32 NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2010
Antarctic fl yer meets
Ganges
meets
rescuers 41 years on
on the
Mersey
THE HMS Ganges Association
will be holding their 2010 reunion
from Friday April 30 to Monday
● ET Barry Hay
THREE Naval aviators who dead reckoning was the only way May 3 at the Adelphi Hotel in
took part in a daring rescue
of navigating. Liverpool.
Barry wins
in the Antarctic in 1968 met
Derek was eventually forced to This is an annual get-together
up with one of the men they
turn back, but he drifted off course of like minded people who shared
the same experiences at Ganges,
plucked to safety more than
and was finally forced to land while
new award
the plane still had fuel and power – and the association invites all to
40 years ago.
descending in a white-out, unable come and join in, to renew old
The meeting came about when
to see even the wing tips, the acquaintances and make new
Bill Beatty came across a reference
nervous occupants finally made friends.
from RNA
to the rescue in a book he was
contact with the ground with the A full programme of
reading during a stormy cruise off
altimeter reading minus 150ft. entertainment, including a gala
South Georgia.
They had food for 30 days, and dinner, will be staged.
A NEW award has been presented
Having read more detailed
the snow meant there was plenty For those who prefer to travel
for the first time in recognition of
reports, the incident took on more
of water, but they did not know by rail, the hotel is only 200
● From left: Tony Bower, Chris Newsum, Mike Rufus, Bill Beatty and
the contribution to team spirit by
significance for Bob as one of the
their location – which turned out
Derek Smith; below, Endurance’s helicopter crews as featured in the
metres from the station, while
a trainee.
men rescued, Derek Smith, was a
to be on the Larsen Ice Shelf and
February 1969 edition of Navy News
for those using their own wheels
ET Barry Hay was presented
fellow member of the Roborough
virtually inaccessible. parking arrangements are in place.
with a pewter tankard donated
Probus club.
When Capt Peter Buchanan,
The city has its own airport, as
by the RNA at the end of his
In late 1968 Derek, an RAF
CO of Endurance, heard of
well.
nine-week basic training course at
pilot, volunteered to fly a Twin
their predicament his ship was
Organisers of the weekend can
HMS Raleigh.
Otter aircraft the 7,500-miles from
just hours from the shelter of
assure shipmates that Liverpool
Staff, recruits and affiliated
Toronto to the frozen continent
Grytviken.
offers a vast array of activities
RNA veterans are invited to vote
for the British Antarctic Survey.
But he turned straight round
catering for all tastes, including the
for the person they believe most
With the aid of a beacon on HMS
and the ship battered her way
Albert Dock complex, housing the
deserving of the award, which will
Endurance, Derek completed the
through gales and high seas at ten
Tate Modern and one of the finest
now be presented on a weekly
final 650-mile hop across Drake
knots to retrace her 1,100-mile
maritime museums in the world,
basis.
Passage to land at Adelaide Island, course back to the Antarctic. as well as the Beatles Experience.
HMS Raleigh, in Cornwall, while the ice patrol ship set sail for A radio bearing obtained by a
For further details contact
has developed a close relationship South Georgia. research ship put the Twin Otter
Frank Parker on 01744 886366
with the RNA since an initiative On arrival, Derek was told he 100 miles from the Stonington
If you are not already a
was launched in the summer of had an urgent mission to relieve Island base, so as Endurance
member and would like to
2008. three men stuck 250 miles away at closed in Derek made a short flight
join, e-mail the membership
Each class of recruits now has Fossil Bluff, where they had been to put the plane closer to home
secretary on membershipsec@
an affiliated RNA mentor who holed up for nine months. base – he did not have enough fuel
gangesadmin.com
visits them on a regular basis Bad weather delayed him for to make it all the way.
flying in the intense cold – engines greet his rescuers till their story
throughout their training. several days, but he finally set By December 16 the aircraft was
and rotor blades could ice up with was told at a Probus meeting,
Nice to SCU,
The mentor will particularly off on December 10 with five now 45 miles from Stonington,
disastrous consequences. attended by former P2 Lt Tony
help his or her trainees learn about passengers and a load of supplies. and Endurance was within
The first attempts were thwarted Bower, OBS2 Lt Chris Newsum
the Navy’s heritage and culture. The fickle weather turned helicopter range.
to SCU nice...
by the weather, but on December and SOBS Lt Mike Rufus.
