myself and ate none.
‘I trust the balloon has Fly Navy
But I discarded my childish
on it,’ my reply of course was
ways and learned to like sprouts,
(in true naval fashion) ‘Yes sir,
and now eat them as part of a
it has....’
balanced diet – yet still I am
AS PART of the Fly Navy celebrations taking place, Gary Rimay-
“I cantered down to the hangar,
overweight!
Muranyi of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust (see letter right) has been
grabbed a roll of the black maskers
Let’s just hope that HMS
part of a team who over the past year have organised postage
and quickly added Fly Navy to the
Bulwark is kept busy enough
stamps for issue in 18 countries using commissioned artwork (as
envelope.
so that the captain has more
seen above), a series of commemorative coins (available from the
“It flew with the taped addition
important things to consider than
Westminster Collection), Corgi Fly Navy aviation models, and most
for the rest of its life before retiring
wrongful decisions about catering
appropriately the Swordfish beer, crafted by brewers Wadworth
to the British Balloon Museum as
matters.
from their 6X brew and Pusser’s Rum. For more information, contact
the first modern balloon built in
Lt Cdr Lester May (Retd)
Gary through www.fn10stamps.com.
Britain.”
Camden Town, London
Thirty-five years later, following ...Capt Keble’s dislike of this
Capital flights
inspiration from two RNR aviators, vegetable was just like mine as a
the latest incarnation of the Fly youngster until I discovered the
Navy balloon appeared. only way to eat the little devils.
It appears every year at the Just quarter them without
Bristol Balloon Fiesta and other cutting right through, then add a
IN YOUR June issue covering the events over London commemorating
events around the country. liberal dash of malt vinegar – the
the 100th anniversary of the Fleet Air Arm, it was stated that the non-
If asked whether today’s balloon same as fish and chips.
appearance of Naval Harriers was for safety reasons, being single-engined
would do a similar launch from To this day, hundreds of years
they were not permitted to fl y over the city.
today’s Ark Royal the answer later, it is the only way I will eat
I would like to know when those frequent visitors over London, the
has to be in true naval tradition: them.
RAF Red Arrows and for that matter the Royal Navy in their Hawks,
‘given a fair wind and all the right Believe me, it does lessen the
gained another engine?
conditions, who knows...?’ punishment considerably.
Howard Newman, Farnborough, Hants
– Gary Rimay-Muranyi, – Lt Cdr Robert H Read,
Lt Cdr Adam Jones, Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff Aviation (Rear
Fly Navy Heritage Trust (Retd) Liverpool, New York USA
Admiral Charlier) told Navy News:
The current balloon will be at Long may a CO have a sense of
“In the event of an engine failure in a Harrier GR9 the poor glide
the Bristol Balloon Fiesta from humour, even about veg – Ed
performance of the aircraft severely limits the options available to the
August 6-9. Vice Admiral Sir
pilot before he has to eject.
Adrian Johns will be flying on the
“However slight this risk it is deemed unacceptable and therefore
Saturday night – Ed
the Harrier aircraft of Joint Force Harrier are unable to participate in
Kite query
any flypasts over London or other large urban areas.
“The glide performance of a Hawk is far superior and would, at the
I READ with interest a letter
speeds and heights mandated for the London flypast, afford the pilot
from Rod Wells in November in
the ability to glide to a suitable landing area outside the built-up areas
Napoli ever after which he disputes the death of
of the City.
Signalman John Taylor, whose
“Following a full investigation into the aircraft’s abilities and minimising
I WAS SORTING out some fi les name appears on the HMS Kite
the risk by flying at set parameters, approval was granted for the Red
at home and came across the memorial in Braintree.
Arrows and RN Hawks to fly over London.” – Ed
orders governing our cycle ride Since that letter I have made
from Naples to Syracuse in 1955, inquiries in John’s home town
led by S/Lt Hornblower. and I discovered that after the
Exclusive medal club
My picture (right) shows war John’s family requested that
the happy band from HMS his name be recorded on the
Birmingham together with the War Memorial inside St Mary’s
I READ with interest the article more members of this relatively
magnificent bikes (Pusser’s Church, Prescot.
Scarce Glory (June) about Lt Cdr exclusive club?
uprights) on which we completed Likewise they had his name
Steve Henaghen and a fellow – Lt Andy Lee, MOD Abbey the epic trip.
placed on the RN memorial on
course member being possibly Wood, Bristol S/Lt Hornblower is on the left.
