NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009 37
Reunions Sports lottery Ask Jack
JANUARY 2010 October 17: £5,000 – Mne W M Doleman; HMS Antrim 1970/73 – 1 GI Mess: Where THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES
1969
1989
HMS Grenville: A short service will £1,500 – AET C Marley; £500 – MEM R L are my old mess-deck mates of Antrim’s
be held at the RN memorial on Southsea Clarke. fi rst commission? It’s coming up to 40 years
seafront on January 19 starting at 12.50pm October 24: £5,000 – OM(W)1 J A when we joined Antrim in October 1970, so We fl ick back through the pages of Navy News to see which stories
to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Barlow; £1,500 – CPO R Newton; £500 – how about a get-together to see how we
sinking of HMS Grenville – four offi cers and OM(W)2 D J Salter. have fared in life since and swing the lamp
were drawing attention in past decades...
73 ratings lost their lives. For more details October 31: £5,000 – POMEM(L) N S to a few ‘bevvies’. So where are you? Chris
contact Barry Teale on 023 9282 0067. Fields; £1,500 – LMEM1 D A Fishwick; £500 Bryant, Jock W Dawson, Marty Martin-Halls,
MARCH 2010
– AB M J D Noonan. Mick Frise, Taff Popham,Geoff Stocker, Andy
HMS Diana Association: Hold their next
November 7: £5,000 – CPOWEA S A Critchley, G R ‘PC’ Constable, Nigel Ames,
reunion at the Park House Hotel, Blackpool
Middleton; £1,500 – LMEM A J Chase; £500 ‘Taff’ N Pearse, Joe Conn to name a few.
March 5 to 8. Anyone who served on the
– WO1(WEA) A M Craven. I’ve got a couple of numbers but need more
Diana is welcome to come along and join
for a ‘good ol’reunion’. So phone me, Chris
us. We welcome new members from any
‘Bungy’ Williams on 01392 213585.
commission. For further details please
HMS Ark Royal 1964-66 Commission
contact John ‘Sham’ Fisher at johnjackie.
Swap drafts Book: Has anyone from that commission
fi sher@talktalk.net or tel: 01530 242850.
still got this book, if so, could I borrow it for
723(CS) Kings Squad RM 1959-60: 50
copying (professionally)? Postage etc will
years on! We passed for duty on March 18
be refunded. Contact Pete Ridler, 5 Dottery,
1960. Reunion at Pompey on March 19.
Bridport, DT6 5PT or tel: 01308 422863 (ex
Don’t miss it! Details from Taff Prichard on
LAET(AV) Heggie. Currently on LEM 3D0 Mess).
029 2079 0233.
POAET(AV) course with a draft to Culdrose Morse Key: I am trying to fi nd a morse
Merlin in March. Willing to swap for any key as used on HM Ships in the 1950s and
APRIL 2010 Yeovil draft (preferably Lynx) – even a front- 60s. I joined the RN in 1952 until 1964 as a
HMS Cossack Association: Reunion in line draft. Contact: chrisheggie@hotmail. killick sparker. The reason for this request
April at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea com, tel 0794 403 3887. is that as from next year I will be an offi cial
when various anniversaries will be PO(UW) Pollard-Rice. Drafted to HMS volunteer at Duxford Airforce museum
remembered. You can get some information Iron Duke, Portsmouth, in February 2010. representing the Royal Navy and need a
from the website at http://www.hmscossack. Would like to swap for any Plymouth ship, morse key for demonstration purposes.
org or contact the membership secretary deploying or not. Contact 01752 811344 or Duxford has about 20 odd volunteers from
Doug Parkinson at dougirene@talktalk.net email Raleigh-fdi6@nrta.mod.uk. the three Armed Forces and we all do a stint
or tel: 01420 83521 or contact the secretary with our information-stands regarding the
on 01252 613052. times we were serving, some have guns but
MAY 2010
Assignments
all I need is a morse key, also a message-pad ● Patrol craft HMS Kingfi sher which in 1979 bagged the title of highest Naval warship
HMS Cambrian: Our next reunion for all
as we used in those days if possible. Contact
who served on board the ship at any time will
Bob Knights at wendybob@btinternet.com
be at the Holiday Inn, Newport, South Wales
or write to 3 Howell Road, Drayton, Norwich, December 1969
from May 14 to 16. Any old shipmates not yet
NR8 6BU.
in touch should contact Don Macdonald on
RFA Historical Society is compiling a list
Wren Air Mechanic Stella Nunn of 781 NAS at HMS Daedalus found herself making the record books
01344 774386.
