NAVY NEWS, JULY 2010


31


The French connection proves popular


OUISTREHAM was a controversial choice for the 2010 National Conference, writes Navy News editor Mike Gray.


Back in Dundee in 2008 the motion proposing a location for this year brought heated debate – a very unusual situation. A bid to switch to the Home Counties was heavily defeated as S/M David Glossop (France Nord) promised to deliver “a conference that is going to be the mother of all conferences.” The key was to link the annual


AGM and associated business with the D-Day commemorative events which lay within easy reach of the small port town which serves the nearby city of Caen.


And the general consensus was


that the French contingent had indeed staged a conference they had every right to be proud of. Of course things go wrong – bookings can go awry, change,


timings even menus change


(causing some head-scratching at the Conference dinner – it wasn’t what we expected but it was still an excellent meal). But the general consensus of those who made the Channel crossing was


Future members and conferences to come


WITH 14 branch motions and two suggested alterations to the RNA’s rule book to consider, there was a sense of urgency during the main debates which had perhaps


been missing in recent years. The two proposed amendments to the Supplemental Charter, both tabled by Watford and seconded by St Neot’s, were heavily defeated (59-4 and 58-4 respectively) as delegates argued that the status quo allowed for a more accurate reflection of the views of the Association. In both cases the aim was to reduce the number of votes needed to change rules and provisions in the Charter to a simple majority, but both were opposed by National Council, with National Chairman S/M David


White


suggesting delegates wait until a current comprehensive review of the rules has been completed. In the light of these decisions,


that it had been


worth it. The facilities at the town’s sports stadium, Stade Kieffer, fitted the bill, with both the conference and the dinners taking place in the cavernous sports hall. The Mayor was delighted


that his town had the honour of hosting the first RNA conference to be held outside the British Isles, but then the veteran official – 27 years in the post – has a proud record with regards to the British Armed Forces. M André Ledran has an MBE in recognition of his role in welcoming veterans to Normandy, and has personal memories of the tremendous cannonade which accompanied the assault forces back in 1944, when he was a young boy in a small town south of Cherbourg.


Addressing the Conference


at its opening, M Ledran said: “Excuse me – I speak French. “I speak French very well, but je


ne parle pas trés bien Anglais.” For his efforts, the Mayor was


rewarded with the traditional RNA gift – a decanter of rum or, as National President S/M John McAnally put it, “Nelson’s Blood”.


Of course, it was not just the


British contingent who travelled far.


Even some of those in the host branch, and in Acquitaine, had


considerable journeys to


Normandy. Two members of the Belgium branch had originally planned to sail, but were thwarted by bad weather and had to hastily rearrange their schedule using a camper van. And one observer, the widow of a former shipmate, made the long trip from Canada. The ripples from the decision


to travel to Normandy were still visible during proceedings, when the subject of choosing venues for future gatherings was explored during branch motions (see right).


So it may be some time before Conference once again closes with two standards marched off, and members stand for the National Anthem and La Marseillaise.


l RNA staff, delegates and observers enjoy an al fresco lunch in the Normandy countryside during the weekend of the annual conference


‘Defining moment’ for RNA


“JUST as our Royal Navy is approaching a moment that will define its future for the next decade at least and probably beyond, so I think the Royal Naval Association is approaching a defining moment of its own,” National President S/M John McAnally told delegates and observers. “We face a number of challenges, and our response to them will set the course for the Association for some years to come.” S/M McAnally said that there are some 22,000 life, full and associate members, and 38,000 serving


members, with the figure of 22,000 reflecting reductions of 1,000 to 2,000 a year as World War 2 and Korea generation veterans cross the bar. In context, the ex-RN/RM cohort reduces by five per cent a year, and since the mid-1950s RN personnel numbers have reduced by two per cent a year. Next year will see a focus on recruiting, “...but if


we can’t inspire ex-Service and serving members of the joys and benefits of our great association then we will have let our predecessors down, and the RNA will fade away.”


