32 NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2010


Tykes earn


Algerines travel to Corfu thanks


FORMER Royal Marine S/M Bernard Hallas has expressed the gratitude of himself and his colleagues following a fundraising event in Yorkshire. Bernard, who believes at 92 he is the oldest public relations officer in the Association, said: “A big thank you from the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Associations York branch to the Chief Executive of Tesco’s superstore in Tadcaster Road. “Following an invitation


from all theatres to


hold a collection on behalf of Alexander Rose charities the York branch mustered their resources and veterans


of the past wars spent a day in the main entrance to the store, complete in Association dress and wearing their medals. “It was a first timer and it was a


great success. “The Tesco customers opened their hearts, their purses and their wallets as only Yorkshire folk can. “Tiny tots, teenagers, mums and dads and the older generation who remembered what it was all about wanted to show their appreciation to the former members of the Armed Forces and no doubt to express their admiration to the Armed Forces of today who are commanding the respect of the remainder of the civilised world. “To them, the not-so-ordinary people of York, a special thank you from the Royal Navy.”


Founder dies


MEMBERS of Norwich branch were shocked and saddened when founder member S/M Colin Ayden collapsed and died at the Canary Social Club following the branch’s monthly meeting. S/M Colin, who was 80, spent


22 years in the Navy, including service in Korean waters during the Korean War, and then a further 17 years in RN recruitment. He was a major influence on the


branch, which now has more than 100 members.


MEMBERS of the Algerine Association made a pilgrimage to the island of Corfu to pay tribute to lost comrades.


Return, a section of the Big Lottery Fund, and the tireless input of Algerine Association organiser S/M George Patience, 64 members, carers, wives and RNA comrades enjoyed a ten-day break in the Ionian Sea. The first Sunday in September saw two coaches transfer the party to Corfu for a church service and a wreath-laying ceremony at the British Cemetery.


Thanks to a generous subsidy from Heroes


An unplanned detour via a Roman Catholic church resulted in a steep uphill climb, but the party was met with beakers of iced water at Holy Trinity Anglican church. The Rev John Gulland conducted the


service, which was attended by the Bishop to the Greek Orthodox Church, the Mayor of Corfu, an officer of the Hellenic Navy, vice- consul of the southern area and British vice- consul Sarah Ticherou. After the service all travelled to the British Cemetery to lay wreaths for those Algerine sailors lost to a mine on HMS Regulus in 1945;


a survivor, S/M Sid Unwin, did the honours. A further visit was made to the memorial to more than 40 men who died as a result of injuries sustained in the mining of HM Ships Volage and Saumarez, the two destroyers badly damaged in the Corfu Channel Incident of 1946 (see Heroes of the Royal Navy, p12). A poppy wreath was laid by 92-year-old Amy Sheppard.


A presentation of an Algerine Association plaque was then made to cemetery caretaker George, who has been tending the spot for many years.


Warm welcome for Arctic convoy group


FOLLOWING a successful tour to Russia earlier this year, plans are already being made


Convoy


wives, three grandchildren, one daughter, one son-in-law and two friends) fly out from Heathrow to St Petersburg for the first leg of the trip. Over the next four days the group


for next year’s excursion. Early May saw nine Russian veterans


(plus two


enjoyed a packed programme of visits, receptions and ceremonies, including the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery and museum and a trip on the River Niva. The cemetery is the last resting place of close to half a million civilians and soldiers who died in the siege of St Petersburg – then Leningrad – a devastating military campaign which lasted almost 900 days, in which the Germans and Finns tried (and failed) to capture the city during World War 2. The party paid their respects at


the Eternal Flame in the cemetery, and walked to the Mother Motherland statue where they laid wreaths and flowers. One member of the party –


● Russian convoy veterans and supporters attend a ceremony in Murmansk earlier this year


Russian Convoy Club (London and Home Counties


secretary S/M Gordon Long also attended a ceremony at which a new mast for HMS Belfast was handed over at a St Petersburg shipyard – see page 26. The focus then moved north,


first to Murmansk, where more ceremonies were staged. Here, on Kola Bay, the British called in at


visitors


university and museum, enjoyed a reception on board a Russian icebreaker, and were guests at the Russian Victory Day military parade.