Cdr G A Richardson to 824 NAS TU as of all personnel who were on these ships
CO on November 17. during the Falklands Confl ict of 1982, as
when she became the first Air Hostess in the Fleet Air Arm.
OCTOBER 2010 Lt David A King to HMS Biter as CO on Radio Operators, Gunners and of course 781 NAS, the only communications squadron at that time, operated Sea Devon and Sea Heron
HMS Yarmouth: Reunion will be held in October 30. the embarked fl ights, as well as the RFA and
aircraft, as well as a Wessex V helicopter, and Stella was often called upon to look after VIP
Blackpool from October 15 to 18. £130pp Lt Lee Vessey to HMS Puncher as CO on STON crews. Unfortunately the records from
(standard room) for three nights, dinner, November 2. this period do not seem to exist. I am asking
passengers, such as Admiral Sir Michael Le Fanu, the 1SL, and Vice Admiral Sir Richards Janvrin,
B&B (Gala dinner on Saturday, no single Cdr James Morley to HMS Albion as CO that any reader who served on an RFA get the head of the Fleet Air Arm.
supplement). Contact John Bryant, 47 on September 7 2010. in touch with me, so that I can record their
She loved flying but it is not known whether her wings were clipped by her impending marriage
Lavender Way, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 Lt Cdr A Chapman to HMS Wildfi re as name, rank, job and the ship they served on.
0LR or tel: 0117 947 0122. CO on November 18. Likewise if you know of someone who served
to an aircraft artificer onboard HMS Eagle at the time.
during that period to get in touch. Contact
Peter Robinson at Peterrobinson4@aol.com
December 1979
Contact sheet
or write to 4 Abbey Mount, Court Avenue,
Belvedere, Kent, DA17 5HR.
Oliver 31 Class 1984: Has anyone out
HMS Kingfisher, a 194-ton patrol craft, claimed a European record for being the highest war-
there got a video of passing out parade of ship in the RN. She managed to reach this exalted position when she passed through Sweden’s
Oliver 31 Class from September 28 1984 at
Gothenburg Canal. Traversing through six locks took 16 hours and raised her to 45.4 metres (184ft)
2.30pm? Mine was lost in the post recently.
Ministry of Defence: 0870 607 4455, Seafarers UK: 020 7932 0000, www. If I could borrow one to put on DVD I would
above sea level.
www.mod.uk seafarers-uk.org be very grateful and pay any cost incurred.
This was then Kingfisher’s third and last deployment to the Baltic and by travelling 1,600 miles she
Royal Navy recruitment: 0845 607 5555, SSAFA Forces Help: 0845 1300 975, Please contact me at: Mrs V L Twining, also claimed that the ship had sailed further east than any other Bird-class craft up to that point.
www.royalnavy.mod.uk www.ssafa.org.uk 8 Southdown Road, Sticker, St Austell,
Veterans Agency: 0800 169 2277, www. RN Community: www.rncom.mod.uk Cornwall PL26 7EW or call 01726 72319.
veterans-uk.info Medals enquiries: 0800 085 3600
December 1989
RN and RM Service records: 023 9262 Royal Naval Museum: 023 9272 7562,
8779 or 023 9262 8667 www.royalnavalmuseum.org
Please be aware that
Royal Naval Association: 023 9272 3823, Fleet Air Arm Museum: 01935 840565,
next month is a short
The great North/South divide was seen to be bridged somewhat when HMS Endurance welcomed
www.royal-naval-association.co.uk www.fl eetairarm.com
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity: Royal Marines Museum: 023 9281 9385,
production cycle because
aboard AB Dean North from York and Steward Alex South from Peterborough on the same day.
The Navy News headline at the time was “Poles Apart – but not for long”, followed by the rather
023 9254 8076, www.rnrmc.org.uk www.royalmmarinesmuseum.co.uk
of printing and distributing
RNBT: 023 9269 0112 (general), 023 9266 RN Submarine Museum: 023 9252 9217,
grandiose comment that sailors come from all points of the compass to join the Navy.
0296 (grants), www.rnbt.org.uk www.rnsubmus.co.uk
before the Christmas That year the ship was celebrating Christmas Day in Grytviken, South Georgia.
British Legion: 08457 725725, www. National Maritime Museum: 020 8312
holidays – so get your
britishlegion.org.uk 6565, www.nmm.ac.uk
Naval Families Federation: 023 9265 Imperial War Museum: 020 7416 5320,
entries in early
4374, www.nff.org.uk www.iwm.org.uk
NOTICEBOARD ENTRIES
Deaths
■ Notices for this page should be brief, clearly written or typed and
addressed to – The Editor, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, PO1
3HH or email: edit@navynews.co.uk. If you are sending your notice in via
email, please include your full address and telephone number.