Branch Motion 1, which was linked to the charter motions and would have brought a simple majority rather than at least two-thirds majority to votes at Conference,


branch meetings, was withdrawn by Watford branch. Chatham’s twin-track bid to


clarify the role of National Council members and their deputies, and to establish a common election process for both of these posts,


was successful. Motions 2 and 3, introduced by S/M Darby Allen and seconded by S/M Mick Cox of Margate, were both passed – although Motion 3, as amended by National Council, was passed by the narrowest margin. S/M Withington (Isle


Sheppey) introduced Motion 4 to “improve the image of the Standing Orders Committee” by tidying up the wording of Association Rule 14(c), making sure candidates seeking re-election should be nominated in the same way as any others, and that they should be endorsed by their own branch. Seconded by S/M Mick Cox


(Margate) and backed by the National Council, the motion was carried.


Conference itself was the subject of Motion 5, proposed by S/M Joe Morton of Helston. Backed by S/M Trevor Crowter S/M Morton


(Sherborne), council, area and


outlined the problems of cost and travel which prevented some members attending Conference, and suggested a study group be set up to look into the options for future affordable and accessible locations,


perhaps alternating


between the north and south. He added that the organisation of such events should no longer be a burden which falls on the shoulders of a single branch. The motion, amended so that such a group would report back to Conference through National


Council, was carried. With the study group primed to


of


branch, seconded by Frome, that the National Council positively pursue enhancement to the Memorandum of Understanding with the RN, to allow ships’ and establishments’


look at all aspects of the staging of Conference, Motion 6 – a bid to hold a postal ballot of all branches as to the location of future events – was withdrawn by Watford, as was Motion 7, a suggestion by Helston that future Conferences be held in September, not June, as both options would fall within the remit of the new group. An exhortation by Plymouth


RNA Liaison


Officers (namely Executive Warrant Officers or designated deputies) attendance and voting rights at National Conference, was comfortably carried. Delegates dismissed a proposed


National Council amendment which would have encouraged, rather than allowed, attendance and removed any reference to voting rights. Motion 8, said S/M Arthur


Gutteridge, was intended to encourage the RN to become involved in the Association, adding that conversations on board ships and in establishments indicated that serving sailors were by no means aware of the memorandum. He said statistics indicated that in ten years the ex-serving and associate membership could be down to 11,564, and that serving personnel represented the future of the Association – although they only have one voice on the National Council. S/M Jeremy Owens said if the issue of voting rights required a change in the Royal Charter that would trigger another vote at a future Conference, though the National President said the pursual of enhancements could continue in the interim. With S/M Jimmy Tubman (Tyne) and seconder S/M Christopher Lewarne (Spennymoor) promising good shopping, countryside and sightseeing as well as a great location, delegates voted unanimously in Motion 9 to accept Tyne branch’s offer to host the 2012 conference. S/M Martin Barron (Watford), again backed by St Neot’s, successfully piloted Motion 10 to approval, paving the way for branches to be able to seek clarification of matters contained in the Annual Report and Accounts, through the General Secretary. The proposal was backed by the National Council.


Motion 11 sought to change Area Bye-Law A8 so that each


area would be required to hold at least three meetings a year rather than the current four. The move, proposed by Frome and seconded by Helston, would still allow other areas to hold four or more meetings a year, but could save costs for areas such as No 4 who were struggling to fulfil their remit – money which they said could be put to better use, such as charitable causes. The National Council view, represented by Area 1 member S/M Foley, opposed the motion because “when does three become two, and two become one?” After a lively exchange of views


between delegates supporting and opposing the move, and a final observation by S/M Tug Wilson (Frome) – whose area stretches 250 miles in length – that schools, universities and the Royal Navy, amongst others,


operate on a


three-term system, the vote went against the motion.