Plymouth Hoe.
the only known serving offi cer
...Many Careers Services offi cers
I am that rather miserable looking If as Rod claims, John cheated
recipients of the Clasp to the
(all ex-Senior Rates) served
chap third from right. The rest are death, why did his family do this?
Long Service and Good Conduct
suffi cient time to be awarded the
a mix of subbies, Royal Marines The Commonwealth War Graves
medal. clasp to their LS&GC medal. and seamen. I suspect a local also record him as having died on
To set the record straight I too I was among them and also
guy slipped into the frame second HMS Kite.
hold this honour. had the distinction at the time of
from right. If Rod has any absolute proof
I received my Clasp from Lady being one of the very few offi cers
Basically the logistic support we that Signalman John Atherton
Dannatt, wife of the Chief of the entitled to wear the Meritorious
took with us comprised two-man Taylor did not die in this way
General Staff, whilst serving in the Service Medal.
tents shared between us together
donating tins of soup – which it I retired from the RN as a Fleet would he please disclose it?
Royal Naval Submarine School at – Tony Cokes, ex Lt (CS) and
with individual sleeping bags.
has to be said were accepted with Chief in 1975 but continued my In conclusion it is with regret
HMS Raleigh in 2006.
FCRS
We took umpteen tins of ‘Bully
some bemusement. interest in cycling, migrating into that I have to state that the last
I joined the Navy at Raleigh
We’re glad to know that the
Beef’ and soups, prevailing upon
We ended up in Syracuse, competitive cyling until I was 68. two survivors of HMS Kite have
in 1975 as a JEM2 and Britannia
serving officer LS&GC and
the hospitality of the local country
staying overnight in the British I still go out with fellow now passed away, Reg Holmes
Royal Naval College as a Senior Clasp club has such a growing
folk to allow us access to their
High Commissioner’s garage ‘Grumpies’ two or three times a on March 14 and Lionel Irish on
Upper Yardman, Hawke Division, membership (although you might
hearths (very often primitive wood
before embarking on HMS week. June 30.
in January 2002. need a better acronym than
burners).
Birmingham the following – Peter Beirne, Fareham, – Ray Holden, HMS Kite
I wonder if there are any SOLSAGCACC) – Ed
We showed our appreciation by
morning at ‘sparrow fart’. Hants Association, Stourport on Severn
FAME came late to Henry Allingham, and it was not Dunstan’s, where he had lived since 2006, than turn up for
something he ever sought. ceremonies and reunions. Leviathan Block, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH
It was only in the early part of this century (the third he had But he felt it was his duty, and for the remaining years of
lived through) that he was ‘discovered’ as the last survivor his life he travelled the country visiting schools to tell children
August 2009 no.661: 55th year
of the Battle of Jutland and one of the early members of the about life in World War 1. He even travelled to France to
Royal Naval Air Service. unveil a memorial. “I didn’t want to show any disrespect to
Editorial Business
Thereafter Henry Allingham was invited to join the my old pals. I had to go for them,” he explained.
Managing editor: Business manager:
Remembrance parade at the Cenotaph. And from 2003 he Although a ‘purple’ veteran – he transferred into the
Sarah Fletcher Lisa Taw 023 9229 1525
was tireless in keeping alive the memory of all the young newly-formed RAF in 1918 – it was the Senior Service which
Editor: Mike Gray Subscriptions 023 9273 4448
News editor: Richard subscriptions@navynews.co.uk
men of his generation who had died in World War 1. had the honour of celebrating his 113th birthday in HMS
Hargreaves Accounts 023 9272 0686
Henry said he would have preferred to forget his wartime President in June. Production editor: Advertising 023 9272 5062 or
memories. There must have been many times when he would Henry himself said: “I always consider myself a Navy man,” Helen Craven 023 9275 6951
have preferred to stay in the comfortable surroundings of St and the Navy were proud to claim him as their own.
023 9229 4228/9380 24163 (Mil) advertising@navynews.co.uk
Fax 023 9283 8845 Distribution 023 9282 9065
The views expressed in Navy News do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry of Defence
edit@navynews.co.uk Fax 023 9283 0149
028-029_NN_aug09.indd 1 22/7/09 08:52:21
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53