Rear Admiral Rodney Sturdee DSC. naval hospital in Lowestoft before joining Association. October 18. Aged 69. Arethusa and Eagle. Beccles RNA. ■ Reunions appear in date order, and requests to place an entry in a par-
Midshipman on Exeter during the Battle Zulu in 1941 (Atlantic convoys) where he Michael Darlington. LA (SE2). Served September 20.
ticular edition cannot be guaranteed.
of the River Plate. He joined Dartmouth as experienced treating everything from TB from 1952-59. Fleet Air Arm Association, Derek Bracey. Stoker First Class. Served
a special entry cadet in 1937. In the fi rst to blast damage, but the most horrendous Daedalus branch. October. 1943-47. Flower-class Corvette Association.
■ Please send in Reunions at least three months (preferably four) before
phase of the battle, Sturdee was a ‘spotting casualties were survivors of the Ark Royal Thomas Rogers. AM(E). Served 1939-48 Norwich RNA. September 24. Aged 83. the month of the event.
offi cer’ in one of Exeter’s three main gun injured while sliding down her barnacled hull at Kilele (RNAS Tanga), Implacable, Blackcap Cpl Albert Pitchford RM. Served 1946-
■ There may be a delay before items appear, due to the volume of
turrets, and was lucky to survive this phase. as she sank. He joined Nelson in 1942 and (RNAS Stretton). Fleet Air Arm Association, 58 in various ships and establishments
Promoted lieutenant in 1941. Specialised in was appalled by the lack of facilities and Greater Manchester branch. October 15. including Assault Squadron Poole, Striker,
requests.
navigation and was awarded DSC for skill equipment onboard and promptly wrote to plus on detachment to Royal New Zealand ■ Entries are free to non-commercial organisations. Items pertaining to
while serving in the 12th minesweeping 1SL, Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, asking for
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION
Navy. Treasurer of Wansbeck RNA for 20
commercial work, books and publications for profit can only appear as
fl otilla in the Mediterranean 1944-45. He was modern equipment – earning him a reprimand
Robert Simpson ‘Old Grumpy’, ‘Black
years. October 18.
involved in actions up the west coast of Italy, for not using offi cial channels; however, soon
Bob’ among other nicknames. CPO. Started
Reginald ‘Reg’ Priestley. Leading Hand
paid-for advertising.
including Husky, the invasion of Sicily, and so much equipment arrived that he was
out in the Govan shipyards where he became
Seaman. Served 1939-46 in Warwick, ■ The Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse publication of submitted
Avalanche, the Salerno landings. In 1955 able to share it with other ships. Later that
a Shipwright. Served in RNR as ship keeper
Belfast, and Black Prince. Greenwich RNA.
notices.
he was posted to the Mediterranean as year whilst in the Mediterranean he treated
at Graham in Glasgow then joined the Royal
October 25. Aged 90.
Fleet Navigating offi cer, then 2iC of RNAS Rear-Admiral Philip Vian for an infected, life-
Navy serving in Gibraltar and Faslane; serving
William ‘Bill’ Hewitt. Fleet Air Arm.
■ Space does not allow us to accept more than one free insert. Any sub-
Culdrose; as captain, Queen’s Harbour threatening cyst and in January 1943 upon
for 40 years between the two. HMS Graham
Served WW2 in Malta and Illustrious in sequent notice will have to be paid for at advertising rates.
Master in Singapore; staff jobs then last post examining Vice-Admiral Neville Syfret he
Old Hands Association for 25 years and City
the Mediterranean and Pacifi c. One-time
was Flag Offi cer Gibraltar before retiring in realised that he had a burst appendix and
of Glasgow RNA. October 11. Aged 79.
treasurer of Skipton and district RNA.
1972. President of the Worcestershire branch peritonitis so he had to operate at once in the
Andrew Henderson. Royal Navy
November 2. Aged 86.
of the Royal British Legion and Malvern Sea battleship’s sick bay. He left the service at
Commando Frogman. Colchester RNA.
Olive Bounds. Ludlow and district RNA,
Cadets. October 6. Aged 89. the end of the war and joined the new NHS.
Aged 81.
associate member. October 22. Aged 85.
Talking Navy News
Lt Cdr Paul Millett DSC. Fleet Air Arm August 5. Aged 97.