Crosby (S/M Dave Tollerton) introduced Motion 12, asking that 2011 be designated the RNA Year of National Recruitment. He told delegates that if the


Approaching the home straight,


l Faces in a crowd – Lt (Q) Alison Devine and LNN Marine Batten at the memorial service held at the Landing Craft crew memorial at the ferry port in Ouistreham


Someone to watch over us...


ATTENDEES at the 2010 Conference were in very safe hands when it came to medical cover.


service is widely admired, two serving RN personnel were part of the travelling party to provide first aid cover.


rate of decline in membership continued, there might not be an association in 20 years; only four areas showed an increase in membership, the best being an increase of 3.5 per cent in Area 8. He said serving members was not the answer – new members must be recruited. National Council backed the motion, which was carried unanimously.


The French contingent entered the fray with Motion 13, Acquitaine’s S/M Ken Napier proposing that RNA standard bearers be allowed to wear the carrying strap over the right shoulder, in part to prevent medals being rubbed.


by host branch France Nord, delegates lined up to shoot the suggestion down, with S/M Arthur Ney (Wythenshawe) saying his Ceremonial Officer “nearly blew a gasket” when he saw the proposal and S/M Mick Kieran (Coventry) saying such a move could lead to bad backs.


But though he was backed The motion was heavily defeated.


The final Branch Motion, number 14, proposed by Gosport (S/M Bob Jones) and seconded by Crawley (S/M John Dale), was dealt with in short order. With the National Council taking no view, delegates voted to amend Model Club Rule 12 to increase the amount payable by an appellant towards the appeal procedure from 50p to £5.


And the presence of Lt (Q) Alison Devine and LNN Marie Batten gave members attending the Conference a chance to show their appreciation for the work done by all Naval Service and UK personnel in Afghanistan. The women both work at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, but as Navy News went to press Lt Devine was preparing to move to Gibraltar.


in Afghanistan, and LNN Batten will make her first visit to Camp Bastion in the spring of next year. Conference co-ordinator S/M


David Glossop, of France Nord branch, pointed out the presence of the two women during the formal conference dinner, and observed that as well as saluting the bravery and sacrifice of the troops out on the front line, we should also remember the work done by people such as Alison and Marie, both theatre nurses who have had to work under difficult conditions and experienced the most horrific sights during the course of their daily routine. Shipmates and their guests rose to their feet and gave the two special guests a standing ovation.


So to Plymouth


AS the last of the delegates headed away, across the Channel by ferry, south by car or perhaps starting a few days holiday, the spotlight turns to the West Country. The team from Plymouth branch has been building up momentum since the city was successful in its bid for the 2011 National Conference, winning a ‘run-off’ against a proposal for a holiday camp on Hayling Island.


Disappointment at turn-out


A GROUP of Naval veterans who travelled to Normandy over the D-Day weekend have expressed their disappointment over the turnout at one of the ceremonies. S/Ms Colin Holden, chairman


of Bognor Regis branch, and S/M Jim Peskett, branch secretary, attended the parade at the car ferry terminal on June 6. “It was a stirring sight to see so many standards – it was Conference weekend,” said S/M Jim, who said that his colleague had been crossing the Channel for such ceremonies for the past 38 years.


attended the only Naval memorial at Hermanvill-sur-Mer,


The same afternoon they three


miles or so west of Ouistreham. “Only one standard, that from Bognor Regis, was there, and all together three RNA members were present, the other being S/M David Cottrell, whose idea it had been and it took well over five years of his own time and money


l Tributes are paid at the memorial at Hermanville-sur-Mer


to get it to actually happen. “It was eventually put in place and dedicated in June 2001. “We did meet a commander


from Portsmouth Naval Base who was on holiday. “He expressed great surprise about the lack of support and he


was sad that he was not properly dressed for the occasion. “Why the apparent secrecy?


It was the same two years ago, but at least there were two more shipmates than this time. “And at least the locals turn out to pay their respects.”


She has already done a stint While the French health care


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