NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009 27
A long goodbye
from US
I AGREE with Ken Holloway (letters, November) that once you pass through the dockyard
gates for the last time you have to look to the future, take all your career memories with you
and just get on with the next phase of your life.
Although I was ready for into the hall by a colour party. street in a bit of a daze.
civvy street and wanted to retire, A summary of her career and I’m not quite sure exactly what
I believe a bit more fuss could promotions was read. The CO/ I had expected to happen but
be made of those retiring to XO/HOD and DO all made short after giving my country 24 years’
pension. speeches thanking her for her service I suppose that I expected
It seems now that since my service. at least a handshake and a “wish
time many great strides have been She was then presented with a you all the best” or similar.
made in looking after the needs framed commemorative diploma When I got back to the married
of those currently serving and at signed by President Clinton with quarters I searched for every
last the veterans are now being a “nation’s grateful thanks”. piece of uniform clothing that I
recognised for their service. A farewell gift of an impressive, possessed, including shirts, socks,
What about the time in-between, engraved nautical-themed clock shoes and an almost-new raincoat,
the transition period between was presented to her as a gift from and threw them in our metal
active duty and going outside after the department. garbage bin.
serving all your adult life? Finally, the CO presented her I then jumped on the contents
My very last day after more with the actual ensign which had and slammed the lid down. I am Skiffle riff
than 24 years of service was spent been flown at the masthead the
nearly 80 now but the memory of
wandering around HMS Cochrane
day before in her honour, with a that day still rankles.
as part of what was essentially a
suitable announcement in Daily – Jack Newman, Romsey,
EARLIER this year (Letters, June) you published This fine instrument had to d too
normal draft routine.
Orders. Victoria, Australia
a letter and photo from Steve Chinnock in which undergo a decontamination onn
That afternoon I was handed my
The ensign had been folded
he was displaying a T-shirt he had designed as a programme following aa
...IN 1998 I left the RN after
discharge papers by the Leading
into a triangle and was in a glass-
member of 4VO Mess, HMS Ark Royal during the banyan in the West Indies, s,,
22 years through HMS Nelson,
Writer in the Release Office
covered, engraved box. It was all
last commission of the ship, 1977-79. where he ended up playing g
where I had returned a few items
and that was it. Done, finished,
very impressive and a moving and
Steve was a very enthusiastic mess member the accordian in the surf, to too
of kit I had signed for, and my
goodbye – after 24 years!
fitting end to a fine career.
and provided us with musical entertainment with the enjoyment of a number eer
ID card.
No sense of closure and a kind
Perhaps we could learn
his skiffle group on a lot of Saturday nights at of local youngsters.
I remember saying to the lady
of lost feeling of ‘is that it? do
something from our American
sea. My best wishes to him.
A £25 Amazon voucher
in the discharge office something
In this photograph (above) he is one of the – Gerry Mitchell,
to the letter which
I go now?’ Once Navy always
cousins.
to the effect of, “Is that it? After
group of bears during Crossing the Line, while Upper Beeding,
amuses, impresses or
Navy, yes, but isn’t that the whole
– Mick (Spider) Kelly, Retired
22 years?”
playing his accordion. West Sussex
enlightens us the most.
problem that just isn’t recognised
PO Writer, Minnesota, USA
This was before the Veterans’
currently?
...I MUSTERED at Portsmouth Badge, and I never received an A5
I now live in the USA and my
Barracks to be officially demobbed sheet of paper saying thank you
wife served six years in the US
in September 1970. I had just from the government.
Navy. A few years ago her best completed 24 years’ service in the I am now living in the United
friend from her time in the service Fleet Air Arm, the last 15 as a States where ex-military personnel
Don’t fleece the
was retiring to pension as a US Chief Petty Officer. are treated a lot better than their
Navy CPO Cook after 20 years. I remember entering a blue British counterparts – they still
We travelled to the Great Lakes wooden door in the high wall get full medical care through
Naval Base near Chicago for her from the street. I was asked for the the military, they get veterans’
mustering out ceremony. The identity card by a Regulating Petty benefits when trying to find work,
Ganges boys
base is the US’s HMS Raleigh. Officer who then cut it up with they have a ‘retired military’ ID
Family, friends and shipmates a pair of scissors and threw the which allows them access to any
were seated in the Mess Hall and remains in a waste-paper basket. military establishment.
a couple of classes of new entry After filling in a couple of forms I don’t recall anything like this
AS SECRETARY of the Solent Division of the HMS I suspect it’s a mere drop in the ocean for the
trainees were stationed at ease all and signing my name on some being offered when I was in the
Ganges Association I have recently taken it upon mobile catering units, etc, compared to their takings
round the room to witness this official papers he said: “That’s it process of leaving the RN.
myself to reinstate the promotional trailer. from the event.
time-honoured tradition. Chief. You are now a civilian,” – Keith Douglas ex-AB (R)
This trailer, in the past, was displayed at many But for us ex-matelots, proud veterans who are
My wife’s friend was escorted and I walked back out into the USA
military venues in the southern part of the UK to simply trying to keep the flag flying and memories of
promote our association, reputed to be the largest past services alive, it is a slap in the face.
single ship association in the world. Surely it is not going to cripple the exhibitors to
LETTERS to the editor should always be Given the volume of letters, we cannot I am now beginning to understand why the allow a couple of ‘relevant’ associations to set up their
accompanied by the correspondent’s publish all of your correspondence in Navy
promotional trailer’s activities were disbanded several stands for the duration of the venue?
name and address, not necessarily for News.
years ago, as the exorbitant charges imposed by I recently requested a site for Devonport Navy
publication. We do, however, publish many on
those that organise such events as Navy Days and Days and was told that two charities only would be
E-mail correspondents are our website, www.navynews.co.uk,
Air Days at the various naval bases and airfields are offered a free site, in an area the size of Devonport
also requested to provide this accompanied by images.
outrageous. Dockyard – pathetic!
information. Letters cannot be We look particularly for
We have always had to bear the cost of travelling I have to say though that not all naval bases allow
submitted over the telephone. correspondence which stimulates
and, in some instances, the cost of accommodation, this disregard to ex-servicemen’s commitments.
If you submit a photograph debate, makes us laugh or
which we willingly pay out of our own pockets. In Portsmouth we are welcomed with open arms,
which you did not take yourself, raises important issues.
At times we have been known to sleep rough, even possibly the Senior Naval Officer of that base has
please make sure that you The editor reserves
though we are now all pensioners. HMS Ganges connections!
have the permission for us the right to edit your
But to be expected to shell out up to £1,000 – Bob Campbell,
to publish it. submissions.
plus site fees is in my humble opinion totally Custodian of the Solent Divison
unacceptable. Promotional Trailer, Southampton
026-027_NN_dec09.indd 2 19/11/09 17:28:22
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