Trevor Shaw. ERA1. Served 1945-60
Test Pilot. Volunteered during National Derek Headen. LME. Served in
at Caledonia (ERA apprenticeship) then LST & LANDING CRAFT ASSOCIATION
Navy News is available free of charge
Service for a short service career in the Fleet Newfoundland (1955-56), Sheffi eld,
to Indomitable. 1953 he moved into the F Matthews. Served on board LST 321.
as a digital file on memory stick or
Air Arm. He learnt to fl y at RAF Syerston in Chichester, Sultan and Centaur. HMS
submarine service and served in submarines April 29.
email from Portsmouth Area Talking
Nottinghamshire and gained his wings in Newfoundland Association. September 4.
Scorcher (1954), Sidon (1955), Seline (1955) J Myatt. Served on board LCG and LCT
News for those with difficulty reading
1951. His fi rst operational aircraft was the Cdr ‘Jackie’ Clough DSM. Joined as
and Solent (1956-59). Survivor of the Sidon 637. May 31.
normal type. Contact 023 9269 0851,
Fairey Firefl y, fl ying in 821 NAS from the boy 1st class 1934 aged 15 and served
disaster and as a result of injuries sustained G W Hawkins. Served on board LCT 382.
or email patn-rec@hotmail.com. A
speaker that will take a USB plug is
Speak to John Lister
carrier Triumph. From 1952 he fought in the in Cyclops, Revenge, London, Glasgow,
was invalided out of the service. Lincoln RNA September 4.
Korean War. While coming in to land on the Javelin, Latona, Queen Elizabeth, Nelson,
and past treasurer, chairman and at time of G D G Hurman. Served on board LCI(L)
required but this can be obtained from
the Talking News, or can be played
01395 568028
light carrier Glory 1953 his starboard wing Leander, Cleopatra, Glasgow, Solebay,
death was the president of the Submariners 389. October 1.
dipped and caught a wire and the aircraft Carysfort and Plymouth. Served for 40
Association. Aged 80. K A Blackburn. Served on board LCI(L)s
back through a computer.
www.burialatsea.co.uk
crashed over the side; both he and his years through to the rank of Commander
Arnold Douglas Saunders. CPO. 104, 122, 249 and LCT 748. October 11.
passenger were picked up by the plane- in the Executive Branch and as a Gunnery
Served 22 years in Jaguar and the cruiser G Benbow MID. Served on board LCAs,
email@burialatsea.co.uk
guard Comus. Still as a sub-lieutenant he Specialist; shore staff in Malta and Excellent;
Birmingham. Whilst in charge of millions of LCT 401, LSI(L), Empire Cutlass. October
clocked up 100 combat sorties and 212 trials commander Aberporth; deputy Training
pounds worth of spare parts for disposal 13.
deck landings and was awarded the DSC. Director Foreign and Commonwealth retiring
at Chatham Dockyard he was awarded the R Scarth. Served on board LCA Flotilla
Returning to Britain he was appointed to 1974. Awarded DSM 1940 and BEM (Military)
BEM for taking the initiative to circulate them 128, LCM Flotilla 131. October 15.
the Central Flying School to become an 1962. Association of RN Offi cers. October
to the Fleet ensuring nothing was scrapped.
Following extensive enquiries and advertisements I have been unable
instructor teaching in the Sea Fury, Firefl y 19. Aged 91.
Southend-on-Sea RNA and Isle of Wight
In memory of
and the Vampire jet. In 1958 he was sent Dennis William Parker. RP2. Served
Royal British Legion, Shanklin. October 20.
to locate or contact any Naval Veterans who served on Royal Navy
to the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) 1949-57 in Red Pole, Victorious, Implacable,
Aged 91. CRS ROBERT W STROUT
Insect Class Gunboat H.M.S. Scarab. If you served on her, or know
where he fl ew 44 types of aircraft; he was Indomitable, Narvik, Centaur and Albion.
H M ‘Sandy’ Jarman. MNA. Associate
At 1615 on October 26 2009
awarded the OBE for his services to aviation. Veteran of the British Nuclear Tests 1953
member Scarborough branch and known by
Bob left us to join friends anyone who did so, would you please make contact with me.
September 2. Aged 78. and a member of the association. October
many branches especially Liverpool and Hull
in a better place.
My Father, Frank Sutton Taylor, was a member of the Ships Company
Lt Cdr Edgar Lee DSO VRD RNR. Joined 31. Aged 78.
for his organising of social outings.
1940 and after initial training began a fl ying Ron Bowey. Naval photographer. Joined
J A ‘Kipper’ Herring. L/S (SR). Served
His funeral took place on
1943 - 1944. I would also like to hear from any veterans who served
course in Trinidad qualifying as an Observer. the Royal Marines in 1938, specialised as
1975-97; saw service in Kuwait. Scarborough
November 9 2009 just as
aboard an Insect Class Gunboat.
