NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009 31
Sheerness
International views
Historian
placed on seeks RN
heritage list
MEMBERS of the
memoirs of
A HIDDEN gem of dockyard
International Maritime
architecture has been placed on a
Confederation’s Executive
watchlist as an “international call
Council enjoyed a varied
the Somme
to action ...on behalf of endangered programme while visiting the
A HISTORIAN is seeking accounts
heritage sites worldwide.” UK as guests of the RNA.
by troops who served in the Royal
Sheerness Dockyard, on the The IMC took part in the
Naval Division’s battalions during
western tip of the Isle of Sheppey Association’s biennial march in
the Battle of the Somme.
at the meeting of the Rivers Whitehall – the RNA is unique
Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, who
Medway and Thames, was vacated amongst ex-RN organisations in
has already recounted the exploits
by the Royal Navy in 1962. having the privilege of parading in
of Naval personnel at Dunkirk
At that time it was a near-perfect Whitehall every two years.
and in the cracking of the Enigma
microcosm of Regency-period This year, although still an
code in his previous books, is
architecture, having been built and
RNA parade, sister organisations now looking for memoirs from the
planned in one cohesive programme
were invited to take part, forgotten heroes of the Somme
in the early 19th century.
including the Association of – particularly those of the 63rd
The docks, boathouses, and
Wrens, the RM Association, HMS (Royal Naval) Division, but also of
buildings were conceived as one
Ganges Association, HMS St any other regiment’s battalions.
and planned with the aid of a 150
Vincent Association, HMS Belfast Material will be used in his
square metre scale model that has
Association, the Submariners research for a Penguin book
survived.
Association and the Federation of covering July to November 1916.
The dockyard became a
Naval Associations. The author said: “The book will
commercial port, though parts of
Admiral Paolo Pagnottella laid focus on the capture or attempted
the site have been left untouched
a wreath at the Cenotaph on capture of the chain of villages
since the 1960s, while dozens of
behalf of the IMC, while Admiral and strongpoints which had to be
buildings have been torn down
John McAnally did the same for
overcome if the German line was
and docks filled in.
the Association, and a number
to be broken.
As a secure site, public access
of areas and branches also laid
“It will include coverage of the
was restricted, and multiple
wreaths at the same time.
action on November 13 when the
ownership has further muddied
The IMC delegates were in
Naval Division’s Drake and Hood
the waters.
the UK for the latest Executive
Battalions, the latter gallantly led
But with World Monuments
Council meeting, which was
by Lt Col Freyberg VC, captured
Fund listing, pressure groups
held at HMS Nelson, as Admiral
Station Road and the station near
such as the Sheerness Dockyard
McAnally currently holds the
Beaucourt, and when the Hawke
Preservation Group hope that
Presidency of the IMC.
and Nelson Battalions, and the
remaining historic buildings and
Delegates from the UK, Austria,
● RNA members and sister organisations parade in Whitehall
Howe and Anson Battalions, all
structures at the site can be saved
Belgium, France, the Netherlands
Pictures: Nigel Huxtable captured their objectives nearby,
through a concerted effort.
and Italy (Croatia and Germany of a strategic review of the by members of the RNA National
leaving the 1st Royal Marines to
Isle of Sheppey branch
were not represented on this organisation’s aims and objectives, Council, who were in Portsmouth
capture the German positions
chairman S/M Mick Withington
occasion) tackled a busy agenda plans for a 2010 sailing camp for their quarterly meeting.
south of Beaumont Hamel.”
said he believed there would be
covering the events of the past in Texel, the Netherlands, IMC members and their
Hugh can be contacted by
quite a few old salts around who
year. and arrangements for the next wives also enjoyed a boat tour
phone on 0207 435 1035 or email
spent time at Sheerness during
That included reviewing the Executive Council meeting, to be of Portsmouth Harbour, a visit
sebags@hsmontefiore.com
their time in the mob.
mounting of a very successful
hosted in Vienna by the Austrians. to HMS Victory, a trip up the
The RND was formed in 1914
S/M Mick said the dockyard
sailing camp near Rome in August
Business was interspersed with Spinnaker Tower and a behind-
largely from RN personnel and
preservation group is looking into
– attended by six RNA-nominated
social occasions, including dinner in the-scenes tour of Windsor
reserves not required at sea.
staging an event to coincide with
the Nelson wardroom and a buffet Castle.
It fought on the Western Front
● IMC delegates and their youngsters – a comprehensive
Veterans Day in 2010, and further
partners get a glimpse ‘behind review of potential membership
supper in the Senior Rates’ Mess, Delegates are self-funding
and at Gallipoli before being
events are being investigated.
the scenes’ at Windsor castle applications, the setting in hand
both of which were also attended throughout.
disbanded in June 1919.
The World Monuments Fund,
based in New York, describes itself
as “the leading private organisation
dedicated to saving the world’s
Seafarers at service
most treasured places.”
It has sponsored projects in
MEMBERS of the City of Glasgow branch attended the Seafarers
more than 90 countries since 1965,
Service in Glasgow Cathedral, alongside personnel from aircraft
attempting to preserve important
carrier HMS Illustrious, Clyde Naval Base and Clyde District Sea
architectural and cultural heritage
Cadets.
sites around the globe by working
Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster, Flag Officer Scotland, Northern
with all parties involved, from
England and Northern Ireland (FOSNNI) inspected shipmates from
government level downwards.
the RNA and Sea Cadets before attending the service then later
www.sdpg.org.uk
took the salute as the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines beat
marina
retreat.
marina www.wmf.org
£50 PRIZE PUZZLE
National
stand is
success
THE National RNA stand,
organised and manned by
stalwarts of the Plymouth branch,
proved a resounding success at the
Devonport Navy Days weekend,
THE mystery ship in our
members concurred at their latest
October edition (right) was HMS
branch meeting.
Scarborough and the Yorkshire
The stand featured a display of
connection was HMS Whitby.
RNA branch and ship crests and
Mr Aldous, of Southsea,
a collection of naval memorabilia
answered correctly, and wins
in one half and a photographic
our £50 prize.
display of branch activities (plus a
Coupons giving the correct answer
This month’s ship (above) was will go into a prize draw to establish
very active Pusser’s Rum corner)
the fourth of five ships built in a winner.
in the other half.
the 1980s for RN service in the
Closing date for entries is
The backdrop provided visitors
Far East.
January 15. More than one entry with an insight into the work
What was her name under the
can be submitted, but photocopies carried out at HMS Raleigh
White Ensign and what is her
cannot be accepted. Do not include
during the initial training of New
anything else in your envelope: no
name today?
correspondence can be entered into
Entry recruits and centre stage
We have removed her pennant
and no entry returned.
was a fine model of HMS Scott,
number from the picture. The winners will be announced in
the Royal Navy’s ocean survey
Complete the coupon and send our February edition. The competition
vessel.
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, is not open to Navy News employees Visitors to the stand included
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH. or their families.
serving Royal Navy and Royal
Marines personnel, many RNA
MYSTERY PICTURE 178
branch representatives (from as
far away as Oban and Dublin) and
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plymouth branch presidents past
and present, Vice Admiral Andrew
Mathews and Cdre Ian Jess, all
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of whom enjoyed a hospitality tot
from the rum barrel.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Branch chairman S/M Bob
Shaw said thanks are due to
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rob Anderson and the staff at
Cellar Trends for the Pusser’s
My answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rum memorabilia, and to the
Plymouth branch Navy Days
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
team, members of HMS Raleigh
CBM and Drake duty watch for
making it all happen.
030-032_NN_nov.indd 2 18/11/09 18:35:57
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