● RNPA members and guests before their gala dinner and dance. Joining chairman Stuart Antrobus (centre) in the front row are some of the most senior members, including Cecilia Philbrick (pink cardigan), who joined the branch in 1942 as a Wren Photographer at the then RN School of Air Photography, Bognor Regis


Picture: Ex-CPO(Phot) Danny du Feu


90 years on and still fully focused


ALL minds were focused on Bournemouth when the Royal Naval


Photographic Branch


celebrated the 90th anniversary of the branch’s formation. The three-day event,


action-packed programme. Phots old and new got together from all over the UK to celebrate, and in some cases the age difference was some 55 years, but that didn’t stop some of the old and bold running off with most of the prizes at the horse racing event on the Friday evening. Saturday started with local


visits, including Bucklers Hard near Southampton, where many Nelson-era warships were built. Back at the Wessex, a short and interesting AGM and Up Spirits was staged, where Gibraltar was put forward as a possible venue for next year’s autumn reunion.


allowing an


the Wessex Hotel, West Cliff, was blessed with a weekend of gorgeous weather,


at


This was followed by the highlight of the weekend, a formal gala dinner and dance, including a raffle which boosted the Welfare Fund by over £300.


display around the ballroom of the Peregrine Trophy award- winning pictures, with association chairman S/M Stuart Antrobus noting that “the skills of the earlier photographers laid the foundation for the world-class images that are on show here today.” There was also a display of


members’ photos, including initial course photos (which received a few chuckles), and images of times spent on ships and at airfields in the branch with mates. Anyone interested


the RNPA should write to Danny du Feu, RNPA Membership Secretary,


Leicester, LE3 3DU, or email danny@ddf-photography. co.uk, or call 07891 660715.


in joining 57 Westover Road, Attendees could also view a


Colours laid up THE HMS King George


Association (also


the KGVA) have held their final reunion in Portsmouth. The association laid up their


Bible, presented by King George V’s son King George VI and recently refurbished thanks to the Association.


Also in the church is the ship’s known a school, branch)


on to the White Sea and the port of Arkhangelsk, which promised a similar hectic pattern of events. The party, whose programme


was organised with the help of both local authorities in Russia and British Consulate staff, then returned to the UK. Their visit attracted media attention in each of


visited – and next year’s trip should achieve an even higher profile, as 2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the first Arctic convoy.


Another flight took the party V as


colours in St Ann’s Church, in the city’s naval base, during a service conducted by the Rev Martin Poll.


The future of the Association itself has yet to be decided, with a number of options being considered; no members of the ship’s company now serves on the Association committee.


● WEYMOUTH shipmates staged a Drumhead ceremony on the 50th anniversary of the formation of their branch. The ceremony consisted of the laying-up of the old standard, as well as that of Portland branch, followed by the dedication of a new one. A total of 31 standards were in attendance, including four representing areas. The event took place within the walls of Nothe Fort in Weymouth, with a reception at the nearby Sea Cadet Training Centre, TS Duke of York. The service was conducted by the Rev Mike Brotherton, chaplain of HMS Drake, and music was provided by the RNAS Yeovilton Volunteer Band


the cities


relatively-small flotilla of merchant ships and a light naval escort sailed from Iceland on August 21 1941, arriving in Arkhangelsk ten days later.


or so gruelling, dangerous return voyages that followed – convoys that claimed more than 100 ships, both military and civilian. Following Dervish,


were classified by number rather than name.


convoys It set the pattern for the 40 Codenamed Dervish, the


Legion tribute to Forces


THE Royal British Legion of Devon will hold its


2010


Festival of Remembrance at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, on Remembrance Day – Thursday November 11 – starting at 7pm. In addition to entertainment, this annual tribute to Britain’s Armed Forces will feature the traditional muster of standards of the country’s Royal British Legion and Service association branches, as well as representatives of the serving Armed Forces, cadet forces, youth groups and emergency services. It will end with a short Service of Remembrance, including the two-minute silence. The theme of the festival is the 150th anniversary of the formation of the cadet movement, and in addition to the high profile of these groups, the guest speaker will be a serving Royal Marine whose association with the military goes back to his membership of the Somerset Army Cadet Force. WO1 Matthew Tomlinson is the holder of both the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and the Military Cross, and his keynote speech should be an inspiration to all. Tickets are £8 and available from the theatre, telephone 01803 380842 or 0844 947 2315 (local call), see the website www. princesstheatre.org.uk or call the RBL County Office on 01392 272211.


Play your cards right


THE


Stourbridge and District branch wants shipmates to be aware of the


chairman of the


confirms the holder’s status as a war disablement pensioner. S/M Ron Gould


existence of a card which


Navy News as his shipmate, Mick Coyle – who “has campaigned long and hard for this concession” is suffering ill health at present. S/M Ron said Mick had received a letter from the Veterans Welfare Centre in Kidderminster, replying to a customer feedback form. The letter stated: “On the forms,


contacted


you ask whether it is possible to obtain a plastic card for war pensioners


attending for medical services. “I can confirm that a card can be provided,


individual’s name, date of birth and national insurance number, and confirming that he/she is a war disablement pensioner. “Anyone wishing to obtain such a card can do so by ringing our helpline on 0800 1692277 or by email at veteranshelp@spva.gsi. gov.uk


Wren election


A FORMER member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service has been elected to serve on the Council of the Association of Wrens (AOW).


the WRNS in 1976 and served 22 years before leaving as a CPO (Writer).


Manchester and District branch of the AOW. Never say never – see p38


 Sheila is secretary to the S/M Sheila Houghton joined bearing the to present when


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