Appointed to 825 NAS he embarked in Ark a physical training instructor, then as a
RNA and ex-Battersea branch. Aged 61.
‘Up Spirits’ would have been
Royal operating Fairey Swordfi sh; surviving photographer – in which role he recorded the
Edna May Skinner. Served WRNS 1941-
piped (in the old days). Please contact Russell Taylor, PO Box 469, Kumeu,
Ark Royal’s sinking he returned to England Japanese surrender to Lord Mountbatten in
45. Served as president of Dursley and
This celebration of his life was
where he joined the reformed 825 NAS. He Singapore. He continued with photographic
District RNA. October 11. Aged 89. Auckland 0841, New Zealand
was one of only fi ve (out of 18 aircrew-men duties until 1949, despite injuries in 1942 and
Albert Rigby. Tel. 1941-46. Served shared by over 100 people, our
Email: RussellJTaylor@xtra.co.nz Phone: 0064 941 18629
in fi ve aircraft) that survived the Channel 1944, when he transferred to the fi lm and
in MMS 172 (1942-45) Bristol Channel,
families, his shipmates, friends,
Dash Operation, attacking the Scharnhorst, trials unit of the RN School of Photography.
Mediterranean, west coast of Italy and
neighbours and fellow fi shermen.
Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen; he and his pilot He left the Navy in 1964, working as a
Corsica, Sardinia. Princes Risborough
were rescued from their safety dinghy by a cameraman and director for Granada TV. In
and District RNA and a member of HMS During 26 years Bob was at sea
MTB and for his actions he was awarded the 2004, he completed a lifetime ambition to
Royal Arthur Association, Telegraphist
on Carysfort, Pellew, Dunkirk,
DSO. Promoted to lieutenant (A) RNVR he return to the Far East and seek the graves of
Communications branch, Coastal Forces
Victorious and fi nally the
instructed in Canada (1943-44) then returned his comrades, Maj John Maxwell RM, C/Sgt
and Algerines Association. He wrote two
Yarmouth. He kept his feet dry
to England to qualify as a Signals Offi cer Ernie Smith RM, and S/Lt John Thomlinson
books, including Telegraphist Experience on
at Mercury, Whitehall, Sea Eagle,
demobbing 1947. He rejoined the reserve in RNVR, at Kranji cemetery in Singapore.
MMS172. October 24. Aged 88.
Terror (where we met),
1956, promoted to Lieutenant Commander November 2. Aged 90.
F J ‘Frank’ Brady. Joined in Devonport
RNR 1961 and Acting Commander from Albert Raper. Sig. Algerines Association,
and served as Tel(s) 1942-46. Served in Osprey, Drake, SACLANT USA,
1969 serving in most NATO exercises until served in Pincher. October 16. Aged 83.
and loved Malta, but often stayed back in
and fi nally four years with the
1981; retiring aged 60 in 1981. October 29. Fred Holmes. AB. Algerines Association,
Liverpool. Scarborough RNA since 1979.
RNR in Nottingham.
Aged 88. served in Cockatrice. October 18. Aged 84.
November 2. Aged 86.
A colourful career.
Surg Lt Cdr Paul Houghton. Joined the Gordon ‘Bomber’ Stuart Brown.
Percival H Kent. AB. Served in Geranium,
RNVR in 1938. Receiving no naval training he AM1(AE). Served 1956-80 at various stations,
Exmoor, Primula, and Serene. Beccles RNA. Myself, our daughter and
arrived at RN Hospital Haslar at the outbreak ships’ fl ights, and RN Hovercraft Trials Unit.
September 13.
grandchildren would like to take
of war and found “a mob of doctors” being Ran in 1964 Fleet Air Arm Field Gun crew
Christopher W Russel. AB. Served
this opportunity to extend our
sent to sea as fast as possible, sometimes and then selected as trainer in 1972-73,
in Raleigh, Pembroke, Heron, Ark Royal,
heartfelt thanks for all the help
Please call 023 9273 4448 for details
even without uniform. He worked at a and again 1977-78. Fleet Air Arm Field Gun
Monkton, Goldcrest, Hermes, St George,
and support we have received at or email:
this diffi cult time.
Entries for the Deaths’ column and Swap Drafts in January’s Noticeboard must
God bless you all.
subscriptions@navynews.co.uk
be received by December 4
Pat Strout
037_NN_Dec09 NB.indd 1 19/11/09 15:43:45
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