Four RNA branches are involved while they were en route, and with That was a whole new ball-
20 they got through to deliver Bill said: “I should like to thank VETERANS and a current serving
– Plymouth, Saltash, Torpoint and visibility closing in, a failure to game, as the ship’s two Whirlwinds
hot soup and fuel, flying on to all the magnificent men in their member of the Radio Operator
Liskeard. pick up a navigation beacon meant were not specially-adapted for
Stonington, while Derek took off, flying machines for inspiring this (S)/Communications Technician
Arthur Gutteridge, secretary of
as he had landed, in a white-out story.” branch met up at Selsey Golf Club
Plymouth branch, said: “All the
and returned to Adelaide Island. Derek’s adventure stood him in to reminisce over years of service.
mentors thoroughly enjoy their
The very next day he set out good stead – on his return to the Also invited were many people
involvement with the recruits.
and completed his original mission UK he was given command of the personally associated with the
“We see them once a week and
at Fossil Bluff. RAF School of Combat Survival Special Communications Unit,
the change in them as the course
Derek never really had time to and Rescue. together with wives and partners.
progresses is fantastic.
The event was organised by
“It’s a tremendous and very
satisfying experience for us all.”
Happy 90th for Tommy
Selsey branch member S/M Eddie
Clamp, a retired WOCT, while
SSAFA switch
the welcome speech was delivered
A FOUNDER member of Swiftsure, Birmingham and Tiger. by the most senior of ex-RO(S)s
THE chairman of Cyprus branch,
Limavady branch has celebrated After serving in frigate HMS attending, Cdr Derek Sayce (rtd).
Lt Col Andrew Noyes RM has
his 90th birthday. Relentless and depot ships Triumph ExCRS(S) ‘Prof’ Brain
assumed the post of chairman of
Past president S/M Tommy and Adamant, Tommy retired in presented a bouquet of flowers
SSAFA branch Cyprus from Col
Callaghan joined the Royal Navy 1962 as a Chief Mechanician. to Sue Clamp to mark her 40th
John Diffin.
in 1940 as a stoker, seeing war Helping him celebrate his wedding anniversary – Prof was
The handover was a one-
service in home waters, the Med birthday was the only other Sue and Eddie Clamp’s best man.
handed affair – the incoming Lt
and the Far East. surviving founder member, http://groups.yahoo.com/marina
● Last month we told you of the epic odyssey by two members of
Col Noyes broke his arm just Stourbridge branch who visited Plymouth for Navy Days using their
Wartime billets saw him in president S/M Bobby Scott. group/Squirrelshack/
before Christmas while hashing bus passes. This month we bring you a picture from S/M Neil Price,
HM ships Liverpool, St Issey
with the Episkopi Hash House of Llanelli, of “Admiral’s Evolutions” at HMS Northumberland.
and Albacore, while post-war
Harriers, and wore a sling. “Mission impossible to get up that ramp,” observed Neil...
service included cruisers Diadem,
Stateside welcome
A GROUP of ex-RN men and museum, and being hosted at both
women, and their partners have Legion, and Fleet Reserve clubs.
returned from a military sightseeing They also laid a wreath at the
tour of South Carolina. HMS Seraph monument, which
Hosted by Vince Johnson (Vice includes the boat’s fore hatch,
Commandant Marine Corps steering and plane wheels, ship’s
League, Low Country Detachment bell and badge, and her periscope.
803) their ten-day itinerary of This is believed to be the only
naval interest included watching location where the White Ensign is
the US Marines Boot Camp flown in the United States.
graduation at Parris Island, joining The seven RNA shipmates (from
the World War 2 military vehicle Haven, Llanelli and Aberporth)
convoy in the Veterans Parade, and four Association of Wrens
visiting Afghanistan returnees in ● Shipmates from the City of Glasgow branch visited the playgroup members were honoured by the
at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) to donate toys, books, the VA hospital, attending the welcome they received, culminating
craft materials and DVDs for patients to enjoy over the Christmas 234th US Marines’ Birthday Ball in the presentation by the local
period. Pictured is branch chairman S/M Frank Halliday presenting a at Columbia, lunch and tour on mayor of Veteran’s medals, on
● The Mayor of Seaford, Cllr Tracy Willis, presents the certifi cate to
cheque to playworkers Moira and Gillian from the hospital the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier behalf of the US Navy.
S/M Michael Overbury of Seaford branch
Parade planned
SEAFORD branch are organising in due course.
an anniversary parade and march Branch chairman S/M Eon
through the town in April to mark Matthews said they would welcome
their silver jubilee. serving and ex-Royal Navy, Royal
To get the ball rolling, the Marines, Merchant Navy and staff
branch were presented with a 25th members of the Sea Cadet Corps
anniversary certificate by Cllr Tracy as new members, as they are the
Willis, the mayor of Seaford. last branch in Area 3 in East
The certificate was presented to Sussex and wish to continue for
S/M Michael Overbury, the longest another 25 years.
serving member of the branch. For more details on the
Seaford’s anniversary parade parade and march, contact S/M
and march is set for April 24, Matthews at eon.matthews@
accompanied by the band from btinternet.com or secretary S/M
HMS Collingwood. K MacDonald at se.sama82@
More details will be publicised btinternet.com
032-033_NN_feb.indd 1 20/1/10 16:58:53
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